CFO

Position: Chief Financial Officer

Location: Chicago, IL

Primo Center is seeking qualified, caring individuals who want to make a difference supporting families experiencing homelessness by working as a Chief Financial Officer.

ABOUT PRIMO CENTER:

The mission of Primo Center is to empower families to become productive, responsible, and independent members of their community. Today, Primo Center is a leader in providing family shelter and permanent supportive housing, integrated physical, dental, and mental health care, early childhood development, and supportive services to homeless families in Chicago. The organization has considerable capacity and experience as a provider of services to families affected by extreme poverty and homelessness, assisting more than 1100 people each year with the aid of volunteers, over 90 staff members, and an annual operating budget of nearly $10 million.

Primo Center works in high-need communities across Chicago, operating facilities in Austin on Chicago’s west side, Englewood on the south side, and Hermosa on the northwest side.

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer is a critical member of the executive leadership team, providing strategic oversight of the organization’s finance function with particular attention to the organization’s government funding sources and the financial, compliance, and operational implications associated with that support. This leader is responsible for the integrity of the organization’s financial operations, directing all day-to-day finance activities and overseeing key functions including accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grant and contract management, government funding, and medical billing.

The Chief Financial Officer will lead a finance function that currently includes a hybrid model of in-house staff and outsourced accounting support, and will assess, strengthen, and refine that structure to ensure effective service delivery, strong internal controls, and alignment with the organization’s operational needs and long-term sustainability. Partnering closely with the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer will serve as a strategic advisor on financial planning, operational performance, and organizational sustainability.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Strategy

• Develop, communicate and implement overall financial strategy.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO and Board based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.
• Assess and recommend the optimal structure for the finance function, including evaluating the organization’s use of outsourced financial services and determining the most effective long-term model to support operational needs, internal capacity, and sustainability.

Planning & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process, financial forecasting, and cash flow planning.
• Provide financial modeling, scenario planning, and analysis to support strategic and operational decisions across the organization.
• Present timely and accurate financial reports, dashboards and analyses for the CEO, Senior Management Staff, Board of Directors and other stakeholders as required.
• Work closely with all department leaders to develop and monitor the organization’s budget.

Accounting & Grants Management

• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records and reporting in accordance with GAAP and organizational standards.
• Oversee collaboration with fundraising team, including timely and accurate grant and contract applications and reporting.
• Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with key City and State funding agencies and other external funding partners.
• Oversee the outsourced accounting provider, ensuring effective service delivery, clear accountability, and alignment with organizational needs.
• Oversee and direct grants and contracts administration.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, contractual, tax, audit, and funding requirements including related to vendor selection and competitive bidding.
• Oversee the organization’s internal control environment including the development and implementation of fiscal policies and procedures.
• Lead the annual audit process and serve as the primary liaison to external auditors, funders, and financial advisors.
• Identify financial and operational risks proactively and implement practical solutions to safeguard the organization’s assets and sustainability.
• Collaborate with Finance Committee on selection, hiring, and ongoing relationship with audit firm and other outside financial consultants as needed.

Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen cross-functional partnerships with program and operational leaders to support budget ownership and financial literacy across the organization.
• Promote a service-oriented finance function that supports both strategic leadership and day-to-day operational needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• • CPA, MBA, master’s degree, or comparable advanced training in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent senior-level experience will be considered.
• At least ten years of finance and accounting experience in a nonprofit setting.
• A minimum of five years in a leadership capacity for a finance department with responsibility for accounting, budgeting, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit oversight.
  • Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Finance/Audit Committees.
  • Experience developing, implementing, and improving financial systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls.
  • Strong knowledge of nonprofit finance, complex funding structures, and financial management in highly regulated environments.
  • Experience with government funding business models, including cost-reimbursement contracts and related billing, reporting, and cash-flow management.
  • Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information for diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to build collaborative relationships, manage competing priorities, navigate conflict, and lead effectively in fast-paced or high-pressure environments.
  • Commitment to the mission and values of Primo Center, with the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with diverse stakeholders, including individuals impacted by homelessness, trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use.

Preferred Qualifications

• • Experience in a supportive housing, homeless services, community-based nonprofit, healthcare, or other mission-driven organization serving vulnerable populations.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $165,000 - $175,000, depending on experience. Benefits include:

• • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Domestic Partner & Family Coverage
  • 401(k), Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Paid Time Off, Wellness Days, Paid Holidays
  • Life/AD&D Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, mileage reimbursement
  • Voluntary AFLAC plans

Primo Center is an equal opportunity employer. The agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability, veteran or military status or any other protected status in accordance with federal and state law.

• • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Domestic Partner & Family Coverage
  • 401(k), Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Paid Time Off, Wellness Days, Paid Holidays
  • Life/AD&D Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, mileage reimbursement
  • Voluntary AFLAC plans