Chief Financial Officer

Delta Waterfowl

Chief Financial Officer

Delta Waterfowl is seeking to recruit a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to be based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

 About Delta Waterfowl

Founded in 1911, Delta Waterfowl Foundation (Delta) uses science-based solutions to produce ducks and to conserve prairie wetlands to ensure the future of waterfowl hunting. Delta’s vision remains steadfast - abundant ducks and endless opportunities for all waterfowl hunters. As the “The Duck Hunters Organization,” Delta conducts vital waterfowl research, trains the next generation of waterfowl biologists and scientists, and promotes and protects the continuing tradition of waterfowl hunting in North America.

The four key pillars of Delta’s organization are the following: 

• Duck Production: Delta delivers efficient, effective waterfowl programs such as Predator Management and Hen Houses to produce more ducks on the prairie breeding grounds. Based on sound science, Delta’s duck production efforts add ducks to the fall flight every year and in every flyway.

• Habitat Conservation: Delta conserves critical breeding duck habitat through continual agricultural and public land conservation policy efforts. Delta works in partnership with landowners to create innovative, incentive-based programs such as Working Wetlands, which ensure strong duck production this year and long into the future. 

• Research & Education: Delta is a leading waterfowl research organization, with a legacy of leading-edge science. Delta bases the organization’s duck production and habitat programs on this research and continually seeks science-based solutions to issues facing ducks and duck hunters throughout North America. Delta also provides hands-on and incredibly important training opportunities to the next generation of waterfowl and wetland biologists and scientists. 

• HunteR3: Delta works to ensure the tradition and future of waterfowl hunting through programs such as First Hunt, the largest waterfowl hunter recruitment program in the world. Delta also ensures that future wildlife professionals appreciate the economic, ecological, and recreational importance of hunting through our rapidly expanding University Hunt Program. Delta rigorously protects hunting access and opportunity, defending waterfowl hunting anytime and anywhere. 

The mission, vision, and values of Delta Waterfowl are clear and have never been more vital to ducks and duck hunters in North America. Acres of quality breeding waterfowl habitat continue to shrink every year, while more hungry predators than ever roam the landscape where ducks nest. Waterfowl hunters too, face mounting pressures.  With the launch of the Million Duck Campaign, Delta is uniquely positioned and poised to amplify the organization’s impact by dramatically increasing the scope and scale of work across each of its four pillars. Delta will maintain and incrementally expand delivery of existing programs to fulfill the mission to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting. Delta is poised to build on its current strategic plan with the following emerging strategic goals: 

• Steward and Complete the Million Duck Campaign. In June, Delta is wrapping up the public phase of the Million Duck Campaign. To date, Delta has secured $221 million of its long-term goal of reaching a $270 million endowment to fully and permanently fund the annual cost of producing one million ducks. has been committed toward this need. Delta will focus its fundraising on securing the remaining capital needed to sustain the campaign’s long-term delivery. 

• Expand Access and Opportunity Under the Duck Distribution Banner. The Duck Distribution initiative is Delta’s vehicle for expanding waterfowl hunting access and reinforcing its value to duck hunters across North America. While the initiative includes national communications, branding, and marketing strategies, the programmatic impact will focus on improving access and habitat conditions on public trust assets. 

• Delta’s Scientific Leadership is a critical element in all aspects of the organization’s impact and value. Delta is investing in its research capacity and scientific leadership. This includes expanding studies on duck distribution, validating the return on investment in predator management and duck production, and setting the stage for a future campaign rooted in rigorous science. 

Today, Delta Waterfowl remains true to James Ford Bell’s founding vision, ever evolving to respond to the new threats and challenges facing ducks and duck hunters. Delta’s vision of abundant waterfowl and endless opportunities for duck hunters serves as a promise of a bright future — one with skies full of ducks and countless places to enjoy those magical mornings in the duck blind. 

For more information about Delta Waterfowl please visit www.deltawaterfowl.org. 

The Chief Financial Officer 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports to the CEO and plays a strategic role in the overall management of the organization.  The CFO is responsible for developing and implementing Delta’s financial strategy.  The CFO should be a proven leader with strong analytical, finance, and operational skills to contribute to timely execution of Delta’s strategic goals. The CFO should possess great people skills and excellent business acumen.

The CFO will guide the thoughtful and strategic deployment of the finances and administrative operations of Delta.  Overall, the CFO will ensure that the workplace operates smoothly.  The broad goals for the Chief Financial Officer include the following: 

• Ensure the financial health and integrity of the organization by overseeing budgetary processes and ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). 

• Provide oversight of financial systems, policies, and procedures in alignment with state and federal requirements, including preparation of annual operating budgets, financial reports, and regulatory filings.  

• Continually assess and upgrade Delta’s approach to internal controls, compliance with accounting standards, and other relevant finance policies and practices. 

• Collaborate with the CEO and other senior management to ensure sound financial strategies resulting in strong financial performance and healthy financial position. 

• Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and senior leadership, offering data-driven insights and financial modeling to support enterprise-wide decision-making and long-term planning. 

• Support the Board, CEO, and other senior management in assessing economic models to help ensure alignment with public and private revenue streams.  Lead the evaluation and development of sustainable business models that diversify revenue—balancing product sales, fee-for-service, philanthropic contributions, and other funding streams. 

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance & Accounting functions of the organization. 

• Ensure the financial team serves as an effective and collaborative organizational resource to inform, educate and support budget development, execution, and management. Manage processes for budget development & monitoring, financial forecasting, and reporting to board and staff. 

Personal Attributes

The CFO should ideally embody the following personal attributes:

·       Passionate commitment to Delta’s mission and its guiding principles; inspires respect and trust.

·       A record of success serving as the chief financial officer and demonstrated competence with personnel management, team building, and problem solving;

·       Results-oriented leader with high integrity, a solutions-focused mindset, and a proven ability to manage complex budgets and performance metrics.

·       Excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills.

·       Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and mentor high-performing teams. 

Professional Qualifications

·       A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, management, with an MBA and/or CPA – familiarity with government accounting and audit issues strongly preferred. More than 10 years' experience total accounting/finance experience.

·       Strong financial management skills, including oversight of budget preparation and analysis, decision making, and reporting.

·       Proven ability to prepare financial forecasts and leverage data analytics to inform decision-making. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.

·       High level of strategic thinking and planning.  Ability to envision and convey Delta’s strategic future to the CEO and staff leaders.

·       Proven leadership skills in financial analysis and an ability to translate data into strategic tools to enhance workplace performance.

·       Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission to donors, private and public sector leaders, stakeholders, and others.

·       Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team player and with grace and flexibility when faced with multiple time-sensitive priorities and a changing environment.

·       Strong organizational abilities, including planning and staff development.

·       Experience with financial systems implementation and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools preferred.

·       Understanding of nonprofit finance and experience with restricted/unrestricted funding, endowments, and donor stewardship is a plus.

Compensation

Delta will offer a salary that matches or exceeds what is offered by federal or university positions. They have generous pay advancement and terrific health insurance and retirement plans. 

How to Apply 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter, responding specifically to the experience and qualifications required, to Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company at resumes@explorecompany.com.  Refer to DW/CFO in the subject line.  No phone inquiries, please. 

Delta Waterfowl is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse pool of candidates. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

All correspondence will remain confidential.