Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

Job Description

National CASA/GAL is seeking a  Chief Financial Officer  

Location: Seattle, WA, Washington, DC or Atlanta, GA

Purpose

The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children fulfills society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified and compassionate adult will fight for and protect the best interests of a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. The mission of National CASA/GAL, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive. Today, only 40% of these children have access to a CASA/GAL volunteer. The National CASA/GAL organization is committed to ensuring 100% of these children have access to a CASA/GAL volunteer.

  Breaking New Ground

National CASA/GAL is embarking on a new strategic planning process to scale the work and increase our impact. Through this planning process, we will identify new business models, revenue streams and programs to build a financially strong and sustainable national organization equipped and resourced to provide technical assistance and support to the CASA/GAL network of local programs and state organizations. The culmination of the strategic planning process will be the launching of a major capital campaign. The team that will drive these changes will be hands on leaders, critical thinkers and problem solvers, relationship builders, collaborative decision makers, as well as effective communicators and entrepreneurial change leaders.

  Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be a business partner, with the necessary leadership to provide credible counsel and guidance with a voice of reason. The CFO will be an integral part of developing the long range goals and strategies of the organization and the organizational transformation. The CFO must have impeccable communications skills with the ability to translate detailed information into clear, concise, and accessible messaging for non-financial stakeholders to understand.

The ideal CFO will also have an ability to quickly assess and gain a strong understanding of National CASA/GAL’s business model and the child-welfare industry and be able to use this knowledge to provide an independent perspective and to constructively challenge functional area teams, ensuring that business decisions are grounded in data and solid financial criteria. The CFO must be able to navigate complex data and provide analytics and predictive scenarios that drive action and decision-making. The CFO should also identify opportunities for top line growth and drive revenue improvements, not just through the traditional methods of cost control, but through cost analysis, revenue strategies and benchmarking against industry peers.

The CFO will ensure adequate assessment and mitigation of risk, and compliance with applicable regulatory or other legal requirements with an understanding of risk through a programmatic as well as a financial lens. The CFO will need to manage risk as the business executes on its strategies and initiatives as well as maintain a strong internal controls environment and financial reporting processes.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team the CFO plays a dual role in supporting strategy development and helping enable its execution. The CFO also plays a role in prioritizing and ensuring the strategy can be funded. This also includes communicating the strategy and progress against it to external stakeholders.

  The Chief Financial Officer ensures that the organization is sustained through strong internal systems, diversified funding, and a strategic and compelling position in the external world. The CFO will supervise and actively participate in the carrying out of all financial and operational functions with direct responsibility for financial management and operations. 

Functional Area Oversight

In addition to the management of the financial organization, the CFO will provide oversight, leadership and guidance to Operations, Technology, Procurement, Grants Management and Accountability and Human Resources, ensuring an integration of these support functions and a highly effective and efficient sustainable organization.

  Primary Responsibilities:

Finance

• As a business partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Team, assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and the organization’s long-term strategy.
• Develops long range financial plans to ensure financial sustainability in partnership with the CEO and Board of Trustees
• Develops and identifies contributed and earned revenue strategies in partnership with the Chief Development Officer, the CEO and other members of the Senior Management Team.
• Leads financial management and ensures strong fiscal responsibility and accountability. Approves departmental budgets to ensure they align with the priorities, goals and objectives of the organization.
• Responsible for the development and oversight of the annual budget planning, development process
• Develops tools and systems to provide critical financial and operations information to the CEO and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Manages the annual budget to ensure all organizational expenditures are approved through the budget process and any unbudgeted expenses are approved
• Ensures the development of and adherence to financial policies and procedures
• Provides monthly reports and dashboards to the CEO to ensure transparency and knowledge on the financial position of the organization, assets and investments
• Responsible for cash flow planning, investment, and asset management
• Develops models for forecasting, business planning, pricing, and reporting
• Reviews monthly financial position, prepares reports, and makes strategic recommendations that ensure financial stability
• Manages audit, investment and banking relationships; represents the organization to financial partners
• Remains current on nonprofit audit, best practices, and state and federal laws regarding non-profit operations
• Work with functional area leaders to understand needs and seek solution for budget short falls

