This search is closed and the job description is for informational purposes only.
Chief Financial Officer, Friendship Charter School
Position: Chief Financial Officer
Functional Area:
Organization: Friendship Charter School
Location: Washington
Metro Region:
Overview:
Friendship Public Charter School, a well-reputed and growing charter school organization in Washington, D.C. serving close to 8,000 students in the metro D.C. area, is currently seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Chief Financial Officer to lead the organization into its next phase of growth. A large, complex, multi-site organization that is strongly mission-driven, Friendship focuses first on meeting the needs of its constituencies – students, parents, and teachers—and views finance as a key support function.
Position:
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will provide overall strategic leadership of financial management at Friendship. Working closely with the CEO, COO, and Board, the CFO will develop and implement strategies and systems for effective and responsible financial management. Playing a prominent role in influencing organizational strategy, planning, and growth, this is a highly visible position that requires a passionate commitment to providing underserved children a world-class education, strong financial management and analytical skills as well as exceptional interpersonal and staff management skills.
Responsibilities:
In all areas, the CFO will be expected to bring an entrepreneurial and innovative approach to leading the financial management function, including developing and integrating systems and processes for a large, complex, and growing organization. Specifically, the CFO will:
- Lead Friendship in financial planning, budgeting and analysis functions, including identifying capital management requirements and cash flow needs
- Develop and enhance systems and tools to facilitate the effective management of resources, including identifying various cost structures across the organization and recommending cost containment measures
- Significantly improve existing forecasting, reporting and analysis capabilities to support decision making, improve performance, and drive business growth
- Develop and monitor policies and guidelines for central office and campuses to ensure proper controls are in place to protect the organization’s assets and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies and complex funder requirements; lead annual audit process
- Supervise a central staff of 15, including 5 direct reports, and a field staff of 6
- Provide strategic stewardship of organizational assets
- Actively participate in the identification and assessment of new business opportunities; lead analysis of each initiative’s feasibility, including performing cost-benefit analysis and financial modeling
- Participate in the planning and implementation of bond issuance for capital expenditures and otherwise lead short and long term financing efforts, including real estate planning and transactions
- Provide overall leadership to finance team responsible for daily transactions and reporting
- At least 10 years of senior leadership experience in strategic financial management roles; experience in growth-oriented charter schools, CMOs, school districts, or complex multi-site organizations preferred
- Proven track record of creating and implementing innovative solutions to meet organizational needs; ability to bring creativity and collaboration to the process of developing financial systems and process
- Experience with GAAP, GAAS, non-profit financial accounting, and grants management required
- Experience with or knowledge of real estate transactions and capital planning preferred
- Significant management skills including team building and staff supervision and development; ability to guide colleagues, senior management, and Board members around financial management function
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences
- Strategic, analytical approach combined with strong interpersonal skills, maturity, professionalism, and integrity
- Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high level of responsibility and multiple priorities
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and financial management software required; familiarity with Great Plains preferred
- Bachelor’s Degree required; CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred
Qualifications:
To Apply:
Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format and addressed to Hiring Committee at http://jobs.cgcareers.org/application.aspx?id=1684 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
