Farm Finance Specialist

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The Universities of Wisconsin are a premier system of public higher education serving more than 162,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Through a constellation of 13 universities statewide, the Universities of Wisconsin are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

The Universities of Wisconsin Administration assists in establishing policies, planning the programmatic financial and physical development of the Universities. UWSA supports the Universities in delivering transformative educational outcomes and research that expands the boundaries of knowledge. We work to extend the value of our universities beyond the boundaries of the campuses, seeking to enhance the quality of life for all in Wisconsin and beyond, in fulfillment of the Wisconsin Idea.

The Food Finance Institute supports a collaborative network of professionals focused on building and funding profitable businesses in the food, beverage, and value-added agriculture sector.

POSITION SUMMARY

The FFI Farm Finance Specialist provides a broad range of finance-focused technical assistance  in service of farmer entrepreneurs and the consultants who support farmer entrepreneurs.  The person in this role will help this audience increase their financial management skills, improve business models, and more successfully access capital.  These efforts further the Food Finance Institute’s mission to make sophisticated financial technical assistance available to every growing food, beverage, and value-added farm enterprise. In particular, this position will provide oversight, build financial models, support training delivery, provide coaching or consulting, manage client intake processes, coordinate programs and program cohorts, and provide support and assistance over all farm programs. The Farm Finance Specialist operates under general supervision and reports to the FFI Farm Programs Manager.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

FARM PROGRAMS AND TRAINING SUPPORT (40%)

  • Assist with development and delivery of farm finance training and education, including webinars, farm finance boot camp, consultant training, and peer-to-peer learning circles.
  • Provide coaching and consulting to farmer clients around topics such as financial management and analysis, business model optimization, access to traditional and innovative capital.
  • Provide farmer triage support nurturing clients into and through FFI programming, as well as custom contracting or consulting support.
  • Monitor and analyze contracts and client/partner relationships to ensure quality service and measurable positive impacts.

BEGINNING FARMER FINANCE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (50%)

  • Co-develop and manage a program to bring more investment (including equity investment) to beginning farmers.
  • Manage beginning farmer referral partners and outreach to create a farmer referral, triage and intake process.
  • Support the delivery of farm finance consultant training to teach best practices.
  • Provide financial training, coaching and support to beginning farmers.
  • Provide financial oversight and technical support to farmers and students to create proforma financial models.
  • Coordinate partners (including attorneys, investors, lenders, and accountants) around farm financial packages and funding strategy to cultivate and procure farmer financing.
  • Collect data and manage a range of stakeholders from farmers to investors.
  • Support program evaluation and data collection for funder and stakeholders.

GENERAL AND ADMIN (10%)

  • Participate in FFI and IBE meetings and committees as needed.
  • Manage client folders and reporting.
  • Support data and evaluation collection for grants.
  • Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, applicants must have:

  • At least three years of professional farm finance experience, which could include working as a lender or banker, accountant, or farm/ag business manager.
  • Previous experience consulting and/or coaching, especially with entrepreneurs.
  • The ability to work within a range of technology platforms including accounting software, project management software, contact databases, and web databases.
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including previous history managing diverse partnerships with entrepreneurs, investors, lenders, service providers, etc.
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills.
  • Excellent personal initiative, attention to detail, and sound decision-making abilities.
  • Ability to manage shifting workload and prioritize appropriately to meet deadlines.
  • High capacity to work independently.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Well-qualified applicants will also have experience in the following:

  • A master’s degree, preferably in finance, farm management, ag economics, business administration, or related field.
  • Accounting, finance, or related certification, such as CPA, CMA, or CFP.
  • Strong experience and/or certification in QuickBooks or related accounting platform.
  • General farm business or marketing knowledge (either through work history or a degree).

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

Inclusive Excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community.  We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and the reference check process that includes questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. If the results are unacceptable, the offer will be withdrawn or, if you have started employment, your employment will be terminated.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not sponsor a work visa for this position at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire.

WORK LOCATION

Telecommuting or hybrid work options may be available. The office location is located at 780 Regent Street in Madison WI. Preference will be given to candidates that reside within the state of Wisconsin. Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Farm Finance Specialist (Official Title: Financial Analyst I) is a full-time, salaried (exempt), academic staff, position. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $70,000 – $80,000 commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Universities of Wisconsin Employee Benefits Quick Guide (FA/AS/LI). Use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to calculate the estimated value of your compensation and benefits.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through 11:59 pm, Friday, November 8, 2024, However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

  1. Go to the UWSA Applicant Portal to submit your materials online and select the appropriate applicant portal, either External Applicants or Internal Applicants  and click on the position title that you want to apply for.
  2. To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide:
  • Resume (PDF Format)
  • Cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications (PDF Format)

Failing to submit the required application documents may disqualify your application.

  1. Submit your Application.

SPECIAL NOTES:

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting Sarah Haen, HR Business Partner, at sarah.haen@uwss.wisconsin.edu.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran, and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies.  We promote excellent through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Questions may be addressed to: Sarah Haen, HR Business Partner, at sarah.haen@uwss.wisconsin.edu