Chief Financial Officer

About Oakland Promise:

Oakland Promise’s (“OP”) mission is to engage the Oakland community to advance equity and economic mobility through cradle-to-career achievement.  OP is available to young learners (from newborns to college students) and their families who reside in Oakland.  We offer every child the financial resources, educational programming, mentorship, and supportive community to help them and their families seek out and thrive in higher education and the career of their choosing.  OP achieves its work through four key programs: Brilliant Baby, Kindergarten to College, College Access, and College Completion.

Oakland Promise is a place-based organization, necessitating all team members to be available in person at our office located at 484 9th Street, Oakland, California 94607. Currently, our staff follows a hybrid schedule, spending at least three days collaborating either in the office or schools/community, and two days working remotely. Please be aware that this requirement to be available for in-person work may be mandated at any time, making it crucial for all staff to accommodate this potential shift.

About the Role:

Reporting to and partnering with the CEO, the chief financial officer (CFO) will set Oakland Promise’s financial policy and direction while also being an active participant in, and driver of, the organization’s overall strategy. They will lead all financial administration, business planning, budgeting, and operations of OP. As a member of the senior leadership team, the CFO will work closely with other executives of the organization as well as an engaged operations and finance staff. In addition, the CFO will work closely with the Board of Director’s Finance and Governance committees to guide the overall direction of the organization on finance and operational matters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The CFO will lead Oakland Promise’s (OP) finance team, and oversee the human resources (HR), operations, and information technology (IT) departments. The primary responsibility of this role is to ensure organizational financial health. This role must provide adequate guidance, direction and accountability to Director level staff in operations, HR, and IT to ensure functions and goals are effectively implemented and achieved. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategy:

• Partner with the CEO on all operational, financial, and strategic issues as they arise. 
• Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.
• Work with the IT department to analyze our technology usage and platforms annually and outline the next year’s plan to account for changes in the organization or organizational needs.
• Participate in the ongoing strategic planning process as an integral member of the senior leadership team.
• Engage the chief development officer to align financial management with short- and long-term financial planning and projections.
• Partner with the chief program officer to streamline financial systems, and support programmatic needs with efficient solutions.

Board Relations and Reporting:

• Report on the financial performance of the organization to the Board of Directors, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial policies and procedures that align with the organization’s values and strategic goals.
• Represent the organization at internal and external events or meetings, providing financial guidance and support as needed.  Engage the Board Finance Committee around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model and operational delivery.
• Support the Controller in delivering quarterly financial reports and annual budgets to the Board of Directors.

Financial and Operational Management:

• Oversee budgeting and the implementation of budgets, to monitor progress and present operational metrics both internally and externally.
• Oversee to ensure that finance staff maintains financial record systems in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and monitor the use of all funds.
• Approve the preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics for funding organizations and OP’s board of directors; prepare and communicate monthly and annual financial statements.
• Oversee cash flow and forecasting; direct all financial, project-based, and departmental accounting.
• Evaluate, recommend, and oversee all benefits negotiations, thus providing the most competitive packages for OP employees.
• Review all formal finance-, HR-, operations- and IT-related procedures, processes, and administration, recommending improvements to the systems in place and managing the systems going forward.
• Guide Directors in setting and managing their annual priorities.
• Update and implement, as necessary, appropriate systems of policies, internal controls, and procedures.
• Oversee all necessary filings with local, state, and federal agencies related to financial reporting and remaining in compliance with applicable regulations.

Team Management:

• Develop and manage direct reports: finance, operations, HR, and IT.
• Guide larger multidisciplinary teams outside of direct span of control.
• Engage other members of the senior management team— such as Chief Program Officer and Chief Development Officer—to facilitate cross-department collaboration that ensures that all financial, operations, IT, and HR solutions positively support OP’s evolving strategy, operational delivery, and data collection needs.

Qualifications:

• The CFO will be a seasoned leader with at least 10 years of broad finance experience, 
• ideally beginning in audit, followed by experience gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership.  
• At least 5 years of experience should be within a nonprofit. 
• They will ideally have experience managing finance (accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting), and overseeing operations, HR, and IT for a nonprofit.

The CFO will have the following education, experience and attributes:

• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model.
• Success in the application and follow through of strategic decisions to advance the organization towards its mission and vision.
• Demonstrated commitment to the social sector with a passion for the OP’s mission.
• Mature and proactive, with evidence of having worked as a true partner to the CEO. If coming from the for-profit world, nonprofit board experience is preferred.
• An effective communicator, with strong oral and written skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• CPA/CMA required.
• Knowledge of and experience with financial management software NetSuite preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in managing finance, accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting.
• Skill in examining, developing, reengineering, and recommending financial, operations, HR, and technology policies and procedures.
• A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality. Needs to be seen as a team player who is committed to lifelong learning.
• Strong commitment to developing team members.

Compensation:

• This is a full-time exempt position
• Salary range for this role is $170,000 – $190,000 based on skills and experience

What you can expect from us:

• Oakland Promise offers a competitive benefits package, which includes dental / health/ vision, paid vacations, sick days, and a 401k match up to 3%.
• Oakland Promise currently has a hybrid work policy and requires staff to be in the office 3 days a week.
• The ability to learn and grow within a supportive team environment.
• An opportunity to network and interact with leaders in the community.
• Some evening and weekend hours may be required.

Application Process:

We are looking for candidates with availability to start immediately and encourage you to apply if you are interested in and qualified for the position. To apply: Send a single PDF (NOT a Microsoft Word document) of a resume and thoughtful cover letter with “OP Chief Financial Officer – Your Name ” in the subject line to [email protected]. Please use your last name and first initial (ex: Doe_J) as the filename of your PDF containing your resume and cover letter.

Failure to follow these instructions may delay the review of your application. Applications will be reviewed immediately and candidates with the best fit will be contacted for interviews. Unfortunately, the volume of applications will prevent us from responding to all applications received.

Oakland Promise is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Oakland Promise is committed to providing a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and disrespectful or other unprofessional conduct based on sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sex stereotype, race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, gender (including gender identity, gender expression, and transgender), national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code section 12801.9), ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military, and veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation. It also prohibits discrimination, harassment, disrespectful or unprofessional conduct based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.