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Vice President, Finance and Administration
Seeking a Sr. finance manager to lead and optimize operations including finance, accounting, HR, IT.
Chicago, IL
Job Description
About Us
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is where your world and the world meet. The Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that empowers more people to help shape our global future. We are connecting with the next generation of changemakers who want to create a more open and promising world for all. By informing them, inspiring them, and involving them in world affairs, we will support an inclusive community of globally conscious people who want to have a tangible impact. The Council celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022. Do you want to help shape our next century?
The Opportunity
Reporting to the President, the Vice President, Finance and Administration (VP) will act as a key member of the Council’s senior management team. This position will strategically plan, evaluate, and lead efforts to optimize the support of the organization through the Council’s operations functions including finance, accounting, legal, information technology (IT), human resources (HR), and physical infrastructure/facility-related matters. The VP will set the financial strategy for the Council’s operating budget while also leading and mentoring the finance team to design and deliver the financial processes and systems needed to support the Council’s day-to-day operations. This position will ensure alignment of resources with the organization’s strategic goals, provide sound technical leadership in all aspects of our business, define strategies, and guide management to keep technology at the center of business growth. The VP will supervise the Operations Officer, Director of HR, Managing Director of IT, and Controller.
WORK LOCATION
The position is a Chicago-based hybrid role and requires some in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location based on work activities and peak seasons, including and not limited to meetings with vendors, auditors, and board or committee members.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The VP will be a seasoned and mature leader with at least 10 years of broad finance and operations experience, ideally beginning in budgeting, followed by experience gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership. They will ideally have experience managing finance (accounting, budgeting, internal controls, and reporting) for a complex non-profit organization with multiple funding sources, including government (federal and state) awards and an affiliate structure with diverse program areas delivered nationally. In addition to finance, the VP will also be well-versed in creating strategy around operations, including HR, IT, operations, and facility-related matters.
Specific responsibilities of the Vice President include:
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, handicap or disability, marital status, military service or veteran status, genetic information, or for any other reason prohibited by applicable law.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We will elevate diverse voices and identities and a full range of perspectives, advance equitable and inclusive access to exploring and shaping ideas, and ensure our organization reflects the diversity of Chicago, our nation, and the world.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council
Vaccination Statement
For the safety and well-being of our staff, the Council requires that all prospective employees submit proof of an up-to-date COVID vaccination and booster record or seek a reasonable accommodation for a religious or medical reason prior to their first day of employment.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is where your world and the world meet. The Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that empowers more people to help shape our global future. We are connecting with the next generation of changemakers who want to create a more open and promising world for all. By informing them, inspiring them, and involving them in world affairs, we will support an inclusive community of globally conscious people who want to have a tangible impact. The Council celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022. Do you want to help shape our next century?
The Opportunity
Reporting to the President, the Vice President, Finance and Administration (VP) will act as a key member of the Council’s senior management team. This position will strategically plan, evaluate, and lead efforts to optimize the support of the organization through the Council’s operations functions including finance, accounting, legal, information technology (IT), human resources (HR), and physical infrastructure/facility-related matters. The VP will set the financial strategy for the Council’s operating budget while also leading and mentoring the finance team to design and deliver the financial processes and systems needed to support the Council’s day-to-day operations. This position will ensure alignment of resources with the organization’s strategic goals, provide sound technical leadership in all aspects of our business, define strategies, and guide management to keep technology at the center of business growth. The VP will supervise the Operations Officer, Director of HR, Managing Director of IT, and Controller.
WORK LOCATION
The position is a Chicago-based hybrid role and requires some in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location based on work activities and peak seasons, including and not limited to meetings with vendors, auditors, and board or committee members.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The VP will be a seasoned and mature leader with at least 10 years of broad finance and operations experience, ideally beginning in budgeting, followed by experience gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership. They will ideally have experience managing finance (accounting, budgeting, internal controls, and reporting) for a complex non-profit organization with multiple funding sources, including government (federal and state) awards and an affiliate structure with diverse program areas delivered nationally. In addition to finance, the VP will also be well-versed in creating strategy around operations, including HR, IT, operations, and facility-related matters.
Specific responsibilities of the Vice President include:
- Direct and oversee all organizational financial operations, including budgeting, collection of revenues, financial forecasting, cash flow for administration, financial reporting and analysis, tax compliance, risk management and insurance, and investment analysis.
- Review reports to analyze projections for income and expenses against actual figures, budgeted expenses against final totals, and suggest methods of improving the planning process as appropriate.
- Oversee audit and other regulatory/compliance activities.
- Track important key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyze trends; develop and uphold effective internal controls to safeguard assets and the reliability of financial statements.
- Develop organization-wide grant and team budgets, monitor adherence to budget, and provide analysis and feedback to management; meet with senior management and organizational teams to develop an understanding of the budgeting process among all levels of staff.
- Execute the preparation of financial regulatory reports, including the IRS Form 990 and any other reporting essential to contracts and grants.
- Supervise the accounting department to ensure smooth day-to-day functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general accounting.
- Represent the company to investors, public officials, and legal team.
- Maintain banking, audit firm, 403b vendor, legal counsel, property management, and related third-party relationships. Serve as a resource to the Managing Director, IT on IT vendor relationships.
- Evaluate and oversee all organizational insurance policies and ensure the ongoing maintenance of all policies, including general liability, property, malpractice, worker’s compensation, etc., required by law.
- Serve as the main point of contact for the building in relation to security and safety issues.
- Negotiate annual equipment lease agreements and service contracts.
- Review all major contracts and facilitate legal review for significant issues.
- Critically contribute to the Council’s strategic goals and objectives.
- Work with Human Resources on financial analytics and developing compensation, employee benefits, and retirement plan designs.
- Serve as a strategic thought partner within the senior management team on the organization’s financial, budgeting, and administrative processes—including HR, payroll, and benefits administration—with an eye to continuously developing and improving systems.
- Partner with the Managing Director, IT, on the organization’s IT consultants; lead the design of an IT plan and implement it successfully to meet IT needs (hardware and software) as the organization evolves.
- Execute bi-annual security and risk assessments to determine areas of opportunity.
- Direct all aspects of facilities operations, safety, property management, and real estate plan.
- Manage the organization’s physical infrastructure and system maintenance (phone system, security, etc.) with assistance from the Managing Director, IT.
- Manage equipment, facilities, occupancy, and maintenance of the office environment with the assistance of the Operations Officer (office equipment/furniture, supplies, cleaning, work orders, repairs, floorplans, etc.)
- Champion direct report(s), including setting and tracking goals and providing coaching, development, and training to meet and exceed performance objectives.
- Commit to support and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, actively ensuring that Council’s DEI framework and strategies are upheld in all work with staff, vendors, and external partners.
- Commit to selecting vendors/supplies that reflect our DEI priorities.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
- 10+ years of proven executive-level experience, ideally in a non-profit organization.
- Bachelor’s degree (MA/MBA preferred) in business, finance, management, accounting, or relevant field.
- Experience with legal, audit, compliance, budget, and resource development.
- Excellent knowledge of data analysis, risk management, and forecasting methods.
- Hands-on experience with accounting and financial management software (e.g., MIP).
- Technologically savvy, with an ability to point to examples of having worked with IT staff to develop and implement new processes and systems that increased efficiency in a fast-moving environment.
- Knowledge of Human Resources related laws, regulations, and practices, payroll reporting, and processing of payroll taxes.
- Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies, and guiding investment in people and systems.
- Excellent people skills; experience collaborating in a multidisciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team.
- Ability to explain financial terms in simple language.
- Familiarity with the way non-profit organizations are structured.
- Proven effectiveness leading professionals in finance and accounting.
- Flexible and a self-starter; able to multitask while also being highly detail oriented.
- Expertise in MS Excel.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, handicap or disability, marital status, military service or veteran status, genetic information, or for any other reason prohibited by applicable law.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We will elevate diverse voices and identities and a full range of perspectives, advance equitable and inclusive access to exploring and shaping ideas, and ensure our organization reflects the diversity of Chicago, our nation, and the world.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council
Vaccination Statement
For the safety and well-being of our staff, the Council requires that all prospective employees submit proof of an up-to-date COVID vaccination and booster record or seek a reasonable accommodation for a religious or medical reason prior to their first day of employment.
Special Notes/Instructions
Please apply with resume/CV and cover letter/letter of interest.
Job Summary
Start Date
7/1/2023
Employment Term and Type
Regular, Full Time
Salary and Benefits
There are many benefits to working at the Council, including a flexible remote/in-office work environment, half-day summer Fridays, paid parental leave, employer-subsidized medical/dental/vision insurance, generous paid time off, retirement match, mobile phone stipend, commuter accessible, fitness center membership, and more.
Required Education
Bachelor's Degree
Required Experience
10+ years
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