Senior Vice President, Capacity & Chief Financial Officer

Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is one of the 15 largest community foundations in the country and a major force in metro Atlanta, itself one of the nation’s most generous and dynamic areas. This important anchor institution seeks a chief financial officer/SVP of Capacity to galvanize its mission and impact while shepherding its four lines of business and billion-dollar-plus investment portfolio.

The Foundation manages an impressive $1.5 billion in assets and drives civic, donor and nonprofit leadership forward to solve the critical community challenges Atlanta faces through deep and rich community partnerships as well as educational programs that engage donors, grantees and knowledgeable observers as members of the community.

The leader invited to become the Community Foundation’s next SVP, Capacity & CFO will have the opportunity and the mandate to help shape the very future of the metro Atlanta region. In partnership with the CEO and other leaders in the executive team, the CFO will be asked to leverage their full range of skills—human, reputational and financial—in pursuit of four over-arching priorities:

• Lead a team of accounting, investment, IT and operations professionals to deliver a rich and operationally excellent experience for donors, grantees and community members and organizations;
• Build trust with donors and community partners, both those already engaged with the Foundation and those yet to become involved;
• Inspire philanthropy in the Foundation’s principal impact areas; and
• Advance equity of opportunity for all residents in the region through grant-making decisions and areas of focus for impact investing opportunities, particularly around housing and arts.

The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with relevant experience in finance, investments and philanthropy who can work collaboratively with others (both within the Foundation and beyond) to achieve aggressive deliverables on behalf of the Foundation and its constituents. Strong communications skills to develop, lead and inspire a high performance team of accounting, finance, investment and information technology are key criteria as well as collaborative skills across peers in philanthropy, community, human resources, marketing and communications, etc.

THE CONTEXT

Founded in 1951, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has helped the Atlanta region prosper by consistently solving pressing problems in the region through philanthropy and influence. Its growth in assets and influence has mirrored that of the region it serves. Now one of the 15 largest community foundations in the country (of 900), the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is privileged to have

over $1.5 billion in assets and a reputation for impactful, collaborative leadership, both locally and nationally. Under the leadership of Frank Fernandez and a symphony of influential board members, with support by over 1,000 donors and institutional partners, the Community Foundation is Atlanta’s first stop and prime resource for community-based philanthropy.

The numbers are telling: In 2023, the Community Foundation distributed $195 million via 12,400 grants to over 3000 nonprofits; 67% of the grants stayed within the Foundation’s Atlanta-regional service area. Over its history, grants through and by the Foundation have exceeded $2 billion.

THE ORGANIZATION

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has been both catalyst and beneficiary of the region’s generosity from its very beginning. Today, the Foundation’s points of pride are many, including:

• A deep and growing group of committed donors;
• A staff dedicated to fulfilling its mission;
• Innovative partnerships working collaboratively on the region’s most difficult issues; and
• A collective desire to strengthen the Foundation’s reach and relevance in support of a vibrant, equitable and nurturing community.

The Foundation’s financials are solid, as evidenced by its multiple four-star ratings by Charity Navigator and the balance sheet is strong; growing the endowed assets that support discretionary grants is a key continuing objective.

The Foundation has invested significantly in its own operations and infrastructure since Frank Fernandez became CEO in 2020. The effort to align organization, processes and technology more fully with strategy and the changing needs of stakeholders will pay dividends. This work is ongoing with strong influence needed by the CFO position. The adoption of user-friendly technology platforms that support more efficient and effective communications with current donors is currently underway, with many more planned for 2025, again—under the deft direction of this role.

THE CANDIDATE

The CFO must be a nuanced and confident leader with the CPA experience and philanthropic punch to attract, engage and inspire investment-focused philanthropic finance models; the maturity to head a multi-billion and growing portfolio of investments; the confidence to model collaborative engagement; the resourcefulness to attract supporters and partners in pursuit of bold goals—and the humility to undertake it all with grace and a generous spirit.

