Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

• Do you want to help create a more just and kind world?
• Do you believe that diversity is a powerful strength for a school community?
• Do you want to ensure that every student can be successful and prepared to thrive in college, career, and life?

You are:

A kind, communicative, social justice leader that seeks a Chief Financial Officer position, with a strong belief in the power of sustainable financial investments in our educational programs to prepare students to thrive in college, career, and life. You want to be part of a school community dedicated to creating a more just and equitable world. You have a growth mindset, want to develop the perspective, agency, and urgency to make a positive impact in the world around you, and take actions that promote justice and equity in your community.

We are E.L. Haynes.

A learning community where every student - of every race, socioeconomic status, home language, and ability - prepares to thrive in college, career, and life. Together, we create a more just and kind world.

Founded in 2004 and named for the first African-American woman to earn her Ph.D. in Mathematics, the award-winning E.L. Haynes Public Charter School serves nearly 1,200 students in grades Pre-K 3 through 12th grade. E.L. Haynes operates two campuses in the Petworth neighborhood of Northwest Washington, DC, and offers a rigorous educational program designed to prepare students to succeed in the college of their choice.

We believe that our most significant contribution to ending systemic injustice is through purposefully empowering our diverse community- as individuals and as a collective- with the skills and the conviction to be effective leaders for equity.

Our mission of student success is inextricably linked with our commitment to equity and the daily efforts of every member of our community to live our motto: Be Kind, Work Hard, and Get Smart.

We:

• Lead For Equity: We challenge ourselves and each other to interrupt inequities and build equitable alternatives.
• Choose Joy: We find, bring, and share joy in our work every day. We practice gratitude, celebrate wins, and offer praise.
• Achieve Excellence: We deliver high quality work every day. We set ambitious goals, embrace challenges, and hold ourselves and each other to high standards.
• Own Our Learning: We model a growth mindset for our students. We own our actions, mistakes, and learning. We continually look for ways to improve and produce high quality work.
• Succeed Together: We value every member of our community and treat each other with kindness and care. We build meaningful relationships with students, families, and each other. We achieve more through collaboration and teamwork.

We are different. We are:

• A diverse and inclusive community, with nearly 70% of our staff identifying as people of color.
• The hub of the neighborhood. We are a community school and partner with neighborhood organizations to provide our families with comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health services.
• A place where all community members have their voices heard in the decision-making process.
• A school where students learn in a rigorous and coherent PK-12 environment.

We expect students to demonstrate the following skills and qualities in our graduate profile.

About Our Academic Program

We provide a rigorous and engaging curriculum for students in grades Pre-K through 12. Our instructional program provides intensive learning experiences that deepen understanding at all grade levels so that every student is prepared to become kind and curious community members, lifelong learners, and leaders of social justice.

Please read more about our academic program here.

About The Position

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will work with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Board of Trustees (BOT), BOT audit and finance committee, budget managers, and key stakeholders to lead the strategic allocation of resources to ensure a high level of service, compliance, and financial sustainability aligned with programmatic, strategic, and financial goals.

The CFO will be an active participant and driver of E.L. Haynes overall strategic direction, both as a senior member of the management team and as it relates to financial recommendations to the CEO and the BOT. The Chief Financial Officer leads and facilitates all aspects of the school's financial management, which has an annual budget of approximately $30 million.

The CFO ensures proper accounting systems are being followed to meet federal, state, and local financial compliance regulations. The CFO manages a small staff and contracted support (as needed) to follow and practice GAAP, internal controls, and other approaches to ensure the integrity and accuracy of our financial records such that the school meets all applicable regulatory and audit standards.

You will lead:

Executive Strategy

• Serve as the key financial advisor to the CEO and Board of Trustees (BOT) to support decision making;
• Ensure the financial sustainability of the organization by focusing on multi-year budgets and forecasting;
• Partner with the Audit, Facilities, and Finance Committee of the BOT to set the direction of the budget, finance governance, and deliver on key objectives;
• Identify and mitigate financial risk while protecting the mission of the school;
• Takes a balanced approach to investing in school priorities while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the school;
• Bring a solution-oriented approach to challenges while supporting members of the executive team; and
• Lead components of the school's strategic plan to ensure completion of key objectives.

Planning and Oversight of All Budget and Finance Activities

• Manage the Director of Budget and Finance to lead fiscal planning and implementation of the annual budget;
• Direct financial analysis to inform organizational decision-making;
• Support the Director of Budget and Finance to manage financial forecasting, budgets, and overseeing the preparation of all financial reporting;
• Lead contingency planning to ensure the organization can manage unexpected financial situations;
• Manage cash balances in multiple accounts and make investment decisions;
• Ensures the completion of all financial activities including the preparation and transmission of financial statements, annual audits, tax filings, and financial compliance reports to banks, city, state, and federal agencies;
• Oversee all aspects of the budgeting, forecasting, and monthly reporting processes - ensure accuracy and predictability of results and key metrics;
• In collaboration with the CEO and the Chief Academic Officer (CAO), set department budgets, and ensure that the Director of Budget and Finance tracks and communicates spending to budget owners and school leaders quarterly;
• Ensure completion of multiple audits in compliance with all federal and state policies and procedures; and
• Oversee management of all federal, local, and private grant funds.

Facility Financing Projects

• Partner with senior team to identify and confirm financing for critical facility and capital projects to support future goals;
• Build relationships with key DC Government partners to support the current lease agreement and associated rent tax credits;
• Establish relationships with key finance partners to successfully obtain financing for key capital projects (as needed);
• Negotiate financing terms with lenders and successfully close on new financing (as needed); and
• Manage construction draw down and financing reporting associated with new financing (as needed).

You have:

• 3-5 years of experience as a senior, strategic leader in non-profit finance or a related position;
• Bachelor's degree in finance or business;
• 1-3 years of management experience;
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel;
• Exceptional analytical skills and data management;
• Ability to work independently and efficiently;
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal);
• A team player with a sense of collaboration and ownership;
• Expertise and demonstrated experience in understanding finance policies and budgeting processes;
• Ability to build strong, authentic relationships and credibility with people at all levels;
• Organized with attention to detail and ability to make timely, effective, mission-aligned decisions;
• Exceptional reliability and integrity to maintain confidentiality for sensitive issues; and
• Full COVID-19 vaccination .

We Look Forward To Meeting You!

We proactively recruit, intentionally develop, and deeply value all members of our diverse and highly talented staff community. Our work environment fosters inclusion and authenticity, supporting all staff to thrive in their roles and maximize their impact on our students.

Our hiring process consists of an online application, an initial virtual interview, a performance task, and a panel interview. Please see more here.

E.L. Haynes offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Click here to view our Employee Benefits Snapshot.

Spanish speakers and people of color are encouraged to apply.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, we have reimagined our safety and cleanliness procedures to keep our students, families, and staff as safe as possible. More details can be found here .