Chief Financial Officer

Description

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, Inc, dba Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford(“Easterseals”) is an independent operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation serving Chicagoland and the greater Rockford area that provides services in the early childhood and disability space. Easterseals awakens abilities, builds capacity, and transforms trajectories with empathy and expertise in the early learning and disability spaces.

Easterseals has an $80 million operating budget and serves thousands of clients annually in programs across the Chicagoland and the Rockford region, proudly employing nearly 750 dedicated professionals. Easterseals serving Chicagoland and Rockford is among the largest affiliates of Easterseals, a national organization founded in 1919 to provide services to individuals living with disabilities. Each affiliate serves the identified needs of its local community.

Easterseals provides programming through two Pillars of work:

• Disability Services. Easterseals provides numerous services and broad expertise on Autism Spectrum Disorders. This includes evidence-based screening, diagnostics, training, information, and resources through The Autism Program at Easterseals (TAP); schooling for 300 youth with autism ages 6-22 across three campuses in Chicago, Tinley Park, and Machesney Park; building the capacity of school districts, first responders, and other stakeholders to work with individuals with autism in the Illinois Autism Partnership (IAP).
• Early Learning Services. Easterseals specializes in early learning and support, providing infants and youth with comprehensive and high-quality services. This includes Head Start / Early Head Start Services and Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative as well as directly operating the Gilchrist Marchman and Hickory Hills Early Learning Centers. Easterseals also provides early intervention, service coordination, and parent education and support through two Child and Family Connections (CFCs) centers, Family Support Services, Partnering with Parents, and Teen Family Support.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will drive Easterseals’ financial strategy, stewardship, and organizational modernization as a key member of the executive team. The CFO is responsible for all financial aspects of the organization, including strategic planning, risk management, fiscal leadership, and operational excellence, while partnering with the CEO, Board of Directors, and fellow senior leaders to shape and implement the organization’s long-term vision. The CFO serves as a catalyst for sustainable growth and mission impact, ensuring the financial operations supports and accelerates our strategic plan. 

The CFO will protect the company’s assets by consistently updating and managing financial controls and enforcing company's administrative policy. The CFO ensures that all financial reporting is accomplished accurately, timely, and in compliance with funder and regulatory agency requirements.

The CFO leads and develops a high-performing team covering Finance, Accounting, Purchasing, Grant Reporting and Management, Financial Analysis, and Payroll teams. 

This position is headquartered at Easterseals Chicago Location at 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO, Board, and senior leadership, providing insight and guidance on both short- and long-term organizational planning and decision-making.
• Lead financial planning, forecasting, modeling, and analysis to drive innovation, program growth, and lasting impact.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional development within the finance and operations teams.

Financial Stewardship and Risk

• Oversee all financial functions, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements that meet GAAP standards and the expectations of diverse stakeholders.
• Manage and optimize the organization’s assets and investments while maintaining strong internal controls and safeguarding resources.
• Ensure compliance with evolving nonprofit, state, and federal laws and best practices, including oversight of audits, tax filings, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with program leaders to provide timely financial data to allow for optimized decision-making 

Operational Excellence and Modernization

• Oversee and enhance robust financial systems, reporting, and processes to support rapid scaling and multiple funding streams.
• Ensure codification of and compliance with processes, streamlining and reducing risk where possible.
• Drive integration of technology and analytics to increase operational efficiency and organizational intelligence across departments.
• Lead procurement, cash management, and purchasing activities to maximize value and efficiency.

Team and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build, mentor, and retain a team of high-performing finance and accounting professionals; champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in all talent activities.
• Represent Easterseals to external partners, including banks, funders, auditors, public officials, and key community stakeholders.
• Guide the Finance and Audit Committee, Board of Directors, and other leadership cohorts on strategic financial decisions and organizational risk.

Other Duties

• Participate as a thought partner in agency-wide strategic initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional projects as needed and perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.

Requirements

Education/Certification:

• M.B.A. or advanced degree in finance preferred
• CPA required

Required Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of accounting, audit, finance, budgeting, business operations, and the nonprofit industry
• Knowledge of MIP Software is preferred
• Knowledge of New Market Tax Credits is preferred
• Strong knowledge of Federal Grants requirements and regulations

Experience Required:

• At least ten years of progressive experience in accounting and finance leadership
• Minimum five years of experience as CFO or equivalent (preferably in a complex nonprofit organization with a budget over $10 million).
• Significant experience with nonprofit accounting, fund and grant accounting, federal grants, reports, and audit compliance (including OMB Circular A-133).
• Experience in a senior financial-management role, partnering with executive staff, resulting in the development and implementation of creative financial management strategies. 
• Deep understanding of nonprofit fiscal management software (e.g., MIP) and tools supporting grant management and reporting.
• Experience with New Market Tax Credits preferred
• Track record of working with complex revenue streams and dynamic funding models.

Skills/Abilities:

• Strategic thinker and proactive leader with high integrity, maturity, and sound judgement
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills; able to engage, influence, and inspire at all levels, both internally and externally
• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving skills, and a data-driven mindset
• Adept at navigating fast-paced, mission-driven environments
• Must have the ability to manage multiple projects
• Collaborative, innovative, and committed to advancing Easterseals’ mission and core values
• Technologically adept – comfort, familiarity, and ability to learn and use a variety of computer applications. Intermediate-level knowledge of Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, and Excel. Ability to use internet browsers, video conferencing

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to perform all job functions, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.