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Chief Financial Officer

Employer
United Way Worldwide
Location
Virginia, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Closing date
Oct 27, 2022

View more

Position Type
Executive
Fields
United Way
Employment Type
Full Time
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
United Way Worldwide

Alexandria, Virginia



About United Way
For over 130 years, United Way has improved lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. United Way envisions a world where every individual has an opportunity to succeed, and entire communities thrive as a result. United Way continues to be one of the world’s largest philanthropies. The pandemic underscored that now, more than ever, the world needs a community approach to addressing the challenges ahead. Through United Way, people from all walks of life came together effectively to connect traditional and non-traditional resources with community needs that made a difference across the globe. It is clear that United Way provides an inspiring way to advance social justice with big ideas and big action by energizing donors and volunteers to identify and address community needs.

The pandemic highlighted that, with more than a century developing deep roots and trust in the communities it serves, United Way was able to impact over 60 million lives a year worldwide, spanning 1800 communities over more than 40 countries. It did this by creating opportunities for all individuals and families to achieve their potential. United Way’s unique role is that, in many communities, it is the only nonprofit developing local solutions to address educational and health disparities as well as financial empowerment. Its emphasis on education, financial stability and health ensures that individuals and families have the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Interestingly, even before the worldwide call to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, United Way Worldwide also led the charge for the United Way network to explicitly embrace the principles of equity and justice.

The hallmark, and yet the challenge, of United Way is that it has traditionally allowed and celebrated the ability of Local United Ways to craft solutions that were unique to their specific communities, especially due to its federated structure. As a result, the leader must be able to integrate best thinking worldwide with a community-centered approach that informs where the focus should be, leading through influence and collaboration.

The broad scope of United Way’s work is demonstrated by a summary of the major focus areas of many, if not most United Ways.

Education:
 Success in life begins with a quality education. And yet, millions of children and youth lack the support they need to strengthen their literacy, stay on track in school, graduate high school and find a career. United Way is fighting to shift the odds so tomorrow’s leaders can build a better foundation today. With an approach to education that spans from cradle to career, United Way is ensuring that every child gets a strong start in life, teenagers have the tools to learn and grow and young adults thrive in the job market.

Income & Financial Stability: In communities around the world, individuals and families are facing financial obstacles that prevent a good quality of life. United Way is fighting to put every person in every community on a path towards financial empowerment. That starts with access to services, job training, credit counseling and money management programs. Additionally, United Way keeps a finger on the pulse of poverty through research models such as ‘ALICE’ (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). By mentoring youth through financial workshops, providing individuals with job skills training and securing housing for struggling families, United Way is helping people get back on their feet.

Health: When it comes to accessing health services, a person’s zip code should never be a deterrent or barrier to improved health. Yet for many, that is a daily reality. By making it easier for individuals to access substance abuse programs, receive quality health care and access nutritious foods, United Way is fighting to help everyone get – and stay – healthy. From introducing food stands in urban food deserts to supporting the emotional and mental needs of veterans, United Way is committed to building healthy communities, one person at a time.

Equity: United Way Worldwide has developed a comprehensive Equity Framework to help Local United Ways become more diverse, inclusive and equitable organizations so that they are more credible addressing these same issues in the community. The ultimate goal is to help create more equitable communities. United Way Worldwide is focusing on strengthening the capacity of local professional and volunteer leaders to advance equitable community change. An Equity Toolkit provides detailed approaches that can help make United Way processes more reflective of the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.

United Way Worldwide
United Way brings people together to build strong communities where everyone thrives. As the world's largest privately funded charity serving 95% of U.S. communities and 37 countries and territories, United Way’s humanitarian aid supports 48 million people every year. Through United Way, communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic solutions, and health resources. United Way is the mission of choice for 2.5 million volunteers, 7.7 million donors, and 45,000 corporate partners in more than 1,100 communities worldwide in its second century of service. Together, we are building resilient, equitable communities across the globe.

Learn more at UnitedWay.org. Follow us: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited.

 

The Opportunity
United Way Worldwide is at a critical inflection point as it embarks on a global search for its next CFO.

