Chief Operating & Financial Officer

The Role:

Location: New York City (This is a NY metro-based position with a hybrid model, it requires working in the NYC office 2/3 days per week). Employees will be asked for proof of vaccination.

Reports to: President & CEO

Management of: Financial Analyst, Events Manager, Outsourced Controller, HR Consultant, Legal, vendors for Sales Operations, IT, and Payroll & Benefits

Position Summary:

The Chief Operating & Financial Officer will be a key member of the Council Management Team (CMT) and a thought partner to the CEO. They will work closely with other members of the CMT and with the Finance, Audit and Governance Committees of the Board. This leader may also represent CEE in a variety of external forums and may step in for the CEO when necessary.

A key responsibility will be the management and maintenance of the financial and operational integrity of CEE. This individual will therefore be an experienced leader, with a strong financial background and strategic business acumen – and with a keen eye toward driving solutions and robust processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management and Analysis

• Drive planning and budgeting process
• Manage the Audit
• Manage and maintain organizational budgets, forecasts, and financial and expense controls; work with CEE staff to create and manage program budgets and spending
• Manage relationship with outsourced controller
• Financial oversight for CEE including shaping strategic financial decisions
• Lead and/or collaborate on and approve contracting discussions with funders and vendors, including a licensing agreement with a major for-profit partner in China
• Partner with the CEO and Board Finance Committee on various matters including the audit and investment decisions
• Ensure appropriate cash management

Business and Operational Processes/Functions

• Oversee office administrative functions including procurement, vendor contracts; manage relationship with real estate managing agent
• Oversee organization-wide, cross-departmental events, in particular coordinating CEE’s annual educator conference for approximately 500 attendees, two to three in person CEE staff events, logistics for major national Challenge finals, and in person and virtual fundraising events
• Oversee HR processes (performance management, employee relations, benefits, policies/processes) working in conjunction with HR Consultant and outsourced PEO; oversee other arrangements/contracts with vendors/consultants/interns as needed across the organization
• Manage relationship with sales operations vendor
• Provide strategic oversight to IT including the review and upgrade of financial management and other systems (e.g., basic infrastructure, SalesForce, ordering, registrations)
• Work with external General Counsel on governance, intellectual property, human resources, and contractual issues
• Manage Sales & Distribution operations for annual publication sales of approximately $450,000
• Assist CEO with governance matters
• Monitor and manage product inventory and reprints; coordinate with marketing on sales
• Ensure operational and financial integrity, and manage and mitigate risk through the deployment of the most up to date best practices for financial processes, technology management, core business processes and governance

The Leader:

The successful candidate will be committed to the mission, vision, and values of CEE. Strong candidates for this role will possess a majority of the following professional and personal attributes and competencies:

Professional Experience:

• Experience leading a nonprofit finance team would be preferred but for-profit leadership experience with a high level of exposure to nonprofit environments (e.g., Board service) would be equally acceptable
• An ability to translate operational issues or strategies into actionable plans, including appropriate process changes and technology solutions
• Prior experience successfully leading system reviews and workflow improvements, including selecting and overseeing vendors and installations, would be beneficial
• Strong financial and analytical expertise is critical
• Minimum of 15 years of organizational leadership experience

Desired Competencies:

• Ability to find the 80/20 solution – knows when the perfect solution is not necessary
• Superior written and oral communication skills
• Strong time and project management skills; able to quickly set and manage priorities and deadlines effectively
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including staff, Board Members, donors and vendors
• A self-starter who is responsive, will spring to action, is a proactive decision-maker and is capable of analysis, problem solving, and innovation
• Excellent relationship-building skills; able to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Willingness to roll up sleeves; attention to detail and follow through
• Strong leader, manager, and team member
• High level of integrity/confidentiality
• Ability to conceptualize, plan and manage complex projects; comfortable with ambiguity

Education:

• MBA or equivalent degree preferred

Compensation:

• The salary range is $200,000 to $240,000 per year, depending on experience.
• The Council for Economic Education offers competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.