Chief Financial Officer

OVERVIEW

Lead Financial Strategy & Transformation for an Innovative & Trusted Community Anchor

Are you a savvy financial leader ready to take on the challenge of transforming a dynamic, mission-driven, and high-impact nonprofit? The Unity Council, a cornerstone of social equity and economic empowerment in the Bay Area, seeks a strategic, emotionally intelligent, and solutions-oriented Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to modernize financial operations, enhance team effectiveness, and ensure fiscal health and sustainability. This is a rare opportunity to be a thought partner to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board during a period of significant change and growth. The CFO will lead finance, accounting, and information technology (IT) within a complex and robust revenue model supporting life-changing affordable housing, workforce development, education, and community service programs.

WHO WE ARE

With over 61 years of experience serving Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, The Unity Council is a mission-driven nonprofit Social Equity Development Corporation dedicated to building vibrant, inclusive communities. We empower more than 11,000 individuals and families each year through free programs offered in five languages, giving people the tools and resources they need to achieve their education, career, and financial goals. Our diverse team of nearly 350 skilled professionals delivers services spanning early childhood education (Head Start and State-Funded Preschool), youth mentorship, career training, housing support, senior services, food services, and cultural events. By promoting social equity and quality of life across Oakland and Contra Costa County, we transform lives and strengthen communities every day.

Supported by a nearly $50 million annual budget and diverse funding streams, we have reinvested over $100 million in community assets like the nationally recognized Fruitvale Transit Village, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable growth. We operate dynamic subsidiaries in social enterprise, real estate development, and senior housing, providing team members with diverse career pathways in a professional, innovative environment. Our collaborative culture values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we support staff development and community engagement.

As part of our team, you’ll work alongside passionate colleagues committed to making a lasting impact in the community, with abundant opportunities to grow your career in an innovative, purpose-driven organization. Learn more about The Unity Council at www.unitycouncil.org.

THE CFO OPPORTUNITY

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and working in close partnership with the President & Chief Operating Officer (COO), Program Directors, Development & Communications, and HR, the CFO will play a pivotal role in securing and strengthening our legacy as they oversee all finance and technology functions ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and sustainability. The CFO will work closely with senior leadership to align financial strategies with organizational goals and ensure transparency in financial operations. Leading and coaching a growing team including six direct reports – a Controller, and financial leaders of Financial Planning & Analysis, Grants Management, Property Management & Real Estate Development, Finance Transformation, and Information Technology – the CFO will expertly oversee financial planning, budgeting, compliance, accounting operations, audits, grants, and information technology.

The CFO will have the opportunity to assess and modernize our financial systems and practices; strengthen our financial foundation; break down functional silos and align stakeholders; and ensure strong financial stewardship and strategic alignment to sustain the mission and empower the community for generations. In a role that blends impact, innovation, and service, the CFO will bring strategic vision and hands-on leadership as a senior member of the management team driving financial accountability, improving outdated processes, and developing a high- performing finance team—all while working alongside, informing, and supporting passionate leaders who are deeply committed to making a difference from the Board of Directors and Finance Committee to external auditors and financial, funding, and community partners.

The CFO will be entrusted to ensure that essential programs—from affordable housing to workforce development—are financially sustainable and strategically positioned for growth bringing vision, structure, and innovation to contribute to reaching ambitious organizational and programmatic goals aligned with our community mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE CFO

Organizational & Team Leadership & Development

• Serve on the Executive Team as a thought partner to the CEO and cross-functional peers supporting strategic planning, change management, our Welcoming Workplace Initiative, and more to contribute to a joyful culture and deepening program impact.
• Assess, restructure, and develop the finance team to identify and address skill gaps.
• Drive performance management by assigning objective departmental and individual goals; ensuring clear roles and responsibilities; providing mentorship and coaching; and ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee hiring and onboarding of key positions, including FP&A personnel.

Financial Strategy & Oversight

• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and controls to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Ensure alignment of financial management with strategic objectives.
• Oversee financial planning, cash flow management, and risk mitigation strategies.

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Establish and enforce monthly and quarterly financial close and consolidation processes to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Oversee payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable functions, ensuring reconciliation and compliance.
• Assess and improve use of existing financial systems (Sage, Yardi, and QuickBooks) and oversee system integrations, improvements, and updates.

Compliance, Audits & Risk Management

• Ensure GAAP compliance and adherence to non-profit financial best practices.
• Oversee audit preparation, internal controls, and regulatory compliance.
• Improve grant compliance and reporting to eliminate errors and inefficiencies.

Budgeting & Financial Reporting

• Develop and manage the annual budgeting process in collaboration with department leaders.
• Establish routine financial analysis and management reporting to provide leadership with budget vs. actual results and other decision making tools.
• Ensure financial transparency through regular reports to the CEO and Board.

Information Technology

• Oversee the IT strategy to ensure alignment with financial goals and business objectives.
• Work closely with the IT team to ensure the technological infrastructure supports operations.
• Ensure investments in IT are aligned with the budget and strategic priorities.

If you thrive in an environment that blends big-picture impact with tactical execution, we invite you to step into this pivotal role. The CFO will be tasked with improving financial processes, integrating technology solutions, and strengthening financial leadership within the organization with key priorities including:

• Enhancing financial operations and improve internal controls and reporting.
• Building a high-performing team through leadership, coaching, and development.
• Ensuring audit readiness, prior issue resolution, and ongoing regulatory compliance in a complex grant-funded environment.
• Leading IT strategy and infrastructure development in partnership with leadership.
• Integrating technology systems (Sage, Yardi, and QuickBooks) to drive data-informed decision-making.

OUR IDEAL CFO

Our ideal CFO will be a trusted, diligent, and inspiring financial expert with nonprofit experience who enjoys solving problems and driving results while leading with courage, inclusivity, and joy. The CFO must be an expansive thinker – unintimidated by growth, change, or challenge – capable of transforming practices, systems, and outcomes with excellence to ensure the solid financial foundation needed for today and into the future.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE CFO

The CFO will bring many of the desired experiences and abilities and other related skills:

• Financial Management Expertise: Strong knowledge of GAAP; non-profit and federal grants management (Uniform Guidance); and financial compliance with experience leading audits, implementing financial controls, and developing, managing, and being accountable for complex budgets at or near our scale.
• Relevant Financial Management Experience: 10+ years of progressively responsible senior financial leadership including non-profit financial management.
• People Management Acumen: Proven ability to recruit, hire, manage, develop, and mentor competent finance teams into a strong and effective team culture; Capable of restructuring and strengthening the finance team, as needed.
• Mission Alignment & Commitment: Background in social equity, affordable housing and/or community-based organizations with demonstrated commitment to promoting social equity and enhancing quality of life strongly preferred.
• Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Relationship Management: Experience working effectively and collaboratively with and as a thought partner to cross-functional teams and internal and external partners from the Board to external auditors to community.
• Strategic Change Management Experience: Experience aligning financial operations with organizational goals with comfort leading financial and operational organization transformations in highly complex environments.
• Clear & Compelling Communication Style: Effective communicator with the ability to translate complex financial information at the appropriate level for diverse audiences with ease who can use data for storytelling and decision making.
• Technical Fluency: Track record leading financial technology optimizations, modernizing financial systems, with experience with systems such as Sage Intacct, Yardi, QuickBooks, or other similar tools preferred; Comfort leading IT.
• Relevant Education & Certification: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required alongside a CPA or MBA.

THE CFO APPLICATION PROCESS

Ready to help shape the future of a vibrant, community-focused anchor institution that serves thousands of individuals and families every year and offers dynamic growth opportunities? We are partnering with Walker & Associates Consulting – a woman of color-owned strategic management consulting and executive search firm promoting equitable community impact – to facilitate this search. To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and list of three professional references (references will not be contacted without your advance notice) to unitycouncil@walkeraac.com by Friday, June 13, 2025 at 5:00 pm PT. Use the subject line: CFO Application. Please submit PDF or Microsoft Word files only, preferably in one combined file. Resume review begins immediately and note that pre-employment requirements include a background check and fingerprints (DOJ, FBI, CACI). Questions or Nominations? Contact Jeannine N. Walker at jwalker@walkeraac.com.

The Unity Council is an equal opportunity employer deeply committed to promoting a welcoming workplace. We encourage people of all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply and applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.