Chief Financial Officer

Midwest BankCentre is proud to be recognized as one of St. Louis’ Top Workplaces for 2021, 2022 and 2023! 

About Midwest BankCentre

Midwest BankCentre is a values-based bank that has been a mainstay of St. Louis community banking since 1906. Our purpose is to help regional communities thrive by creating the conditions to help Main Street, marginalized communities and multicultural markets live into their full potential.  We work to empower people, enable business and energize neighborhoods through the strength of our financial services, including personalized consumer and business banking, business cash management, mortgage lending, home equity loans, financial planning and investments, insurance and digital banking.

We are committed to making meaningful, long-term investments in communities that lift everyone up so we can all RISE TOGETHER.  Our commitment to shared prosperity, our investment in Community and Economic Development and our dedication to diversity and inclusion are reflected is the ways Midwest BankCentre lives its purpose. 

A few more facts about Midwest BankCentre:

• We are ranked as one of the top employers in the region because of our commitment to our team members and the communities we serve.
• We rank among the St. Louis Region’s largest locally owned banks.
• We have 16 locations throughout Missouri and Illinois, including the City of St. Louis and St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. Clair Counties.
• We have state of the art online and mobile banking platforms that allow us to meet customers where they are to help them get to where they want to be.
• We foster a culture that supports your success and professional growth.

Objectives of this Role

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plays a pivotal role in the strategic direction and financial management of Midwest BankCentre.  The CFO role stands at the helm of the company’s financial direction and management, ensuring enduring fiscal health and sustainability. This role’s purview includes the entirety of the financial operations of the bank.  This role helps to steer the institution towards its long-term strategic goals through comprehensive financial planning, analysis, reporting, and adherence to regulatory compliance.  This role has significant responsibilities for Board relations and Governance through managing of board committees and fostering strong relationships. The CFO is a close trusted advisor to the CEO and is a key leader in board relations and through strong processes and policy, ensures compliance, strong audit performance, oversight of the bank’s investments and funds management, and external vendor relationships related to key finance strategies. The CFO's role at Midwest BankCentre transcends traditional finance responsibilities, encompassing a broader leadership scope that may include oversight of other vital bank functions. This broader role amplifies the CFO's critical impact on strengthening the bank's foundational elements: ensuring financial stability and shaping a clear, forward-looking strategic path. These core pillars—robust financial health and a visionary strategic direction—are essential because they guide the bank's decisions, investments, and growth plans, positioning it for sustained success.  Consistent with the Bank’s long-standing approach to leadership development and transition, this role will initially report to the CFO as a successful and thoughtful transition occurs over the course of the next 12 – 18 months.

Essential Functions

Financial Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the bank's overall objectives and growth initiatives.
• Lead the annual financial planning process, including the five-year forecast and annual budgeting process and provides other financial analysis and forecasts to support decision-making.
• Evaluate investment opportunities, balance sheet and capital allocation strategies to maximize shareholder value.

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
• Conduct comprehensive financial analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Provide insightful financial reports and presentations to the executive team and board of directors.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Establish and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard the bank's assets and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Monitor key risk indicators and implement risk mitigation strategies to minimize exposure.
• Coordinate with internal audit and regulatory agencies to facilitate examinations and audits.

Treasury and Capital Management:

• Responsible for asset liability management processes including balance sheet and interest rate risk management, asset pricing, margin management and evaluation of strategies involving the use of derivate financial instruments for hedging activities.
• Manage liquidity and funds management activities to support growth, daily operations, cash position including managing contingent sources of funding.
• Optimize the bank's capital structure and funding sources to maintain adequate reserves and capital ratios.
• Oversee investment portfolios maximizing returns while minimizing risk exposures.

Strategic Leadership and Collaboration:

• As a trusted advisor to the CEO and key figure in board relations, this position guides the bank through financial strategies that bolster the bank’s position relative to peer and market.
• Foster a culture of financial discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments across the organization to drive organizational goals.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with regulators, auditors, investors and other key stakeholders to foster transparency, trust and collaboration.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities are as required and may change at any time with or without notice.

Competencies

• Customer Centric Focus
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Act with Integrity
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Results Oriented/Execution
• Financial and Business Acumen
• Decision Making and Problem Solving

• Empowerment
• Create Vision and Alignment
• Reward and Recognize Employees
• Adaptability and Change Management 

Skills and Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.

• CPA license preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in financial management, with at least 10 years within the banking industry, including prior CFO or senior finance leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of banking regulations, financial markets, accounting principles, and financial reporting standards, with the ability to anticipate and navigate regulatory and industry trends.
• Proven track record of strategic planning, financial analysis, and risk management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience in developing financial strategies, managing financial risks, and leading financial planning and analysis.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to drive change, influence decision-making, and foster a culture of excellence and accountability.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

• Working knowledge of GAAP accounting issues as they relate to the banking industry.
• Experience with developing unit, product, and customer profitability.
• Ability to analyze, research, present, coordinate & negotiate.
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and resourcefulness skills along with intellectual inquisitiveness.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.  

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. Midwest BankCentre is recognized nationally for its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices and embraces these practices as a competitive advantage.   

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be the right candidate for this or other Midwest BankCentre roles!  

AAP/EEO Statement

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position and Midwest BankCentre. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.