Chief Financial Officer (Costa Mesa)

SALARY RANGE : $189,654.40 - $261,497.60 DOE Annually

THE POSITION

Reporting to the General Manager, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operations of the Financial and Customer Services Departments. This includes implementing policies and establishing procedures related to finance, accounting, budget, and treasury. This position also manages and oversees water billing and collections and coordinates activities with other departments and outside agencies, as well as provides complex strategic and administrative support and advice to the General Manager. The CFO may serve as District Treasurer and assume responsibility for District investments. This position will manage a team of 10 FTEs including customer service and purchasing.

Duties include but may not be limited to the following :

• Assume full management responsibility for all Financial and Customer Services Department services and activities including general accounting, financial reporting and monthly close, budget preparation, financial statement audit management, accounts payable and receivable, cash receipts, treasury management, procurement, payroll, debt financing, property and liability insurance and claims programs, Project Track (Capital and Customer Projects) water billing, payments, collections, Customer Information System (Cogsdale Customer Management); may serve as District Treasurer.
• Provide direction, mentorship, and positive leadership to ensure high performance and a customer service-oriented working environment.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned services and programs; identify resource needs; recommend and implement policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with the District's strategic and operational plan.
• Manage and participate in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, consultants, contractors, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct and implement adjustments as necessary to meet changing conditions. Manage the debt financing program, including the issuance and management of long and short-term debt financing, assuring District compliance with debt covenants and disclosures, coordinate required updates and presentations to debt rating agencies.
• Direct the District's treasury functions and oversee investment programs and ensure investment activities comply with policy requirements.
• Direct risk management activities, including acquisition of appropriate insurance coverage, identify self-insurance levels, negotiate coverage requirements and obtain and verify evidence of coverage from District contractors. Assume risk management responsibility for property and liability insurance and claims programs and the risk transfer program.
• Evaluate and monitor the District's financial position including oversight of the issuance of periodic financial and operating reports. Work in collaboration with District staff to develop and establish financial planning and expense control programs.
• Oversee the development of the District budget.
• Oversee water billing, payments and collections and ensure customer conflicts regarding billing or meter issues are resolved in an efficient and timely manner.
• Assume responsibility for contract review including District bids, RFPs, etc. to determine conformance with District policies for insurance requirements and contractual agreements, as well as oversight of the annual audit.
• The CFO will be instrumental in the selection and implementation of a new ERP conversion.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be an inspiring leader, who is a proactive problem solver with the desire and confidence to work with District leadership in a highly visible role to carry out the mission, vision, and needs of the Mesa Water District. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills will be critical to build trust and confidence with the leadership, staff, and the Board, so an individual who values open dialogue, collaboration, and is willing to build consensus is a must.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance leader and professional to work in a stable environment with a dedicated staff, modernizing processes and procedures as the District moves to new technologies. The incumbent will be self-motivated with good judgment and high ethical standards.

THE DISTRICT

Mesa Water is a retail water agency that provides 16,000 acre-feet per year (AFY) of domestic water and 1,100 AFY of recycled water to 110,000 customers in an 18-square mile area covering the City of Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach, and the John Wayne Airport. Mesa Water uses 100% groundwater supplies to meet its customers' demands with 317 miles of pipeline, nine domestic groundwater wells, three reservoirs, five imported back-up water supply connections, and an advanced membrane treatment facility. Mesa Water is an AAA-rated special district that is rated as one of Orange County's most efficient water agency and has a competitive compensation and benefit package.

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at : https : / / koffassociates.com / wp-content / uploads / 2025 / 04 / Rev2-Mesa-Water-CFO.pdf

To be considered, please electronically submit your resume, cover letter and a list of five professional references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to : https : / / koffassociates.com / mesa-water-cfo / . Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed.

For additional information, please contact :

Website : https : / / koffassociates.com /

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