Vice President, Finance and Administration for the California Black Freedom Fund

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA BLACK FREEDOM FUND

A state-wide initiative, the California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) is a five-year, $100 million initiative to build and sustain the power of Black-led organizations, coalitions, and networks.

This Fund was established and continues to be overseen by a unique partnership between funders and community leaders who will continue the spirit of partnership and co-design with Black leaders to develop a new way of philanthropic and community collaboration. Resources will be both pooled and aligned to support movement-building for the kind of deep, social and structural changes that can only be achieved by investing in the infrastructures of Black-based organizations committed to sustained movement-building. Learn more at cablackfreedomfund.org.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a full-time, exempt level position.  

This position can be located remotely within California. While the position is listed as 'Fully Remote' there will be required travel to meetings, gatherings and convenings.  

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPFA) will be responsible for CBFF’s financial and administrative management, and will contribute to the organization’s overall strategic short- and long-term goals.

This is a leadership opportunity to innovate, build, and shape the financial and operational backbone of this growing organization. Additionally, the VPFA will be charged with developing and implementing sophisticated policies and procedures in the finance, accounting, grantmaking and general administrative and operational domains.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

CBFF seeks an innovative, tech-savvy financial and administrative leader with strong strategic acumen and a willingness to perform financial and administrative tasks while CBFF is in its start-up phase; familiarity with the foundation environment; a commitment to inclusivity and equity; an innovative mindset and the highest level of integrity; strong curiosity and the desire to continue learning; a collegial work style; and, the dedication to work hard toward CBFF’s mission of strengthening Black-led organizations and movements in the state.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial/Accounting Leadership:

• Leading the creation and implementation of strategic financial and operating systems and initiatives that align with CBFF’s mission, ensuring compliance with grantmaking, government grants and philanthropic partnerships and engagements.
• Advising the Executive Director and other key members of the management team on financial planning, systems, budgeting, cash flow, investment priorities, and policy matters.
• Navigating the complexities of nonprofit financial management, including the handling of restricted and unrestricted funds, and the setup of accounts to support long-term funding strategies.
• Acting as a financial and administrative thought leader, guiding the organization through its rapid expansion and laying the groundwork for a scalable infrastructure to support both current and future endeavors.
• Managing all external financial consultants, including audit and accounting firms.
• Representing the organization externally as necessary, particularly for financial administration, accounting and audit.
• Implementing and managing administrative and operational accounting services such as payroll, accounts payable/receivable, treasury management, 403(b) plan, and grants payment processing.
• Preparing and presenting monthly and annual financial statements to the Board of Directors and senior management.
• Preparing the annual budget and forecasts, and assisting the Executive Team and Board with financial forecasts to assist leadership with decision making.
• Establishing and implementing financial control policy and procedures to ensure validity of the organization's financial statements and reporting.
• Creating and monitoring benchmarks for measuring the financial and operating performance of the organization's departments.
• Implementing effective controls on grant distribution and monitoring compliance.
• Providing leadership in the strategic planning process.
• Providing technical assistance to team for state, federal, and all governmental grants.
• Ensuring staff are well trained across the organization on operational procedures, compliance, and effective internal controls.
• Ensuring donors receive assistance with financial inquiries as required.
• Overseeing the accuracy of management processes to comply with all state, federal and accounting/regulatory standards.
• Overseeing the annual audit and tax return process and preparation; working with staff to ensure compliance with the audit process.
• Staff appropriate Board committees.

Administrative Operations Leadership:

• Upgrading and implementing an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures.
• Monitoring and ensuring adherence to the strategic and operational plans and KPIs to provide status reports to senior management and the board.
• Providing analytical support to CBFF’s management team including development of internal management reporting capabilities.
• Working to ensure appropriate allocation and timing of personnel resources to achieve strategic goals

Investment Management:

• Overseeing the development and execution of CBFF’s investment strategy, aligning with the organization's short- and long-term mission-aligned and financial objectives.
• Managing and monitoring the impact and performance of investment portfolios, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and organizational policies, and reporting to the Executive Director and the Board.
• Developing a robust framework for social impact investing or mission-aligned investments that support CBFF’s commitment to strengthening Black-serving organizations and communities.  
• Working with external advisors to evaluate and select appropriate investment vehicles to maximize impact and returns while managing risks.  

Team Development/Leadership:

• When resources are available, building and overseeing, directing, and organizing the work of the finance and administrative operations teams.
• Management responsibility for a professional staff with a range of experience.
• Contributing to building a dispersed, highly functioning team, emphasizing efficiency and cohesion in a hybrid/remote environment across various locations.
• Promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Ensuring staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED SKILLS

• Business or Accounting degree required; MBA and/or CPA is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a senior financial/operations management role ideally with both external audit and in-house financial management experience gained in a high-growth environment.
• Experience with grantmaking organizations.
• Expertise with all financial and operational aspects of nonprofit compliance for organizations receiving state and federal government grants and working with regulatory agencies.
• Experience with nonprofit finance and accounting regulations.
• Proven track record of success in facilitating organizational change and development within a growing organization.
• Experience in and a proclivity to roll up one’s sleeves in a start-up, high growth setting.
• Proven track record and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with staff and colleagues with different backgrounds and cultures, engendering trust, collaborative actions and candid, respectful communication.
• Strong mentoring and coaching experience for a team with diverse levels of expertise; demonstrated track record as an effective team builder working across distinct organizational lines.
• Experience with and commitment to purposeful work around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) as an evolving best practice.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills.
• Entrepreneurial team player who is self-reliant and can multitask well.
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.
• Collaborative, flexible and proactive team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance, operations and administration initiatives.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with the vast array of CBFF stakeholders including senior management, CBFF’ s board of directors, advisors, consultants and all staff.
• Passion for CBFF’s mission and vision. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

SVCF is committed to offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. The target hiring range for this position is $225,000 to $250,000 per year based on experience, credentials and internal salary equity.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous medical, dental, and vision plans; paid time off; holidays and employer contribution and matching to a 403(b) retirement plan. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation has exclusively retained The 360 Group of San Francisco to assist with this search.

All applications are held in strict confidence. Please submit your credentials and a letter of interest through our private applicant portal to The 360 Group at: 

https://the360group.us/portal/

Applications should be directed to the attention of Monica Rodgers, Senior Consultant. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Earlier applicants may receive priority consideration. To be considered, The 360 Group encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, via the confidential applicant portal linked above.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent in this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION

Silicon Valley Community Foundation has a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and equal opportunity.  We are committed to building a team that is representative of our community.

SVCF is an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, political affiliation, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

SVCF is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions, of employment, please contact [email protected].  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format and/or using specialized equipment.