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Friends of the Children

Chief Financial Officer

Friends of the Children, Portland, OR, United States

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer

Status: Full time, Exempt Reports To: Traci Rossi, Executive Director

Salary: $125,000

Organization Overview:

Friends of the Children- Portland is a non-profit that is breaking the cycle of generational poverty by giving youth facing the most obstacles the ability to create a new story. We do this by providing youth in our program with a long-term, salaried, professional mentor, who we call a "Friend," from kindergarten through high school graduation, 12 ½ years – no matter what. Friends of the Children-Portland has been recognized in the Portland Business Journal as the Most Admired Nonprofit in Oregon for the past seven years. We are currently seeking an extraordinary professional to join our Executive Leadership Team. Position SummaryFriends of the Children-Portland is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee the organization's financial health, operational efficiency, and growth. The CFO will bring strategic financial leadership to our organization, which supports youth through long-term, salaried professional mentorship. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO will lead financial planning, management, and oversight for Friends of the Children-Portland, including its $9.3 million budget and assets, Portland Friends Foundation, and partnerships with the national office. This role includes managing a talented finance team and overseeing operations, IT, facilities, and risk management in a dynamic, recently unionized environment.About Friends of the Children-PortlandFriends of the Children-Portland provides long-term, consistent mentorship to youth facing the greatest challenges. We employ full-time professional mentors, known as "Friends," who work with youth from kindergarten through high school. Recognized as Oregon's Most Admired Nonprofit for seven consecutive years, Friends of the Children-Portland is committed to breaking cycles of poverty through relationship-based support and empowerment.

Key Qualities for Success

To excel in this role, the Chief Financial Officer brings:

  • Leadership in Nonprofit Finance: Proven expertise in nonprofit finance leadership, including guiding operational management, financial governance, and compliance. Committed to advancing financial best practices, governance, and accountability within a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
  • Strategic Financial Planning: Experience in strategic financial planning at an organizational level, coordinating effectively with local and national partners to maximize resources. Capable of driving collaborative financial initiatives, including shared fundraising and grant management with Friends of the Children's national office and Portland Friends Foundation.
  • Coalition-Building Across Stakeholders: Aptitude for building strong, trust-based relationships with diverse stakeholders, including board members, funders, staff, and community partners. Skilled in representing the organization's financial health and strategy to external partners, fostering support for Friends of the Children's long-term goals.
  • Team Leadership & Development: Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse finance and operations team, creating a culture of mutual accountability, support, and continuous improvement. Experienced in navigating and supporting unionized employees, fostering collaboration and feedback to enhance organizational decision-making.
  • Commitment to Equity & Inclusion: Dedicated to advancing equity through inclusive financial practices and policies. Champions a culture of respect and transparency, integrating equity values in financial decision-making and fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and contribute to the organization's mission.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Oversight (40%)

  1. Direct all financial activities, including accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, and audit preparation.
  2. Oversee the preparation and presentation of financial reports, balance sheets, donor and grant reporting, investment summaries, and other relevant documentation.
  3. Ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit-specific accounting standards.
  4. Collaborate with the Executive Director and Executive Leadership Team to set priorities, allocate resources, and support organizational goals.
  5. Supervise and support finance team members, including a Senior Accountant, Accounts Payable Specialist, and Accounting/Finance Manager, ensuring effective day-to-day operations.
  6. Implement and maintain internal controls, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and standards.

Strategic Financial Planning (20%)

  1. Develop and manage financial strategies to support sustainable growth, including forecasting, budgeting, and long-term planning.
  2. Coordinate with the Friends of the Children national office on shared financial initiatives, including joint fundraising and grant management.
  3. Oversee Portland Friends Foundation investments, working closely with the Board Finance Committee to ensure prudent financial stewardship.

Operational Management (20%)

  1. Lead Facilities, IT, and Operations teams, managing assets such as the Portland office building, fleet, and other resources.

Board and Stakeholder Engagement (10%)

  1. Serve as the primary finance liaison to the Board Finance Committee, providing transparent and accurate reporting and financial insights.
  2. Represent the organization in financial discussions with external stakeholders, including funders, auditors, and community partners.

Financial Systems & Technology (10%)

  1. Manage the organization's Financial Edge accounting system, enhancing reporting capabilities and ensuring data accuracy.
  2. Leverage technology to streamline financial processes and reporting, focusing on efficiency and transparency.
Skills and Experience

Education, Experience, and Knowledge

  • MBA, CPA, or related advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in financial management, with at least 2-3 years in nonprofit finance.
  • Proven experience managing complex budgets, restricted funds, and endowments in a nonprofit environment.Key Competencies
  • Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work across departments and at multiple levels.
  • High emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills, capable of fostering collaboration within the team and across departments.
  • Experience managing unionized employees and navigating a unionized environment.
  • Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to solving operational challenges.
  • Commitment to the mission of Friends of the Children and familiarity with nonprofit finance practices.
Core Work Hours/Environment

Friends of the Children-Portland operates in a hybrid work environment. Leadership Team members generally work 3-days per week in the Portland office and may work remotely the remainder of the week. Occasional travel within the Portland Metro area may be required.

Benefits:

Friends of the Children-Portland provides a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage, a retirement plan with employer contributions, generous paid time off, and hybrid work flexibility.

How to Apply

Nonprofit Professionals Now is supporting Friends of the Children-Portland in filling this essential leadership role.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the CFO position.

Application deadline: December 4th

Apply at: https://bit.ly/friendsCFO

Friends of the Children-Portland is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. jeid-0c4982d4b1a4491e95dc577aa273ecf7