Seattle, WA

Chief Financial Operating Officer, Seattle Foundation

Who Are We?

THE HEART AND SCIENCE OF PHILANTHROPY

The Greater Seattle region is changing and growing, and so is Seattle Foundation. “The heart and science of philanthropy” is the intersection of philanthropic passion and data-driven solutions to create lasting change. As the community’s foundation, our mission is to ignite powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all. We work with more than 1,200 individuals, families, and corporations to strategically invest their philanthropic resources in ways that inspire continued giving to the community. We also partner with philanthropic institutions, government agencies, community organizations, and businesses to catalyze positive change in our community across a range of issues.

Our organizational culture is one of engaged teamwork, where we support one another in reaching our collective and individual goals while constantly learning along the way. Our office is located in the downtown core of Seattle; however, our reach is much broader than that – we focus on Greater Seattle and the Eastside and also support donor interests across the country and around the globe. We seek individuals to join our 60+ (and growing!) team who are committed to our vision of a stronger, more vibrant community for all, collaboratively finding solutions, continually learning, and going the extra mile in service of our philanthropic partners and the broader community. We are in the midst of an exciting evolution in our work.

Over the past several years, we have been evolving to become a more active regional civic leader committed to community impact. While the Seattle region is undergoing major economic growth, systemic failures across sectors continue to leave Black, Indigenous, and Communities of Color behind, placing the Seattle region, at risk. We plan to continue our evolution by articulating an exciting path for philanthropy in a new, ambitious Blueprint for Impact, embarking on a unified, regional vision to engage a wide range of stakeholders on an approach to addressing racial and economic inequities. Debuting in 2021, the Blueprint for Impact will take shape in three core areas:  a just democracy, equitable economy, and resilient environment. Enlisting and engaging our philanthropic partners is of the upmost importance if we are going to be able to meet this moment with the level of philanthropic investment necessary to achieve our mission and vision.

More information about Seattle Foundation can be found at www.seattlefoundation.org and in our most recent Social Impact Report.

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Operating Officer (CFOO) will have an exciting and rewarding opportunity to help build Seattle Foundation’s next phase of transformative growth and impact. The next CFOO – a dynamic, confident and strategic influencer – will positively impact the lives of thousands of Seattle-area individuals and families by serving as a catalyst to support systemic change and close racialized inequities. The CFOO builds, leads, and manages an organization-wide strategic integration of financial, human and systems processes. The CFOO reports directly to Seattle Foundation’s President & CEO and serves as a member of the Leadership Team, working closely and collaboratively with the Chief Impact Officer, the Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff, and the Chief Engagement Officer. As a senior leader, the CFOO will also work closely with Seattle Foundation’s Board of Trustees and will serve as the staff liaison to three board committees: Investment, Audit, and Finance.

The CFOO leads a dedicated and highly talented staff of approximately 20 finance, information technology, human resource, and operation professionals. Direct reports will include Managing Directors of Finance, People and Culture, Controller, Information Technology, and an Operations Manager. This responsive leader will set the standards for financial and operational excellence that enable the foundation to operate from an environment built on clear goals and objectives, data-driven decision making, and performance metrics grounded in our commitment to centering equity.

An accomplished people manager, the CFOO will be expected to plan, develop, and lead Seattle Foundation’s overall financial and operating strategy. This strategy will focus on leveraging existing assets to scale impact-driven philanthropy in support of our efforts to reimagine the role of community philanthropy and ensure that the greater Seattle region is a stronger, more vibrant community for all.  To be successful, the CFOO, a results-focused and resilient leader, will bring clarity and understanding to key financial and operational drivers so as to drive informed and inspired decision making across the foundation. Furthermore, this leader will help transform how the foundation consumes, evaluates, connects and shares data to support bold strategic thinking and execution.

MAJOR OBJECTIVES 

Within the first 12-24 months, the CFOO with achieve the following major objectives:

·        Build strong, mutually beneficial relationships among Seattle Foundation’s Leadership Team, staff, Trustees, community partners, and external partners so as to be recognized as a trusted peer and thought partner who inspires people with their forward-thinking and positive leadership.

·        Ensure transparency into business economics and performance and understand and communicate the impact of current events and management decisions on the financial performance of the foundation; work in partnership with the incoming Chief Engagement Officer to grow charitable and administrative fee revenue, develop and implement new revenue vehicles, and realize long-run organizational prosperity.

