Chief Financial Officer

Who We Are

Our vision is to grant the wish of every eligible child. Through our mission, we are uniting communities to grant life‑changing wishes. As the world’s largest wish‑granting organization, we strive to create a sense of community and an environment where we warmly embrace our wish families, volunteers, and colleagues.

Location

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We do not sponsor employment visas or other immigration processes to attain or maintain employment eligibility. Remote positions are open to applicants based anywhere in the continental U.S. Hybrid positions are open to applicants based in the Phoenix, Arizona area. This is a remote position.

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior leader responsible for the financial strategy, governance, operational effectiveness, and enterprise performance of the organization. This role provides organization‑wide oversight of financial planning, accounting, investment management, risk mitigation, and shared financial services. The CFO also serves as a strategic partner in driving organizational process improvement and enterprise‑wide change management initiatives to strengthen efficiency, alignment, and long‑term sustainability.

The CFO reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), is a member of the senior leadership team and partners closely with executives and Board‑level committees. This role plays a central part in advancing fiscal stewardship, operational excellence, and strategic alignment across the national organization and chapter network, while also contributing to the development and execution of the organization’s enterprise strategic plan.

Success in this position requires extensive experience partnering with Board committees, leading in complex nonprofit or corporate environments, driving process transformation, influencing stakeholders within a distributed shared services model, and effectively managing hybrid and remote teams.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Lead the organization’s financial strategy, planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Oversee all accounting operations, including financial reporting, treasury, and investment management.
• Direct governance, compliance, audit processes, and risk management systems across the enterprise.
• Provide financial leadership and guidance to Board‑level committees.
• Ensure excellence, quality, and alignment across chapter‑facing shared financial services.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing Finance & Operations team.
• Lead enterprise process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce complexity, and strengthen cross‑departmental alignment.
• Oversee organizational change management strategies to support smooth adoption of new systems, processes, and operating models.
• Act as a key partner in the development, execution, and tracking of the enterprise strategic plan.
• Champion strong internal controls, accurate financial reporting, and mission‑aligned financial practices.

Key Functional Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Operations

• Lead the development and management of the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting, including forecasts and investment reports.
• Manage treasury operations, cash flow, and credit relationships.
• Direct investment strategy and financial risk management.
• Manage the development of business cases for potential areas of investment.

Governance, Audit & Compliance

• Serve as staff liaison to the Audit and Finance Committee and present regularly to Board committees.
• Oversee the timely completion of the National Office external audit and IRS Form 990.
• Lead the combined national audit and collaborate with chapters and external audit firms.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory filings across states and municipalities.
• Maintain and strengthen internal control and management control systems.

Shared Financial Services & Chapter Support

• Oversee shared financial services, including chapter accounting, audit support, donor care, and Form 990 preparation.
• Influence and support chapters in aligning financial practices with enterprise standards.
• Provide financial guidance and resources to chapter leadership as needed.

Systems, Reporting & Infrastructure

• Direct the implementation and ongoing management of NetSuite for the national office and chapters.
• Oversee accounting system integration, reporting accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure proper tracking and reporting of donor‑restricted funds and grant programs.

Facilities & Operational Oversight

• Evaluate and negotiate tenant leases at foundation headquarters.
• Oversee planning for tenant improvements, renewals, and relocations.
• Manage the organization’s corporate P card and Wish card programs.

Additional Duties

• Provide financial analysis, reporting, and strategic support to all National Office functions.
• Deliver accounting and risk management training to national and chapter staff as needed.
• Maintain relationships with regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and external partners.
• Participate as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise‑wide planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational effectiveness.
• Serve as a key member of the Retirement Committee to provide oversight, governance, and strategic direction.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of internal controls, management systems, and nonprofit accounting principles.
• Strong understanding of audit processes, financial compliance, and forensic accounting practices.
• Ability to navigate complex financial environments with confidentiality and discretion.
• Skilled in financial analysis, data interpretation, and strategic decision‑making.
• Demonstrated ability to lead distributed teams, including remote and hybrid staff.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across a shared services financial model.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present complex financial information clearly to leadership and board members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent required; MBA preferred.
• CPA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with and advising Board‑level committees in significant nonprofit or corporate environments.
• Proven success leading and influencing stakeholders in a distributed, shared services accounting model.
• Strong leadership experience managing remote and hybrid teams.
• Extensive experience with financial reporting, budgeting, audits, and nonprofit compliance.
• Experience with directing and guiding investment management decisions.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Working Conditions

• Remote position.
• Some domestic travel is required.
• May require work outside a traditional Monday – Friday work week, and outside normal business hours.

This Role's Hiring Range: $260,000 USD – $300,000 USD

What We Offer

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package, effective day 1: Medical, Vision, Dental, Wellness.
• Competitive compensation with annual incentive potential.
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
• Health Reimbursement Account fully funded by Make‑A‑Wish America.
• Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability, and Life Insurance.
• Additional insurance plans: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance through Figo.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with 5% match after one year of service.
• Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• The organization will provide a laptop, 24‑inch monitor, and a docking station or adapter to new hires.

Time Off

• Up to 15 PTO days.
• 10 Sick Days.
• 11 Paid Holidays.
• 2 Volunteer Days after one year of service.
• 2 Personal Days accrued annually.
• Parental Leave.

Also

• Employee Awards and Recognition Programs.
• Individual and Leadership Development.
• Discounts and special offers for theme parks, events, hotels, concerts, and movie tickets.
• Monthly premiums paid for the employee for vision, dental, and short/long term disability.