Chief Financial Officer

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer
Reports to: CEO/President
Supervises: Controller (Direct Report), Finance Analysts & Staff (with Controller as Direct Report)

Position Summary:
The WeHOPE Chief Financial Officer (CFO) oversees the financial operations of our dynamic nonprofit organization that addresses homelessness, second chance employment, food programs, and job training. Managing a $17 million annual budget and a workforce of 220-plus employees, the WeHOPE CFO ensures accurate financial reporting, compliance, budgeting, and internal controls. This role is vital to the fiscal integrity and sustainability of an organization operating shelters, food programs, job training, and a mobile outreach fleet that delivers critical services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The Chief Financial Officer is a key advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, responsible for stewarding the financial health of the organization. This position ensures sound fiscal management, transparency, and innovation to support and scale WeHOPE’s life-changing work with individuals experiencing homelessness. As CFO, thought leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of WeHOPE as a growing organization with national impact potential.

About WeHOPE:
WeHOPE helps vulnerable people thrive by giving them the support and tools to realize their full potential and lead healthy, stable lives. For more than 26 years, we have helped thousands of individuals and families develop the skills and abilities to improve their lives and build their own futures. We service more than 7,000 people each year throughout five different counties, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, and Alameda Counties, and 24 different cities. The 21st century has brought unprecedented innovation and wealth to the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. But it also escalates stress on hardworking families and at-risk individuals, pushing more people to the margins of economic and personal instability. WeHOPE chooses to rise above these barriers and continue to serve those who seek aid and shelter, and long-term self-sustainability as well as affordability.

Skills for the Position:

  • Strategic financial planning and forecasting

  • Nonprofit accounting and fund management

  • Team leadership and staff development

  • Grants and contract compliance

  • Audit preparation and liaison

  • Donor stewardship and fundraising support

  • Capital and operating budget oversight

  • Communication and collaboration across functions and departments

  • Data-driven decision-making and financial modeling

  • Knowledge of regulatory and legal frameworks for nonprofits

  • Communication of financial information to non-financial stakeholders.


Tasks and Responsibilities:

  • Lead financial planning, reporting, and analysis for the organization

  • Ensure WeHOPE has a clear financial roadmap aligned with its strategic goals.

  • Develop annual budgets in collaboration with executive leadership

  • Create fiscally responsible budgets that support mission-driven programming and sustainability.

  • Ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS, and all funder financial requirements

  • Maintain the organization’s integrity and eligibility through accurate and transparent financial practices.

  • Establish and enforce financial policies and procedures to safeguard assets and ensure transparency.

  • Oversee accounting, financial payroll, and audit preparation functions, and 990 filing.

  • Lead annual audit processes, manage relationships with external auditors while ensuring compliance with GAAP and federal/state regulations.

  • Guarantee timely & accurate financial operations that support employee well-being and donor trust, utilizing internal controls and financial risk mitigation.

  • Prepare timely financial statements for board and stakeholder review

  • Provide leadership with actionable financial insights to guide decision-making.

  • Manage relationships with banks, auditors, and financial partners

  • Monitor and manage day-to-day cash flow and long-term sustainability planning.

  • Cultivate strong, transparent partnerships that safeguard and grow organizational assets.

  • Monitor internal controls and implement process improvements

  • Strengthen fiscal accountability and reduce operational risk through sound systems.

  • Support program leaders in managing grants, project budgets, and restricted funds management.

  • Oversee compliance, reporting, and allocation of restricted and unrestricted funds.

  • Maintain a fund accounting system that aligns with nonprofit standards and donor restrictions.

  • Equip teams with financial tools to maximize impact and ensure compliance.

  • Supervise finance and operations staff in finance-related areas as needed and provide team leadership and cross-department collaboration (special emphasis on the Development Department).

  • Build and mentor a high-performing team aligned with WeHOPE’s values and goals.

  • Advise the CEO and Board on financial strategy and risk management

  • Serve as a strategic thought partner in navigating opportunities and uncertainties.

Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (Master’s or CPA preferred)
Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive financial leadership experience
Strong background in nonprofit financial management and reporting
Proven ability to manage multi-source funding, including government grants
Excellent organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills
Passion for WeHOPE’s mission and commitment to social justice

Role Summary:
The CFO protects and nurtures the financial well-being of WeHOPE by providing financial projections, accounting oversight, preparing growth plans and supervision of the Finance Department Staff. Impact is sustained through the accountability of staff, implementation and sustained execution of policies and procedures; while also nurturing a collaborative department where staff thrive in their roles. Proactive analysis and being a thought leader to the CEO/President and Board of Directors is critical to this role. Organizational financial health is developed through internal systems, clear goals and staff accountability alongside a monitoring of economic trends, industry innovations and anticipatory forecasting. Identifying and vetting new contracts in collaboration with the CEO/President to manage sustainable scaling as well as providing cost benefit analysis on acquisition and expansion projects is a key aspect of this role. Analyzing organization operations and identifying opportunities for improvement, cost reduction, systems enhancements and recommendations for securing strategic capital to fund expansion will be central to WeHOPE’s sustained impact and organizational health.