Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer-San Francisco

Start Date: December 2, 2024

First Review of Applications: October 4, 2024

Job Type: Exempt, full time with benefits  

To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to JOBS@suscon.org, and include “Chief Financial Officer” in the subject line.

Sustainable Conservation (a leading non-profit in its field) advances the collaborative stewardship of California’s land, air, and water for the benefit of nature and people. Every day, we bring together businesses, landowners, government, scientists and other nonprofits in some of the most productive yet economically disadvantaged parts of California, to steward the resources on which we all depend in ways that are just and make economic sense. Please visit www.suscon.org to learn more about our work.   

 POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the oversight of all finance, accounting, and reporting activities, and leads all day-to-day finance operations of a $6 million budget.  The Chief Financial Officer also oversees the organization’s administrative and operational needs, and as a member of the senior leadership team, contributes to organizational strategies and decision making.  

The Chief Financial Officer reports to the Chief Executive Officer, works in partnership with other senior leadership team members in areas of Development, People and Programs, and oversees the organization’s Accounting Manager, Office Manager, and Grants and Contracts Administrator.  The Chief Financial Officer is also the liaison to and provides reports to the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees and makes recommendations together with the CEO.   As needed, the Chief Financial Officer identifies and works with external consultants. 

Location:This position can be based out of one of our offices in San Francisco, Modesto or Sacramento. Our teams work in a hybrid work environment with an option to work remotely a few days a week. Occasional travel throughout the state will be required.

Primary Responsibilities  

Finance/Accounting:

• Provide supervision and support to the Accounting Manager. 
• Coordinate and direct financial planning and budgeting, including the annual organizational budget, multi-year plans, and grant proposal budgets.
• Oversee internal control policies, procedures and guidelines for activities such as budget administration, cash and credit management, and accounting.
• Prepare or direct preparation of financial statements, reports, and forecasts for internal and external stakeholders.
• Analyze financial information to support decision making.
• Ensure compliance with policies, laws, and regulations, including coordination of annual audit and preparation of IRS Form 990.
• Manage cash and investments.
• Maintain current knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, government regulations, and accounting standards.

General Administration/Operations: 

• Oversee facilities, IT, and office management.  Evaluate and make recommendations as needed regarding office space, equipment, vendors, and staff resources.  
• Partner with CEO on lease renewal and work with real estate broker. 
• Supervise and oversee Office Manager; partner with external vendors where needed.   
• Develop and oversee related budgets. 
• Oversee Government Grants and Contracts Administrator, review contracts, and work with outside legal counsel as appropriate to review and revise if needed. 
• Review organization’s non-health insurance requirements during annual renewal process and as needed.  (E.g., General Liability, D&0, EPLI, and Workers Compensation.

Experience and Skills Required  

• Ten plus years of related experience, ideally in a nonprofit setting.
• Bachelor’s and CPA, MBA or other advanced degree preferred, or additional high-level experience without a degree.
• Knowledge of mathematics, economics, business management, and generally accepted accounting principles for nonprofit organizations.
• Strong critical thinking, judgment, problem-solving, time management, and priority setting.
• Demonstrated technology skills, including accounting software, spreadsheets, word processing, databases, and cloud-based tools. Experience with selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors a plus.
• Proficiency in written and oral communication, including good listening.
• Ability to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels, including non-finance managers.
• Experience with managing outside vendors, understanding and negotiating contracts, and writing RFPs.
• Ability to work and partner well with others.

Compensation: The compensation for this position will be in the range of $135,880-$150,100 annually. The exact pay offered will be determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.   

COVID-19 Note: Sustainable Conservation is a 100% COVID-19 vaccination workplace. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (including booster) is required before the first day of employment. Job applicants with religious and disability-related objections will be extended reasonable accommodations.  

What we offer: A competitive compensation package based on experience, fully paid health insurance benefits, generous match on 401k, FSA, EAP, vacation, floating days, sick leave, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day as holiday leave. Our greatest benefit is our culture. Our staff is collaborative, dedicated, and caring. We believe in articulating and practicing our values (Collaboration, Respect, Results, Honesty, Learning, Well-Being) at work and have a strong commitment to bringing a DEI lens to our work and workplace culture. We encourage, prioritize and support professional development and career growth within the organization and pride ourselves in working with our team members to advance their careers in line with the organizational mission.    

At Sustainable Conservation we value culture and diversity and as an equal opportunity employer we encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our job openings.