Chief Financial Officer

JLM HR Consulting; United States; On-site; USD 170,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based incentive or retention bonus

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits

Retirement plan participation

Paid time off and institutional holidays

Job summary

JLM HR Consulting is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. This high-impact leadership role involves providing financial leadership, overseeing all financial operations, and strengthening organizational infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have extensive nonprofit finance experience and the ability to influence at the Board level. Compensation is competitive, with a salary range of $170,000 – $185,000 and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in nonprofit finance, compliance, and governance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets.
• Experience working with Boards and Finance Committees.

Responsibilities

• Provide enterprise-wide financial leadership and strategic direction.
• Oversee financial reporting, audits, and tax compliance.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance function.

Skills

Nonprofit finance expertise

Strategic thinking

Operational execution skills

Collaborative leadership

Influencing at Board level

Education

CPA or equivalent advanced financial credential

12-15+ years of financial leadership experience

Tools

Financial Edge

Job description

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts and The Ellington Fund are premier, mission-driven 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to academic excellence and artistic achievement. Serving as a nationally recognized model for arts education, the organizations operate in a dynamic, creative environment that requires both operational rigor and visionary leadership.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and a strategic partner to the Principal/Head of Schools and Board of Directors. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for shaping financial strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability, and strengthening organizational infrastructure.

The CFO will oversee all financial operations across two affiliated nonprofit entities and play a critical role in aligning financial stewardship with institutional growth, innovation, and mission delivery.

This role is ideally suited for a forward-thinking financial executive who brings both technical excellence and strategic insight within complex, mission-driven environments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide enterprise-wide financial leadership and strategic direction
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Board Finance Committee
• Lead long-range financial planning, scenario modeling, and capital strategy
• Oversee financial reporting, audits, tax compliance, and investment oversight
• Direct the annual budgeting process and multi-year forecasting
• Strengthen internal controls, financial systems, and risk management frameworks
• Ensure compliance with all nonprofit regulatory and reporting requirements
• Partner cross-functionally to support programmatic and fundraising initiatives
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance function

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate is a seasoned financial executive with a strong track record of leadership in nonprofit, education, or similarly complex organizations. The CFO must be both strategic and hands‑on, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.

Key attributes include:

• Executive presence and ability to influence at the Board level
• Deep expertise in nonprofit finance, compliance, and governance
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution skills
• Collaborative leader with a commitment to mission-driven work
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment

QUALIFICATIONS

• 12–15+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, including executive-level roles
• CPA strongly preferred (or equivalent advanced financial credential)
• Demonstrated experience working with Boards and Finance Committees
• Expertise in financial planning & analysis, audit oversight, and internal controls
• Experience managing complex budgets and multiple funding streams
• Familiarity with nonprofit accounting systems (Financial Edge preferred)

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS (BENCHMARKED)

The anticipated compensation for this role is competitive and commensurate with experience, aligned with national benchmarks for nonprofit CFO positions within similarly sized and complex organizations in the education and arts sector.

• Base Salary Range: $170,000 – $185,000
• Potential Additional Considerations:
  • Performance-based incentive or retention bonus (where applicable)
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
  • Retirement plan participation
  • Paid time off and institutional holidays

The final compensation package will be determined based on experience, credentials, and demonstrated impact in comparable leadership roles.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Duke Ellington School of the Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.