The Port - Executive Vice PresidentChief Financial Officer

With a mission to transform unproductive real estate in neighborhoods and industrial areas into opportunities for employment and housing The Port is an economic and community development agency driving change throughout Cincinnati. The organization is seeking its next Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer (EVP/CFO) to join a highperforming team dedicated to creating lasting impact in communities from revitalizing residential neighborhoods to energizing commercial business districts.

This position serves as Executive Vice President of Finance is a strategic and operational leader who works in close partnership with the CEO and as a key member of the executive leadership team. This individual is responsible for attracting capital leveraging the balance sheet and borrowing capacity and ensuring strong financial policies procedures and reporting systems are in place. The EVP/CFO plays a critical role in strategic planning and across the organization and provides timely financial business intelligence and analytical support to the Executive Team and Board of Directors.

A key responsibility for the EVP/CFO will be leading the development of two Impact Funds each totaling approximately $100 million to support The Ports ambitious real estate initiatives. This includes identifying and soliciting investors and serving as manager of the investment committee. The EVP/CFO will also identify opportunities for revenue diversification and pursue grants in partnership with internal grantwriting teams. An understanding of bonding nontax revenue streams and how best to leverage borrowing potential will be essential.

The EVP/CFO oversees both the public finance practice and the accounting functions for The Port and its three managed entities which collectively have a 2024 revenue budget of $28 million and net assets of $259 million. They will directly manage the Senior Vice President of Public Finance and their team of two as well as the Senior Vice President Finance and Accounting and their team of four. The EVP/CFO is responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory accounting and financial reporting requirements overseeing annual audits and guiding longterm financial projections both operating and capital.

The EVP/CFO will lead the annual budgeting process working closely with senior leadership and managers to ensure budgets are realistic and actionable. They will also be accountable for all aspects of accounting operations and internal controls ensuring records adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting and Auditing Principles and Standards.

This is a rare opportunity to work alongside and advise the President/CEO who has led The Port for 13 years and grown the organization from six employees to more than forty. The EVP/CFO will join a tightknit executive leadership team that includes an Executive Vice President of Real Estate and General Counsel/Executive Vice President. Together this leadership team is shaping the future of Cincinnatis communities and the EVP/CFO will play a central role in ensuring that growth is not only impactful but also financially sustainable.

Priorities

• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the CEO executive leadership and staff to support The Ports mission and longterm financial sustainability.
• Support the development and launch and lead the strategic management of two Impact Funds including attracting investors managing the investment committee and aligning fund performance with organizational goals. Ultimate goals include a fund for industrial development and one to support investment in the Uptown Cincinnati neighborhoods.
• Support the 2026 Strategic Planning of The Port including fiveyear forecasting and the development of a capital plan.
• Provide strategic financial leadership to support the continued growth of The Ports operations ensuring all financial decisions are grounded in sound analysis aligned with longterm goals and compliant with legal and regulatory standards.
• Identify and pursue diverse revenue sources; including grants nontax revenues and creative borrowing strategies to expand The Ports impact and reduce reliance on traditional funding mechanisms.
• Presentations to the Board of Directors of The Port and its managed entities of key financial scorecards regular financial statements and the annual budgets.
• Lead The Ports Finance Committee including identification of key topics for discussion and input.

The Successful Candidate

The Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer of The Port will be a seasoned financial strategist and operational leader with a deep understanding of finance within complex governmental quasigovernmental or nonprofit environments. They will bring a high level of financial acumen with proven experience in budgeting strategic forecasting compliance risk management and the oversight of sophisticated financial systems. Adept at navigating both bigpicture strategy and intricate financial details the EVP/CFO will be an intellectually curious and analytical thinker who also possesses the entrepreneurial spirit to identify and launch new lines of revenue. Demonstrated experience with financial modeling and capital attraction will be essential along with a collaborative serviceoriented approach to leadership.

As an organizational leader and manager the EVP/CFO will lead with intention executive presence and the ability to inspire confidence. They will bring expertise in change management and possess the interpersonal skills necessary to quickly build trust and cultivate relationships across all levels of the organization. With a strong track record of empowering staff building systems of accountability and fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect the EVP/CFO will be a connector; able to bridge departments elevate diverse perspectives and champion inclusion across the organization.

A skilled communicator the EVP/CFO will be articulate approachable and clear able to translate complex financial data into accessible compelling information for a wide range of audiences. Whether presenting to the Board of Directors speaking with investors or mentoring internal teams they will do so with calm confidence and integrity. Their communication style will reflect a commitment to transparency professionalism and mission alignment.

The EVP/CFO will also be a strategic problem solver and thought partner to the CEO and other Executive Vice Presidents. They will approach challenges with a solutionsoriented mindset proactively identifying potential issues and developing datadriven innovative responses even in the absence of precedent or policy. Unquestioned integrity sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive information are hallmarks of their leadership style.

Above all the successful candidate will be passionate about The Ports mission to transform underutilized real estate and deliver equitable communitydriven outcomes. They will understand the critical role finance plays in advancing organizational impact and will be deeply committed to The Ports ongoing work around equity inclusion and community reinvestment. Their leadership will reflect not only financial excellence but also a sincere dedication to driving meaningful change.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelors degree in accounting finance business administration public administration or a closely related field and at least 10 years of progressively responsible financial management experience. Experience should include direct responsibility for budgeting financial reporting forecasting compliance risk management and oversight of accounting functions. A minimum of five years in a senior leadership or executive role with supervisory responsibility is also required.

Preferred qualifications include a masters degree in accounting finance business or public administration; certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA); and demonstrated experience in a complex multientity governmental nonprofit or quasigovernmental organization. Experience working with or establishing publicprivate partnerships managing complex fund structures and raising capital through innovative financial tools is highly desirable.

Inside The Organization

Established in 2000 as The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority The Port is an economic development agency that initiates projects to improve property value and promote job creation throughout Hamilton County. The broad developmentrelated powers granted under Ohio Revised Code 4582 as well as the extensive expertise of staff allow The Port to take on complex projects that catalyze private investment.

The organization focuses on three key strategies industrial revitalization neighborhood revitalization and public finance. In support of these initiatives The Port offers partnerships programs and services to support the advancement of Hamilton County. The programs and services are available to small businesses developers homebuyers and neighborhood advocates.

The Port is considered a body corporate and politic (Chapter 4582 of the Ohio Revised Code) and for some purposes a political subdivision. The Port is governed by a tenmember Board of Directors that has authority over all aspects of The Ports management.

The Port receives its funding from Hamilton County the City of Cincinnati and charges for service. The Ports operating budget for FY2022 is just over $10 million. The organization has 45 staff members and is led by the President & CEO who reports to the Board of Directors. The Port team manages three other entities:

• Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation The Landbank which is also a public entity with 9 Board members
• Uptown Consortium Inc. a nonprofit CDC in the Uptown area with a board consisting of the CEOs of the University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center UC Health and the Cincinnati Zoo
• Housing and Urban Redevelopment Corporation a nonprofit housing development organization

Public funding in the form of operating grants is provided in equal amounts of $800000 from the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County to support The Ports economic development and inclusion activities. Other revenue sources include management fees for other entities fees generated from owned assets development financing and real estate development. Capital funding is provided by public and private grants and loans.

The Ports Impact:

• 155 acres purchased and made developmentready since 2016
• 1000 Landbank properties have been disposed of to new responsible endusers
• 1900 vacant underutilized properties improved since 2012
• $1.8 billion in capital investment leveraged since 2012 on Port public finance projects

The Ports Strategic Vision:

In 2015 The Port Board of Directors approved a threepronged revitalization strategy: a Public Finance practice that drives redevelopment; a holistic Neighborhood Revitalization strategy that restores property to productive use and raises the quality of life; and an Industrial Revitalization program designed to create developmentready sites that support manufacturing investment. The Board approved an updated strategic plan in 2020 after significant stakeholder engagement. The organization will lay the foundation in 2025 for a comprehensive strategic planning initiative in 2026.

Vision:

To be a trusted partner in tackling the most complex real estate challenges in the County.

Mission:

To promote and enable equitable development by using unique tools to transform unproductive real estate in neighborhoods and industrial areas into opportunities for employment and housing.

Values:

The Port is committed to:

• Collaboration
• Community
• Diversity
• Economic Opportunity
• Integrity
• Sustainability

The Community

Hamilton County is in the southwestern corner of the state of Ohio and neighbors southeastern Indiana and northern Kentucky. The County covers 414 square miles and is strikingly beautiful and bounded by rivers the mighty Ohio the Little Miami and the Great Miami whose valleys have created unparalleled vistas. The County is the thirdmost populous county in the state and is part of the Greater Cincinnati Region.

Hamilton County includes 49 local jurisdictions with Cincinnati serving as the County seat. There are 22 public school districts within the County. In addition eight higher education institutions serve the Greater Cincinnati Region including the University of Cincinnati Xavier University Miami University Thomas More University and Northern Kentucky University.

The County was ranked number nine on the Forbes list of The Best Cities for Raising a Family and offers worldclass public libraries parks and one of the nations best childrens hospitals. The Greater Cincinnati Region boasts many attractions including major sports teams museums an aquarium performing arts venues cultural events festivals and special events. The County in cooperation with the City of Cincinnati operates the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County system including a main library and 41 branches.

For the outdoor lover Hamilton County doesnt disappoint. The region offers a wide array of outdoor recreational activities ranging from fishing boating and kayaking to hiking biking and camping. The Great Parks of Hamilton County Park district resides within the County and maintains a series of preserves and educational facilities including 96 regional parks 78 miles of trails six golf courses three campgrounds two dog parks and aquatic complexes. Hamilton County marries the best of nearbycity dwelling with its natural beauty along the Ohio River. In this county there is always growth and there is truly something for everyone.

Quick Facts

• Hamilton County Population: 826139
• Median Household Income: $60198
• Median Home Value: $148200
• Median Age: 36.7

All demographic information was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. There will be an annual bonus potential of 15. The Port provides competitive benefits for health dental vision life and longterm disability insurance. As a public employer its employees are members of OPERS with 14 contributions made to a retirement plan.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning May 20 2025.

Questions

Please direct questions to Catherine Tuck Parrish at and Kelsey Batt at .

Download the Recruitment Brochure