ABOUT ACHIEVEMENT FIRST Achievement First (AF) is a nonprofit network of 41 public charter schools, serving nearly 15,000 students across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Our mission is to prepare every student to excel in college and career, deepen their understanding of self and community, and lead lives of purpose. Together with our families and communities, we work to disrupt the legacy of inequity in education to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to a world-class schooling experience. With a team of over 2,200 dedicated educators and staff—64% of whom identify as Black, Latinx, or multiracial—we are proud to support scholars, many of whom come from historically underrepresented backgrounds. For many of our students, attending college will be a first for their family, and we are committed to guiding them toward academic and personal success. At Achievement First, we believe deeply in the limitless potential of our students. This belief drives our commitment to growth and innovation, ensuring that we continue to lead in educational excellence. Learn more about our mission, vision, schools, and career opportunities by visiting www.achievementfirst.org. THE OPPORTUNITY Achievement First (AF) seeks an innovative and transformational Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to shape and execute a financial strategy that builds on AF’s strong cash reserves and robust balance sheet, ensuring long-term sustainability. This forward-thinking leader will drive operational excellence and reinforce AF’s financial resilience for years to come. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serving as a key member of AF's Executive Leadership Team, the CFO is a strategic advisor to the CEO, senior leaders, and members of AF’s seven boards. This role requires forward-looking insight into emerging trends and the ability to optimize financial systems, processes, and team effectiveness to match AF's complex, multi-entity, multi-state operating structure. As AF operates across three states with seven legal entities, each subject to unique laws and funding structures, the CFO will need to navigate regional complexities, align resources with student success outcomes, and oversee a combined budget of approximately $360M. The CFO will lead a team of twenty-one, including two direct reports, the Controller and Associate Chief of Financial Planning, focusing on enhancing financial infrastructure, increasing efficiency, and delivering top-tier service to AF’s network office and 41 schools. Responsibilities include financial analysis and reporting, accounting, budgeting, payroll, purchasing, treasury, risk management, and grant management, as well as compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Key responsibilities include: Strategic Leadership Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and boards, crafting and executing a financial strategy that ensures AF’s long-term financial sustainability. Partner closely with AF’s seven Boards of Directors and the Audit & Finance Committee, providing actionable financial insights and strategic recommendations that strengthen governance and guide impactful decision-making. Oversee AF’s financial performance by actively managing resources and aligning financial operations to support immediate and future goals. Regularly assess progress against key benchmarks and adjust strategies to meet changing organizational priorities. Drive the development of a multi-year financial model and scenario planning process to evaluate the impact of critical factors—such as enrollment trends, funding fluctuations, inflation, and evolving student needs—on AF’s financial health. Enable the executive team with data-driven insights to optimize resources and implement sustainable solutions that advance AF’s mission and growth. Financial Management Oversee comprehensive financial management functions—including analysis and reporting, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, payroll, purchasing, risk management, and grant management—to ensure financial integrity and operational excellence. Manage AF’s debt portfolio and future financing initiatives, ensuring compliance with debt service obligations, cash-on-hand requirements, and other reporting standards. Collaborate with school and network leaders to develop, monitor, and adjust budgets, offering insights on financial trade-offs and helping leaders understand the fiscal implications of their decisions. Foster a collaborative budgeting process that aligns resources with organizational priorities. Lead the creation and distribution of detailed management reports, analyzing monthly financial results, operating metrics, and key performance indicators to support strategic decision-making. Facilitate executive discussions on financial performance, driving action planning and accountability. Promote financial acumen throughout AF by implementing best practices, training leaders, and educating board members on complex financial topics. Encourage continuous improvement by researching and integrating innovative financial practices and industry advancements. Evaluate and optimize financial processes, using technology and change management strategies to increase efficiency, streamline operations, and enhance accuracy across all financial functions. Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, financial institutions, authorizers, and regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and building constructive partnerships that support AF’s mission. Ensure timely and accurate completion of annual audits, free of findings and ongoing external reporting requirements (e.g., authorizer reporting). Team Management and Development Foster a high-performing, equitable, and inclusive team culture that motivates each team member to thrive and make impactful contributions to AF’s mission. Revitalize and align the team by providing targeted coaching, mentorship, and growth opportunities, equipping members with the skills and insights needed to achieve individual and organizational excellence. Establish a culture of operational excellence and premier customer service, encouraging team members to actively engage with stakeholders, deliver timely and accurate financial insights, and adopt a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset. Promote transparent communication within the team and across departments to build trust, ensure alignment, and cultivate a collaborative, results-driven environment where continuous improvement is embraced. Stakeholder Management Build productive relationships with the CEO, leadership teams, board directors, school leaders, staff, and external stakeholders. Deliver clear, actionable financial information and proactively update internal and external stakeholders on key issues, fostering trust and alignment as the organization strengthens its financial and operational foundation. QUALIFICATIONS While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences: Mission-Driven Leadership: A deep commitment to AF’s mission to provide equal educational opportunities for all children and the ability to inspire others toward this vision. Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field is required; an MBA or CPA is strongly preferred. Financial Leadership Experience: At least fifteen years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including five years on a senior leadership team. Experience in large organizations ($200M+), ideally within education-focused nonprofits or similarly complex multi-entity or multi-state organizations. Strategic and Forward-Thinking Financial Acumen: Demonstrated success in strategic financial oversight, including budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and risk management, with a forward-thinking approach to adapting financial strategies to meet evolving organizational needs. Systems and Technology-Driven Efficiency: Proven ability to build efficient, scalable financial operations using systems thinking and technology, with experience implementing tools and processes that drive operational excellence and data-driven decision-making. Collaborative and Results-Oriented: Highly analytical and service-oriented approach that fosters collaboration and drives results. Team Leadership and Development: A track record of building and leading high-performing teams, attracting top talent, fostering trust and collaboration, and managing through change. Known for developing and motivating others and for celebrating team diversity. Stakeholder Relationship Building: Strong relationship management skills across all levels, with high emotional intelligence and a clear, persuasive communication style. Collaborative and Results-Oriented: Highly analytical and intellectually rigorous, with a creative and service-oriented approach that fosters collaboration and drives results. COMPENSATION Achievement First sets salaries through a lens of equity based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role. The salary for this role is $260K-$290K. To uphold our commitment to equity, Achievement First does not negotiate pay. Achievement First offers to all regular, full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid Family Leave. Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language with proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/ LOCATION & TRAVEL The CFO role is hybrid, requiring residence in the Northeast and attendance at senior leadership team meetings in the New York office. Regular travel to visit schools in the three states, participation in leadership team retreats, and attendance at board meetings will be expected, averaging 2 to 4 days per month. Additional school visits will be encouraged at the CFO's discretion to strengthen school and team connections. HOW TO APPLY Achievement First has engaged DGW Group to lead the search for our Chief Financial Officer. Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Interested candidates should apply by January 3, 2025.
Posted On: Monday, November 18, 2024