Chief Financial Officer

Who We Are:

“The heart and science of philanthropy” is the intersection of philanthropic passion and data-driven solutions to create lasting change. As the community’s foundation, Seattle Foundation’s mission is to ignite powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

Position Overview:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports to the President & CEO and partners with the Leadership Team to build Seattle Foundation’s next phase of transformative growth and impact, positively effecting the lives of thousands of Seattle-area individuals and families by serving as a catalyst to support systemic change and close racialized inequities. This position will lead strategic growth and innovation for the Foundation, which includes modernizing the business model, pursuing new revenue-generating opportunities, and transforming technology systems. They will oversee all aspects of the finance and IT function, which includes financial accounting and budgeting processes, financial operations, FP&A, treasury services, investments accounting and reporting, external reporting, purchasing, IT operations, cyber security, and systems implementation and maintenance. The CFO will work closely with Seattle Foundation’s Board of Trustees and will serve as the staff liaison to three board committees: Investment, Audit, and Finance. The CFO’s direct reports include Controller, IT Director and Senior IT Program Manager. The CFO will set the standards for financial and operational excellence that enable the Foundation to operate from an environment built on clear goals and objectives, data-driven decision-making, and performance metrics grounded in our commitment to centering equity.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Serve as a strategic business partner to the President & CEO, Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees, helping drive organizational capability and adding value through system improvements.
• Develop, lead, and manage a high-performing, mission-driven team, managing work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and the building of an effective team dynamic.
• Partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to modernize the business model to support sustainability, growth, and innovation, ensuring that decision metrics and key performance indicators are developed and systematically tracked.
• Partner with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and Chief Impact & Learning Officer on impact-driven initiatives and new revenue products, developing effective business modeling, decision support, and key performance indicators to track and assess results.
• As a Chief Officer, positively contribute to creating a culture of excellence at Seattle Foundation.
• Represent the Foundation through public speaking engagement, interviews, etc., as needed.

Financial and Operational Responsibilities:

• Oversees finance, accounting, and IT operations including delivery of financial statements, reports, metrics, and other analyses to improve business intelligence, and inform decision-making.
• Ensures financial reporting is accurate, timely, and in compliance with appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, regulatory and tax requirements, and grantor restrictions.
• Maintains internal control safeguards including internal control over financial reporting. Serves as lead for audit activities and manages risk strategies, including business insurance and legal oversight.
• Lead the annual financial planning processes, contribute to cross-team planning, and align the team around strategic priorities, in partnership with the CEO. Work in partnership, as needed, with the Chief of Staff on operational strategy and priorities.
• Work in partnership with the Investment Committee to ensure the investment management strategy is aligned with and can advance the foundation’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Lead the design and implementation of the IT modernization project, ensuring the Foundation stays on track to implement new technology systems in the next three years.
• Attend Board of Trustees’ meetings, provide management support and thought partnership to the Investment, Finance, and Audit Committees of the Board, and provide other financial support and analysis as needed.
• Lead and support function direct reports in key annual processes and implementing new projects.
• Maintain productive relations with key external partners including banks, investment advisors, custodians, attorneys, auditors, and other related third parties.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10 Years of broad finance experience, ideally beginning in accounting, followed by experience gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
• Strong people leader who operates with honesty, empathy and integrity.
• Proven ability to communicate, engage and cultivate relationships internally and externally.
• BS; MBA preferred and CPA a plus.
• Investment management strategy experience and/or expertise strongly preferred.
• Experience successfully partnering with IT staff to manage critical financial management systems, preference for previous experience leading IT modernization processes.
• A grounding in past and current community foundation business models.
• Strong communication and presentation skills of financial topics; ability to effectively communicate complex financial information to audiences with varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Ability to effectively lead, and encourage, challenging conversations with peers, team and CEO to ensure the best outcome for the Foundation.
• Creative approach to financial, investment and operational strategies, anchored in strong decision-making skills and grounded in compliance. Ability to use both systems and process thinking to ensure operational practices and processes are effective and scalable.
• Knowledge of nonprofit financial management and accounting strongly preferred. Knowledge of community development finance and social impact investing is a plus.
• Passion and affinity for Seattle Foundation’s mission.
• Desire to be a change agent within the organization and contribute positively to the organizational culture.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Seattle Foundation envisions a thriving region of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice, where all individuals and communities have equitable access and outcomes, regardless of race, place, or identity. We are committed to advancing racial equity using an intersectional lens, and integrate our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into all that we do. We hold ourselves accountable to uphold our organizational values and strive to do better every day.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

The work is performed remote, in an office setting, or a hybrid combination. All positions require the capability of working at a PC for extended periods. Team efforts with event support may require periods of physical activity involving standing, walking, and moderate lifting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions of the role.