Chief Financial Officer

Description

The South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (SBWIB, Inc.) is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking, strategic, and collaborative financial executive to serve as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This executive leadership position is responsible for leading the organization's financial strategy, fiscal operations, safeguarding its financial integrity, and supporting long-term organizational sustainability across a diverse portfolio of workforce development programs and funding sources. The CFO serves as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), executive leadership team, and Board of Directors while helping advance SBWIB, Inc.'s mission of strengthening communities through workforce development, economic opportunity, and business engagement. The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with exceptional financial expertise, sound judgment, strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or designated authority, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the senior executive responsible for the following duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

Executive Leadership and Organizational Oversight

• Serve as a member of the executive leadership team and participate in organizational planning, policy development, and strategic decision-making.
• Advise the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Board of Directors, and executive leadership on financial strategy, organizational risks, resource allocation, investments, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Direct the Accounting, Payroll, Budgeting, and related fiscal functions through subordinate managers and supervisors while establishing departmental priorities, performance expectations, and operational objectives.
• Prepare and present financial reports, analyses, forecasts, and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Directors to support informed decision-making.
• Represent the organization in financial matters involving auditors, financial institutions, funding agencies, governmental entities, and other external stakeholders.

Financial Planning, Accounting, and Fiscal Operations

• Lead the development and administration of organizational budgets, financial forecasts, long-range financial plans, cash management, liquidity, reserve management, and investment strategies to support organizational objectives and long-term financial sustainability. 
• Analyze financial performance, revenues, expenditures, cash flow, and financial trends; monitor performance against budgets and forecasts; identify variances; and implement or recommend corrective actions as appropriate. 
• Direct Accounting operations through subordinate managers and supervisors, ensuring the accurate and timely administration of accounting functions, financial reporting, financial statements, trial balances, reconciliations, and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). 
• Direct Payroll operations through subordinate managers and supervisors, ensuring accurate and timely payroll processing and compliance with applicable federal and California payroll, wage-and-hour, tax, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements. 
• Serve as the primary departmental authority and first point of escalation for payroll-related questions. Independently research, analyze, and maintain current knowledge of applicable payroll laws and regulations and provide informed guidance regarding payroll practices, calculations, and compliance requirements. 
• Clearly articulate and communicate payroll laws, regulations, and procedural requirements to Accounting and Payroll staff. Ensure team members receive appropriate information and training and remain knowledgeable of the requirements applicable to their responsibilities. 
• Coordinate with Human Resources or legal counsel when payroll matters involve broader employment-related considerations, policy interpretation, or additional legal review. 
• Oversee the organization’s general ledger, accounting records, budget control operations, computerized financial systems, and related fiscal controls while ensuring the integrity, security, and accuracy of financial information. 
• Evaluate, implement, and continuously improve financial and payroll systems, accounting technologies, automated processes, internal controls, and recordkeeping procedures to enhance efficiency, reporting capabilities, compliance, and operational effectiveness. 
• Collaborate with Human Resources regarding compensation planning, labor-cost forecasting, retirement-plan administration, employee benefits, wage-and-hour compliance, and other financial matters affecting the workforce.

Grant, Contract, and Funding Compliance

• Provide executive oversight of federal, state, local, private, and other funding sources.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, contractual obligations, accounting standards, cost principles, financial reporting requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Oversee grant and contract budgets, reimbursement requests, electronic fund requests, budget modifications, and related fiscal activities.
• Review financial transactions, accounting records, and budget activity to ensure accuracy, proper accounting treatment, and compliance with organizational policies and funding requirements.

Audit, Risk Management, and Internal Controls

• Direct and coordinate annual independent financial audits, Single Audits, retirement plan audits, and other fiscal reviews.
• Develop, implement, and maintain internal controls, financial policies, accounting procedures, and risk management practices designed to safeguard organizational assets and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Oversee responses to audits, monitoring reviews, fiscal assessments, and regulatory examinations, including implementation of corrective actions.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate financial, operational, regulatory, and compliance risks that may affect the organization's financial stability or operations.

