Chief Financial Officer

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. (The Lighthouse) seeks a highly motivated and experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join its Strategic Leadership team to lead and manage the Finance and Accounting Department. This is the most senior financial position at The Lighthouse.

The idea candidate for this role will havean MBA and at least 5 years experience as CFO or Vice President, as the top financial executive reporting to the CEO, preferably in a nonprofit or manufacturing organization.

Preferred candidates will reside within commutable distance to one of the Lighthouse manufacturing facilities in Seattle, WA, Spokane, WA, or Summerville, SC. ***Remote candidates from other locations who are highly qualified will also be considered for this role.

To be considered for this role, candidates must:

1. Fully complete the job application

2. Include a cover letter and resume

*** Candidates who do not submit a full application may not be considered.

The mission of empowerment by creating diverse, sustainable, and meaningful employment opportunities continues to be implemented in continued growth of jobs and geographic expansion at The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a not-for-profit organization. There are presently three manufacturing locations for aerospace and defense products and eleven retail stores on military bases in the western US. Annual revenues are in excess of $90 million with nearly 500 employees.

The CFO reports to and partners with the Chief Executive Officer. The CFO oversees the Finance and Accounting for The Lighthouse. This position will work collaboratively across departments to ensure that The Lighthouse has the infrastructure, policies and procedures, systems, and people in place to accommodate continued growth. The CFO will also be a vital member of a dynamic, tenured Strategic Leadership Team that sets the strategy and vision for The Lighthouse.

The CFO will provide the strategic direction and guidance for the financial components of its organization-wide strategy, programs, and policies, enabling employees and leadership to maintain the quality of both our people-centered programs and our products.

Responsibilities

• The CFO provides leadership and management for all financial matters of The Lighthouse directing all corporate finance, accounting, facilities management, and corporate insurance activities.
• The position reports directly to the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and directly assists the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) on all strategic and tactical matters as they relate to budget management, cost benefit analysis, forecasting needs and the securing of new funding.
• As a strong business partner to the COO and other SLT members, assesses organizational performance against both the annual budget and the organizations long-term strategy by developing tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information and making actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Specific responsibilities include financial reporting, budget preparation, internal controls, financial audits, investing, banking, contract negotiations, business planning, and financial forecasting including to the Board, Finance, Audit and Investments Committees as well as ensuring that the corporate insurance policies adequately protect the company from unreasonable risk.
• Responsible for accounting systems progression. Specifically, implementing and/or maintaining enterprise-class accounting systems that allow leadership transparent insight into relevant budget and financial data as appropriate.
• Provide financial and strategic planning expertise and guidance in addressing organizational growth initiatives: including cost accounting, and innovations in public/private partnership funding such as grants and traditional philanthropic donation management.
• Collaborating with the CEO to develop advance materials and present to Board meetings and meetings of the Finance, Audit and Investments Committees.

Accounting:

• The controller is a direct report, and that position manages a team of accounting professionals onsite.
• Ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensures maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures.
• Ultimate responsibility for all financial audits (both as required government grant/contracts audits and annual CPA audit), tax returns, and relationship with CPA firm.

Finance:

• Directs the preparation of annual operating, strategic and capital budgets, engaging all appropriate stakeholders (staff and Board).
• Accountable for financial contract deliverables for the organizations contracts, including subcontracting/purchasing plans, government cost reports, government equipment reporting, etc.
• Manages cash flow and forecasting; develops a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism.
• Optimizes banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions, including asset management and investments.
• Develops and utilizes forward looking, predictive models and activity based financial analysis to provide insight into the organization's operations and business plans.
• Provide Merger and Acquisition expertise and analysis in the non-profit environment
• Directs the prudent investment of corporate financial resources to ensure reasonable growth and safety, compliance with regulatory guidelines and the availability of adequate cash reserves.
• In conjunction with the Vice President of Human Resources has oversight of the administration and financial reporting of the organizations savings and retirement plan(s).
• Ensures legal and regulatory compliance of all financial functions.
• Oversee cash investments and work with the Investment, Finance and Audit Committees to provide long-term guidance.
• Oversee government grant accounting and reporting process and infrastructure.

Administration:

• Partners with appropriate leaders on lease negotiations.
• Creates and assesses financial statements and budget documents.
• Participates in corporate policy development.
• Various other duties as assigned.

Other:

• Partners with the Vice President of Information Technology to procure specialized finance IT systems that meet the needs of the organization.
• Leads and encourages staff to behave in a manner consistent with implementation of the mission, vision, values of the organization.
• Regularly and effectively contributes to SLT and other Board deliberations and decisions.
• Works closely and effectively collaborates with the COO and other members of the SLT to assure cross functional integration and cooperation.
• Models and ensures team demonstrates appropriate behavior, such as adherence to policies, demonstration of professional interpersonal interactions with internal and external contacts, service minded proactive solutions and effective conflict identification and resolution.
• Actively participates in the development, maintenance, and deployment of the corporate strategic plan.
• Provides candid and direct feedback to the CEO regarding significant issues and opportunities for internal quality improvement.
• On a formal basis annually, and with informal Mid-Year evaluations, conducts job description-based performance appraisals with all staff using objective data related to job performance and goals/standards established for each position.
• Establishes that job descriptions are developed, updated and shared with all staff to clearly define job expectations and performance standards.
• Initiates timely and appropriate counseling, education, training, coaching and other supervisory interventions with staff regarding areas of performance deficiencies and improvement expectations.
• At all times, treats others with dignity and respect, works proactively to create harmony in workplace, takes prompt action to resolve disputes or misunderstandings in a respectful manner.

Minimum Requirements:

• BS required, MBA and/or CPA preferred.
• At least 5 years experience as CFO or Vice President, as the top financial executive reporting to the CEO, preferably in a nonprofit or manufacturing organization which derives some of its funding from grants, provided by various organization and private foundations.
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in senior financial-management role(s), that includes partnerships with executive staff which resulted in the development and implementation of creative financial management strategies.
• Significant experience and knowledge of complex nonprofit accounting, including the compliance and reporting needs of federal, state, and local governments and private grants.
• In-depth experience with and knowledge of GAAP; OMB Circulars A-133, A-110 and A-122; and Code of Federal Regulations sections related to non-profit accounting.
• Up to date on nonprofit audit best practices and state and federal laws regarding non-profit operations.
• Up to 20% travel should be anticipated.
• Experience in cost accounting and a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in Oracle Fusion ERP system implementations is a plus.
• Has experience working with and organizing the accounting and finance team around business units.
• Has demonstrated good business acumen. Has experience building and running efficient accounting and finance organizations and other business processes.
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model.
• Recognize and be responsive to the needs of all clients of the organization, including funding organizations, the Board of Trustees, local community advocates, participants, and employers.
• Professionally represents the organization to financial partners, including financial institutions, auditors, and public officials.
• Communicates effectively in both written and verbal form.
• Collaborative leader who can effectively partner with the CEO, COO and leadership team who is perceptive, approachable and comfortable understanding the manufacturing environment. Works well and partners with the business unit heads and supports the business units sustainable growth and business processes.
• Ability to think strategically and work tactically with the business units providing financial leadership for their businesses.

Company benefits may include:

• 12 Paid Holidays per year
• Up to 17 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year
• Medical, Dental, and vision plans
• Long-term and short-term disability, AD&D
• Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 6% employer match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Team Member Referral Bonus Program
• Paid Leave for Service Animal Training
• Focus on Upward Mobility
• Inclusive and Supportive Team Environment

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, the use of a dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.