Chief Financial Officer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CFO serves as key advisor and chief spokesperson on financial and acquisition matters with executive Laboratory leadership, the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and Office of National Laboratories (UCNL), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as well as other internal and external partners, customers, and stakeholders. Reporting to the Laboratory Director, the CFO also has primary fiduciary responsibility for all financial activities of the Laboratory, a large, complex organization with an annual budget of $1.2 billion. The CFO provides vision, leadership, and direction for Berkeley Lab’s financial functions, and serves as a member of the Laboratory Operations Senior Leadership Team.

 

In addition, under the direction of the Deputy Lab Director for Operations/Chief Operating Officer, the CFO leads and manages all operations of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, which has a 200-person workforce and an annual budget of about $26 million. The CFO spearheads financial strategy; provides leadership and technical guidance for all financial and acquisition functions; develops and maintains business systems and tools to deliver essential financial and operational information; and assures the Laboratory’s financial policies, functions, and systems operate with the highest degree of integrity and internal controls, based on best practices, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and statutory regulations. The CFO also coordinates responses to internal and external audit activities in collaboration with the Internal Audit function. 

 

Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory managed by the University of California and designated a Federally Funded Research and Development Center. The Laboratory conducts world-class research that supports clean energy, a healthy planet, and solution-inspired discovery science. About 95% of the Laboratory’s funding comes from federal and state taxpayers, which highlights the importance of stewardship and trust with the public. Berkeley Lab is defined by our deeply felt sense of stewardship, which we describe as a commitment to taking care of the Laboratory's research, people, and resources that are entrusted to us. Our values of team science, innovation, service, trust, and respect knit us together as a community. We practice these values and prioritize our principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability (IDEA) to build highly effective teams that produce world-class science and technology and where all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences, can thrive. The CFO is expected to exercise, model, and ensure the highest standards of financial accountability, stewardship and transparency, demonstrating our responsibility to the taxpaying citizens who support our research.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide vision, leadership, creativity, and strategic direction that assures Berkeley Lab’s financial annual and long-term performance supports its scientific mission. Ensure effective stewardship of resources and efficient operation within contractual and regulatory requirements while balancing compliance, risk management and the needs of the Laboratory.

• Provide leadership and talent management expertise to motivate and assure a high-performing financial and procurement organization through effective recruitment, development, performance management, retention, and succession planning, and proactively promoting stewardship principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and accountability. 

• Model and ensure the highest standards of financial stewardship across the entire Laboratory, developing tools where necessary, encouraging proper training among staff and scientists, and sharing best practices.

• Direct and manage fiduciary and financial systems and controls; assure systems operate with the highest degree of integrity and internal controls; and provide assurance on systems and controls to the Laboratory Director, UCOP, and DOE. 

• Build trust with UCOP, DOE, sponsors, and internal Laboratory partners and customers through constructive relationships of competence, integrity, and transparency.

• Lead the Laboratory’s financial functions, including: Financial Planning, Analysis and Strategy; Budgeting; Accounting and Controls; Procurement and Property Asset Management (58,000 acquisitions annually valued at nearly $450 million, and 25,000 assets valued at $1 billion); Field Financial Services; Financial Business Systems and Reporting; and Assurance and Compliance. 

• Coordinate responses to internal and external audit activities in collaboration with the Internal Audit function.

• Accountable for Laboratory financial, acquisition and property management policies that ensure effective management and administration in compliance with all relevant federal and contractual requirements.

• Demonstrate responsiveness, cooperation, and consistent problem solving when representing the OCFO organization. 

• Act as key advisor and chief spokesperson on financial and acquisition matters with executive Laboratory leadership, UCOP and UCNL, DOE, and other internal and external partners, customers, and stakeholders.   

 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Business Administration and 20+ years of progressively responsible experience (or equivalent combination of business experience and education).

• Demonstrated record of success as a strategic and effective leader who can develop strategy, build and inspire a high-performing financial and procurement organization, and demonstrate and uphold the highest ethical standards and principles of financial stewardship.

• A proven track record for building and maintaining collaborative, diverse and inclusive workforces.

• Significant experience leading and managing the business operations, financial and fiduciary responsibilities of a government, corporate or non-profit scientific/discovery or research organization.

• In-depth understanding of U.S. regulatory requirements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; demonstrated experience in applying financial and accounting theories, principles and practices to analyze the organizational business needs and develop responsive financial and business systems in an organization with federal oversight (e.g., DOE, Department of Defense, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, large federal contractor).

• Demonstrated competency in the areas of policies, business systems and reporting, and effective processes and controls to ensure the integrity of the organization’s data, assets and information.

• Strong communication and analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic financial vision into an operational model.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., MBA or CPA) preferred.

• Experience managing in a complex, distributed management environment with multiple stakeholders is strongly preferred.

 

Notes:

• For full consideration, please submit your resume and letter of interest by November 21, 2022; the cover letter should also highlight your relevant organizational leadership accomplishments, as well as contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid).

• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• The Chief Financial Officer position is a career position that is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the Laboratory Director, and this appointment is at will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

• This position is subject to the financial disclosure requirements of the California Political Reform Act of 1974. The successful candidate for this position will be required to file financial interest statements upon assuming this position, annually while holding this position, and when leaving this position.

• Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Bldg. 971, 6401 Hollis St., Emeryville, CA.

 

How To Apply

Apply directly online at http://50.73.55.13/counter.php?id=242672 and follow the on-line instructions to complete the application process.

 

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof of Full Vaccination or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov (https://covid.lbl.gov/) for more information.

 

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA, https://diversity.lbl.gov/ideaberkeleylab/) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab’s mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

 

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

Know your rights, click here (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf) under 41 CFR 60-1.4.