Chief Financial Officer - PLC Detroit

About PLC DetroitPensole Lewis College (PLC) is the Creative Northstar and premier Historically Black College or University (HBCU) that is Rebranding Education and Blacklighting the Industry. We are the pipeline for career-focused learning and professional development serving all students of the game. To be a student of the game is to prepare and empower yourself to enter the industry and make it better for the next generation.At PLC, we offer a new path to do just that—break into the world of product creation and change the scope of what it looks like to navigate within educational and career pathways.We believe in carrying the vision together. We put trust in our partners and creative community to drive change in providing access to the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in the future we are designing.Make the choice to bear the torch to lead the way forward. Learn more about PLC Detroit at .The Opportunity At this pivotal time, Pensole Lewis College seeks a mission-aligned, dynamic, and hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the organization through this vital period of growth, accountability, and re-accreditation. As a key member of the executive team, the CFO will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing finance team while overseeing all financial functions—including budgeting, forecasting, accounting, reporting, audits, and compliance.Candidate ProfileWe recognize that there is a breadth of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:Passion for the MissionAn entrepreneurial fiscal leader, you bring deep expertise in nonprofit financial leadership and a track record of supporting mission-driven organizations through periods of significant change. You pride yourself on being both a culture carrier and steadying force, and ground big vision in financial reality while advocating for sustainable growth, transparency, and accountability. You see this role as an opportunity to collaborate and shape a culture of access and excellence through your financial leadership and deeply appreciate the unique context and legacy of HBCUs—and PLC’s role within Detroit’s creative and educational ecosystem. You lead with cultural fluency, humility, and a people-first approach that reflects the values and aspirations of your teams, constituents, and the communities they serve.Technical Finance and Compliance AcumenYou are highly skilled in core finance disciplines, including fund accounting, budgeting, audit readiness, financial modeling, and compliance. You have led or supported the design of financial systems and internal controls that meet rigorous nonprofit and/or higher education standards, and you are fluent in presenting financials to executive leadership, boards, and regulatory bodies with a high degree of professionalism, transparency, and accessibility. An agile communicator, you build and lead financial systems that meet the expectations of auditors, regulators, and accreditors alike and communicate those systems clearly to boards, funders, executive teams, and key constituents with fluency and clarity.A Builder and Systems ThinkerAs a leader, you are drawn to PLC’s ambitious path forward and see yourself as a hands-on, proactive leader who can create order out of ambiguity, build structure, and build capacity within evolving or entrepreneurial settings. You know how to navigate transitions, establish policies, and lead others through change. You understand how to design systems that balance flexibility with accountability and are energized by structure-building—designing systems, policies, and workflows that are both scalable and responsive to a fast-evolving organization.Executive Gravitas and AdvisoryPLC Detroit calls for someone who brings not only technical skill but strong leadership presence and an entrepreneurial spirit. A clear communicator, and values-driven thought partner, you have a track record of serving as a strategic counselor, foster trust, transparency, organizational foresight with professionalism and calm judgment to moments of decision-making, even in times of ambiguity. You build trust through transparency and model mutual respect, clear communication, and shared accountability.Compensation and BenefitsSalary for the role is anticipated to range from $200,000 - $225,000, commensurate with experience. PLC Detroit offers a competitive benefits package.Note that the final salary will reflect internal equity and the selected candidate’s individual experiences and qualifications.Contact DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Maureen Alphonse Charles and Malissa Brennan. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.PLC Detroit is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.