Chief Financial Officer

Description

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports to the President & CEO and has primary responsibility to oversee and direct financial, accounting, and investment activities in support of Foundation strategy. The CFO ensures sound financial management and investment practices that support organizational growth, financial stability, and community impact goals. The CFO communicates widely with external audiences about the Foundation’s investment program. The CFO also seeks ways to continuously improve the investment and finance program to align with organizational values and to expand opportunities for greater community investment. The CFO ensures organizational compliance with relevant laws and tax obligations, and manages organizational risks and liabilities. The CFO partners with the Director of Advancement to identify, establish, and maintain funds, and to provide other products and services that meet donors’ philanthropic goals. The CFO partners with the Director of Programs to ensure proper recording and auditing of community investment strategies that advance the Foundation’s strategic goals. The CFO engages in racial-equity trainings and personal growth opportunities offered by the Foundation.

Job Duties

Specific activities include:

• Develop and monitor the implementation of long-range financial plans in conjunction with the President & CEO and the Finance Committee, including setting targets for organizational growth
• Develop and maintain internal financial-management policies and procedures, performance measures, and dashboards
• Develop strong working relationship with the Governing Board
• As member of leadership team, develop, present, and secure Governing Board approval for strategic organizational initiatives
• Work with the Audit Committee to ensure compliance with all applicable financial, accounting, legal, and regulatory requirements and best-practice standards; ensure a system of strong internal controls
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial analysis; oversee annual audit
• Lead the Investment Committee to ensure compliance with Governing Board–approved investment policies
• Research and propose community investment approaches that advance Foundation goals
• Ensure the timely reporting of investment activity to donors and fundholders
• Oversee and steward agency-endowment relationships, including cultivating new relationships
• Oversee the Accounting, Accounts Payable, and Gift Processing functions to ensure best practice and compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory standards
• Oversee organizational budgeting and reporting, working with the Accounting Manager to prepare annual budgets and routine expenditure reports
• Oversee functioning and relationship with database system provider
• Serve as primary contact on behalf of the Foundation for banking relationship and investment managers
• Oversee general administration and operations
• Handle risk-management for the Foundation, working with insurance agents to ensure proper liability coverage (D&O, cybersecurity, key person, etc.)
• Supervise and develop the Financial Controller, Administration Manager, Data Analyst, and Accounting and Administrative Assistant positions
• Oversee human-resources function, including employee benefits program

Skills Required

The CFO has strong leadership, strategic, and communications skills as related to finance, investment, and general administration. A successful candidate has operational experience and should have the ability to assess the business implications of the Foundation’s operations; to design and execute approaches to meet strategic business opportunities and challenges; and to build support for proposed approaches at the Board level and externally. The candidate also understands, or is willing to develop an understanding of, the unique complexities of the community foundation business model. The CFO possesses strong analytical skills and practical experience and expertise in financial and accounting policies, practices, and systems. A successful candidate has a demonstrated track record in meeting compliance and best-practice standards for finance, investment, and/or accounting. The candidate can assess and propose strategies to manage organizational risk. The CFO is also familiar with—or is willing to learn about—a variety of charitable-giving products and approaches.

The CFO is a team player, an active problem-solver, and open to new ideas. A successful candidate can provide both strategic and operational support to the President & CEO and works collaboratively with other Directors to ensure coordinated management across the Foundation’s functional areas. The CFO is risk aware but not risk averse. The CFO also strongly values diversity, equity, and inclusion and works to embed these values across the financial, investment, and administrative functions of the organization. A successful candidate thrives as part of a team that values integrity, open and direct communication, vulnerability, and empathy.

The CFO has a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred. A successful candidate has eight or more years, or the equivalent, of directly relevant work experience at a Director or Chief Financial Officer level in the field of finance or investment. Proficiency with financial-management and accounting software systems and programs is required. Understanding of GAAP-basis accounting required.

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday

Additional Info

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation was established in 1967 with a mission to improve the quality of life in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Orange. This region of more than 310,000 people includes a variety of rural and urban environments, and is home to a complex, and at times, deeply painful American history. The region’s changing demographics present opportunities for great inclusion, and the Foundation is deeply committed to centering its work in equity to ensure our region is one where everyone can belong, contribute, and thrive. As a tax-exempt, nonprofit public charity, the Community Foundation works with local residents, nonprofits, and public and private organizations to facilitate philanthropy through several hundred donor funds and scholarships while awarding grants from its own discretionary resources.