Vice President of Finance

Cleveland Animal Protective League; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 135,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cleveland Animal Protective League seeks a Vice President of Finance to lead the organization's financial strategy and align it with its mission. This senior executive partners with the President & CEO, the Board, and the leadership team to ensure sustainable growth and strong internal controls.

Responsibilities include GAAP-compliant accounting, budgeting, reporting, cash management, audits, risk management, and investment oversight, with a focus on transparency and strategic guidance.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the organization's chief financial leader and strategic advisor to the President & CEO.

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Vice President of Finance

Department: Administration

Classification: Full time, salary, exempt

Salary:$135,000-$155,000 Annually

Job Relationship: Reports to President & CEO. Supervises finance team and assigned volunteers.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Finance serves as the organization's senior financial leader and strategic business partner to the President & CEO. Serves as primary staff liaison to the Board Finance & Investment Committee. Serves as a member of the executive leadership team and collaborates with executive leadership to develop and execute organizational strategy. The position is responsible for the overall financial management of the Cleveland APL, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, investments, audit oversight, regulatory compliance, risk management, and internal controls. Provides strategic financial guidance to executive leadership and the Board Finance & Investment Committee to support the organization's mission, long-term sustainability, and growth.

Revised: September 2026

Key Job Responsibilities

Financial Leadership and Strategy

• Serves as the organization's chief financial leader and strategic advisor to the President & CEO.
• Develops long-range financial strategies that support organizational sustainability, growth, and mission achievement.
• Provides financial analysis, forecasting, and recommendations to support executive decision-making.
• Evaluates financial risks, opportunities, and emerging trends and recommends appropriate action.
• Participates in organizational strategic planning and annual goal-setting initiatives.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Offers training, as needed, and ensures compliance with internal controls by staff members and volunteers.
• Directs all accounting and financial operations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Oversees preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Ensures accurate budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and cash flow management.
• Leads development of annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with executive leadership and department directors.
• Monitors organizational financial performance and presents recommendations for corrective action when necessary.
• Oversees accounts receivable, grants receivable, pledges, estates, accounts payable, payroll administration, and fixed asset management.
• Ensures timely reconciliation of all bank and investment accounts.

Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Establishes and maintains a comprehensive system of internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, nonprofit reporting requirements, and organizational policies.
• Leads the annual independent financial audit and serves as primary liaison with external auditors.
• Oversees preparation and review of Form 990 and other required financial filings.
• Directs records retention and document destruction practices in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Oversees insurance renewals and risk management initiatives to minimize organizational exposure.

Leadership and People Management

• Directs, trains, supervises, and evaluates finance department staff to ensure effective operations, accountability, and achievement of department goals.
• Ensures staff skill development, training and coaching necessary to advance the APL’s mission, goals, andmanagement philosophy.
• Develops annual goals for department staff that include timelines, procedures, and accountabilities to be accomplished in meeting plans and goals.
• Approves departmental hiring and vacation/leave requests.
• Utilizes performance-based management when counseling and evaluating staff and sets measurable goals for employee growth. Submits evaluations on time and encourages continuing staff education as it relates to the organization’s needs. Recognizes good performance and provides counseling to correct problems.

Board and Executive Support

• Serves as staff liaison to the Finance & Investment Committee.
• Assists committee leadership in establishing annual work plans, objectives, and meeting agendas.
• Presents financial reports, audit results, budgets, investment performance, and strategic recommendations to Board committees and the Board of Directors.
• Supports organizational transparency through accurate and timely financial communications.

General Expectations

• Actively promotes the APL’s mission, services, programs, and events.
• Always represents the APL in a professional and courteous manner.
• Supports management and discusses differences privately.
• Attends necessary meetings, including meetings of the Board of Directors and Finance Committee.
• Promotes a safe, inclusive, equitable work environment.
• Actively monitors safety compliance of staff and takes immediate action to correct hazards.
• Refers board or media inquiries to CEO.
• Handles confidential information with discretion.
• Flexible with scheduling.
• Fear Free Certified or must become certified within six months of hire

Performs other duties as assigned.

General Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit for long periods; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls (i.e., PC, printer, copier, fax machine, telephone); reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed primarily indoors in an air‑conditioned/heated office or in the shelter setting where there is exposure to animals, disinfectant solutions, zoonotic diseases, moderate to high noise levels, and possible animal bites and scratches when handling animals. Work is occasionally performed outside during events. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job‑related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at‑will” relationship.

Our Core Values

Compassion

We are compassion in action. We believe every animal and person has value and worth and should be treated with respect, empathy, and kindness to support the human‑animal bond.

Advocacy

We are the voice for animals, dedicated to lifesaving solutions that advance their quality of life, and promote their place in society.

Leadership

We act with integrity, creativity, duty to community, and have the courage to change.

These are driving forces that make us a leading animal welfare organization.

Innovation

We are devoted to pioneering new approaches to the evolving challenges animals face by developing ethical, humane solutions and working in partnership with the public and animal welfare community.

Community

We continually strive to be a diverse and inclusive team and believe we must all work together to best fulfill our vision.