CFO

About San Francisco SPCA

Here for animals since 1868, the San Francisco SPCA is a cherished San Francisco institution, known for compassion, excellence and innovation in the fields of animal welfare and veterinary medicine.

We operate a public veterinary hospital, a high-quality, high-volume spay-neuter clinic, a community veterinary clinic, and provide low-cost community medicine programs. The SF SPCA saves the lives of homeless dogs and cats through our shelter medicine and adoption programs.

Our innovative programs and services serve as models for humane organizations across the country and around the world.

As a community-supported nonprofit, not affiliated with any national organization, our values: Be Generous, Fearless, and Connected guide over 350 talented and dedicated professionals to deliver on our promises each day.

Iconic and innovative, the SF SPCA offers you the opportunity to join a team committed not only to veterinary excellence and animal welfare, but to a balanced and rewarding work environment.

Learn more about SFSPCA at https://www.sfspca.org/.

The Opportunity

The San Francisco SPCA is seeking a high-level, strategic financial thinker to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and direct all of the organization’s financial functions. Reporting to the CEO, a member of the Senior Executive Team (SET) and directly supervising the Vice President, IT, the Senior Vice President, Human Resources, the General Counsel and the Director of Finance/Controller, the CFO provides mission-driven leadership, creates overall strategy, and manages the implementation of initiatives designed to build the organization’s long-term financial stability.  

The ideal CFO will be an experienced leader with a passion for SFSPCA’s mission and proven experience managing the financial aspects of a complex organization.  While it is essential that the CFO bring deep financial skills to ensure compliance and sustainability, it is also critical that they exhibit creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit to think broadly about how to drive and support organizational growth. The CFO will step into an executive leadership role, helping to direct organizational strategy and taking responsibility for instilling an inclusive, collaborative, professional, and productive culture. In addition, this person will provide leadership to a high-performing finance team and significant support and insights to the CEO and Board of Directors into the financial health and growth of the organization.

Key Responsibilities Organizational Leadership and Team Building

• Advise CEO, Board of Directors, and executives with insightful and accurate financial analysis and regular, timely reporting to inform decision-making.
• Participate as an active member of the SET, collaborating to develop short- and long-term business plans designed to grow and expand mission impact while ensuring financial integrity and sustainability.
• Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization and build strong working relationships with the executive team and Board of Directors.
• Serve as an enthusiastic, effective advocate for the organization’s mission and programs internally and throughout the community.
• Work closely with the CEO, Board Chair, Committee Chairs and Committees (including but not limited to Finance, Investment, and Audit) to guide the financial and administrative development of the organization to help ensure healthy and responsible fiscal activities within the context of the organization’s goals.
• Communicate complex financial information effectively to various stakeholders.
• Participate and volunteer at events, including adopt-a-thons, vaccine clinics, volunteer appreciation, donor and fundraising events.
• Work closely with organizational leaders to assist them in being as effective as possible in program financial management, program budgeting and related activities.
• As a member of the Senior Executive Team, participate in organization-wide strategic planning and implementation.
• Participate in executive team projects and initiatives including strategic planning, capital improvements, leadership development, staff and volunteer recognition and engagement.
• Coordinate and manage projects and initiatives of the finance team to ensure alignment with organizational and programmatic goals.

Financial Strategy and Management

• Working with the CEO, the SET and the Board of Directors, develop, refine, and implement SFSPCA’s overall financial strategy.
• Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the CEO, Board and SET and make recommendations on strategy and operations.
• Develop, monitor, and implement SFSPCA’s financial forecast, analyzing and recommending change in assumptions as needed.
• Drive an integrated annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the SET.
• Lead the administration and periodic review of accounting financial software systems and tools; maintain the integrity of accounting tools and manage user access; troubleshoot issues with accounting systems. Increase productivity by automating processes.
• Prepare materials for and lead Finance Committee meetings.
• Maintain relationships with outside auditors, insurance brokers, bankers and other vendors as needed.
• Oversee reserve funds management and compliance with the organization’s investment policies.
• Coordinate external audits and accumulate data necessary to ensure the proper filing of federal tax and state sales tax returns.
• Analyze, suggest, and implement ways for the organization to reduce expenses and increase revenue.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions. 

Finance Team Staff Development 

• In close partnership with the Controller, provide leadership and inspiration to the finance team, setting long-and short-term goals, developing action plans and focusing on staff development and excellence.  
• Foster a transparent and collaborative team culture that drives performance and provides excellent day-to-day internal customer service.
• Model a sense of belonging, commitment, cohesion and passion in the department’s leadership and staff.
• Keep the team members informed and engaged on relevant news, polices and events across the organization.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• Experience as a strategic, senior financial leader helping to lead an organization through growth. 
• Experience creating and monitoring budgets and guiding teams through resource allocation decisions. 
• Strong executive function, with the ability to focus on key issues, analyze and communicate.  
• Ability to be a trusted advisor and partner, applying professional maturity, leveraging experience and offering advice, guidance, and expert opinions. 
• Strategic thinker with the ability to strategize on new program models and evaluate growth opportunities. 
• Managerial experience in a comparable setting, with ability to motivate and coach staff. 
• Self-aware and emotionally intelligent – expert at reflective listening and interpersonal sensitivity.
• Successful experience in coordinating multiple projects; organized and efficiency focused.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills including small and large group presentations.
• Ability to recognize risks and pursue actions to manage risk.
• Strong technological aptitude and experience working with a variety of platforms and systems.
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the San Francisco SPCA.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting, Masters preferred.
• Ten (10) years in a financial position with at least five (5) years in a departmental leadership position.
• Certified Public Accountant ideal or a thorough knowledge of nonprofit accounting.
• Thorough knowledge of non-profit finance, including restricted funds (endowments) and the application of general accounting theory.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $240,000 - $270,000 with a generous benefits package. The exact salary that will be offered to the CFO will be determined based on a consideration of the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and aligned with SF SPCA’s compensation policies.

Contact

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Erin Reedy and Shannon O’Neill. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

The SF SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.