Chief Financial Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Foundation is seeking a strategic, proactive and experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the Finance function, as well as certain areas of the Operations function, at the Foundation. Reporting to the President/CEO, the CFO is a member of the senior leadership team and a key advisor to the President/CEO. As such, the CFO plays a critical role in setting strategic priorities and driving organizational capacity-building decisions to continue to position the Community Foundation for growth and long-term community change.

The CFO supports the Community Foundation in the following areas:

• Finance Function – Strategic Financial Management, Accounting, Investment/Asset Management, and Business Analytics
• Operations Function – Policies and Procedures, Enterprise Risk Management, IT/Technology, Business Process Management and Improvement, and Facilities Management.

TRAVEL

Generally, travel is primarily within the eight counties of Western New York. Some domestic travel may be required for job training and professional development.

  TECHNICAL EXPERTISE/EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Professional and Educational Experience:

• B.A., C.P.A. or related degree
• At least 15 years of overall professional experience; ideally 10 years of broad financial and operations management experience related to and described in the “Key Responsibilities” section
• Experience in leading and supporting organizational change efforts
• Successful professional experience in leading, managing and supervising diverse teams and interacting with boards of directors
• Demonstrated success in designing and sustaining management and operational plans to advance long term goals through annual workplans.
• Experience in communicating in a persuasive, credible manner, in person, in digital settings, and in writing and presentations
• Strong analytical and evaluative skills
• Computer proficiency in all Microsoft components
• Demonstrates consistent quality and commitment to excellence
• A hands-on collaborator who takes pride in team accomplishments and is flexible to fill any gaps needed to achieve the goals of the Foundation

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Financial Management Expertise:

• Experienced with having final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial data, as well as reporting and audit coordination, for either a division or significant program area; having the ability to translate financial concepts for, and effectively collaborate with, individuals who do not necessarily have backgrounds in finance
• Holds a deep understanding of, and the ability to communicate about, investment strategy
• In-depth knowledge of and experience with financial systems and financial planning/forecasting methods and tools (modeling, cost/benefit analysis, investment)

Operations Management Expertise:

• Maintains core knowledge of organizational design protocols
• Is technology savvy with the ability to leverage IT systems to meet the needs of the organization; has experience selecting and managing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; with knowledge of accounting and reporting software
• Understanding and practice in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) processes and systems

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long- term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Community foundations are designed to grow and evolve as our community’s needs change, and new positions are regularly created as a result. As the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo continues to grow, we are looking for talented people who want to use their abilities to make a lasting difference. If that is you, then please send a cover letter and resume explaining your interest in this position and what you would bring to the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. Send cover letter and resume as a single Word or PDF document via email. Please submit responses electronically via email. Responses may also be received by U.S. Postal Service if an electronic medium is not available. No calls please.

Application deadline: Open until filled.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity, practices inclusion and works to advance equity.