The Company
The company is one of the largest providers of property and casualty insurance products in the United States both in terms of annual revenue and number of personal lines policies in force. Personal Lines is a multi-billion dollar segment and includes automobile and home insurance along with other personal products. Distribution is primarily through independent agents and the products are supported by a nationwide organization of claims professionals

To sustain continued excellence, we are seeking to attract a Chief Financial Officer who will drive continued growth and development of our Personal Insurance (PI) business.

The Opportunity
Reporting to the CEO of the Personal Lines Organization, the CFO will serve as a key member of the Personal Insurance leadership team and play a critical role in the future growth and development of the organization.

PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as PI chief financial advisor, managing all financial operations including financial planning and forecasting, financial analyses, cash management and provision of appropriate controls and reports, and accounting.
• Advise and assist PI Division Heads, evaluating and assisting them with financial plans and models.
• Oversee all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for Personal Insurance.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and expense management in alignment with PI’s strategic plan.
• Lead and manage the integration of all financial operations for anticipated growth, including evaluating competitor and market trends and levers, product and market development and expansion opportunities. Identify options to develop organically or provide evaluation and input for acquisitions, joint ventures and business partnerships.
• Provide input on a broad range of strategic, operational and financial issues.
• Implement “best practice" management processes and work to improve the organization’s core practices and systems, helping to instill a strong service orientation to the finance function, and communicating with a broad range of important constituents.
• Ensure the financial well-being of the organization, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting and the development of key relationships.
• Direct development, recommendation and implementation of annual and multi-year operating plan and financial budgets. Monitor progress and present financial metrics both internally and externally.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state and federal rules and regulations.

The Candidate will be/will have:

• Successful record of accomplishment as a CFO or senior finance leader, with 12-15 years of progressive experience in a well- managed organization known for financial discipline.
• An undergraduate degree, preferably with advanced degree in finance, accounting or business administration. A CPA is a plus.
• Experience in the Property Casualty or other insurance/financial services industry preferred, but not required.
• Proven ability to work well with senior operating executives, leveraging strong intellectual, conceptual and analytical skills.
• Ability to clearly, confidently and convincingly present analyses and recommendations around major financial decisions.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS

Strategic Partner

• Will serve as a strategic financial advisor to the PI CEO, COO and leadership team to develop and implement Personal Lines strategic vision and provide analytical frameworks and business judgment necessary to evaluate key decisions and initiatives.
• Will have achieved trusted-advisor status by displaying a command of financial information and operating metrics, providing thought leadership and communicating with confidence.
• Use judgment to make sound strategic and tactical choices – knowing when to emphasize and balance the organization’s long-term strategic objectives (Think strategically and act tactically).
• Make good, timely decisions based upon available data; anticipates problems, and executes.
• Demonstrated ability to reach out proactively with constituents across the enterprise.
• History of exposing colleagues to rigorous and comprehensive financial and business management techniques.

Financial Acumen

• Finance expertise, including a sophisticated understanding of finance concepts and applied experience across a range of CFO functions (accounting, tax, internal and external controls, budgeting and planning, treasury, financial systems and management reporting, and information technology.
• Strong conceptual thinker, analytically and financially astute, who can help identify and measure key business metrics and create tracking mechanisms to evaluate performance and progress against long-term goals.
• Successful track record of developing accurate, relevant and timely decision support and reporting to equip decision makers with an understanding of short- and long-term implications of investments and other financial commitments.

  Leadership

  • Committed to a culture of excellence, service and leadership, insisting that the finance team provides effective service and management, working side-by-side with other internal teams to help address specific projects needing priority attention.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain a qualified, diverse staff through appropriate hiring, staff development and training.
  • Can foster and sustain a collaborative relationship across the organization and advocate for teamwork and partnership.
  • Acquire and develop top talent.

    Other Characteristics

    • Drive execution with discipline and urgency.
    • Hands-on, team-oriented leader with highly developed interpersonal skills who is adept as an influencer and negotiator.
    • Creative, versatile, intuitive and driven.

    Compensation
    Base Salary: $250K - 300K
    Target Bonus: 50% - 100%
    Stock Options and other Executive Benefits

    For additional information, please contact:

    Jeff Gundersen, CEO
    860-435-0555 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              860-435-0555      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (office)
    941-323-8300 (mobile)
    jgundersen@executiveconnectionsllc.com