Director of Finance
Hybrid - US
Director of Finance
Full Time • Hybrid - US
Benefits:
- Home Printer & Monitor
- Phone stipend
- 403 (b) matching
- 403 (b)
- Employee discounts
- Paid time off
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
- Wellness resources
- Opportunity for advancement
Organization Overview
Grow Your Own Illinois (GYO-IL) recruits, supports, and prepares individuals from underrepresented communities to become and thrive as licensed teachers. We envision an Illinois teacher workforce that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of its students and is rooted in their communities. To achieve this, we provide candidates with financial and academic assistance, social-emotional supports, and culturally sustaining professional development. Our teachers—and the students, schools, and neighborhoods they serve—are all strengthened by this process. To learn more visit: growyourownteachers.org
Position Summary
The Director of Finance oversees all financial operations for GYO-IL, ensuring fiscal health, regulatory compliance, and organizational sustainability. Key responsibilities include managing budgeting, cash flow, audit preparation, financial reporting to the Board, grant accounting, and implementing internal controls.
The Director of Finance will play a critical role in the organization, partnering with the Executive Director and senior staff to drive financial decisions, translating program operations and contract/grant requirements into realistic budgets, financial forecasts, and funding applications. They will be a strategic thought-partner, reporting to the ED.
Compensation
This is a full-time position in a hybrid work environment (up to 3 days a week and as needed in the office) with an annual salary range of $110,000-$130,000 based on experience and credentials. GYO-IL’s office is location in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. See the Benefits section for information on our comprehensive benefits package.
Core Duties and Responsibilities:
Financial Leadership
- Align resources to effectively support the organization’s strategy, operations, programs, and infrastructure.
- Provide sound fiscal management to ensure proper use of the organization’s assets and support long-term sustainability.
- Develop and improve financial systems and controls across GYO-IL’s program operations and external partners.
- Assess and improve financial processes and data infrastructure to promote data fluency and automation across the organization to optimize decision-making and streamlined workflows.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with key constituents, including university and community college financial aid and grants officers, representing GYO-IL in those interactions.
Financial Planning and Analysis
- Manage the annual operating budget development process in consultation with GYO-IL’s ED, and directors.
- Lead return on investment analyses in partnership with program leadership to inform opportunities to translate program design into scalable, fundable financial models.
- Prepare grant, contract, and project budgets, and financial reports, in coordination with GYO-IL program directors.
- Oversee the administration of GYO-IL grant programs with subgrant awardees, including the application, award, and monitoring functions.
- Provide monthly financials, reports, and other information that support the operations of all programs.
- Navigate the complexities and timing of payments from government contracts, ensuring compliance, minimizing risk, and securing timely revenue.
- Provide analysis of complex financial information, prepare formal presentations, and present to the ED and Board on the financial health of the organization and Budget vs. Actuals reporting.
- Oversee the management of all leases, contracts, and other financial commitments.
Accounting
- Provide supervision, leadership and guidance to the accounting team of two to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions.
- Serve as an approver for a variety of internal controls functions
- Oversee the preparation and communication of monthly and annual financial statements.
- Oversee cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds when needed.
- Facilitate the agency’s annual audit process including vendor selection and work products (financial statements, single audit, and IRS 990), meeting all prescribed deadlines.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Finance, Accounting)
- Residence in Illinois
- 7+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, including senior management roles within nonprofits or government-funded organizations, developing long-term financial plans, forecasts, and scenario models to support organizational growth and impact.
- Demonstrated success overseeing finances for organizations with $6M+ in operating budgets.
- Experience managing government contracts, including budgeting, billing, compliance, and audit preparation.
- Relevant technical skills and experience managing complex implementation of financial management and related software products.
- Proven track record of supporting successful audits.
The following pieces of experience are a plus but not required:
- Relevant advanced degree or certification such as an MBA or CPA
- Experience with IL State and City of Chicago grants or contracts
Required Skill Set and Knowledge Base:
- Ability to think strategically and creatively, anticipate future consequences and trends, and lead scenario-planning and option-setting of solutions.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Strong relationship-building skills with an ability to negotiate and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- High degree of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
- Commitment to continuous learning and competence in providing, receiving, assessing, and incorporating feedback
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to traverse an office environment to attend meetings and interact with colleagues
- Ability to operate a computer and other relevant technology, such as phones, screens, printers, and tablets
- Ability to carry up to 10 pounds (such as for a laptop and carrying case)
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Benefits (which are subject to change)
- 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 12 days of Paid Sick/Wellness
- 10 holidays
- Office closed between Christmas Eve Day and New Year’s Day (12/24-1/1)
- Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage (50% coverage for spouse and first two dependents)
- Basic life insurance
- 403(b) with 3% match
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Professional development
Equal Opportunity
GYO-Il is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Flexible work from home options available.
Compensation: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Grow Your Own Illinois (GYO-IL) recruits, supports, and prepares individuals from underrepresented communities to become and thrive as licensed teachers. We envision an Illinois teacher workforce that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of its students and is rooted in their communities. To achieve this, we provide candidates with financial and academic assistance, social-emotional supports, and culturally sustaining professional development. Our teachers—and the students, schools, and neighborhoods they serve—are all strengthened by this process.
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