The Homeless Children's Network

Finance Director

Reports to:
Executive Director

Location:
San Francisco, CA
THE ORGANIZATION
The mission of Homeless Children’s Network (HCN) is to decrease the trauma of homelessness and domestic violence for children, youth, and families; to empower families; and to increase the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among service providers to end homelessness and poverty.
Since 1992, Homeless Children’s Network (HCN) has provided comprehensive case management, direct services, and highly viable referrals to homeless and formerly homeless families with children and young adults as well as to expectant parents who are homeless, formerly homeless, or at risk for homelessness. HCN ensures continuity of care to families as they move between various transitional housing sites, while addressing the complex psychosocial needs of homeless children, youth, and their parents.
HCN is the hub of a critically important 52+ member collaborative of human service agencies that support the homeless population in San Francisco. With two locations and a growing staff of 50+, HCN annually serves more than 2,400 individuals using a model that works closely with each family to understand their needs and to connect them to HCN’s resources or to those of its partner providers. HCN forms a trusted relationship with every client, following them over time and providing security and stability that allows vulnerable families to become more stable and confident, raise healthy and emotionally independent children, and develop skills and training that will help lift them out of the cycle of homelessness and poverty.
THE POSITION
Reporting to and partnering with the Executive Director (ED), the Finance Director (FD) will set HCN’s financial policy and direction while also being an active participant in, and driver of, the organization’s overall strategy. They will oversee and lead all financial administration, business planning, and budgeting. As a member of the senior leadership team, the FD will work closely with a motivated and engaged finance and governance committee of the board of directors. The Finance Director sits as a senior leader of the agency while designing and managing the growth of HCN’s fiscal operations. They will manage a growing team of finance and information technology staff (est. 6-7 FTEs). This is a tremendous opportunity for a leader with finance and planning experience to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity of a well-respected and growing high-impact organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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Strategy
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Partner with the ED on all operational and strategic matters; provide strategic recommendations to the ED based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.
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Participate in the ongoing strategic planning process as an integral member of the senior management team.
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Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with HCN’s strategic plan.
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Partner with the Director of Development to align financial management with short- and long-term financial planning and projections.
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Engage the board finance committee around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model and operational delivery.
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Financial and Operational Management
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Plan, implement, and manage all HCN financial-related activities, including budgeting, accounting, forecasting, payroll, retirement plans, tax filings, audits, and insurance.
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Provide strong fiscal management that anticipates operating within approved budgets, ensures maximum resource utilization, maintains a positive financial position and ensures the accuracy and integrity of HCN’s financial reporting.
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Provide budgetary oversight to monitor progress and present operational metrics both internally and externally.
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In partnership with program directors, oversee and accurately execute all financial aspects of HCN’s contracts.
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Ensure that HCN finance staff maintain financial record systems in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and monitor the use of all funds.
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Oversee the preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics for funding organizations and HCN’s board of directors; prepare and communicate monthly and annual financial statements.
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Manage cash flow and forecasting; direct all financial, project-based, and departmental accounting.
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Evaluate and oversee all benefits negotiations, thus providing the most competitive packages for HCN’s employees.
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Review all formal finance and IT-related procedures, processes, and administration, recommending improvements to the systems in place and managing the systems going forward.
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Team Management
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Develop and manage staff, including managers in finance and IT; guide larger multidisciplinary teams outside of direct span of control.
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Develop a short- and long-term staffing plan for the Finance and IT programs: provide professional development opportunities to the Finance and IT staffs.
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Engage other members of the senior management team to facilitate cross-department collaboration that ensures that all financial and IT solutions positively support HCN’s mission, evolving strategy and growth, operational delivery, and data collection needs.
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Provide guidance on attracting, developing, and retaining key team members for HCN.
Partnerships and Other Duties
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Advocate for HCN’s mission, clients, and employees within and outside the organization.
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Represent HCN to financial partners, including financial institutions, funders, auditors, public officials, etc.
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Develop strong relationships that will enhance HCN’s standing in the community and ability to fund its operations.
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CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
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Homeless Children’s Network encourages interest from a diverse candidate pool and seeks applicants who have an appropriate combination of education, training, skills, lived experiences and voice to execute the necessary job functions of the role. The requirements listed below are guidelines. HCN realizes that candidates may not satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification listed.
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Education:
A Bachelor’s degree and CPA/CMA; an MBA would be a plus
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Experience:
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At least 5-7 years of broad finance/accounting experience in audit, nonprofit finance and/or county government finance.
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Experience gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
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Experience managing finance (accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting) and IT operations for a nonprofit.
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Deep experience with local, state, and federal contracts.
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Mature and proactive, with evidence of having worked as a true business partner to the leadership of a multi-program organization/nonprofit.
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Skill in examining, developing, reengineering, and recommending financial and technology policies and procedures.
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Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model.
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Experience managing, developing, and inspiring individuals and teams.
COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES
The successful candidate will have or be:
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An entrepreneurial spirit with a high level of initiative, attention to detail and strong organization skills.
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A hands-on manager with integrity and a desire to work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
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Strong quantitative, analytic, and problem-solving skills which enable sound decision-making.
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An effective communicator, with strong oral and written skills.
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Demonstrated commitment to the social sector with a passion for the organization’s mission.
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Lived experiences and/or cultural awareness and sensitivity that have provided an understanding of and empathy for the diverse communities served by HCN.
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Excellent interpersonal, team building and staff leadership skills.
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Excellent conceptualization and project leadership skills.
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A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality. A team player who is committed to lifelong learning.
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Ability to translate financial concepts to – and collaborate effectively with – program and other colleagues who often do not have finance backgrounds.
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Ability to work well within a multicultural team environment.
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Sense of humor, integrity, personal sense of accountability.
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Skill in successfully managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure.
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A commitment to professional ethics and the ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
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A competitive compensation package, including a comprehensive benefits package, will be offered. To be considered for this position or for additional information, please contact and/or send resume and cover letter to:
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David N. Randall
Principal
Randall Search Associates
415 769 4210
david@randallsearchassociates.com
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