·        Lead a comprehensive data management initiative to increase visibility and accessibility of information across the foundation to enable an environment built on clear goals and objectives, data-driven decision making, and performance metrics grounded in our commitment to centering equity. 

Leadership

  • Serve as a strategic business partner to the President & CEO, Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees, helping drive organizational capability and adding value through human processes and system improvements.
  • Develop, lead, and manage a high-performing, mission-driven team.
  • Lead the annual financial planning processes, contribute to cross-team planning, and align the team around strategic priorities, in partnership with the CEO.
  • As a Chief Officer, positively contribute to creating a culture of excellence at Seattle Foundation.
  • Partner with the Chief Engagement Officer and Chief Impact Officer on impact-driven initiatives and new revenue products, developing effective business modeling, decision support and key performance indicators to track and assess results.
  • Represent the Foundation through public speaking engagement, interviews, etc., as needed. 

Financial Management and Reporting

  • Oversee financial operations including financial statements, reports, metrics, and other analyses to improve business intelligence, and inform decision making.
  • Partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to develop business and operational models in support of new initiatives, ensuring that decision metrics and key performance indicators are developed and systematically tracked.
  • Attend Board of Trustees’ meetings, provide management support to the Investment, Finance, Impact Investing, and Audit committees of the Board, and provide other financial support and analysis as needed.
  • Lead and support function direct reports in key annual processes and implementing new projects.
  • Maintain productive relations with key external partners including banks, investment advisors, custodians, attorneys, auditors, and other related third parties.

Treasury and Investment Management

  • Serve as primary liaison between Seattle Foundation’s Investment Committee and outside investment manager to facilitate and operationalize investment strategy.
  • Partner with the Chief Engagement Officer on donor cultivation, gift acceptance of complex assets, staff education, new product development, and data-driven investment analysis.
  • Support staff to monitor and report on investment activity, performance, and allocation of Seattle Foundation’s investment portfolio, including oversight of non-standard gifts and Mission-Related Investing.
  • Lead all aspects of cash management functions to ensure availability of cash to run operations and fulfill grant-making obligations.

Operations

  • Drive the development and improvement of systems, processes, and policies to increase operational excellence and agility.
  • Partner with the Managing Director of People & Culture on the design and administration of Human Resources practices including the employee lifecycle, compensation and benefits, professional development, and talent management.
  • Lead all aspects of the direction for Seattle Foundation’s information technology, driving best in class systems development, enhancement, and integration of new systems with existing systems, and cyber-security and disaster recovery.
  • Evaluate risk management practices, ensure appropriate insurance, and review and negotiate contracts.
  • Lead all aspects of the maintenance of corporate records in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge and proven experience in:

  • Broad business background with 15-20+ years’ experience across multiple functional areas such as finance and accounting, operations, and risk management.
  • Organizational leadership. Seattle Foundation seeks a business and people leader who can develop a high-performing team; possesses the executive maturity to collaboratively lead across the organization; and has the emotional intelligence to engage in self-observation and improvement.
  • Appropriate balance of strategic acumen and ability to anticipate and mitigate execution challenges to effectively deliver results.

We are also looking for:

  • Proven ability to communicate, engage and cultivate relationships internally and externally.
  • MBA or CPA or equivalent professional experience.
  • Investment fund operations administration experience beneficial.
  • Creative approach that uses both systems and process thinking to ensure operational practices and processes are effective and scalable.
  • Knowledge of HR, information technology, and nonprofit finances preferred.
  • Passion and affinity for Seattle Foundation’s mission, values, and behaviors.
  • Desire to be a change agent within the organization and contribute positively to the organizational culture.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

A uniquely stimulating, challenging, and satisfying leadership environment with a platform to shape the growth of Seattle Foundation at a critical time in which the organization is evolving its role and impact in the community.  A competitive salary and excellent benefits, including health insurances (medical, dental, vision and long-term disability); a generous retirement plan match; and vacation/sick leave. Seattle Foundation is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do.

How To Apply

As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Foundation is committed to a diverse, multi-cultural work environment.  Seattle Foundation does not discriminate in employment based on age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. People of color, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations are encouraged to apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=8364&clientkey=E2C4E22C68817EC0AD21A79E66B057BF

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