Chief Financial Officer (CFO) (Washington)

APPLY FOR THIS JOB:

To be considered for this position, you must apply through NHT’s hiring portal: .

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

National Housing Trust (NHT) has been dedicated to creating and preserving affordable housing for almost 40 years. We build, preserve, and finance affordable housing and use that expertise to inform and advance resident-focused solutions to strengthen the broader affordable housing industry. NHT has a staff of 60+ across five program areas: Policy, Lending, Real Estate Development, Community Outreach and Impact, and Energy Solutions. Our hallmark is our cross-functional, integrated approach to innovating, demonstrating, and amplifying solutions to the affordable housing crisis in the U.S.

POSITION:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. Other Senior Leadership Team members include Managing Director for Policy, Managing Director of Lending and Innovation, Managing Director of Community Outreach and Impact, and Managing Director of Real Estate. The CFO oversees a Finance Team of eleven (11) staff, including three (3) direct reports:

1. Controller/Director of Corporate Accounting and Treasury
2. Controller/Director of Real Estate Development and Property Accounting
3. Accounting Manager, Research and Reporting

This position is DC-based and qualifies for a hybrid work schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Accounting and Reporting:

1. Oversee general accounting operations, including payroll and benefits, accounts receivable (A/R), and accounts payable (A/P).
2. Establish and maintain appropriate internal controls as well as overall corporate compliance.
3. Provide quarterly and annual financial reports and forecasts to outside investors and funders as well as Senior Leadership and the various Boards.
4. Ensure timely payouts, and distributions in compliance with all financial obligations.
5. Manage the relationship with NHT's independent audit firm and oversee annual financial audits of NHT controlled properties, NHT and affiliated legal entities and the preparation of consolidated financial statements and related footnotes.
6. Oversee the preparation and review of all tax returns for NHT controlled properties and related property ownership entities. Oversee the preparation of Federal 990 Information Returns for NHT and all nonprofit entities affiliated with NHT. Prepare for and participate in quarterly investor calls.
7. Liase with the Finance and Audit Committees of the Board.

Financial Strategy, Management, And Planning:

1. Partner with the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team on strategic direction and initiatives, providing leadership and advice on financial strategies that will further the mission of the organization.
2. Oversee the overall effective financial management of the organization.
3. Manage annual budgeting process, including Annual Business Plan, the ongoing Strategic Plan, and NHT Corporate Goals.
4. Manage the corporate financial model, including multi-year forecasts, scenario planning, and cash flow analysis. Be accountable for and direct treasury management, including managing operating cash funds, hedging strategies, and cash flow funding decisions.

Corporate And Property Financing:

1. Oversee relationships with third-party lenders and investors. Lead negotiations and restructurings for joint ventures.
2. Ensure all loans and other financial obligations are paid on a current basis and all loan and regulatory covenants are in compliance.
3. Negotiate and close debt instruments to maximize opportunities and lead loan renewals and refinances.
4. Provide expert and easy-to-understand technical advice to all staff members involving accounting, cost certifications, accounting consolidations, corporate finance as it relates to NHT and real estate development, along with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, State Tax Credits, Solar Tax Credits, bond financing, grant programs, and the closing and equity harvesting process for apartment transactions.
5. Support the Real Estate Development Team by ensuring that the proper internal and external financial resources are available to support the projects and development activities.
6. Foster internal collaboration of asset management, services, and development teams.

Capital Relationships:

1. Manage NHT’s Investment Policy and portfolio including collaborating with third-party advisors on investment choices and regular monitoring.
2. Oversee and participate in the organization’s efforts to raise capital to support NHT’s mission. Help think through capital markets strategies; help raise funds from existing and new investors.
3. Cultivate and foster relationships with investors and key capital.
4. Represent NHT in the field through participation at industry conferences and outside organization committees as a leader in affordable housing and as an active member of CFO Strength Matters Working Group.
5. Cultivate and maintain relationships with government and industry partners.
6. Ensure compliance with CRA reporting requirements for NHT’s investors.

Service Partner To Operating Businesses:

1. Develop and foster a customer service-oriented culture within the Finance and Accounting teams.
2. Support Managing Directors and their teams as they consider and execute financing plans for their businesses consistent with the organizational objectives.
3. Provide solutions to finance and audit challenges with peer leaders.

Client And Transaction Advisory:

1. Offer a capital markets perspective to the CEO and transaction team, to help the organization think through their balance sheet strategies and identify how NHT can structure debt and equity financing to strategically leverage a client’s business.

Overall Corporate Leadership:

1. As one of the senior leaders within the organization, the CFO is a key advisor to the CEO and a leader who is expected to advise the overall business, not just on their specific areas of responsibility but holistically about the business.
2. As one of the senior officers of the NHT, this person will be active externally within the industry to understand and share best practices and to proactively seek opportunities for the organization’s growth.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU:

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a committed leader with at least fifteen (15) years of progressive experience in real estate accounting or finance. Other qualifications include:

Education And Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree. MBA and/or CPA is a plus.
2. Eight (8) years of prior experience as a Chief Financial Officer or senior member of a finance department of a multi-state, multi-regional real estate company with multiple subsidiary corporations and partnerships with a significant, comparable asset base and annual operating budget; experience with large, multi-state, multifamily real estate finance and development organizations.
3. Demonstrated experience partnering with a CEO to lead and successfully execute strategic initiatives, business development, and organizational change through exceptional project management skills.

Finance And Accounting Expertise:

1. Demonstrated record of success in prior financial positions, having produced results within a large complex real estate company.
2. Demonstrated experience managing complex audit and tax filings and the associated internal processes.
3. Demonstrated experience with formulating and implementing organization-wide financial policies.
4. Demonstrated ability to build and manage strategic financial relationships with banking and other financial institutions and social impact investors; strategic relationships with insurance companies as investors and health organizations a plus.
5. Experience working with a geographically dispersed portfolio; experience working through multiple corporate subsidiary organizations.

Relevant Real Estate And Nonprofit Knowledge:

1. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of federal housing programs and regulations, tax-exempt bond financing, and the LIHTC program.
2. Experience structuring complex financing transactions, including bonds, debt, equity, working capital, and lines of credit.
3. Strong knowledge and experience working on accounting, tax, and legal aspects of real estate partnerships, non-profit safe-haven rules, and other LIHTC tax issues.
4. Demonstrated ability to review and analyze real estate transactions.
5. Experience with CDFIs and non-profit accounting and tax-related matters.
6. Solar tax credits and financing.
7. Grant accounting.

Leadership And Strategic Skills:

1. Demonstrated effective managerial, coaching, and leadership skills, including conceptual thinking and problem-solving skills.
2. Ability to achieve results for the organization with and through other people, utilizing creative and innovative solutions.
3. Ability to work successfully across disciplines within the company.
4. Skillful in the communication and use of financial metrics, KPIs, and benchmarks to help guide the organization.
5. Comfortable using and implementing new business technologies and finding opportunities to use business technology innovations to build and grow the business.
6. The NHT l