Chief Financial Officer

Mecklenburg County; North Carolina; On-site; USD 122,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to guide financial strategy and operations across the library system in Mecklenburg County. The CFO will shape budgeting, reporting, compliance, and fiscal planning in alignment with strategic priorities.

The role requires senior financial leadership within the public or nonprofit sector, with emphasis on transparency, governance, and cross‑agency collaboration to support community access to information and programs.

Qualifications

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in public financial management, auditing or business management.
• Two years of senior-level or executive management experience leading complex projects.
• Three years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting and long-term planning.
• Direct accounting, treasury management, procurement, payroll and grant compliance.
• Advise the CEO, Executive Team and Board on financial matters.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial analysis

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Audit & risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance or Business Administration

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Follow your calling, Find your career

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving one of the country’s great emerging metropolitan areas in North Carolina. Our library system serves a community of approximately one million citizens in the city of Charlotte and the towns of Matthews, Pineville, Mint Hill, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville – all located in Mecklenburg County. Accessible and welcoming to all, our library celebrates the joy of reading, fosters learning and growth, connects people to each other and the world, and inspires individuals with what they can achieve. Through our 20 locations, online, and through targeted outreach, we deliver exceptional library services and programs with a mission to create a community of readers and empower individuals with free access to information and the universe of ideas.

Salary Range $121,947.00 - $182,920.00

This is an exempt (salaried) position. Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

Location:

Library Administration Center (LAC): 510 Stitt Road, Charlotte, NC 28213

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Library’s financial operations, ensuring sound fiscal management, compliance, transparency, and alignment of resources with the Library’s strategic priorities. Serving as the Library’s Finance Officer and a member of the Executive Team, the CFO shares responsibility for organizational strategy, performance, and long-term sustainability and brings financial insight and discipline to enterprise-wide decision-making. The CFO directs budgeting, financial reporting, accounting, treasury management, procurement, contract and grant compliance, internal controls, and related financial functions. The CFO advises the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Team, and Board of Trustees on financial matters; builds strong partnerships with Mecklenburg County and other stakeholders; and works across the organization through partnership and influence to strengthen financial stewardship, planning, and decision-making. The CFO also develops and coaches a high-performing Finance team, establishing clear expectations, building staff capability, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, service, and continuous improvement.

Essential Functions

• Serve as an active member of the Library Executive Team, contributing financial expertise and enterprise perspective to organizational strategy, priorities, performance, risk management, and major decisions.
• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Library’s financial operations, ensuring alignment of financial resources with organizational priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees on financial performance, budget development, financial risk, resource allocation, and long-term financial planning.
• Lead, coach, and develop Finance Department staff; establish clear expectations and accountability; build individual and team capability; foster a culture of collaboration, service, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with leaders across the Library to strengthen financial understanding, evaluate priorities and tradeoffs, align resources with organizational goals, and support sound decision-making through influence and collaboration.
• Monitor financial, economic, legislative, and operational trends to anticipate future budgetary, capital, and resource needs and recommend appropriate strategies.
• Lead the development, monitoring, forecasting, and administration of the Library’s annual operating budget, ensuring resources are aligned with strategic priorities and expenditures remain within approved appropriations.
• Direct accounting, financial reporting, treasury management, procurement, payroll, contract and grant compliance, financial activities of the CML Foundation, and other related financial functions, ensuring timely and accurate financial information to support organizational decision-making.
• Ensure the integrity of the Library’s financial operations through effective policies and internal controls, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, responsible stewardship of public and private resources, and achievement of a clean annual audit opinion.
• Serve as the Library’s primary financial liaison with Mecklenburg County and other external stakeholders regarding funding, budgeting, financial reporting, and related fiscal matters.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in public financial management, auditing or business management; two years of senior‑level or executive management experience leading complex projects and assessing organizational issues; three years of supervisory experience.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance or Business Administration, or related field.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted? Yes

Preferred Qualifications

• Accounting, Auditing, and/or Financial Management certification such as CPA, CIA, or CGFM.
• Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business, Accounting, Public Administration, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Governmental and nonprofit accounting principles, practices, standards, and financial reporting requirements, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Public‑sector budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and compliance requirements applicable to financial operations
• Internal controls, audit, risk management, and financial governance practices
• Treasury and cash management, procurement, payroll, contracts, and grant financial management
• Financial policies, systems, and practices that support effective stewardship, transparency, accountability, and organizational sustainability
• Principles of organizational leadership, staff development, performance management, and continuous improvement

Skills

• Strategic financial leadership, including translating organizational priorities into sustainable financial plans and resource strategies
• Financial analysis, forecasting, modeling, and interpretation of complex financial information to support executive decision‑making
• Communicating complex financial concepts clearly and effectively to varied audiences, including the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Team, Board of Trustees, staff, government partners, and other stakeholders
• Building collaborative relationships and influencing decisions across organizational boundaries and levels of authority
• Identifying and evaluating financial and organizational risk and developing practical solutions to complex issues
• Leading, coaching, developing, and holding staff accountable while building individual and team capability
• Managing multiple priorities and complex financial initiatives in a dynamic organizational environment
• Identifying and implementing opportunities to strengthen financial systems, processes, controls, reporting, and organizational effectiveness

Abilities

• Strategic Thinking: Understand the broader organizational environment, anticipate future needs and challenges, and connect financial strategy and resource decisions to organizational priorities and long‑term sustainability
• Executive Judgment and Decision‑Making: Evaluate complex information, competing priorities, risks, and tradeoffs; exercise sound judgment; and make timely, well‑reasoned recommendations and decisions
• Enterprise Leadership: Operate beyond functional boundaries, contribute an organization‑wide perspective, and share accountability for the Library’s overall strategy, performance, and success
• Influence and Collaboration: Build credibility and productive relationships across functions and levels; navigate differing perspectives; and influence decisions and outcomes without relying solely on positional authority
• Communication: Convey complex information and ideas clearly, candidly, and appropriately for varied audiences and facilitate understanding that supports effective decision‑making
• Developing Others: Establish clear expectations, provide meaningful coaching and feedback, develop staff capability, and create an environment of accountability, learning, and professional growth
• Adaptability and Continuous Improvement: Navigate change and ambiguity effectively, identify opportunities for improvement, and lead the evolution of systems, processes, and practices as organizational needs change

Computer Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.
• Advanced proficiency with enterprise financial management systems, financial reporting and analytical tools, and related business technology.

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderate noise

ADA Compliant Disclaimer

This classification has been identified as having a role in the development of ADA compliant technologies and for which the incumbent agrees to follow County policies to the best of their abilities in order to meet these obligations.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.