Chief Financial Officer

ABOUT NYCLU: New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is one of the nation’s leading advocates on behalf of constitutional rights and liberties. Founded in 1951 as the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NYCLU is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization with more than 180,000 members and supporters, and eight offices statewide. NYCLU works in the courts, in the legislature, and on the streets to advocate for racial and economic justice, free speech, freedom of religion, privacy, and equality for all New Yorkers. This includes planning and development decisions which historically have excluded or intentionally discriminated against Black, Indigenous, and Latinx New Yorkers. For more information, please visit nyclu.org.

DEI VISION STATEMENT: “The NYCLU affirmatively values the humanity and contributions of those we work with, inside and outside of the organization, and will take action to build and sustain an equitable, anti-racist culture that centers the voices and experiences of marginalized and directly impacted people and communities, and an organizational environment where all people feel values, trusted, and respected. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and having a workforce that reflects the population that we serve and actively recruit people of color, women, people with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and LGBTQ and gender non-conforming people.”

THE OPPORTUNITY: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will provide strategic financial vision and leadership as the senior finance executive for the NYCLU. He/she/they will ensure the mid- to long-term viability of programming in collaboration with the Executive Director and other senior leaders, and will oversee all financial functions including accounting, budgeting, financial operations, and strategic finance.

The CFO will have the opportunity to build an in-house finance department (currently led by an outside consultant serving as Finance Director) and to work with a passionate and engaged staff and board to ensure the financial health, sustainability, and growth of NYCLU.

The CFO reports to and partners with the Executive Director and will also work closely with the Board of Directors and relevant Committees. Currently reporting to the CFO is a team of two, the Senior Accountant, and Accountant. The anticipated starting base salary is $225,000 plus an attractive benefits package.

FUNDING: NYCLU has a current operating budget of approximately $20 million, of which the majority is received through membership and philanthropy and continues to grow significantly in size and impact. The organization has cash reserves of approximately $47 million.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Commitment to the goals and priorities of the NYCLU.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible work experience managing the accounting, strategic finance, or investments in a not-for-profit or philanthropic environment.
• Ability to work at a strategic as well as a tactical level, driving process, organization, and business practice changes.
• Thorough knowledge of budgeting and accounting practices, processes, and procedures for not-for-profit organizations.
• Experience working collaboratively with and engaged not-for-profit board.
• Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate operations in personnel supervision, recruitment and retention of key personnel, and budget management.
• Experience leading and mentoring a high-performing team.
• An effective communicator with strong oral, written, and presentation skills and a willingness to share information.
• Proficiency with accounting software, document creation, and spreadsheets.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiar with the NYC and NYS regulatory environment.
• An understanding of best financial practices in the not-for-profit community, including 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations.
• Working knowledge of investment/endowment fund management.
• A collaborative and flexible style with a strong service mentality.
• Ability to forge and foster positive working relationships with government agencies and community partners.
• A collegial work style and the ability to serve as a central resource for the entire organization.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, public interest setting and to foster and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• An undergraduate degree is required; an advanced degree or CPA is desirable.

NYCLU offers an attractive benefits package.

Howe-Lewis International is pleased to assist NYCLU with this important search. Please click here to apply online via the Howe-Lewis Talent Portal. You may also email your resume and letter of interest to kirk@howe-lewis.com.

All expressions of interest will be held in confidence.