Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Remote / Hybrid
Title: Chief Financial Officer

Per Scholas, a high impact, evidence-based nonprofit organization advancing economic equity through rigorous tuition-free training for tech careers is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to become a member of our executive team. This is an unique and exciting opportunity to join a prominent organization in a rapidly evolving and growing industry.
Background:
At Per Scholas, we believe a thriving workforce starts with equitable access to education. By providing skills training and access to employer networks to individuals often excluded from tech careers, Per Scholas envisions a technology workforce as diverse as the customers it serves. Over 17,000 graduates have launched successful careers in tech to date through our no-cost technical training. Our mission is to advance economic equity through rigorous training for tech careers and to connect skilled talent to leading businesses. 

Per Scholas is on track to deliver significant growth over the next several years. Headquartered in the Bronx since 1995, the organization currently operates in 20 cities across the country, with plans for continued growth. The CFO will lead the financial strategy that will enable the organization to rapidly scale while maintaining industry-leading results. 

The Position:
Per Scholas is seeking a New York-based financial executive with experience transparently leading all fiscal aspects of an organization to become our next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CFO will be accountable for the financial planning, operations, financial reporting, budgeting, risk management, accounting and finance, payroll and auditing functions. As a key member of the national leadership team, the CFO must be a detail-oriented, forward-thinking professional who can manage the financial needs of the organization while driving the strategic direction.

The principal responsibility for the CFO is to play a key leadership role in refining the organization’s finance function by developing and executing on long-term strategic plans, enhancing the financial and operational reporting, and leading high-stakes negotiations to move the organization forward. The CFO oversees the fiscal infrastructure of a results-driven organization, in which all units and managers are evaluated based on measurable indicators for financial performance, efficiency, and impact. As strategy, programs, and initiatives evolve, the CFO ensures that all components of the fiscal team are aligned with organizational objectives and priorities. 

This position requires a strategic thinker who has a collegial and collaborative management and engagement style and is experienced with a complex and dynamically evolving, not-for-profit organization. The CFO must have significant experience with nonprofit finance as well as social ventures and start-ups. The successful candidate must work collaboratively and in a spirit of mutual trust with management and employees across the entire organization, set the tone for fiscal responsibility and controls, and encourage and model best practices in financial management.

It is critical that the CFO be capable of integrating smoothly into the national leadership team, adding to the organization’s rich and diverse culture. They will provide counsel and support to the CEO and the Board of Directors on all financial matters and reports to the Board, as well as work on various strategic initiatives. They will work with the executive, program and finance staff in a supportive and direct manner. They will have strong interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, a hands-on management style, strong self-awareness with an ability to proactively address and solve problems or issues as they arise. In addition, it is expected that they will be a firm, yet diplomatic leader who will operate with the highest integrity, and will possess sound judgment - as well as a sense of humor.

Specific Responsibilities include: 

• Oversee and maintain the financial reporting process for key metrics and operating levers to measure and improve overall organization performance, with an eye towards growth and scalability.
• Develop and coordinate the organization’s budgeting process and timetable, working with the CEO and members of the leadership team to develop annual financial goals for the organization.
• Prepare quarterly forecasts and strategies.
• Develop and implement administrative systems that effectively support the program and ensure a smooth office operation. 
• Develop and communicate financial results to the full Board and Board committees including drivers of results and actions to address gaps to budget/forecast.
• Develop draft agendas to support the Audit and/or Finance Committee Chairs to facilitate meeting discussions, obtain required approvals, and act as a liaison between management and Committee members on key matters.
• Drive strong risk management and control practices in the Finance function and partner closely with the leadership team to drive control posture on business practices.
• Lead financial strategy across the organization, partnering with leadership to develop and implement strategic business plans and operating initiatives.
• Administer fiscal systems that reflect operating activities, align with internal budgets and reflect compliance with grant and contracting spending stipulations.
• Manage relationships and advise the CEO on organic and inorganic growth strategies.
• Serve as a member of the National Leadership Team, and work across functions to advance the organization's strategic initiatives.
• Develop and coordinate short and long-range business and financial plans.
• Oversee cash flow, debt, capital, and liquidity strategy to fund the organization’s growth and provide for adequate ongoing liquidity.
• Identify and execute new ways to finance the organization’s growing capital needs.
• Partner with the CEO and relevant leaders to help manage and evaluate future partnerships and acquisitions.
• Facilitate annual financial audit and tax filings, draft financial statements and serve as liaison to external auditors.
• Oversee purchasing and vendor contract management.
• Oversee the management and administration of payroll.
• Willingness to work on-site from our Bronx Headquarters (and New York campus locations), alongside our Fiscal Team minimum of one - two days a week; and more frequently based upon business needs.
• Availability to travel throughout the country to any of our 20 Per Scholas campus locations an estimated 2 times per quarter, as needed.

Qualifications

• 15 years of finance or strategy experience with a proven record of delivering transparent results.
• CPA preferred.
• Acumen for navigating financial statements and accounting systems in order to discern insights.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex negotiations.
• Superior verbal and written communication especially with senior level management.
• Expert problem solver; comfortable in dissecting ambiguous situations and excelling in providing recommendations on a path forward.
• Provide inspired leadership to staff, building excitement to work with and learn from the CFO. 
• Manage and build a high performing team.
• Executive presence and acumen required to promote Per Scholas’ mission, business and strategy with a range of external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated track record of success in architecting processes to support growth and performance improvement.
• Excitement about the opportunity to work very hard in a fast-paced, mission driven business-minded environment with high energy to build something incredible.
• Expert-level proficiency with spreadsheets, analytical tools and financial software.
• Commitment to mission.

For this role specifically, we are targeting a salary of $180,000, where the difference in pay is typically determined by several factors, including geography in which the selected candidate resides and alignment with qualifications and experience.

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