Chief Financial Officer - Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind : Job Details

Chief Financial Officer

Working from the organization's 10-acre campus in Smithtown (Long Island, NY), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports to the Chief of Staff. S/he/they will lead the finance department within a fiscally sound organization. GDF/AVD currently operates with zero debt and possesses significant liquid reserves. The majority of net assets are without donor restriction. The CFO serves as a member of the Leadership team for the Organization and is responsible for all aspects of the financial planning, budgeting, and accounting practices of Guide Dog Foundation and America's VetDogs. These two separate corporate entities operate de facto as a single entity.

The CFO will build and manage effective and streamlined financial systems and infrastructure to support substantial growth of the organization. A capital campaign will soon commence to support on-campus expansion and improvements. S/he/they will oversee all accounting and financial reporting, regulatory compliance, budgeting, financial analysis, and audit activities. In coordination with the President & CEO and Chief of Staff, the CFO will serve as staff liaison to the Board and various Board committees, including but not limited to Finance, Audit, Investment, and Capital Campaign. S/he/they will ensure that GDF/AVD's senior staff and Board are provided with accurate and updated financials, along with financial assessments and recommendations.

GDF/AVD prides itself on having a strong and collaborative management team that is mission-driven. The CFO must likewise be collaborative in approach and believe strongly in the mission and values of the organization. As a member of the senior management team, the CFO is involved in strategic planning, evaluation, and professional development initiatives. The CFO must also have an aptitude for building financial scenarios, coordinating compliance audits, and enhancing and implementing financial reporting, processes, tools, and control systems. The CFO will work closely with other department leaders (i.e. development/grants) within GDF/AVD in budget creation for proposals and funding requests. In addition to strategic finance, the CFO will oversee Human Resources and Information Technology. In total, there will be 18 staff comprising the team under the CFO's leadership. S/he/they will manage and direct the team, ensuring that the team is properly staffed, developed, and appropriately resourced to manage their work. The Organization's strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned each entity a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator.

WHAT WILL SUCCESS BY THE CFO LOOK LIKE:

• The Board and leadership team will receive from the CFO timely and accurate financial reports required to make sound business decisions.
• The CFO will be viewed as a strong partner to senior management in analyzing the structure of the organization and advising on potential changes.
• Develop additional forward-looking budgeting tools to project and accommodate construction and increased program costs of new facility.
• Lead the selection, conversion, and implementation of a major database conversion.
• All federal and local regulatory requirements and reporting will be filed accurately and on time.

Responsibilities

• Work with other members of the leadership team and direct reports, to advance GDF and AVD's mission, vision, and values, set strategic goals and support implementation through Directors and Managers.
• Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports, and financial trends to assist the Board, CEO, and Chief of Staff in performing their responsibilities.
• Engage the Board of Directors and committees as appropriate, under the direction of the President & CEO.
• Overall responsibility for all Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology.
• Participate in the development of the organization's plans and programs as a strategic partner.
• Strive to assure adequate resources and deploy resources effectively toward organizational goals.
• Promote clear communication and collaboration between all departments throughout the organization to ensure progress towards current goals.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate the organization's fiscal function and performance.
• Provide technical expertise and knowledge and act as advisor from the financial perspective on any contracts into which the organization may enter.
• Optimize the handling of bank and deposit relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance options.
• Engage other members of the senior executive team to facilitate cross-department collaboration that ensures that all financial and revenue cycle solutions positively support the organization's evolving strategy, service delivery, and data collection needs.
• Working closely with the CEO, Chief of Staff, and Finance Committee, and outside auditors, the CFO will oversee the timely completion and accuracy of audits and tax filings.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting; direct all financial, project-based, and departmental accounting.
• Effectively maintain internal controls to safeguard the agency's assets; regularly review internal control and recommend modifications to strengthen.
• Evaluate and oversee all benefits negotiations, thus providing the most competitive packages for the organization's employees.

Qualifications

• The ideal CFO will have at minimum 10 years (ideally 15+) experience leading a team in a comparable nonprofit organization overseeing finance, human resources, and Information Technology.
• Mature, proactive, and diplomatic, with a strong record of having worked as a trusted business partner to executive teams.
• Skill in examining, developing, reengineering, and recommending financial, administrative, HR, and Information Technology policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical skills and experience translating a strategic vision into an operational model.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and a collaborative and flexible style with a strong service mentality.
• A demonstrated ability to think strategically in seizing opportunities, accessing risks, streamlining systems, and reducing expenses.
• Ability to earn trust and be perceived as a team player who is committed to lifelong learning.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field, required. Advanced degree/CPA preferred.
• Possess creativity along with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
• Possess excellent communications skills (oral, written, and listening).
• Possess ability to respond to complex situations, requiring tact and diplomacy and to effectively present information.
• Strong relationship builder with the ability to find common purpose, build consensus, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.
• Ability to successfully navigate in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, inclusiveness, and empowerment.
• The position is highly sensitive and requires impeccable personal and professional integrity and discretion.

For more information, to refer a candidate, or to apply in confidence, please contact:

David Hinsley Cheng, Managing PartnerJennifer Thorne, Search ConsultantDHC [email protected](203) ###-####

The expected salary range for the position is between $170,000-$185,000 per year. The salary offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors.