Position Classification Title: Controller

FLSA Status: Exempt

Incentive Compensation: 10%

On Site Position - Relocation Bonus Available

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer /Chief Operating Officer (CFO/COO) the Controller is responsible for executing the comprehensive financial activities of New Mexico State University Foundation (NMSUF). This position focuses on the development and implementation of sound financial policies and procedures, works with external auditors, and coordinates the fiscal year end audits and tax preparation. The Controller directly manages the Foundation Finance department and is responsible for ensuring the financial operations of the Foundation are carried out in support of Foundation policy, are in compliance with GAAP accounting standards and state/federal laws and regulations. The Controller develops and maintains internal controls and best practices to ensure the safeguarding of assets and the accuracy of data and reporting. The position executes and coordinates budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and analysis, capital asset administration, cash flow planning, account reconciliation, accounting system maintenance, accounts receivable, accounts payable, tax compliance, procurement, audit, and payroll.

About Us:

The New Mexico State University Foundation invites you to apply to join our diverse, dynamic, and welcoming team in Las Cruces, NM. The NMSU Foundation seeks to provide the pinnacle career experience for each member of our team. The Foundation is seeking talented individuals who are passionate about the mission of NMSU and committed to a continual pursuit of excellence. We build strong relationships with alumni, supporters, NMSU partners, and each other, while personifying our core values of integrity, teamwork, stewardship, innovation, and fun.

Established in 1959, the New Mexico State University Foundation’s mission is to build a brighter future for NMSU, one relationship at a time. As an independent nonprofit organization, the Foundation is the primary fundraising and alumni relations institution for NMSU. We are charged with raising and managing gifts of all types and coordinating the alumni association. We invest endowed gifts and disburse funding each year for the purposes designated by donors. The Foundation coordinates the efforts of the NMSU Alumni Association, which galvanizes the enthusiasm and loyalty of the NMSU alumni network of over 147,000 graduates to support the mission of NMSU while becoming better connected with each other.

Our team partners with alumni, corporations, foundations, and other supporters who want to match their charitable passions with opportunities for purposeful philanthropy and personal engagement at NMSU. Gifts create scholarships, advance faculty endeavors, enhance student programs, and make new and renovated educational and athletic facilities possible. These generous investments greatly enhance NMSU’s land grant mission to provide the highest quality academic programs, develop new understandings through research and creativity, and provide extension services across our state and region.

We offer a highly competitive salary including incentive compensation, an industry-leading benefits package, and a fun and fulfilling work environment. Qualified individuals with a high level of energy who are looking for a work environment that nurtures vision, performance, productivity, superior quality, and unsurpassed integrity are encouraged to apply for this career opportunity.

NMSU is New Mexico’s flagship land-grant and space-grant institution. Founded in 1888, NMSU is the oldest institution of higher education in the state and is a Hispanic-serving institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research, service, and outreach. NMSU serves more than 14,000 students from 49 states and 89 foreign countries and is among the best universities in the nation at moving students from the lowest income tier to the top. Over 50% of NMSU students are first-generation college students and over 60% are Hispanic, meaning that NMSU is one of the most important and effective drivers of economic mobility in the state. Las Cruces is located 45 miles north of El Paso, TX, and features an average of 294 days of sunshine annually. Situated in the heart of the historic Mesilla Valley between the Organ Mountains, Robledo Mountains, and Picacho Peak, Las Cruces is ideal for job seekers who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and birdwatching. Las Cruces is New Mexico’s second-largest city and home to 111,000 residents. The median home price in Las Cruces is $285,000, far below the national average of $425,000.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee financial reporting and financial internal control operations of the Foundation in order to safeguard assets and support the Foundation in meeting its financial and strategic objectives.
• Oversee the coordination of the annual audit including the completion of the financial statements and footnotes, supporting schedules and analyses. Ensure auditors are provided with all requested documentation, as required.
• Ensure compliance with financial recording and reporting regulations and specifically oversee the preparation and accurate reporting of all required federal and state tax returns.
• Develops and maintain the Foundation’s financial accounting system to account for the receipt and expenditure of all funds and to report operating results to the Foundation leadership and external partners. Maintain the chart of accounts, including the determination of proper classification of accounts.
• Design financial management procedures and business practices to achieve: 1) effectiveness and efficiency of operations, 2) compliance with laws and regulations, and 3) reliability of financial reporting.
• Develop and prepare timely and accurate financial reporting for the Foundation including budgets variance reports, financial statements, audit reports, management reports, and external reports.

• Coordinate with the Foundation’s Outsourced Chief Investment Officer to ensure that investment operations are seamlessly executed with the goal of maximizing return on investments.
• Hire, train, supervise and evaluate the Finance department staff and provide leadership and direction. Coordinate with the CFO / COO in establishing goals and objectives for the department and individual team members.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Education, Knowledge, Experience & Certification/License:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license
• 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience and management in higher education foundations or similar institutions. Experience envisioning and implementing transformational change, with the ability to think strategically and implement discipline in accounting processes to ensure sound financial reporting, and to analyze new opportunities. This position requires poise, presence, and strong interpersonal skills to interact with a variety of constituents and stakeholders, and to establish productive working relationships with other senior administrative leaders, deans, faculty, staff and students. Must have the ability to build, nurture, and retain a strong team of professionals. Represents the Foundation at professional organizations, conferences, and Foundation-sponsored functions. Possesses excellent problem solving, analytical and business skills, and strong project management skills to meet deadlines and work effectively with others.
• An energetic, well-grounded, innovative, service-oriented personality and calculated risk taker with a bias for action, a record of setting and surpassing objectives, and the proven “can do” attitude and drive to execute strategies and produce results beyond expectations.
• Knowledge of accounting standards related to higher education foundations and federal, state, and local laws and regulations.