Chief Financial Officer- Northern NJ

The Jewish Federations of North America; Paramus (NJ); On-site; USD 185,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead financial strategy, accounting operations, treasury, and IT and HR support. The CFO will manage audits, endowment investments, regulatory reporting, and grants compliance with accuracy and integrity.

The role requires a proactive leader with strong communication skills, the ability to guide committee work, and a deep commitment to the Jewish community. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of successful management and leadership experience in accounting, finance, investment management, and risk management.
• CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in personnel management, budgeting, financial reporting, strategic thinking, and decision making.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Finance Department personnel (3 direct reports, 7 staff) including Accounting, Payroll, Data Processing, and Office/Facilities Management.
• Develop the annual operating budget, monitor actual-to-budget performance, and cash position; present quarterly financial reports to the finance committee.
• Responsible for generation and review of annual 990 Tax Returns, prepared with independent accounting firm.
• Manage relationships with Federation’s banking partners.
• Plan the annual audit process and oversee audit activities.
• Provide disciplined financial analysis to major organizational decisions.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of financial statements and regulatory reporting; ensure compliance.
• Develop and implement accounting policies in conformance with laws and regulations (FASB, IRS).
• Oversee internal controls and performance efficiencies; ensure grants compliance.
• Oversee reconciliation of Endowment Foundation investments.
• Oversee payroll, purchasing, and disbursement functions; negotiate benefits and insurance renewals.
• Drive modernization of IT and HR functions; manage facilities and tenant relationships.

Skills

CPA

MBA

Leadership experience

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Strategic thinking

Education

CPA and/or MBA

Job description

Jewish Federation of Northern, New Jersey

Background:

Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey is a non‑profit philanthropic organization dedicated to creating a vibrant Jewish community in northern New Jersey. Federation cares for those in need, deepens engagement in Jewish life, and strengthens the bonds among Jews in the northern New Jersey area, in Israel, and around the world. Its primary functions are community planning and allocations, financial resource development, and leadership development.

Northern New Jersey is home to approximately 125,000 Jews. Jewish life in the area is diverse and multi‑faceted, and includes approximately 40 Jewish organizations, 85 synagogues and 13 day schools. Federation raised over $30 million in 2025 and currently holds over $110 million in endowments.

Covering a sprawling geographic area in close proximity to New York City, Northern New Jersey, the area boasts excellent public and private schools, colleges and universities, vibrant cultural institutions, and a network of scenic parklands. Northern New Jersey is also known for the Meadowlands Sports Complex (home to the New York Giants and Jets).

For more information, please visit the Federation’s website at: www.jfnnj.org

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the chief fiscal officer of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (Federation), responsible for developing overall financial and operational strategy in accordance with and in service to the organization’s overall mission and strategy.

The CFO will provide leadership and direction to financial and accounting operations and requirements, treasury functions, insurance renewals, building operations, information technology operations, human resource operations, reporting systems, annual audit, tax returns, internal financial statements, and all related policies and procedures.

The CFO must provide the highest level of client service and responsiveness to all stakeholders of the Federation, including both lay and professional leadership while embodying the highest standard of integrity and transparency.

Responsibilities

1) Finance Operations

• Supervise Finance Department personnel (3 direct reports, 7 staff) which includes Accounting, Payroll, Data Processing, and Office/Facilities Management.
• Develop the annual operating budget, monitor actual‑to‑budget performance, and cash position. Prepare quarterly projections and present quarterly financial reports to the finance committee.
• Responsible for generation and review of annual 990 Tax Returns, prepared in conjunction with independent accounting firm.
• Manage relationships with Federation’s banking partners.
• Responsible for planning the annual audit process. Oversee all audit activities with Auditor and Federation staff.
• Provide disciplined financial analysis to major organization decisions. Work to align resources with the objectives and strategies of the organization.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all financial statements and regulatory reporting, and compliance.
• Formulate and implement accounting policies and practices in conformance with all relevant laws and regulations, including but not limited to FASB and the IRS.
• Develop, monitor, and improve internal accounting controls and performance efficiencies.
• Ensure that all grants made by Federation comply with all appropriate policies, procedures, regulations, and legal requirements.
• Oversee reconciliation of Endowment Foundation investments.

2) Business Operations

• Oversee payroll, purchasing, and all disbursement functions of Federation.
• Negotiate and implement employee benefits and annual business insurance renewals.
• Seek continuous improvement in the use of financial and human resources and reporting to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

3) Other Divisions

• Oversee the information and technology functions of Federation including relationship with external IT partner.
• Drive modernization including adoption of modern IT practices including safe use of Artificial Intelligence programs.
• Oversee the human resource functions of Federation including employee benefits management and relationship with external human resources partner.
• Manage Federation’s physical facilities, including tenant relationships.

4) Board and Committee Relations

• Steward chairperson and members of the Finance (including any existing or potential Subcommittees) and Audit committees.
• Schedule meetings, create agendas, prepare and distribute all materials, record and draft minutes, and all other tasks associated with the smooth operation of the above referenced committees.
• Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and other committees or groups as appropriate and requested by the CEO.
• Collaborate with CEO, senior management team, and chairpersons of all Committees.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum 10 years of successful management and leadership experience in all aspects of accounting, finance, investment management, and risk management.
• CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in personnel management and evaluation, budgeting, financial reporting, strategic thinking, and decision making.
• Effective communicator, both verbal and written, with a wide range of stakeholders, including executive management, board members, and community leaders.
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate technical and complex information to a non‑technical audience.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with staff, lay leaders, and community leaders.
• Capacity to multi‑task and take on new projects seamlessly and graciously.
• Experience with oversight of endowment functions, including investment administration and fund accounting preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding and strong personal commitment to the Jewish community and Federation mission preferred.
• Knowledge of local Jewish community a plus.

Compensation

Salary range is $185,000 - $225,000

For more information and to apply: Submit resume, in confidence to: [e-mail]