Chief Financial Officer

The Role Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.) seeks a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join a dynamic youth development organization. The CFO will oversee the finance & accounting function, financial compliance, office and facilities, and risk management, and will also play a lead role in strategic planning with the CEO. The CFO will report directly to the CEO as a key thought partner, collaborate with other members of the Executive Team, lead the Administration Team of six staff (three direct reports), and work closely with the Board of Directors supporting the Finance Committee. 

Y.O.U. is committed to creating a diverse team environment and a leadership team that reflects the community we serve. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 

Finance & Accounting - 50% 

• Set and execute a financial vision that best supports the strategic plan of the organization 
• Oversee a $12M balance sheet including all cash, endowment investments, and fixed assets 
• Manage financial institution relationships 
• Oversee financial planning process and $4.5-$5M operating budget to ensure availability and sustainability of resources, and to maximize impact 
• Develop and utilize forward-looking models and activity-based financial analyses to provide insight into the organization’s operations and business plans 
• Lead a talented and dedicated finance team, which includes an Accounting Manager, Grants Accountant, and an Accounting Clerk 
• Collaborate closely with Y.O.U.’s Advancement Department to monitor fundraising progress 
• Establish and Follow financial policies and procedures and maintain appropriate internal controls 
• Provide timely, accurate, and useful financial and management reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, and Y.O.U.’s board of directors; prepare and communicate monthly and annual financial statements 
• Remain current on nonprofit GAAP accounting, reporting and control best practices, and state and federal law regarding nonprofit financial operations 
• Coordinate audits, including A-133 audit, and prepare and file tax returns 
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions 
• Engage the Finance Committee to develop short, medium, and long-term financial plans and projections 

Leadership, Strategy, & Risk Management - 30% 

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Executive Officer, supporting strategic planning, organizational dashboards and reporting, data & evaluation efforts, and external relations 
• Collaborate closely with Chief Talent Officer and Chief Advancement Officer, as well as the Program Directors, on cross functional issues such as culture management, effective program design, and managing organizational change 
• Serve as a key leader and build internal relationships with staff, in order to develop an understanding of programming that enables strategic resource allocation for efficient impact and growth of financial resources to meet programmatic needs 
• Represent Y.O.U. to internal and external stakeholders including the Y.O.U. board, financial institutions, community partners, donors, grantmakers, auditors, and public officials 
• Create and manage a comprehensive risk program, identifying and mitigating risks across the organizational including insurance coverage, process changes, and policies 
• Other projects and duties as assigned to assist the CEO and broader organizational initiatives 

Facilities - 20% 

• Supervise the Operations Manager to build a supportive infrastructure team 
• Manage long-term facility planning: monitor the health of the facility, the capital requirements for maintenance and the sufficiency of the facility reserve fund 
• Drive facility maintenance program including organization of vendors, protocols, and costs 
• Oversee facility policies and procedures, ensuring the safety and security of our people, information, and assets 

The Organization

Founded in 1971, Y.O.U. is an Evanston-based non-profit that partners with families, schools, and the community to provide academic, social, and emotional support to close the opportunity gap and prepare all youth for post-secondary and life success. Each year, Y.O.U. provides over 1,600 youth across 11 school sites with free, holistic, out-of-school support, including afterschool and summer learning programs, mental health counseling, and experiential learning through partnerships.