In sum, president Frank Fernandez and his executive leadership team seek a leader who can elevate the Foundation from transactional facilitator to strategic financial force. This individual would possess the following characteristics:

• Experienced with boards and staff to know how to attract, leverage and learn from the best talent possible while building a superb team
• A nurturing, accessible and empowering leader who supports their team’s staff development
• A financially savvy executive, attendant to every facet of the Foundation’s dynamic business affairs; someone who understands the criticality of sound internal practices, balanced budgets and the value of responsive, solutions-oriented support for donors
• A practical visionary and fascinated learner in the ongoing quest for impact
• An innovative thinker and bridge-builder who can energize support for shared goals among players (individuals or institutions) not always accustomed to working together to raise and deploy resources
• A genuine respect for equity, diversity and inclusion; someone mobilized to seize opportunities to advance opportunity, not as an add-on, but as a central component of organizational and community vitality
• Is emotionally self-aware; an executive who continually develops the personal qualities that build positive energy and self-awareness
• An accessible management style, emphasizing team over self and collaboration over hierarchy, while ensuring the disciplines and accountability required to reinforce operational excellence

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Purpose: The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta strengthens its region by providing quality services to donors and innovative leadership on community issues.

The Senior Vice President of Capacity and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key executive leadership team member responsible for managing the organization’s financial health and operational efficiency. In close collaboration with other senior leaders, the CFO is a trusted advisor and business partner to the President/CEO and has key leadership responsibility for leading financial strategy, overseeing fiscal and other operations, information technology and ensuring financial compliance with regulatory, finance, investments, risk manage- ment and donor requirements, supporting the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership and Strategic Alignment

• Develop and implement financial strategies that align with the organization’s mission and long-term goals.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to guide strategic direction and decision-making and translate the board of directors’ vision and goals into effective financial operational strategies and actions.
• Provide oversight of financial operations and other operations, including aligning financial operations with technological advancements, including integrating financial and operational data for better decision-making.
• Collaborate with the CEO, Board of Directors and senior leadership to develop and execute financial plans.

Fiscal Leadership and Operational Execution

• Manages the organization’s financial well-being by providing financial projections and accounting services, preparing growth plans and directing staff.
• Directs financial strategies, providing financial expertise and business acumen in all strategic matters to the President/CEO and other senior leadership team members, making recommendations for improving internal controls, operating efficiency and controlling/reducing operating costs, protecting the Foundation interests and safeguarding the financial health of the organization. Provides leadership and direction to the Director, Finance and Accounting, and Controller, on all fiscal activities: maintaining a high level of integrity of financial statements and reports provided to all constituents (internal as well as external), financial analysis, budgeting, short and long-term forecasting, cash management, investments and treasury function.
• Analyzes organization operations; identifying opportunities for improvement, cost reduction and systems and internal controls enhancement; accumulating capital to fund expansion.
• As a business partner to the President/CEO and senior leadership team, provides feedback and advice on implications of budgeting and funding concerns; develops tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the President/CEO and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Provides monthly/quarterly financial reports, trending and future modeling, budget and forecast to President, senior leaders and Board.
• Identify inefficiencies in financial operations and implement automated systems to streamline processes, such as grant disbursements or donor statements.

Financial Operations, Planning and Reporting

• Lead the preparation of the annual budget and long-term financial projections.
• Monitor organizational performance against the budget, identifying and addressing variances.
• Ensure alignment between financial plans and programmatic priorities.
• Oversee accounting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll and grants management functions.
• Prepare accurate, timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the Board and funders.
• Maintain internal control systems to safeguard assets and ensure financial integrity.

Investments

• Manages the outsourced chief investment officer services to ensure effective administration of the Founda- tion’s investment program, working with investment managers and custodian(s) to implement strategies adopted by the Board and Investment Committee, including asset allocation and other strategic decisions.

Legal and Risk Management

• In collaboration with the Director and Philanthropic Counsel, provides leadership and support to President/ CEO, Board and staff on all legal, tax and real estate transactions, contract review and compliance, and high-level negotiations with major vendors.
• Handles real estate transactions (purchase/sale/lease). Collaborates with outside attorneys and insurance companies in matters involving lawsuits or complaints.
• Provides leadership and direction in overseeing the risk management program for the Foundation. Manages all liability insurance administration (property & casualty, D&O, auto & general, professional liability), including purchasing adequate coverage, handling all claims and assessing the adequacy of coverage to reduce exposure.
• Manage the preparedness for financial crises, including the ability to pivot strategies during economic downturns or other emergencies.
• Assess and respond to emerging risks like cybersecurity threats, especially in financial operations.

Audit and Compliance

• Provide leadership and direction to the Controller and Assistant Controller regarding compli- ance with GAAP.
• Responsible for maintaining high public trust through unqualified audit reports: financial statement audits for the Foundation and all subsidiaries and supporting organizations.
• Ensures Form 990 and 990T are filed timely and accurately.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate internal control and ensures safeguards are in place and evaluated on an ongoing basis.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations and donor requirements.
• Manage audits, tax filings and other financial reporting obligations
• Identify and mitigate financial risks, implementing appropriate policies and controls.

Information Technology

• Manages the Information Technology department of the organization to ensure the effective administration of the Foundation’s IT service needs, including managing the current IT team and outside contract firms that pro- vide hardware and software support.

Fundraising and Donor Relations Support

• Partner with the development team to provide financial insights and reporting for grant applications and donor contributions.
• Monitor restricted funds and ensure appropriate allocation and reporting of donor-restricted contributions.

Leadership and Change Management

• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team to achieve operational excellence.
• Lead change management initiatives, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration and addressing resistance within the finance team and other departments, such as IT, Philanthropy and Community Impact, to ensure financial strategy supports organizational goals holistically.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• 15+ years of directly relevant work experience in a high level financial leadership; strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles, including GAAP and fund accounting.
• Relevant work experience in a high level financial leadership position. Experience in nonprofit sector preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and manage complex budgets and financial models.
• Familiarity with financial systems and tools, with experience implementing technology solutions to improve efficiency.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to present financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Preferred experience or knowledge in managing or overseeing information technology systems/departments.
• Extensive knowledge in financial and budget modeling, strategic planning and vision casting.
• Experience in managing profitability, forecasting and operations. Proven history in leading transformational change including system implementations.
• Strong reasoning abilities, sound judgment and decision-making ability and the ability to work under time pressures.
• Excellent decision-making capabilities, analysis, experience and judgment
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and providing stellar customer service internally and externally.
• Comfortable performing multi-faceted projects in conjunction with day-to-day activities.
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelors of Science Degree in Accounting or Finance
• Masters Degree in Accounting preferred or equivalent.
• CPA required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Other:

• The Community Foundation operates in a hybrid working environment with staff working in-office three days per week and the opportunity to work two days remote per week if in good standing.  

Compensation:

• To be determined based upon experience and qualifications. This position is currently being benchmarked with the anticipated salary range of $250,000 - 300,000. This position is exempt and employee is eligible for the Foundation’s competitive health and benefits plan:
  •    Paid time off:
  • Four weeks accrued paid vacation
  • Two weeks accrued paid sick leave
  • Four mental health days
  • Two personal days
  • Two floating holidays
  • Ten holidays
• Benefits:
  o    All benefits effective on date of hire – no waiting period
  o    100% employer-paid benefits (medical, dental, vision) for employee-only insurance plans
  o    100% employer-paid life insurance and AD&D
  o    100% employer-paid short-term disability and long-term disability
  o    100% employer-paid parking in downtown Atlanta or monthly MARTA card
  o    Affordable plans for legal insurance, critical illness, supplemental life and more
  o    Employee Assistance Program 
• Retirement:
  o    Immediate eligibility for employee contribution to 403b plan
  o    After one-year anniversary with organization, all employees receive an employer-paid contribution of 6% of their salary to a 403B plan regardless if the employee contributes to retirement
• Culture and Development:
  o    Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for each team member including trainings, resources, development opportunities, etc.
  o    Two wellness rooms for mental health with self-care items
  o    Fun monthly employee engagement activities