SUMMARY: The CFO serves as a member of the senior leadership team with accountability for the financial and accounting functions of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, a $40 million dollar organization with 300 plus employees across a dozen locations. Our financial resources bring to life our mission to eliminate racism and empower women which we do by unleashing the potential of youth, helping people heal and building economic equity. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with program leaders, the CFO will have a proven professional history of providing timely and strategic financial and operational counsel to non-profit organizations.

With 80% government funding as the primary revenue source across 100 plus grants it’s critical for the CFO to understand local, state, and federal funding streams with experience in delivering on both fiscal and single audits. Government grants include but are not limited to early childhood, youth development, workforce, VOCA, housing, entrepreneurship. The individual is expected to be an excellent financial and accounting technician, demonstrate excellent fiscal judgment and project management skills while being a great coach to the team.

COLLABORATES WITH: The CFO collaborates and interacts regularly with the CEO, Chief Programs Officers, Chief Resilience Officer, and other functional department leads (HR, IT, facilities, legal); Auditors; Banking Partners; Audit and Finance committees of the Board of Directors.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has overall financial management responsibility for the organization and must develop and implement strategies for continued financial health of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. The CFO is responsible for the overall management of the Finance and Accounting Team, including: a) developing strategy and goals, b) effectively managing department workforce to keep them aligned, focused, motivated, and high- performing, c) reporting on the department’s progress toward goals to other Department Heads and to entire staff during staff meetings, and d) modeling the YWCA’s values of an inclusive and respectful workplace and encouraging the same from his staff. The CFO is expected to: translate broad goals into achievable steps; help set and manage appropriate expectations; handle detailed, complex concepts and problems and make rapid decisions regarding service delivery and property management issues. The individual is expected to: adhere to the highest ethical standards in management and governance; convey a professional and positive image and attitude regarding the organization and the not-for-profit sector; demonstrate commitment to continued professional growth and development.

ESSENTIAL responsibilities:

Financial & Accounting Management: (30%) Provide direction, oversight, and supervision of the Finance and Accounting staff, including oversight of the organization’s day-to-day financial transactions.

• Leadership of the Finance and Accounting Department to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions, including maintenance of internal controls and financial procedures, direct supervision of the Controller and the Director, Grant Accounting.
• Provide oversight of: accounts receivable and cash receipts; accounts payable; payroll; general ledger and related appropriate documentation;
• Ensure maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures.
• Lead oversight of annual audited financial statements, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and 990 preparation.
• Produce timely, accurate, and useful financial and management reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, and Organization’s board of directors; oversee the preparation and communication of monthly and annual financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with government contracts, federal and state statutes, and other regulations, and manage joint cost allocation. Identifies/implements cost savings opportunities.

Financial Planning, Strategy & Management (30%)

• Regularly meet and build relationships with key staff to review financial performance and assist with strategies to address the organization’s financial goals.
• Prepare annual budgets and interim projections, as needed; prepare monthly financial statements and budget comparisons with comprehensive analysis; prepare cash flow projections and cash management; analyze financial needs of program directors.
• Oversee budgeting, budget implementation, tracking and reconciliation to monitor progress and present financial metrics both internally and externally.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting. Optimize banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
• Provide reports on a regular basis, and as directed or requested, to keep the Board and senior leadership informed of finances and the operation and progress of compliance efforts.
• Primary liaison with outside auditors and finance committees; responsible for leading the audit planning, significant accounting policies and their adoption, and financial statement preparation and disclosure. Review tax returns prepared by outside accountants prior to company officer sign-off. Work with accountants on tax planning.

Board of Directors Relationship (10%)

• Apprise the Board’s Audit & Budget Committee about the organization’s finances. Build narratives for board members to support annual budget approval process and quarterly results.
• Prepare and present quarterly financial presentations to the Board of Directors. Provide financial analysis and input for monthly Executive Committee Meetings. Coordinate quarterly, or more frequently if needed, Finance Committee and Audit Committee meetings including preparation of agenda and supporting materials for the packet.

Business Analysis to Support Development & Programs (20%):

• Partners with Chief Development & Brand Inspiration Officer and her staff to prepare grant requests, and report on funds received.
• Ensure that accurate records of gift pledges, restrictions, and use of donated funds.
• Assist in the development of private philanthropic and government grant applications.
• Collaborate with the Chief Resilience Officer, Chief Program Leaders, and other senior leaders on budget development, ongoing revenue collection and productivity strategies.
• Support business analysis for new program development and new revenue streams.
• Evaluate current and potential locations for future YWCA locations.

Team Development (10%)

• Mentor and develop a team of 10 staff, managing work allocation and workflow, training, problem resolution, performance evaluation and the development of an effective and dynamic team.

QUALIFICATIONS: At minimum, 15 years of financial management experience, with a full range of budget responsibility and 5 years of experience with a similarly positioned organization, are required. The experience must include that as a CFO in an entrepreneurial and hands-on business environment. The CFO must possess intellectual strength, excellent business acumen, creativity, a keen understanding of finance, accounting, and operations issues. Prior experience working with banks, and establishment of credit relationships, is required.

The Chief Financial Officer must be at ease and skilled in setting direction, managing change, motivating others and holding team members accountable for their work and commitments. Respect for diversity and skills in cultural competency are necessary. The position requires the ability to establish and sustain collaborative working relationships. The Chief Financial officer must have the ability to assess and analyze issues and to identify solutions, with flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and business conditions.

Other Key Competencies:

• Results-oriented with superior skills in organization, planning, and attention to details.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience with diverse operational models.
• Strong business acumen; Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proactive, self-directed, and reliable; Strong sense of integrity, honesty, and ethics.
• Ability to motivate and lead others; Respectful of others; interacts with tact and sensitivity.
• Flexible and collaborative work style with a strong service mentality.
• Ability to manage many diverse yet concurrent project and responsibilities.
• Ability to build and sustain great internal and external working relationships.
• Knowledge of financial systems including Blackbaud, Financial Edge.
• Not-for-profit organization experience is preferred, or knowledge of management of restricted resources.
• Direct mail fund raising and deferred gifts experience is preferred.

How to Apply

Please click here to apply. 

About YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

Founded in 1876, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a social enterprise committed to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. As a leading association among a national network of more than 200 YWCAs, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago impacts tens of thousands of women and families annually through comprehensive human services provided across the region. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a leading service provider in the areas of sexual violence support services, early childhood and child care provider services, family support services, youth STEM programming, and economic empowerment services. Located in the third-largest American city with the third-highest percentage of women in the U.S., YWCA Metropolitan Chicago serves as a national incubator for innovative programming, outreach and engagement strategies. Contributing to our diverse and balanced economy, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is working at the individual and systems levels to create an inclusive marketplace where everyone thrives. The organization is also an active member of many national, state, county and city-level coalitions, representing the interests of and advocating for policies that positively affect women and families.

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