Chief Financial Officer

Chief Finance Officer

The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a key leader on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), providing strategic oversight of the organization's financial, risk management, legal compliance, contract administration, and administrative functions.

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the CFO plays a critical role in solidifying ESF's business model, ensuring financial sustainability, and embedding financial risk management into organizational decision-making and strategic planning.

The incoming CFO will be a transformative leadership role for a strategic and hands-on executive who will provide financial stewardship while architecting and leading the organization's transition from an outsourced accounting model to a high-performing, self-sufficient in-house finance department. This includes spearheading a full ERP implementation, ensuring robust risk management and legal compliance and alignment with a Human Capital Management system.

Financial Strategy, Reporting, and Systems

• Architect and lead the transition from an external accounting firm to a self-sufficient, in-house finance department, assuming all technical accounting responsibilities including monthly close, audit prep, and compliance.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of a new ERP system to replace QuickBooks Online and scale with the organization's growth.
• Serve as a financial stakeholder in the evaluation and implementation of a new Human Capital Management system, ensuring budget alignment and data integration with financial systems.
• Develop and maintain financial reporting systems and workflows accessible to a distributed, remote workforce.
• Lead the in-house team in preparing and presenting accurate and timely financial reports to the ELT, Board of Directors, and Finance Committee.
• Provide ongoing operational oversight on the ERP system and partner with Chief Operations Officer on systems integration where necessary
• Lead and own the development and management of the annual operating budget and re-forecast process as needed; provide information and analyses regarding the alignment of resources with strategic priorities.
• Report on financial results and conditions through oversight and review of monthly organizational financial statements.
• Provide strategic direction on short-term and long-term financial planning, scenario modeling, and forecasting.
• Oversee adherence to the Short-Term Cash Management and Investment Policy and Policy on Operating Reserves, in consultation with the Executive Director and Finance Committee
• Ensure any required audits, the IRS 990 and other annual federal or state filings are completed for ESF and the entities ESF administers

Administration and Financial Compliance, and Risk Management

• Oversees ESF's responsibilities as a third party administrator, collaborating closely with program directors and trustees. Duties include oversight of trust audit and insurance.
• Design, implement, and enforce robust internal controls and financial policies to ensure the accuracy of financial information and mitigate risk.
• Ensure ESF has adequate and up-to-date insurance coverage
• Ensure compliance with multi-state employment tax, payroll, and regulatory requirements across all states where ESF employs remote staff
• Use partnerships across the organization to build staff awareness and practices to ensure sound operations and to mitigate risks
• Embed financial policies, compliance standards, and risk mitigation protocols into organizational systems
• Oversee refinement and adherence to the organization's Purchasing Policy and Contracting Policy
• Develop, implement, and enforce other policies and procedures related to the organization's financial and administrative operations

Grants & Contracts (Revenue) Oversight

• Oversee financial reporting and compliance on all grants/contracts received from the public sector, foundations, and other donors/contributors
• Negotiate as needed on behalf of the organization to ensure terms favorable to ESF; bring knowledge of how CBA dollars have been awarded into support for renewed funding
• Oversee the development of financial information necessary for funding applications, such as personnel rates and indirect cost rates
• Ensure all agreements for granted or contracted funds are reviewed internally and by counsel when necessary prior to execution
• Align financial tracking (Finance), deliverable monitoring (Chief Program Officer's team), and funder relations (CAO) to streamline cross-department communication; co-develop SOPs and workflows related to securing and monitoring grants and contracts
• Evaluate and make recommendations with respect to new financial partnerships or joint ventures that are new models for the organization's work

Executive Leadership & Team Development

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the ED and other members of the ELT
• Continue to build and develop a high-performing finance team with a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Cultivate a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement across teams.
• Partner with People & Culture on leadership development, succession planning, and equitable performance management.
• Collaborate with the Board Treasurer to lead the Finance Committee through fulfillment of its duties
• Set and monitor annual goals related to ESF's financial operations and performance as part of the annual work plan
• Promote financial transparency, coaching, and accountability across all levels of the organization.
• Hold primary responsibility for employment decisions affecting direct reports, including hiring, discipline, and termination, either directly or through effective recommendation
• Directly supervise the day-to-day management of assigned staff
• Exercise independent judgment within their vertical in managing staff and making decisions that impact team operations, work priorities, deadlines, and employee outcomes
• Conduct performance evaluations and provides ongoing coaching, feedback, and development support via regular scheduled one-on-one meetings, team meetings, or impromptu meetings
• Has the authority to issue disciplinary action and/or effectively recommend corrective action up to and including termination.
• Participate in hiring decisions, including candidate selection and evaluations
• Make recommendations regarding promotions and other employment actions based on performance and organizational needs
• Address employee relations matters, including responding to concerns, resolving conflicts, and escalating issues as appropriate
• Maintain accountability for team performance, productivity, and adherence to expectations.
• Ensure team compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Deep expertise in nonprofit financial management, compliance, and risk strategy.
• Advanced knowledge of GAAP as applied in nonprofit contexts, including restricted/unrestricted revenue recognition
• Proficiency in financial systems and ERP platforms; demonstrated ability to evaluate, select, and implement new systems
• Strong working knowledge of multi-state payroll, tax compliance, and employment regulations in a distributed workforce
• Commitment to a worker-centered, empowerment-based approach to leadership and organizational development.
• Exceptional judgment, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to manage across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Proven change management skills and the ability to lead an organization through significant operational and systems transformations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote, fast-paced environment across multiple time zones.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present financial information to non-financial audiences
• Flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity
• Commitment to continuous improvement, efficiency, and staff collaboration.
• Ability to travel periodically for in-person meetings and activities, including a quarterly in-person leadership meeting that takes place in the northeast.

Experience/Qualifications

• At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience in financial management, including at least 10 years of experience in complex nonprofit organizations with budgets of at least $20 million.
• Demonstrated success in financial strategy development, redesign, sustainability planning, and risk management.
• Knowledge of federal and state grant compliance requirements.
• Exceptional leadership and management skills
• Experience building and managing a team, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage multi-directionally
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required; CPA or MBA strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated capability in supporting and developing staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or MBA strongly preferred
• Demonstrated success in transitioning an organization from an outsourced to an in-house accounting model OR leading a non-profit finance department through a similar large-scale transformation.