Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif)

The Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) seeks a dynamic and experienced full-time Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join our team. As a vital member of the Executive Team, the CFO will play a crucial role in providing strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of Wacif’s consolidated accounting and financial operations. The primary objective of this role is to drive the achievement of Wacif’s long-term financial goals and objectives while ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the organization.

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

SUPERVISES: Director of Finance and Financial Planning & Reporting Manager

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

People Management

1. Set clear and achievable goals for Finance team and regularly monitor progress towards those goals;
2. Provide ongoing support, guidance, and feedback to team members to facilitate their professional development and growth within the organization;
3. Coach, cross-train, and mentor team members to become experts in their positions and valuable business partners to the organization;
4. Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment by encouraging cross-training and knowledge sharing among team members;
5. Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and improvement within the Finance department;
6. Lead the development, implementation, and attainment of strategic financial objectives for Wacif, aligning with the organization’s mission and vision;
7. Evaluate and contribute to the financial strategy of all Wacif entities (new & existing), ensuring alignment with overall organizational goals and objectives;
8. Provide strategic guidance to the development of short-term and long-term financial plans and projections, leveraging insights to drive informed decision-making;
9. Take ownership of long-range balance sheet strategy and capitalization planning, ensuring sustainable growth and financial stability;
10. Oversee and approve the investment of excess liquidity, optimizing returns while managing risk in accordance with organizational policies and guidelines.

Budgeting

1. Provides strategic guidance and leadership throughout the annual budgeting process, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop comprehensive and realistic budgets;
2. Present annual budget to Finance & Audit Committee and Board of Directors, articulating key assumptions, priorities, and financial implications for review and approval;
3. Monitors financial performance against budget, organizationally and at the project and/or department level, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions as necessary to ensure fiscal responsibility;
4. Manage the General & Administrative (G&A): Finance & Operations budget, optimizing resource allocation to support organizational priorities while maintaining financial sustainability;
5. Build and cultivate a robust pipeline of lenders to support capitalization plan and strategic initiatives;
6. Lead discussion and negotiations to secure debt capital funding, ensuring terms and conditions align with Wacif’s financial objectives and risk tolerance;
7. Lead debt capital due diligence efforts, working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to assess risk and evaluate opportunities;
8. Collaborate with General Counsel to negotiate terms, covenants, and structure of debt investments;
9. Facilitate the closing of financial transactions with investment counterparties, ensuring all necessary documentation and agreements are executed accurately and in compliance with regulatory requirements;
10. Provide comprehensive oversight, strategic advice, and tactical support to financial reporting function, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness in all reporting activities;
11. Identify and establish key financial performance indicators (KPIs) regularly monitoring and reporting progress against targets and provide insightful analysis on significant trends and variances;
12. Monitor and ensure restricted funding is applied according to donor specified requirements;
13. Present financial results, analyses, and other relevant items to the CEO and Finance & Audit Committee, offering clear and concise explanations to facilitate informed decision-making.

Financial Operations

1. Facilitate the opening and closing of new bank accounts;
2. Managing American Express (AMEX) corporate card account, including account ownership and adding/removing employee cards;
3. Oversee chart of accounts, department/project/budget codes structuring and overall financial data schema;
4. Authorize and release outgoing ACH/WIRE payments from Wacif bank accounts;
5. Review and approve Finance, Operations, and Human Capital department expenses, ensuring alignment with approved budgets and adherence to Wacif policies;
6. Lead implementation of key accounting software solutions;
7. Identify and implement strategies to mitigate risks facing all Wacif entities;
8. Update Finance & Audit Committee and Board on key risks and compliance issues facing all Wacif entities;
9. Ensure compliance with all lender covenants and grant requirements;
10. Identify and implement mechanisms to manage risk of loss associated with the loan portfolio;
11. Review and approve Lending Department Credit Memos;
12. Approve Loan Write-offs;

Audit & Tax

1. Foster and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship with external audit firm, facilitating effective communication and cooperation throughout the audit process;
2. Provide support to the Director of Finance in addressing audit and tax-related issues;
3. Review and approve Annual Audited Financial Statement and Single Audit Reports across Wacif entities;
4. Review and approve IRS Form 990, verifying the completeness and accuracy of the information reported to regulatory authorities;

QUALIFICATIONS

1. At least 15+ years of progressive experience in senior financial management roles within financial institutions, investment firms, or broader financial services (non-profit experience preferred);
2. Advanced degree in Accounting, Finance or another related field or commensurate similar experience (MBA, CPA, of CFA preferred);
3. Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, facilitate decision-making processes, and maintain transparency;
4. Experience in leading or supporting organizational change initiatives, including restructuring, process improvements, or system implementations, to ensure smooth transitions and continuity of operations;
5. Proven ability to identify and address complex challenges or issues that may arise, utilizing creative problem-solving skills and resourcefulness to find effective solutions;
6. Experience in managing multiple projects or initiatives simultaneously, setting priorities, allocating resources, and ensuring timely delivery of results;
7. Proven experience engaging with private and public sector debt investors through deal sourcing, due diligence and closing investment stages;
8. Proven experience with creative and catalytic capital structures or blended capital financing models, including the use of credit risk guarantees, loan loss reserves, long-term subordinated debt (EQ2s);
9. Experience making credit risk decisions and sitting on internal credit risk or investment committees;
10. Experience leading a high functioning finance team within growing organizations;
11. Working knowledge of non-profit revenue recognition principles (ASU 2014-09 Topic 606 and ASU 2018-08);
12. Compliance and risk-oriented; strong analytical skills;
13. Experience working in a CDFI, financial services, or investment management firm a plus;
14. A high level of motivation, initiative and attention to detail;
15. Ability to work under pressure and handle stress;
16. Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint);
17. Interest in and commitment to Wacif’s mission of working with low- and moderate-income individuals and underserved communities.

About the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif)

Wacif advances equity and opportunity in the Washington, D.C. area’s underserved communities by providing financial capital, business advisory services, and strategic networking support to underinvested entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 1987, Wacif has deployed more than $100 million in capital, served more than 4,500 entrepreneurs with business advisory services, and helped create or retain more than 44,000 local jobs. To learn more about Wacif’s work, visit www.wacif.org.

COMPENSATION

Salary range: $140,000.00 – $160,000

Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, DCA, Life & Disability insurance coverages available. 401(k) retirement plan (employer matching contribution eligible); paid time off (increased with tenure), paid holidays and sick leave days, transportation benefits, and education assistance benefits (professional development, tuition reimbursement, and student loan repayment).

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should email a resume, thoughtful cover letter that outlines how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, and salary requirements to opportunity@wacif.org with “CFO” in the subject line.

Wacif is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Wacif provides a flexible and hybrid working environment with the opportunity to work remotely.