Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
The CFO serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, providing forward-looking financial leadership and operational excellence. This role balances strategic foresight with hands-on execution, ensuring Future Plans has the systems, policies, and financial management capabilities necessary to support complex, multi-funder nonprofit operations. The CFO will lead financial planning and analysis, grants and contract compliance, audit and risk management, and enterprise services integration. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and systems builder with a deep understanding of nonprofit finance, federal and state grant regulations, and social enterprise models.
Future Plans is entering a new chapter of growth as we expand our core poverty-reduction mission through strategic social enterprises, partnerships, and multi-county initiatives across Appalachia and rural America. The CFO will play a pivotal role in building the financial and operational infrastructure that supports both a high-performing nonprofit and a portfolio of mission-aligned enterprise activities. This role is ideal for a financial leader who can balance nonprofit accountability with the entrepreneurial mindset required to evaluate, incubate, and scale revenue-generating ventures. The CFO must be able to navigate complexity, anticipate the financial implications of innovation, and design systems that reinforce both mission stewardship and organizational sustainability.
Please note that priority in will be given to candidates who live in Ohio, Kentucky, South Carolina, Indiana and Georgia.
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Team on financial strategy, organizational sustainability, and resource allocation.
- Lead long-term financial forecasting, scenario planning, and capital structure strategy to support growth and mission expansion.
- Partner with leadership to evaluate new initiatives, social enterprise ventures, and strategic partnerships for financial feasibility and impact.
- Evaluate and structure social enterprise opportunities—including workforce hubs, credentialing programs, and rural economic development models—to ensure they are financially sound and mission-aligned.
Financial Operations & Oversight
- Oversee accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and cash flow management across multiple entities, including Future Plans’ subsidiary, Chatfield Holding Company (CHC).
- Ensure the integrity of financial systems and reporting in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
- Lead the annual audit process, coordinate with external auditors, and ensure all findings are addressed promptly.
- Manage financial operations for diverse revenue streams (government grants, philanthropic sources, rental income, enterprise revenue) and integrate them into cohesive financial models.
Grants & Compliance Management
- Direct the full lifecycle of grant financial management—including proposal budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance monitoring.
- Ensure adherence to federal (including 2 CFR 200), and state regulations, as well as specific funder and contract requirements.
- Collaborate with program and development teams to align programmatic and financial objectives.
- Design internal systems that safeguard compliance while enabling innovation across a rapidly growing portfolio of programs.
Systems, Infrastructure & Process Improvement
- Strengthen and modernize financial infrastructure, including accounting systems, reporting dashboards, and internal controls.
- Oversee implementation of Blackbaud (financial management platform) and ensure alignment with grants, procurement, and HR systems.
- Develop and maintain robust financial and administrative policies to support scalability and efficiency.
Risk Management & Legal Compliance
- Establish enterprise-wide risk management frameworks covering financial, operational, and compliance risks.
- Ensure proper documentation and monitoring of inter-entity transactions (e.g., Future Plans ↔ Chatfield Holding Company) in compliance with IRS and GAAP requirements.
- Collaborate with legal counsel on contracts, insurance coverage, and regulatory filings.
- Develop frameworks for assessing risk within social enterprises, including workforce ventures, campus operations, and capital projects.
Leadership & Team Development
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing finance and grants team.
- Promote a culture of accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
- Enhance organization-wide financial literacy through training and transparent communication.
- Lead cross-functional collaboration with the Social Enterprise & Strategy Division to ensure financial clarity, opportunity assessment, and return-on-investment modeling.
Board & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the primary liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board.
- Communicate complex financial data in clear, actionable ways for diverse audiences.
- Build confidence among funders, auditors, partners, and community stakeholders through consistent transparency and integrity.
Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit finance and accounting, including 5+ years in senior leadership.
- Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-funder nonprofit financial operations—including federal and state grant management, private foundations funding, donor gifts, etc.
- Demonstrated success in supporting and managing the financial aspects of entrepreneurial social enterprises
- Experience in strategic planning, business modeling, and data-driven decision-making.
- Proven experience building financial systems and teams during periods of growth or transformation.
Technical & Leadership Skills
- Advanced understanding of GAAP and nonprofit compliance standards (2 CFR 200, OMB Uniform Guidance).
- Proficiency with Blackbaud financial system.
- Exceptional analytical, strategic, and communication skills.
- Ability to balance strategic priorities with operational execution in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated success fostering collaboration, transparency, and accountability across functions.
Personal Attributes
- Mission-driven and deeply committed to the values of equity, opportunity, and community impact.
- Visionary, entrepreneurial thinker who thrives in a dynamic, evolving environment.
- Detail-oriented and process-minded, yet able to see and communicate the “big picture.”
- High integrity, discretion, and sound professional judgment.
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, retirement, and paid time off.
- Professional development support and opportunities for advancement.
To apply, please visit the job description at the link below and click “Apply Now” at the bottom of the page:
https://hcm.paycor.com/l/r/A7C92C5E
Additionally for this role, we are requiring a cover letter which addresses your experience with (1) managing multi-funder nonprofit finance in compliance with 2 CFR 200, (2) building systems to support organizational scale, (3) developing social enterprise or earned revenue strategies, and (4) partnering effectively with boards and executive leadership teams. It is not required but you may also upload a work sample/portfolio of either an anonymized board-facing presentation (dashboard, financial narrative, or forecast) or brief writing sample explaining complex finance/compliance issues to non-finance leaders.