CLIENT Our client family, the H.J. Russell Family Office (“Family”) is headquartered in Atlanta and is a well-established office serving the business and investment enterprises of a significant, multi-generational family with over 60 years of impactful, mission-based involvement in the broader Atlanta community. The founding patriarch, Herman J. Russell (Dec 1930 – Nov 2014) was a hard-working, driven, spirited, visionary entrepreneur, and his three adult children (G2) – continuing in his footsteps - have built a collaborative and effective sibling partnership that will leverage the family business platform and provide a pathway that enhances the surrounding community through positive social and economic impact. The family’s wealth is the result of several highly successful businesses, as well as a significant diverse portfolio of real estate investment and business holdings. The family spans three generations – (G2) three adult children, hereinafter “Principals”; (G3) their eight adult children; and (G4) grandchildren. All three of G2 and several of G3 are actively involved in the family business enterprise, and those G3 members not involved within the family business enterprise have careers or are in school. The mission of the family office is to support the financial and personal objectives set by the Principals, all of which are centered around family continuity and guided firmly by the family’s legacy vision of giving back to community through meaningful and impactful initiatives that will stand the test of time. The Russell Family also holds core values that support and are sensitive to the mental and physical well-being of its employees, partners and family members. OPPORTUNITY Reporting to the three G2 Principals, the CEO will have primary responsibility for continuing to develop and build the family office platform, infrastructure, and service delivery model, and then managing and executing on the same for the benefit of the family, both individually and collectively. G2 has significant wealth in their own right and the expectation is that the family office activities will include assisting G2 with their specific financial and asset management activities. Critical will be the CEO’s ability to help the G2 Principals to better understand the service delivery options and structures of various family office models, as well as the corresponding financial and tax implications of each. This will include governance and decision-making best practices, as the G2 Principals evolve from their current entrepreneurially based partnership decision making style to a more disciplined and professionalized decision-making model. Additionally, the CEO will work closely with the G3 young adult children to help further involve them in the family mission, as well as in areas of family education, wealth management, and family office governance and oversight. During the initial phase, probably the first couple of years, this role will be very hands on and highly entrepreneurial as the service delivery model is further developed, implemented, and refined. Like most family office leadership roles, the CEO will serve as the classic “expert generalist” with responsibilities spanning from direct involvement to collaborative support to quarterbacking and oversight. It is expected that over time, the CEO will work collaboratively with, and continue to develop and build, the existing internal team, as well as oversee and manage outside advisors. The CEO will work closely with the G2 Principals to further articulate the values, vision and mission of the family office, and then tailor a personal service delivery approach that supports an effective and productive working relationship that best serves each of their information, operational, and decision-making needs. This will be a dynamic, iterative process where flexibility and thoughtful, attentive creativity will be the norm, and “service excellence” will be the required outcome. And again…in the context of family, it will be both “individual family households” as well as a “collective family” group. Equally important will be the “trusted advisor” role that this individual will cultivate with the Principals, with a goal of serving as a key “go to” resource; sounding board; confidant; risk manager; and in many ways…a “co-pilot” to make sure that the family office runs smoothly and effectively for the benefit of the family. Over time, much of this role will be about executive leadership and working collaboratively with the family, the family office team, and the outside advisors to continually improve and professionalize the service delivery level that the family office is providing to the family. Finally, the family is seeking a CEO who aligns with their core values and can help to support and maintain these values throughout their related organizations. These core values include - doing the right thing, always; passionate pursuit of excellence; practice blameless problem-solving; honoring commitments; taking ownership; setting clear expectations; listening to understand; and communicating honestly and with full transparency. POSITION SUMMARY The CEO will work collaboratively with the G2 Principals and family office team to further develop and evolve the operational infrastructure for the family office and affiliated entities. The individual will strive to instill a “best practices” philosophy in all functional areas to improve workflow, simplify reporting procedures, and enhance service delivery to the family. Family Office Management • Execute the continued build-out of the family office service platform, recommending which functions should be handled internally and which functions should be outsourced, with the aim of maintaining a lean, efficient staff. • Oversee day-to-day operations of the family office and related service entities, and work collaboratively with the current family office leader to effect a smooth and productive leadership transition. • Provide strategic financial input and supervisory decision making on issues and/or initiatives impacting the organization and provide ongoing strategic guidance and support of the family’s mission. • Manage all external advisors and vendors on a day-to-day basis to ensure the G2 Principals are receiving sound advice and high-quality deliverables for an appropriate fee. • Hire, manage, and mentor staff as needed. Develop a plan for ongoing professional development of the staff and provide cross-training opportunities to insure flexible staffing. • Plan and facilitate periodic meetings with the Principals and appropriate advisors, including preparation of meeting materials. • Promote a positive image of the family and family office, by adhering to a high level of professional standards and ethics, demonstrated by professionalism and technical knowledge. • Develop and maintain effective and secure business systems, and work with IT service provider to provide safe, secure, and effective information technology systems. Financial Management and Reporting • Work collaboratively with the accounting team and advisors to assess the accounting and financial reporting structure, articulate current and anticipated reporting needs, make recommendations for improvement, and oversee the implementation of the same. • Provide financial analysis, modelling, and/or projections for initiatives of the family. • Provide periodic financial reporting including income, expense and cash reports, analysis and forecasts for the residences, investments, and/or special projects as needed. • Assist the family and manage staff for personal property management, acquisition and maintenance. Investment Management & Strategic Business Oversight • While this role will not directly oversee the internal investment management function, it will serve as a collaborative interface with the family and outside advisors on these matters. • It will also serve as a strategic business advisor to the various business interests of the family, including two operating companies and significant land development projects. • The CEO will also provide thought leadership on family office formation and trends, as well as providing oversight and compliance support on an ongoing basis as needed. • Work with the family to obtain relevant information that will be used in providing them with an integrated comprehensive overview of their financial affairs and in keeping them apprised of potential current and future impacts to investments, cash flow, and financial needs. • Participate in periodic investment meetings with the family and outside advisors. • Provide oversight and management of other personal assets as needed. Tax/Estate Planning and Compliance • Provide support for and act as liaison with external tax advisors on an ongoing basis regarding tax reporting and compliance for the Principals, trusts, and other legal entities. • Plan and report on philanthropic giving to maximize tax efficiency and comply with pledges. • Provide support for estate planning matters and trust administration, as well as serve as liaison with estate planning attorney to execute estate planning transactions. • Assist in procuring proactive planning measures rather than reactive planning measures after law changes or planned business objectives are realized. Human Resources • Work collaboratively with the Principals to insure effective managerial oversight of Human Resources including employment practices; policies and procedures; culture and employee enrichment; compensation and employee benefits; and recruiting and staffing. Legal and Risk Management • In coordination with appropriate outside legal counsel, oversee the legal affairs of the family office, family members, and related entities as needed. • Work with legal counsel on structures, transactions, and planning on various issues as needed. • Evaluate, strengthen, and periodically review the internal control environment to ensure appropriate processes and procedures are in place to safeguard the integrity and security of all critical functions including financial management, investments, and cash. • Evaluate and periodically review property and liability insurance policies to assure that appropriate types and levels of coverage are in place for all family personal and real property, business entities and affiliates. Philanthropy • Work collaboratively with the family to support and advise on philanthropic initiatives, including the family foundation and the family sponsored 501(c)(3), the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE). • Provide compliance and oversight as needed. Family Education and Next Gen • Work with the family, particularly the G3 young adult family members, to further involve them in the family mission, as well as in areas of family education, wealth management, and family office governance and oversight. General Administration • Work collaboratively with the Principals to support the relationships with a group of trusted and proven external advisors including CPAs, attorneys, and investment advisors currently supporting the family. • Provide critical operational and management support for the activities and initiatives of the Principals and family members. • Continue to develop and evolve the operational infrastructure for the family office and affiliated entities. DESIRED CANDIDATE The successful candidate will be a discreet, self-driven family office executive with broad business management experience and a range of different skills including strong strategic, operational, financial, analytical, and leadership skills. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications/characteristics: Skills and Experience: • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; CPA, CFA, MBA and/or JD preferred. • Strong leadership experience in working with high-net worth individuals and/or complex family-owned businesses coupled with the ability to play a key role in the operational, financial, and strategic leadership as the direction and vision of the family office evolves over time. • Solid accounting and financial reporting skills, and must have the technical skills to aggregate, translate, and report on financial information and develop meaningful and effective financial reporting and forecasting processes, reports, and systems across all organizations and entities. • Solid tax background with knowledge of flow-through entities, transaction structuring (M&A), individual, estate and corporate taxation. • Must have a solid investment acumen; a strong technical foundation and/or understanding for investment analytics and portfolio allocation; experience with manager selection, oversight and performance review; and a good familiarity with alternative investments including private equity and real estate. • Must also have strong experience with real estate development transactions and be familiar with the entire development cycle from project planning and conception…to construction…to management…and to various hold or exit scenarios. • Strong understanding of and familiarity with best practices in a family office environment related to decision making, governance, and operational structures. • Solid experience in strategic planning, budget preparation and cash flow planning. • Proficient with technology and open to adopting new platforms in the interest of greater efficiency. • Practical experience in recruitment, selection, supervision, and development of professional and support staff is essential. Essential Characteristics: • Must be a self-starter, self-regulating and self-motivated, and must be able to work well with little direction or oversight, and not require feedback to be effective. • Must be a creative visionary with the ability to play a key role in the operational, financial, and strategic leadership of the family office as it continues to evolve and grow over time. • Must be a strong decision maker and have a track record of taking ownership for and driving key initiatives. • Must thrive in a “check your ego at the door” culture where everyone’s mission is to collaborate and provide exceptional service to the Principals. • Must have good judgment on what is being said and know how to respond appropriately…from listening to agreeing to deferring to disagreeing. • Ability and willingness to be both “hands-on” in the day-to-day family office operations and to “delegate when appropriate”. • Must have an uncompromising commitment to “service excellence”. • Must have exceptional emotional intelligence, and be a strong communicator and facilitator, including the ability to communicate complex concepts and strategies in a clear and concise manner to various audiences. • Must be self-confident, knowledgeable, and able to exercise sound judgment in conducting research, analysis and decision making. A confident, self-directed problem solver. • Must consistently operate in a transparent and collaborative manner with a “team first” approach. • Must possess a strong understanding of – and appreciation for – how technology can be used effectively to improve operational efficiency. • Must be highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. • Must be proactive, have a strong sense of urgency, and be comfortable with change. • Must have integrity and be approachable, respectful and instill confidence and trust in his/her ability to handle complex and sensitive financial and personal information both internally and externally. • Most importantly, this individual must be able to understand, appreciate and support the mission-based initiatives of the family. LOCATION Atlanta. REPORTS TO This position will report to the G2 Principals. COMPENSATION An excellent compensation package will be designed to attract an outstanding individual. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For further understanding of Herman J. Russell and the family: • Building Atlanta: How I Broke Through Segregation to Launch a Business Empire, written by Bob Andelman, 2014. • PBS Documentary: Building Atlanta – The Story of Herman J. Russell. • Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (https://russellcenter.org/).