Director of Finance at Facing… · Chicago

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Director of Finance

Location: Primarily remote, with on-site presence at Facing Forward locations as needed throughout

the month, including 642 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary Range: $85,596–$105,673.81

Job Type: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Finance

Date of Last Revision: 10/1/2026

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Facing Forward to End Homelessness (Facing Forward) ends the cycle of homelessness for families and individuals by

offering hope, help, and housing. Facing Forward utilizes a Housing First model, which provides permanent supportive

housing to chronically homeless individuals, families, and veterans. Under this model, we first ensure that clients have a

safe, stable home, and then we empower them as they lead a forward-facing life. By providing permanent housing and a

full array of services, including case management, healthcare, referrals for substance abuse treatment, mental health

services, education, and job training, we give people experiencing homelessness in Chicago the tools they need to reclaim

their lives.

VISION

Facing Forward is committed to empowering all individuals to envision a brighter future. We are always striving to ensure

our approach is reflective of the unique paths that have led people to Facing Forward. We are committed to fostering a

diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where each member of Facing Forward is empowered to be themselves,

share ideas, and contribute to the mission and vision of the organization. We believe that we are stronger together. We

want to serve as a foundation and work in partnership with clients, staff, vendors, and community partners. In unity, we

can work to prevent and end homelessness for our clients and guide them on their journey toward stability, health, and

self-sufficiency.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the executive leadership team, the Director of

Finance is Facing Forward's financial leader. This position provides strategic and operational leadership for the

organization's accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash and treasury management, government

contracts, audits, tax filings, internal controls, and financial systems.

The Director of Finance partners with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Finance Committee, senior

leaders, and program and development teams to strengthen financial decision-making, protect organizational assets,

maintain compliance, and support Facing Forward's long-term financial sustainability. This role leads and develops the

Finance team while ensuring that financial information is accurate, timely, accessible, and useful across the organization.

The employee holding this position may be required to perform additional duties to meet the organization's needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Strategic Financial Leadership and Planning (20%)

• Serve as a strategic financial advisor and business partner to the Executive Director, Executive Leadership Team,

Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.

• Lead annual and multi-year financial planning, including the organizational budget, program budgets, capital

planning, cash flow projections, scenario modeling, and financial forecasts.

• Translate financial information into clear analysis, recommendations, and decision-making tools for

organizational leaders and governance bodies.

• Monitor financial performance, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and recommend timely corrective

actions or resource strategies.

• Support organizational growth, program planning, contract decisions, and other strategic initiatives by evaluating

their financial impact and sustainability.

• Develop and monitor financial goals, performance measures, and dashboards that support Facing Forward's

strategic priorities.

Financial Reporting, Budgeting, and Cash Management (20%)

• Ensure the accurate and timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance

with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and nonprofit accounting standards.

• Present financial results, budget-to-actual variance analysis, forecasts, cash flow status, and recommended

actions to the Executive Director, Finance Committee, Board of Directors, and senior leadership.

• Establish and manage the annual budgeting process in partnership with department and program leaders,

including appropriate review, documentation, and approval timelines.

• Oversee cash flow and treasury management, banking relationships, cash reserves, investments, and short- and

long-term liquidity planning within Board-approved policies.

• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of restricted and unrestricted funds, grant revenue, receivables, deferred

revenue, allocations, and program expenditures.

• Provide directors and budget owners with timely financial information, training, and guidance to support

responsible budget management and expenditure control.

Accounting Operations and Internal Controls (20%)

• Provide executive oversight of all accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing,

cash receipts, general ledger activity, payroll accounting, allocations, reconciliations, and month- and year-end

close.

• Ensure financial transactions, journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting documentation are complete,

accurate, timely, and properly reviewed.

• Design, implement, document, and monitor finance policies, procedures, approval workflows, and internal

controls that safeguard Facing Forward's assets and reflect nonprofit best practices.

• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and periodically assess internal controls, recommending

improvements as organizational needs and risks change.

• Oversee the chart of accounts, cost allocation methodologies, indirect cost treatment, financial records

retention, and the integrity of financial systems and data.

• Lead improvements to accounting systems, reporting tools, and workflows to increase efficiency, accuracy,

transparency, and cross-departmental accountability.

• Partner with Human Resources to ensure payroll is processed accurately and timely and that payroll-related

taxes, deductions, benefits, and financial reconciliations are properly administered.

Government Grants, Contracts, and Compliance (15%)

• Provide financial oversight of federal, state, county, and city grants and contracts, including budgets, billing,

vouchers, drawdowns, allowable costs, match requirements, reporting, and closeout.

• Review and approve government vouchers, invoices, financial reports, and related supporting documentation

before submission.

• Ensure compliance with funder requirements, contract terms, applicable regulations, and federal grant

requirements, including Uniform Guidance when applicable.

• Monitor contract receivables and cash collections; coordinate follow-up with contracting agencies to resolve

payment delays, disallowed costs, or reporting issues.

• Partner with program and development teams to prepare grant and contract budgets, assess financial

feasibility, monitor spending, and address variances.

• Lead the financial response to monitoring visits, desk reviews, government audits, and requests for supporting

documentation.

Audit, Tax, Risk, and Governance (10%)

• Coordinate and oversee the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit when required, Form 990, tax filings,

benefit plan audits, and other external financial reviews.

• Serve as the primary finance liaison to auditors, banking partners, investment advisors, government agencies,

funders, and other external financial partners.

• Prepare audit schedules and ensure timely, complete responses to audit requests and implementation of

agreed-upon recommendations.

• Support the finance committee by preparing meeting materials, presenting financial information, documenting

follow-up items, and advising on financial governance matters.

• Maintain current knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards and relevant federal, Illinois, and local

requirements and evaluate their impact on Facing Forward.

• Partner with leadership on financial risk management, insurance renewals, fraud prevention, and business

continuity planning.

Team Leadership and Organizational Partnership (15%)

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop Finance team members, establishing clear roles, annual and quarterly

goals, workplans, performance expectations, and accountability measures.

• Conduct regular supervision, timely performance evaluations, and ongoing professional development that

foster mutual feedback and strategic growth.

• Address performance concerns and other personnel matters involving direct reports in partnership with

Human Resources and in accordance with organizational policies.

• Promote strong customer service, collaboration, and financial accountability across departments while serving

as a trusted resource on finance and accounting matters.

• Build financial knowledge among staff and budget owners through training, accessible guidance, and clear

procedures.

• Actively participate in required convenings, summits, retreats, staff meetings, and organizational initiatives,

including virtual and occasional evening or weekend events.

• Perform other duties required of all staff to support smooth internal operations and advance Facing Forward's

mission.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Professional Credentials

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required; an equivalent

combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field preferred.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or other relevant professional certification preferred.

Experience

• At least seven years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience, including

significant responsibility for budgeting, financial reporting, audits, internal controls, and organizational financial

planning.

• At least three years of successful leadership and supervisory experience developing and managing a finance or

accounting team.

• Substantial nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience managing government grants and contracts, restricted funding, grant billing,

compliance reporting, and external audits.

• Experience presenting complex financial information to executive leaders, boards, finance committees,

funders, or other non-financial stakeholders.

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of U.S. GAAP, nonprofit accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash

management, and internal controls.

• Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks, evaluate options, and

provide practical recommendations.

• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to a

broad range of audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, improve systems and processes, establish accountability, and

manage competing priorities and deadlines.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial accounting systems; experience with payroll, budgeting,

reporting, and database systems preferred.

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including sound judgment, collaboration, discretion, and a

commitment to responsive service.

• Keen attention to detail and an organization-wide commitment to accuracy, transparency, confidentiality, and

high-quality work.

• Commitment to Facing Forward's mission and to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed remotely and in a typical office environment.

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer are required.

• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and movement of light office materials may be required.

• Frequent use of standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and printers, is required.

• Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the

essential functions of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Facing Forward to End Homelessness is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage

applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Employment decisions are made without regard to race,

color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry,

citizenship or work authorization status, age, disability, marital or family status, military or veteran status,

or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, Illinois, or Chicago law.

Reasonable accommodations are available during the application and hiring process. Applicants who

require an accommodation may contact humanresources@ffchicago.org

For benefits information, please see the attached document.