Chief Financial Officer

RENAISSANCE SOCIAL SERVICES INC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance options

Employer provided life insurance

Simple IRA with employer match

Paid holidays and mental health days

Job summary

RENAISSANCE SOCIAL SERVICES INC in Chicago is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to oversee financial operations and ensure long-term fiscal health. The role requires a strategic leader with at least 10-15 years of progressive financial experience, including a minimum of 5 years in senior finance.

The CFO will collaborate with the executive team, manage financial risks, and lead budgeting processes while ensuring compliance with regulations. Join a mission-driven organization focused on eliminating homelessness in Chicago.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• 5+ years in a senior finance role, preferably in a nonprofit context.
• Strong ability to provide strategic guidance to executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial operations of the organization.
• Serve as financial advisor to the CEO and Board.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

Skills

Financial planning and analysis

Budgeting and forecasting

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

MBA or Master’s in Finance

CPA

Tools

Advanced financial reporting tools

Financial systems/ERP platforms (e.g., NetSuite, SAP)

Job description

Job Details

• Location: 2501 W Washington Boulevard - Chicago, IL 60612
• Position Type: Full Time
• Education Level: 4 Year Degree
• Salary Range: $125,000.00 - $140,000.00
• Travel Percentage: None
• Job Shift: Day
• Job Category: Executive

Position Summary

Renaissance Social Services, Inc. (Renaissance) is a leader in Chicago’s response to homelessness. Renaissance prevents and ends homelessness for vulnerable Chicagoans, providing a range of proven solutions including prevention, outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for overseeing all financial operations and ensuring the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of Renaissance. This role provides forward-thinking financial leadership, builds high-performing systems and teams, and serves as a strategic partner in driving organizational growth, accountability, and resilience.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board, offering insight and recommendations based on financial trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead long-term financial planning and forecasting to support strategic goals and scenario planning.
• Drive the automation and streamlining of financial processes by leveraging technology solutions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across the organization.
• Present clear, data-driven financial analyses and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

Financial Oversight & Risk Management

• Direct all financial functions including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of accurate, timely monthly and quarterly financial statements, budget updates, and projections.
• Coordinate, maintain, analyze, and communicate the financial performance to Management, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors, including Monthly Financial Status, Budgets, and Cash Flows.
• Oversee Accounting, Audit, and Tax functions; coordinate and lead activities with external audit firms and Grantee officers; prepare internal financial statements and footnotes.
• Present Financial Audit findings to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
• Ensure regulatory and grant compliance, working closely with auditors and funding agencies during annual audits and reporting periods.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements by researching, consulting, and filing financial reports, and completing monthly tracking of all grants.
• Maintain and enhance internal control systems to safeguard organizational assets and ensure financial transparency.
• Review and approve all invoices for payment, monthly rent rolls, providing GL coding, Accounts Payable Summaries, and Bank Reconciliations.
• Review and approve all Federal Grant Voucher Drawdowns before processing; process vouchers as needed.
• Oversee financial procedures at organizational fundraising events as necessary.
• Oversee client billing and payment tracking.

Team & Departmental Leadership

• Supervise and support finance and accounting team members, ensuring clarity of roles, high performance, and opportunities for professional development.
• Establish a team culture of ownership, responsiveness, and solution-oriented thinking.
• Support cross-departmental collaboration and financial literacy across leadership and program teams.

Budgeting & Program Alignment

• Partner with executive and program leadership to develop and manage annual and program-specific budgets.
• Monitor and report on budget-to-actual performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective strategies.
• Align financial strategies with programmatic goals, funding requirements, and organizational priorities.

Grant, Medicaid, and Contract Management

• Oversee financial aspects of public and private grants, ensuring accurate tracking, reimbursement, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy and program staff on grant proposals, budget narratives, and cost allocation plans.
• Work with the Director of Philanthropy on foundation grant applications, budgets, and financial reports.
• Collaborate with the Billing and Compliance Manager to support accurate Medicaid billing and reconciliation processes.

Payroll Financial Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee the financial components of payroll, including payroll accounting, tax remittance, and reconciliation with the general ledger.
• Ensure accurate recording of payroll transactions, wages, and related liabilities in financial statements and organizational budgets.
• Complete quarterly payroll reconciliations between payroll software and general ledger detail.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure alignment of payroll data, compensation changes, and benefit deductions for accurate financial processing.
• Manage payroll-related financial reporting and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal tax regulations.
• Incorporate payroll costs into broader budgeting and forecasting models to support financial planning and organizational sustainability.

Organizational Systems & Accountability

• Refine and implement financial systems and tools that promote transparency, accountability, and actionable decision-making.
• Lead the rollout of organization-wide tools such as Program Status Reports that require departments to identify successes, barriers, and action plans.
• Assist in identifying, transitioning, and streamlining financial operations to digital systems and platforms.
• Establish and track performance metrics that align financial performance with organizational impact.

Pay and Schedule

• Full-time, salaried exempt
• In office 3 days per week, 2 days remote after introductory period
• Starting salary range: $125,000 - $140,000 annually

Benefits

• Multiple options for health insurance coverage
• Employer provided life insurance
• Simple IRA with employer match
• Up to 15 days accrued in the first year
• 11 paid holidays, your birthday off, and designated mental health days
• NEW - ComPsyc Guidance Resources Program & Employee Assistance Program
• NEW - Well onTarget tools and resources to help you manager your health
• MDLive - Telemedicine visits

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; MBA, Master’s in Finance, or CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior finance role, preferably within a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience building, leading, and mentoring high-performing finance teams, with a strong emphasis on accountability, continuous improvement, and talent development.
• Strong ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights and provide strategic guidance to executive leadership and board members.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP), grant compliance, audit processes, and Medicaid-related financial management.
• Experience with financial systems/ERP platforms (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, or similar) and advanced financial reporting tools.
• Demonstrated strength in risk management, internal controls, and financial governance.
• Strategic, solutions-oriented leader with exceptional critical thinking, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience working closely with executive leadership, auditors, and board committees, supporting organizational growth and sustainability.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Renaissance, with a proven ability to align financial strategy with organizational goals and long-term vision.