Additional Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of organizational priorities and operational needs. 

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.*
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, auditing, financial reporting, or fiscal management.*
• Minimum of five (5) years of management or executive-level leadership experience with responsibility for supervising professional staff and overseeing complex financial operations.*
• Current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in good standing.
• Experience overseeing accounting operations, payroll administration, budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and audit activities.
• Experience administering and monitoring federal, state, local, private, or other grant-funded programs, including compliance, financial reporting, and regulatory requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), nonprofit accounting standards, financial management practices, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience coordinating independent financial audits, Single Audits, monitoring reviews, corrective action plans, and related compliance activities.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information, identify risks and opportunities, and provide strategic recommendations to executive leadership and governing boards.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively supervise staff, foster collaboration, and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information clearly, practically, and understandably to individuals with varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to independently research, understand, interpret, and clearly communicate federal and California payroll laws, wage-and-hour requirements, payroll tax obligations, and related compliance standards to Payroll staff, management, and organizational leadership. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and financial reporting applications.
• Valid California Driver's License, reliable transportation, and current vehicle insurance required.
•  Successful completion of a background investigation, education verifications, employment/professional reference checks, and other pre-employment screening requirements is required. A credit history review may also be required for this position, as permitted by applicable law.
• Ability to comply with safety protocols and requirements associated with the working conditions and duties of the position, as outlined below.

*Equivalent combinations of education and progressively responsible experience may be considered in place of the minimum education and experience requirements marked with an asterisk, provided the candidate demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential duties of the position and otherwise meets all minimum qualifications.

Role Expectations

• This role requires a consistent, engaged, and primarily in-person presence to provide executive financial leadership, support and mentor assigned staff, oversee departmental operations and financial systems, and ensure alignment between fiscal operations, organizational priorities, funding requirements, and long-term strategic objectives. The individual in this role is expected to operate with a high level of responsiveness, sound judgment, accountability, and active involvement in organizational decision-making, problem-solving, and leadership collaboration to support sound financial stewardship and organizational success.
• The essential functions of this position are integral to its purpose and cannot be modified or removed without fundamentally altering the nature of the role. Individuals accepting this position acknowledge their understanding of these requirements and their ability to perform the essential duties as described.

Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an individual in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties as necessary to meet organizational needs. Nothing in this job description constitutes a contract of employment.

Working Conditions

• Applying for this position constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of potential exposure risks associated with COVID-19 or other public health concerns, as interaction with team members, external partners, and the public may occasionally be required. Performance of assigned duties may require the use of protective equipment (e.g., masks, gloves) and compliance with health, safety, or protective measures implemented by the Company or mandated by applicable City, County, State, and/or Federal authorities in response to public health emergencies, workplace safety concerns, or the operational functions of the position, as deemed necessary. We may modify these measures based on current health and safety conditions.
• This position requires flexibility and adaptability in response to organizational priorities, fiscal deadlines, operational needs, and public health or safety protocols.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and meet deadlines while responding to changing organizational and funding requirements.
• Requires periods of walking, standing, and sitting for extended durations, with active participation in meetings, presentations,  and other organizational activities.
• While the position is primarily office-based, duties may require travel for meetings, training, conferences, audits, or other business-related activities within or outside the local area and, on occasion, throughout the state.

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position operating under the Company's 9/80 Alternative Work Schedule (AWS). The starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Company offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 75% coverage of medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees only; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; a competitive 401(k) retirement plan; and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Employees are generally eligible to enroll in the Company's health benefits following successful completion of the introductory period (typically 60 to 90 days), subject to plan eligibility requirements.

Recruitment Process: Initial review of applications will begin immediately, with interviews anticipated to commence within approximately forty-five (45) days of the posting date. Candidates selected to advance in the recruitment process may be required to participate in practical exercises or other job-related assessments as part of the selection process. 

Note: The position will remain open until filled, and the Company reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time based on operational needs.