Center for Employment Opportunities

Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

New York, NY

Background

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) is dedicated to providing immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services to individuals leaving prison. CEO’s programs help participants regain the skills and confidence needed for successful transitions to stable, productive lives. CEO serves 9,000+ participants a year, giving them the opportunity to support themselves and their families, and contribute positively to their communities.

Headquartered in New York City, CEO currently operates in 31 cities across twelve states. CEO has gained support to expand its programs through government, nonprofit, and private organizations. As CEO has grown it’s evidence-based model, the organization has worked to scale its impact through enhanced employer engagement, training and economic mobility programming for its participants, and state and federal policy and advocacy efforts that address collateral consequences. CEO will have an annual operating budget over $100M in FY 2023 and is looking forward to continued growth in the years ahead.

Position

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) leads the financial and operational strategy and systems at CEO. The CFAO is a key strategic partner and advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board, guiding the organization’s financial planning, financial strategy, cash management, banking, financial controls, and accounting. This role also collaborates and engages other members of CEO leadership, including CEO’s President, Chief External Affairs Officer, and Chief Legal Officer, to address daily financial management of the organization and to develop long-term strategic financial plans and initiatives.

Overseeing a nearly $100 million budget, the CFAO regularly interacts with the Board of Directors and the Board’s Executive, Finance and Audit Committees and presents financials at quarterly board meetings. The CFAO directly supervises at least five staff members (Controller, Director of Financial Operations, Director of Grants, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, and Project Manager of Financial Systems and Strategy) who supervise a team of 25 finance and accounting professionals.

In oversight of operations, the CFAO provides the leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure that the organization has the proper operating systems and operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and people systems in place to grow the organization and ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. On the operations side, the CFAO will oversee functions that will include IT, Facilities, and Procurement, among others.

The ideal candidate is a best-in-class financial and operations leader who is extremely attentive to the details while being a leader who trusts and empowers their team and always maintains a long-term and strategic view of CEO’s operations and finances. The CFAO must be a keen strategist, an exemplary manager and team builder, and a professional who continuously and adeptly optimizes systems and processes. The CFAO at CEO must be able to synthesize and translate the numbers and provide in-depth financial, planning and analysis into clear storytelling of what has transpired, what is currently happening, and what the possibilities are in the future.

Responsibilities

Financial Strategy, Planning & Systems

• Partner with the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team to assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and CEO’s long-term strategy; provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis; make actionable recommendations on both financial strategy and operations.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with CEO’s strategic plan; identify opportunities for revenue maximization and expense minimization as the organization grows and collaborates with key city, state and federal government partners.
• Report to Chief Executive Officer and Board’s Finance and Audit Committees around CEO’s annual budget, audit and longer-term financial strategy. Generate reports and develop tools to provide critical financial and operational information to the CEO and Board.
• Communicate and collaborate with all members of the Executive Leadership Team on a regular basis for the purposes of understanding the programming, the trends, the challenges and opportunities facing CEO to develop detailed and robust financial planning models and tools.
• Lead with an eye to continuously develop and improve systems. Assess systems, policies and processes and oversee streamlining and optimization of enterprise-wide financial policies and procedures to increase efficiency across the organization.
• Optimize the handling of Lines of Credit and banking relationships; implement appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
• Oversee the operations and controls of CEO’s ground-breaking “Daily-Pay” system in which more than 600 program participants are paid electronically each day.
• Ensure a strong system of oversight and administration of all funding sources including government grants, institutional and individual donor support through accurate and detailed record keeping and grant reporting.
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external and internal auditors and the finance committee of the board of directors; assess and implement any necessary systems and reporting changes; oversee annual 990 filing and other tax related regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics for funding organizations and the board of directors; prepare and communicate monthly and annual financial statements.

