Chief Operating Officer jobs in Hattiesburg, MS

Coast Electric Power Association ("Coast Electric") is seeking a full-time Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") to work in its Kiln Headquarters location. Coast Electric is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution system serving more than 89,000 members in Harrison, Hancock, and Pearl River counties in Mississippi. Coast Electric has 250 full-time employees, a headquarters office, three district offices and two branch offices with revenue exceeding $230 million. The Chief Financial Officer provides leadership for financial strategic planning and directs management of business functions, which includes finance and accounting, billing, ratemaking, and collections. This position has oversight responsibility for Coast Electric's budget. The CFO works closely and collaboratively with board members and the senior leadership team in meeting the mission and strategic goals of Coast Electric and CoastConnect, LLC ("CoastConnect"). This is an executive level position reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO").

MISSION STATEMENT:

We exist to safely provide our member-owners with superior service and dependable electricity at the lowest possible price and to improve the economy and quality of life in our community.

EMPLOYEE VALUES:

Excellence, Trust, Safety, Innovation, Relationships, Commitment

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops operating procedures for member accounting including billing, payment processing and collections.
• Selects, implements, and maintains information systems to be used in providing the member service and general accounting functions and system-wide telecommunications including network and equipment.
• Develops plans, programs, standards, and budgets for the accounting department that will accomplish the objectives and mission of Coast Electric and the Accounting Department and provide a means of measuring progress and results.
• Develops short- and long-range financial plans including cash management plans and equity management plans; prepares cash flow projections and the system operating budget; prepares complete and accurate financial and statistical reports; and prepares and files various state and federal forms and reports for both Coast Electric and CoastConnect.
• Coordinates all consumer accounting activities including meter reading, member billings and associated sales reports, collections, and capital credit allocations and refunds within limits of approved policies to obtain accurate recording of sales and to obtain maximum effectiveness. Designs and implements innovative programs and services beneficial to our membership.
• Prepares rate studies and develops new rates as appropriate. Establishes rates for sales of electricity and other miscellaneous services adequate to meet mortgage and equity management requirements.
• Maintains and manages Coast Electric and CoastConnect records including member, general accounting, and administrative records.
• Coordinates the preparation of loan applications in conjunction with construction work plans to obtain needed capital for plant expansion and board-approved projects.
• Directs the investment of available funds consistent with mortgage requirements policies to maximize interest earnings.
• Assists the CEO, General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources with the development of policies and procedures to mitigate risk throughout the company. Secures insurance coverage including general liability and umbrella to ensure Coast Electric and CoastConnect are adequately protected against loss.
• Authorizes and signs cash disbursements, payroll, and capital credit checks.
• Interviews and selects personnel for the Finance and Administration Department. Coordinates disciplinary actions or termination of department personnel with the Human Resources Department. Appraises performance of assigned personnel to help them develop and improve. Makes recommendations for salary adjustments and promotions.
• Ensures that all employees and applicants for employment are considered and treated in all aspects of their employment, including recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, etc., without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran's status.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Education and Experience:
  • A bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting or a related field and eight years of increasingly responsible financial, accounting and risk management experience is required.
  • A certification in public accounting ("CPA") is preferred.
  • At least five years of electric utility experience, as well as experience in Rural Utilities Service ("RUS") funding, compliance, and administration, are preferred.
  • Experience should also include planning, organizing, and directing the work of others.
  • Additional training in costs of service and retail rate design studies, computer information systems, and cost accounting is desired.

• Knowledge Required:
  • Financial and cash management, including working knowledge of the Uniform System of Accounts of RUS.
  • Capital planning and placement.
  • Budgeting and forecasting.
  • Insurance and risk management.
  • Plant accounting.
  • Consumer billing.
  • Collection practices and procedures.
  • Information systems.

• Abilities:
  • Must have the ability to exercise critical thinking skill sets that include the ability to articulate issues, analyze data, develop options, and provide recommendations.
  • Must exercise leadership and maintain good working relationships with the board, executive leadership, other departments, and staff. Must effectively manage priorities in complex and diverse operational units.
  • Must perform short and long-range budget, financial and operational planning. Must facilitate change in a productive and positive manner, foster teamwork and establish consensus, and effectively represent Coast Electric in the community.
  • Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing and understand information presented either orally or in writing.

Physical Demands:

The work is mostly sedentary and performed inside in an air-conditioned setting. Must be able to lift 20-30 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs. Must be able to reach, handle, work with fingers, and feel. Must be able to speak and listen and have an effective and persuasive speaking voice when answering the phone and working with other employees. Must possess visual acuity and manual dexterity.

ESSENTIAL BUSINESS AND EMERGENCY RESPONDER:

During times of natural disasters, pandemics, or other unique situations, Coast Electric is designated as an essential business and/or emergency responder. All employees must be prepared to report to work and continue performing job duties and responsibilities at a job site or facility at any time in the event of an emergency consistent with essential business requirements or applicable local, state, or federal law.

STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION:

Coast Electric Power Association is a recipient of federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

BENEFITS:

Coast Electric provides a comprehensive benefit package including paid vacation, sick leave, appointment leave, holidays, defined benefit, and defined contribution retirement plans, medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance, as well as the opportunity to work for a company that values its employees, families, members, and community.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, Coast Electric reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/ PROTECTED VETERANS/ INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES