The mission of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is to catalyze transformational change in education, so that every student has the opportunity to lead a healthy, dignified and fulfilling life. And over the last century, the Foundation’s work has had a profound and positive impact, including creating the Carnegie Unit (the credit hour), TIAA-Cref, Pell Grants, ETS, the Flexner Report (shaping U.S. medical education), the Carnegie Classifications, and Improvement Science. Today, the Foundation is focused on two intersecting fronts with strong connection to our legacy: transforming the American high school, and evolving postsecondary education into a more effective engine for social and economic mobility.

Position Purpose
The Foundation is seeking a highly experienced Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) to oversee all financial operations and ensure our organization's financial health and sustainability. Reporting directly to the President, the CFO is responsible for managing financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and compliance requirements.

Essential Responsibilities

• Financial Strategy and Leadership
  • Works closely with the president and senior leadership team to develop and implement financial
    strategies and system designs that support the organization’s mission and goals.
  • Sets a financial vision, financial strategies & operations, and financial policies that support the Foundation’s long-term financial health and risk management
• Financial Planning and Analysis
  • Manages and oversees financial operations, ensuring strong internal controls and compliance with financial reporting best practices and all applicable federal and state regulations, including ERISA, IRS, and DOL requirements.
  • Designs and maintains policies regarding cash management, liquidity, and capitalization - promoting a high standard of care for funds and prudent risk management.
  • Maintains relationships with banking and investor partners. Reviews and revises investment policies and works with investment advisors as needed.
  • Oversees contracts and grants administration.
• Team leadership and management
  • Hires, develops, and oversees finance staff, maintaining a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and ethical behavior.
  • Provides mentorship and coaching to individual finance team members, fostering their career and professional development.
• Communication and Partner Relations
  • Manages relationships with internal stakeholders (Program leadership, Board of Trustees) and external partners (funders, collaborators), continuously improving communication and strengthening feedback loops to increase effective collaboration.
  • Represents the organization at internal and external events and meetings.
• Accounting, Audit, & Taxes
  • Oversees all tax filings and compliance requirements, ensuring that the organization is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations

Required Education & Experience

• At least one of the following credentials: CPA, MBA, MPA, Masters in Accounting, and/or CMA.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or financial management, with at least 5 years of leadership experience in a nonprofit organization.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of financial strategy, planning, analytics, treasury, GAAP accounting, controls, compliance, and capital raising
• Thorough knowledge of capital markets and investment oversight.
• Ability to collaborate with leadership to design and implement financial systems that support strategic objectives.
• Strong leader and manager, with skills in recruiting, mentoring, and retaining talent to build high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of change management frameworks and methodologies. Highly skilled in planning and executing strategies that guide teams through transitions..
• High degree of professional and ethical integrity.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex information through written, verbal, and visual formats. Skill in tailoring financial presentations to diverse audiences, ensuring clarity and comprehension.
• Ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with external financial stakeholders – balancing assertiveness with diplomacy to achieve favorable outcomes in financial negotiations.

Financial Responsibility and Authority

• This position would be a signer for investment and banking accounts, and would have contract and expense approval authority up to $250K.

Compensation & Benefits

• The salary range for this position is between $240,000 - $300,000 annually
• Benefits include full medical, dental, vision, life and long-term care insurance, as well as employer subsidized flexible spending plans
• A retirement savings plan, including employer contributions of up to 12% of base pay after one year of service
• Generous time-off benefits and 8 weeks of paid parental leave
• Matching Gift program to benefit charitable organizations
• Educational Assistance to further your professional development