CFO

Position Title: CFO

Status: Full-time

Location: New York, Chicago, or San Francisco Preferred

Who We Are

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) is a nonprofit organization that currently advises on and manages more than $400 million in annual giving by individuals, families, corporations and major foundations. Continuing the Rockefeller family’s legacy of thoughtful, effective philanthropy, RPA remains at the forefront of philanthropic growth and innovation, with a diverse team led by experienced grantmakers with significant depth of knowledge across the spectrum of issue areas. Founded in 2002, RPA has grown into one of the world’s largest philanthropic service organizations and, as a whole, has facilitated more than $3 billion in grantmaking to nearly 70 countries. RPA serves as a fiscal sponsor for more than 90 projects, providing governance, management and operational infrastructure to support their charitable purposes. For more information, please go to www

Whom We Seek

The Chief Financial Officer will serve as a communicative thought partner and be responsible for financial planning, reporting, asset management, development of systems and procedures, team management, and managing the financial risks of the association. It will be critically important for the CFO to work collaboratively and closely with the whole team to provide financial transparency and outstanding service to sponsored projects and advisory services. The CFO is part of the senior management team which stewards and advances RPA in both mission and financial health, and will serve as an officer of RPA, staff the finance and audit committees, attend all board meetings, and have regular access to the CEO and all other RPA officers.

Primary Responsibilities

Specifically, the Chief Financial Officer will:

Finance and Accounting

• Monitor monthly financial operations and provide guidance to executive and operating staff; work closely with operations staff on issues that affect financial outcome
• Assist operations in finance operational strategies by completing financial modeling, establishing critical measurements, resolving problems, and implementing change for RPA
• Provide independent perspective on business decisions to ensure that they are financially grounded and support RPA’s strategy and execution
• Work directly with the Finance Chair and Committee(s) of the board to deepen volunteer relationships, develop policies, monitor their implementation and meet the related needs of the board
• Review, update, and/or develop internal control systems for RPA and oversee internal audits which check for compliance on a variety of policies and standards
• Manage endowment funds, under the direction of the Finance Committee, and within the risk tolerance expressed by the Board via the asset allocation policy
• Oversee preparation of financial reports and tax returns
• Oversee the development of the annual operating budget and long-term forecast
• Oversee and certify the annual audit and meet periodically with the outside auditors to maintain communications and keep them informed of changes in RPA
• Work closely with sponsored projects to ensure that their budgets are well-planned, realistic, and timely
• Play key role in the oversight of financial risk of the overall enterprise
• Monitor and maintain good working relationships with external partners including auditors, bankers, investment counselors, attorneys and other professional advisors

• Oversee the operations of the accounting/finance and payroll departments
• Understand complexity of the organization while providing strategic thinking that can balance finances with organizational priorities and growth
• Along with the executive leadership team, work across the organization to develop RPA’s annual operating budget
• Build, mentor, and lead the finance and accounting team to cultivate a dynamic culture and ensure professional growth
• Understand gift and fund options available for donors and assist – in partnership with development, donor services, executives, and other departmental staff – in evaluating proposed gifts for adherence to RPA’s policies
• Work collegially with the rest of the executive leadership team to incorporate RPA’s mission and values into the organization’s vision and strategies
• Advocate for and institutionalize inclusion and diversity throughout the organization
• Remain current and knowledgeable about relevant legal, accounting, tax, audit, treasury, insurance, real estate, data security and public policy matters
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to provide leadership, information, and support that enhance the governance of RPA; assess risk on an ongoing basis
• Ensure that RPA’s sponsored projects continue to receive excellent customer service, while working with the staff to identify and implement ways to streamline workflow and increase efficiency, with a specific eye on using technology to do so
• Sustain the highest level of effectiveness and efficiency through hiring, training, and motivating staff as well as through internal controls, budgeting and finance; facilitate and support highly effective teams, and a strong staff overall

Desired Qualifications

RPA seeks a Chief Financial Officer with the following attributes

• Fluency in financial strategy, trends and reporting
• Knowledge and understanding of general business matters required including budget development, financial reporting, GAAP, cash management, financial nonprofit laws and regulations (including fiscal sponsorship), business taxes, banking and debt financing instruments
  
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as emotional intelligence
  
• Demonstrated experience in effectively identifying, encouraging, managing, developing a strong staff team
  
• An abiding commitment to diversity, inclusion, access and equity
  
• Experience working with many different constituencies or stakeholders ranging from the Board of Directors to volunteers
• Experience with integrated grants and accounting systems; excellent working knowledge of office and enterprise systems technologies
• Ability to effectively and persuasively communicate with the board, executive team, broader staff, and external contacts
• Demonstrated interest in philanthropy and in serving community needs
• Minimum of ten years with senior-level management experience within finance and/or accounting departments, non-profit experience preferred Additionally, the successful candidate will likely have:
• Nonprofit experience
  
• Advanced degree in business, finance, or accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (preferred)
• CPA certification (highly desirable)
  

• Must be willing to travel for client work as needed

Benefits

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including health coverage, retirement benefits, paid sick leave, vacation and holidays, tuition reimbursement and access to professional development resources.

Application Process

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors has exclusively retained The 360 Group of San Francisco to assist with this search. Please visit https://the360group.us/RPA_CFO_PD.pdf to review the complete position description, which includes detailed application instructions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; earlier applicants may receive priority consideration. To be considered, The 360 Group encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.

RPA is an equal opportunity employer.