Operations

• Collaborate with the members of the senior management team to develop and implement short and long term plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes and policies that support operational and fiscal effectiveness and efficiency.
• Support and empower IT professionals (in-house and/or outsourced) to ensure effective use of Information Technology systems to support fundraising, programs, and organizational business processes, including participant scheduling, document management, client relationships management (CRM), event support, and grant management systems.
• Leverage Information Technology to support core business initiatives. Establish and maintain budget/cost management for IT. Oversee the implementation, including regular upgrades, of the IT infrastructure.
• Oversees all facilities management including landlord and tenant relationships and support the efficient use and maintenance of CEO’s fleet.
• Develop effective and efficient procurement strategy and processes
• Work closely with the Chief Legal Officer and sit on CEO’s internal Risk Committee to ensure thoughtfully crafted agreements and contracts for the organization.

Team and Organizational Leadership

• Empower, support, and lead a team of high-level accounting, finance and operations professionals to ensure up-to-date financials and seamless and customer service driven daily operations.
• Attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, drive diversity and inclusion within and across the team, and manage performance.
• Mentor and develop team by managing work allocation, promoting access to training and resources, effective problem resolution, meaningful performance evaluation, and building an effective team dynamic.
• Engage other members of the Executive Leadership Team to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration that ensures that all financial and operational solutions positively support CEO’s evolving strategy, program delivery, and data collection needs.
• Contribute to the organization’s efforts to promote an organizational culture of collaboration, open and frequent communication, adaptation, alignment with a common vision, and celebration of success in achieving specific projects and broader organizational objectives.
• Exercise accountability for clear and thoughtful communications with all stakeholders and in particular, staff, to ensure an environment of transparency, clarity of mission and support while also demonstrating high standards of excellence and accountability.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in finance and administration with significant experience managing a large finance team.
• CPA/CGMA both preferred and/or commensurate experience that demonstrates exemplary strategic and financial acumen.
• Proven financial leadership in an organization with complex accounting systems and a large workforce.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling and forecasting skills as well as knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for nonprofits; if coming from the for-profit world, significant nonprofit board experience is required.
• Demonstrated ability to build and implement systems that enable efficient reporting and seamless integration of systems.
• Leadership in executing strategy for dynamic and changing organizations.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, guiding investment in people and systems.
• Proven understanding of how to collaborate with programmatic teams to manage financial systems that streamline processes to support the efforts of the entire workforce.
• Demonstrated experience creating and articulating an inspiring financial vision.

Skills and Competencies

• Perseverance in the face of challenges; exhibits a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment to high standards which commands respect from others.
• Inspires trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion, and active drive.
• Leads by example and drives the organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self-improvement
• Natural connector and builder of strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Unquestionable integrity, ethics, and values.
• Takes an entrepreneurial, innovative, and creative approach.
• Demonstrates cultural competence and an authentic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with a track record of centering work around these values.
• Ability to drive a people-first culture and to lead, develop, and manage a diverse team; leads and makes decisions with an equity mindset.
• Great communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. Our commitment to being an anti-racism organization that is inclusive across all identities and experiences drives us forward every day. We exist to create greater opportunities for people who face multiple barriers to personal and professional success, and we’re passionate about being agents of change who promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to opportunities for all.

People who are justice involved, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. We are an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

CEO's Staff Vaccination Policy

CEO has implemented an org-wide vaccination requirement that requires all new staff to be fully vaccinated before their first day of work. We have made this decision for the safety of our participants and employees and to enhance our ability to continue to provide the vital services we offer to our participants. As part of the onboarding process, new hires will be asked to submit proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment. 

If you are unable to get vaccinated against COVID19 for medical or religious reasons, you can request a reasonable accommodation.  An interactive meeting will be scheduled to discuss your request. CEO does not discriminate against individuals with actual or perceived infection with COVID19 or based on an actual or perceived history of such infection nor based on any protected status. 

Natalia Kepler, Talent Consultant
nkepler@drgtalent.com

Amichaim Abramson, Partner
aabramson@drgtalent.com