 

Planning

• Plan and develop a sustainable financial structure that meets mission needs, goals, and aspirations over time
• Plan and develop a sustainable and dynamic business model that finds the necessary revenues and efficiently and effectively manages expenditures over the fiscal years
• Plan and build a sustainable financial function and organizational infrastructure that will support and contribute to organizational success
• Ensures timely financial reports are provided to the CEO and Board of Trustees
• Develops a long term financial plan and roadmap to ensure that National CASA/GAL meets its goal of becoming a financially sustainable organization
• Ensures accomplishment of the financial goals set by the Board of Trustees
• Develops an earned revenue strategy and plan for the National CASA/GAL in partnership with the Chief Marketing Officer and the Chief Development Officer
• Develops budgets and forecasts that align with annual and strategic plans
• Represents the organization to financial partners
• Engages Board of Directors Finance Committee to develop financial plans and projections
• Conducts economic impact studies as required

 

Leadership

• Provides leadership and support to direct reports for their professional growth
• Creates and manages a high performing team while meeting or exceeding goals
• Shares responsibility for strategic integration of operational activities within and between reporting departments and other areas of the organization
• Serves as a member of the Senior Management team and participates in organization wide problem solving and decision making
• Performs organization wide strategy, performance and risk management

 

Administration

• Coordinates audits and proper filing of tax returns
• Ensures legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions
• Provides insight, vision, and leadership that enables the organization to lead and respond to opportunities within the child welfare sector
• Actively participates in identifying and generating revenue for the organization
• Other duties as assigned

  ABILITIES

• Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently 
• Ability to embrace and exemplify organizational competencies and values
• Works well under pressure within tight timelines; skilled in prioritizing responsibilities
• Commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, state and local program staff, and other supporters
• Demonstrated continuous improvement through professional development
• Ability to become a steward and ambassador for the CASA/GAL mission and brand

  REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or business required; CPA and master’s strongly preferred (MBA or master’s in finance)
• Minimum of ten years as a CFO with some experience preferably in a non-profit organization
• Minimum of eight years of direct experience leading financial management and operations including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management
• Demonstrated capabilities in both strategic and operational leadership; strategic planning, and business forecasting 
• Demonstrated track record of success in a senior financial leadership role in a major not for profit organization or industry, or in government
• Demonstrated successful experience in leading and managing finance and accounting teams
• Experience managing federal funding and A-133 requirements 
• Must be detail oriented with high level of organizational and time management skills 
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills and ability to report complex financial and technological information to all audiences
• Proven ability managing financial systems and leveraging technology to achieve operational efficiency
• Successful experience working with board level committees
• Strong problem solving skills, proven staff development and team building skills and sound judgment
• Ability to work effectively and creatively in a complex organizational setting
• Allegiance to best practices and continuous quality improvement across all departments; commitment to building and fostering an ethnically and culturally diverse workforce
• A hands on, roll-up-your sleeves collaborative leader with professional bearing to represent National CASA/GAL’s mission to a broad range of constituents
• Possesses an appreciation for and genuine interest in the CASA /GAL Mission
• Values data driven decision making and demonstrates success in generating and executing thoughtful practical solutions 
• Ability to operate in a flexible, entrepreneurial, and opportunistic environment
• Proven success with leading large scale initiatives, change management, and culture shifts 
• Successful experience directing and implementing new systems, processes, and technology to enhance internal operations and organizational effectiveness 
• Demonstrated ability to bring a bold, creative leadership style; capable of leading, inspiring, and engaging team members 

  Compensation and Benefits

National CASA/GAL offers a competitive base salary plus benefits, generous paid leave, and work/life balance policies. This is a full-time exempt position.

National CASA/GAL is headquartered in Seattle, WA, with offices in Washington D.C. and Atlanta, GA, and is committed to an inclusive and welcoming workplace environment. 

  Organizational Values 

Adaptability ◦ Collaboration ◦ Integrity ◦ Respect ◦ Quality ◦ Service ◦ Stewardship 

To apply:  Please send resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io.

  NATIONAL COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE/GUARDIAN Ad LITEM ASSOCIATION

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER