Chief Financial Officer

About Community Support Services

Founded in 1981, Community Support Services (CSS) is a private nonprofit agency that initiates, provides and promotes services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families so that they can live with independence, self-esteem, and personal fulfillment. With substantial funding from the State of Illinois, our life-enriching services include community day services, Academy programs, home-based support, workforce development, training programs, respite services, and residential and independent living assistance.

Our team of over 100 dedicated staff members provide services to thousands of individuals with I/DD through 8 residential homes and 3 program centers within the west suburban Cook County and eastern DuPage County communities. Many of our staff members have been with CSS for more than 10 years. We are proud of our team that works each day to support our important mission to help those with I/DD live their very best lives.

To learn more, visit https://www.cssservices.org/

Position Summary

Community Support Services seeks a strategic and collaborative Chief Financial Officer to assume a vital role in the continued growth of a community-centered organization. Reporting to and partnering with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CFO will be responsible for the overall management of the agency’s $9M+ budget, development and implementation of the organization’s financial strategy, and oversight over a four person finance team.

The CFO will have day-to-day responsibility for managing financial activities, serve as a thought-leader on the leadership team, and create financial policies and infrastructure to fit the needs of a growing organization. The CFO will be a key contributor within a close-knit Leadership Team and will help shape organizational strategy as well as manage all financial aspects of the agency, including management of accounting operations and investments, financial reporting and analysis, budgeting and forecasting, compliance and risk management, audit coordination, capital expenditures, and staff mentorship and management.

A successful candidate will be a team builder who can create a high performing department, effectively direct organizational and departmental budgets, partner with the Development and Programs teams to innovate around revenue generation, and direct our business strategies. The CFO will be a decisive leader who can work closely with the CEO, peers, direct reports, board members, auditors, external consultants, and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational & Thought Leadership

• Be a strategic advisor to the CEO and Leadership Team on all financial matters and all growth plans and projects, making recommendations and suggesting proactive strategies to keep the organization financially sound.
• Actively participate in all internal planning regarding any CSS program expansion and capital acquisitions to ensure alignment with mission and impact with financial projections.
• Collaborate with Programs and Development leaders in strategic planning efforts and identify opportunities and new strategies for diversifying revenue/funding sources.

Financial Acumen & Oversight

• Oversee all aspects of financial management, which includes billing, AR, AP, payroll, purchasing, data analytics, compliance reporting, budget creation, and publishing monthly financial statements.
• Present clear, relevant, and actionable financial information across the organization and to the CEO and leadership team, Board, and Finance Committee.
• Develop and analyze forecasting capabilities that enable leadership to make data-driven, forward-thinking decisions and anticipate financial trends.
• Oversee all cash management, bank relations, investment policies, financing options for major capital expenditures, risk management, insurance renewal, reporting and compliance, regulatory and audit requirements.
• Institute sound internal control policies and procedures, assuring timely, accurate production of independent audit reports and proper compliance to all funding, state, local and other agency requirements.

Team Management & External Relations

• Evaluate current team, roles and responsibilities, policies and systems; and decisively implement necessary steps to build a high-functioning Finance operation.
• Provide leadership in mentoring and training staff members, creating workflows, and ensuring smooth day-to-day financial operations.
• Foster trust and collaboration among other departments leaders and help monitor progress to budget and impact goals.
• Engage the finance and investment committee of the Board to review regular financial reports and develop short, medium and long-term financial plans and projections.
• Participate in community networking opportunities to share best in class practices across other state agencies.

Desired Qualifications

The Chief Financial Officer will be solution-oriented team builder and will bring a demonstrated track record of leading financial strategy in a growing organization. The CFO will be highly collaborative and will set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability, and allocate resources to produce results.

While it’s understood that no single candidate will bring every single competency, strong candidates will offer the following skills, characteristics, and experiences:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in finance or related field (MBA preferred).
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive management experience in Finance field. At least 5 years' senior management leadership experience, preferably within a nonprofit organization.
• Deep knowledge/expertise with Illinois State and township funding, as well as local/federal health and human services funding streams (ie IL Dept of Healthcare & Family Services (HFS), HUD, DHS, DOT, MCO, etc).
• Demonstrated track record of leading an organization with annual budget around or higher than $9M.
• Experience working with external auditors, compliance, and regulatory oversight agencies
• Resilient in solving unexpected problems as they arise while considering liability, precedence, financial implications, and other possible future impact to the organization.
• Strong motivational and staff leadership abilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key information both verbally and in writing to CEO, Board, peers, and direct reports.
• Proficient in technology (ie Financial Edge and Raiser's Edge) and experience in integrating IT/Systems to improve productivity and accuracy.

Location

Based in Chicago, IL, we work in a hybrid environment. This role will be based out of our administrative offices located in Brookfield, IL. Our hybrid schedule allows continued flexibility for our staff with the option to work 3 days/week in the office and the remaining days working at home/remotely.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skill set level and years of previous/applicable experience. Salary range for this role is between $125,000- $135,000, with a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, 403b savings plan with 4% employer matching, life insurance, long term disability plan, and robust PTO policy, which includes paid days for vacation, personal care, illness, birthdays, and holidays.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

We strive for a welcoming environment and believe diversity within the agency’s workforce and individual’s services, their families, and our partners leads to innovation, which drives us to a culture that celebrates and supports people of every disability, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, and lived experience. We embrace the challenge of making our agency a place of equity, where everyone is given access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to succeed and grow.

How to Apply

Maneva Group, a woman and minority owned national executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven searches, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To express interest in this role, please submit your resume and cover letter to this link: https://adr.to/bqkgcai

All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. This position is available immediately; we will accept and review new applications until the position is filled.