Chief Financial and Benefits Officer

CHIEF FINANCIAL AND BENEFITS OFFICER

The California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is seeking a Chief Financial and Benefits Officer. The California-Pacific Conference is a regional body of The United Methodist Church, consisting of approximately 50,000 members in nearly 350 local churches across Southern California, parts of Central California, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, and Guam. The Conference is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

The Chief Financial and Benefits Officer is responsible for managing the overall operations of the Finance, Human Resources, and Administrative Services departments. This position provides visionary and hands-on leadership in areas including employee benefits administration, Conference-wide property, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance programs. The person in this role will serve as the chief source of advice and information on fiscal stewardship and human resource management, ensuring alignment with the Conference’s mission, vision and values

Essential Functions:

• Work collaboratively and strategically with the Bishop, Cabinet and Conference leadership to resource the mission and vision of the Conference.
• Oversee all treasury responsibilities of the Conference, including the Board of Pension and Health Benefits and the Board of Trustees, assuring professional application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local employment laws and regulations for the Conference staff in collaboration with the Staff Relations Committee.
• Serve as the Conference Benefits Officer for all matters relating to retirement, health, disability, and life insurance benefits.
• Serve as the treasurer of the Conference Board of Trustees. Provide support for Trustee investment and property activities in compliance with federal, state, and United Methodist Book of Discipline requirements. Oversee maintenance of the Conference Center and other Conference-owned property.
• Coordinate the mandatory property, liability and workers compensation insurance program for all churches, camps, new church start facilities, and subsidiaries of the Conference.
• Prepare and develop the Annual Conference budgets in consultation with the Council on Finance and Administration, the Board of Pension and Health Benefits, and the Board of Trustees as well as the Director of Connectional Ministries, the Episcopal Office, the District Superintendents, the District Offices, and the Office of Communications.
• Oversee the receipt and disbursement of all apportioned funds in compliance with the approved legislation passed at the Annual Conference meeting of lay and clergy members.
• Oversee the receipt and disbursement of all board and subsidiary designated funds in compliance with GAAP, federal and state laws, and the decisions made by the various oversight boards for each of the board designated funds.
• Oversee the receipt and disbursement of all donor designated funds in compliance with the trusts, endowments, and other fiduciary instruments established for the mission and ministry in the Conference.
• Review and interpret accurate and timely month-end and year-end reports for all Annual Conference boards and agencies, local churches, and other related parties as may be required. Coordinate the preparation and distribution of regular and periodic reports related to receipts and disbursements to appropriate persons, boards, and agencies.
• Convert financial information into actionable plans and communicate results throughout the Annual Conference. Identify and drive opportunities related to growth, operating efficiencies, revenue maximization, and cost mitigation.
• Ensure the support of local churches in matters relating to finances and human resources by appropriate conference staff.
• Identify and mitigate risks to the organization by implementing effective internal controls to safeguard financial assets.
• Oversee investment strategies and portfolio management.
• Initiate the process for the annual actuarial study of future retiree health care liability, direct compilation of data and act as liaison with third party actuarial firm.
• Develop legislation for presentation to the Annual Conference based on the votes of the boards, committees and commissions staffed by CFA administrative areas.
• Responsible for the direct supervision of designated staff members.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders in the Conference.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field is required (e.g., Finance, Accounting, HR etc.).  Advanced degree preferred.
• Seven to ten years of experience in fund accounting; progressive experience related to human resources preferred.
• Seven to ten years of supervisory experience, with previous management experience supervising professional staff.
• CPA preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of non-profit governance, management, accounting, financial planning, human resources and business processes.
• Working knowledge of networks and financial software, including spreadsheets, databases, and HR/accounting systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, including goal setting, action planning, and performance measurement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of employment and interactions with others.
• Organized, detail-oriented, persistent in finding solutions.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the United Methodist structure is helpful.

Additional Considerations:

• While some remote flexibility may be available, this position primarily requires an onsite presence at our Pasadena office.
• $134,400 - $163,200 per year.

Go to link to apply:

Closing Date: June 22, 2025

California Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully completing background, reference, and other applicable checks.

No Staffing Agencies or Recruitment Firms