Reporting to the President and CEO (CEO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will play a critical role in the development and implementation of the financial systems and strategies of UWW. As a member of the senior leadership team, the CFO will provide financial and strategic support to the CEO and Board of Directors to support UWW’s long-term growth and financial viability. 

Key responsibilities for the CFO will include, but are not limited to:

Financial Management

  • Provide timely and accurate analyses and financial reporting in order to ensure the highest level of financial oversight by executives and board members.
  • Interpret statistical and accounting information to assess operating results in terms of performance against budget, cash flow projections, long term sustainability, and the operating effectiveness of the organization.
  • Collaborate with program and fundraising staff to prepare grant applications and create budgets and reports. Understands requirements of governmental grants including reporting, federal and state contracting processes, and regulations, manages grants effectively and ensures that the organization complies with requirements, and successfully completes government audits.
  • Meet with potential donors/funders on an “as needed” basis to address financial questions raised by these stakeholders.
  • Enhance financial information systems through maintenance, evaluation, and implementation of new accounting systems, reporting tools, and internal controls, as appropriate.
  • Cultivate new partnerships and maintain long-term and existing relationships with third parties such as external auditors, banks, financial service providers, and other service providers and advisors.
  • Responsible for all aspects of risk management strategy, including identifying areas of risk and proposing appropriate strategies to protect UWW.
Strategic Financial Planning

  • Collaborate with the CEO and senior management team to provide financial insights to support organizational growth, strategy, and operational effectiveness.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of UWW’s strategic plan.
  • Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cash flow management and projections in alignment with UWW’s strategic plan.
  • Lead the annual planning and budgeting process and serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in the development of budgets, the annual budget presentation, and monitoring of annual operating and capital budgets.
  • Engage UWW’s finance, audit, and investment committees, as applicable.
  • Develops and evaluates short and long-term strategic financial objectives for the organization, ensuring always that they are aligned with overall strategy and mission.
  • Partners with members of the executive team to establish economic, financial and strategic objectives, to implement organizational strategy, and to oversee mission critical projects and initiatives.
  • Manages the budget and financial forecasts processes. Leads the budgeting and financial forecasting processes, as well as institutes and maintains other planning and control procedures.
  • Collaborates with fundraising staff in the forecasting development benchmarks. Leads the Finance function in preparing information to be responsive to donors’ needs and interests.
  • Capture and reflects accurate operational/programmatic and actual costs to create, develop, and oversee United Way’s body of work.
  • Is adept at evaluating ROI and key process indicators for strategies and programs. Provides leadership to prioritize efforts and deploy staff and financial resources.
 Operational Oversight

  • Oversees accounting and finance staff and related activities to ensure effective and efficient processes for all financial transactions which operate within established internal controls and allow for timely and accurate financial reporting.
  • Staffs and maintains relations key to Board members and committees, with a focus on Finance, Audit and Investments, as appropriate. Develops relationships with committee and Board members in order to support their fiduciary oversight.
  • Is adept at managing the financial complexity of both unrestricted and restricted revenue streams.
  • Understands the need to work with companies, donors, and public sector environments that are highly designated in an effort to: maintain these relationships; engage those donors and workplaces; effectively capture costs related to these activities; and to measure progress in encouraging unrestricted support to UWW’s work.
  • Develops, instructs, directs, motivates, and supports staff across the organization but most directly within the financial function.
  • Demonstrates commitment to the effective use of technology within the financial function of UWW, always ensuring that computers, databases, programs, and servers are functioning appropriately, safely and in accordance with contracts.
 Risk Management

  • Safeguards the organization’s assets.
  • Builds and maintains high levels of credibility for the CFO position and staff under management within the organization, the executive team, and board communities, and other external constituencies.
  • Develops and maintains systems of internal controls, including evaluating and implementation of financial policies, procedures and standards designed to preserve organizational assets.
  • Builds risk management systems and ensures they are operating effectively to protect organizational assets.
  • Ensures compliance across the organization with governance requirements and applicable local and international regulatory laws, rules for financial and tax reporting, and UWW network compliance and reporting.
  • Takes action where non-compliance is identified.
 Reporting & Compliance

  • In partnership with the General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer, ensures legal and regulatory compliance of all financial functions.
  • Responsible for the coordination of audits and proper filing of tax returns.
  • Ensures timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for funders, UWW’s Board of Directors, and other stakeholders.
  • Oversee the preparation and communication of monthly and annual financial statements.
  • Oversees the finance and accounting department to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions.
 

Candidate Profile

While it is understood that no one candidate will bring every desired skill, characteristic, and experience, the following offers a reflection of the ideal candidate profile. If you are a close but not exact match with the description, we encourage you to apply.

The CFO of United Way Worldwide will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Finance Expertise & Business Acumen The CFO will be a strategic, tactical, and visionary finance leader with the ability to dive into the details while staying focused on the overall financial health and strategic vision of the organization. This leader will have proven experience in leading strategic financial forecasting, accounting, compliance, and risk management of a complex organization with multiple funding sources. The CFO will bring an ability to conceptualize and analyze problems, ultimately driving solutions and external partnerships that will support organizational growth, strategy, and effectiveness, in partnership with the CEO. Most importantly, the CFO will be known for strong quantitative and analytical skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills, and will be comfortable presenting financial information to the leadership team and Board of Directors.

Driving a Nimble Team  This leader will bring a ‘roll up your sleeves’ attitude and a start-up, entrepreneurial mentality to their work. The CFO will have a successful track record of building and leading a financial department within an evolving organization to deliver on a strategic vision. The ideal candidate will be equipped with the relational, collaborative approach necessary to foster best-in-class practices productively with colleagues. Moreover, the CFO will bring character and adaptability to their work, with an ability to navigate change with poise and focus.

Ability to Execute for Results The CFO must be able to represent and promote United Way by developing new systems and processes and creating new financial partnerships. This leader will represent UWW in meetings with a wide range of constituents, including auditing firms and banks, and must be able to articulate and convey UWW’s needs and goals. The ideal candidate will bring a bias for ‘getting things done’ while also partnering with the CEO to establish a course of action that will achieve UWW’s desired strategic objectives and growth.

A Passion for the Mission Above all, the CFO will be energized by the prospect of joining United Way’s team in living out its values and achieving its global vision for social justice. This leader must be passionate about supporting United Way as the network drives social impact in communities around the world. In keeping with UWW’s approach to supporting its network, the CFO must be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values; someone who can be trusted with highly confidential and sensitive information, without reservation.

In addition, strong candidates will bring:

  • Nonprofit experience, ideally with a complex business model.
  • Professional or lived experience in an international context.
  • Deep experience leading diverse, multi-faceted teams.
  • Strong communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to tell the story behind the numbers, to both experts and non-experts alike.
  • Team-oriented mindset, with the ability to collaborate with a world-class executive team.
  • Values-driven leadership, which informs their approach to partnering with, leading and developing others.
 

UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE’S

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLE

We take the broadest possible view of diversity.

We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are.

We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission and progress our fight for the health, education, and

financial stability of every person in every community.

We believe that each United Way community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to solving community problems.

We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work.

We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities.

 Join us in embracing diversity, equity and inclusion for every person in every community.

LIVE UNITED.



Contact

Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Pete Gillin and Chartise Clark are leading this search on behalf of Koya Partners.

To express interest in this role please submit your resume and cover letter here. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

United Way Worldwide seeks diverse, qualified professionals who want to make a difference in the world. If you are passionate about your work and desire to help others achieve enhanced education, income, and health, United Way Worldwide is the place for you.

United Way Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, and other legally protected characteristics.

We are a charter member of Employers of National Service and encourage AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni to apply.

United Way Worldwide is located in Old Town Alexandria, VA. We offer competitive salary and excellent benefits including: health, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, employee assistance program, 403(b) plan, tuition assistance, paid time off, family sick leave, medical appointment leave, parental/adoption leave, dress for your day, free parking, onsite gym, monthly volunteering opportunities, and more.

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