Chief Financial Officer

RENAISSANCE SOCIAL SERVICES INC•Chicago, IL

43d•$125,000 - $140,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Renaissance Social Services, Inc. is recruiting a strategic Chief Financial Officer to join our executive leadership team! Renaissance Social Services, Inc. (Renaissance) is a leader in Chicago’s response to homelessness. Renaissance prevents and ends homelessness for vulnerable Chicagoans, providing a range of proven solutions including prevention, outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management. Position Summary The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for overseeing all financial operations and ensuring the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of Renaissance. This role provides forward-thinking financial leadership, builds high-performing systems and teams, and serves as a strategic partner in driving organizational growth, accountability, and resilience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; MBA, Master’s in Finance, or CPA strongly preferred.
Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior finance role, preferably within a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated expertise in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Proven experience building, leading, and mentoring high-performing finance teams, with a strong emphasis on accountability, continuous improvement, and talent development.
Strong ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights and provide strategic guidance to executive leadership and board members.
Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP), grant compliance, audit processes, and Medicaid-related financial management.
Experience with financial systems/ERP platforms (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, or similar) and advanced financial reporting tools.
Demonstrated strength in risk management, internal controls, and financial governance.
Strategic, solutions-oriented leader with exceptional critical thinking, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Experience working closely with executive leadership, auditors, and board committees, supporting organizational growth and sustainability.
Commitment to the mission and values of Renaissance, with a proven ability to align financial strategy with organizational goals and long-term vision.

Nice To Haves

MBA, Master’s in Finance, or CPA strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board, offering insight and recommendations based on financial trends, risks, and opportunities.
Lead long-term financial planning and forecasting to support strategic goals and scenario planning.
Drive the automation and streamlining of financial processes by leveraging technology solutions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across the organization.
Present clear, data-driven financial analyses and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
Direct all financial functions including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial reporting, and compliance.
Oversee the preparation and presentation of accurate, timely monthly and quarterly financial statements, budget updates, and projections.
Coordinate, maintain, analyze, and communicate the financial performance to Management, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors, including Monthly Financial Status, Budgets, and Cash Flows.
Oversee Accounting, Audit, and Tax functions; coordinate and lead activities with external audit firms and Grantee officers; prepare internal financial statements and footnotes.
Present Financial Audit findings to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
Ensure regulatory and grant compliance, working closely with auditors and funding agencies during annual audits and reporting periods.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements by researching, consulting, and filing financial reports, and completing monthly tracking of all grants.
Maintain and enhance internal control systems to safeguard organizational assets and ensure financial transparency.
Review and approve all invoices for payment, monthly rent rolls, providing GL coding, Accounts Payable Summaries, and Bank Reconciliations.
Review and approve all Federal Grant Voucher Drawdowns before processing; process vouchers as needed.
Oversee financial procedures at organizational fundraising events as necessary.
Oversee client billing and payment tracking.
Supervise and support finance and accounting team members, ensuring clarity of roles, high performance, and opportunities for professional development.
Establish a team culture of ownership, responsiveness, and solution-oriented thinking.
Support cross-departmental collaboration and financial literacy across leadership and program teams.
Partner with executive and program leadership to develop and manage annual and program-specific budgets.
Monitor and report on budget-to-actual performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective strategies.
Align financial strategies with programmatic goals, funding requirements, and organizational priorities.
Oversee financial aspects of public and private grants, ensuring accurate tracking, reimbursement, and reporting.
Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy and program staff on grant proposals, budget narratives, and cost allocation plans.
Work with the Director of Philanthropy on foundation grant applications, budgets, and financial reports.
Collaborate with the Billing and Compliance Manager to support accurate Medicaid billing and reconciliation processes.
Oversee the financial components of payroll, including payroll accounting, tax remittance, and reconciliation with the general ledger.
Ensure accurate recording of payroll transactions, wages, and related liabilities in financial statements and organizational budgets.
Complete quarterly payroll reconciliations between payroll software and general ledger detail.
Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure alignment of payroll data, compensation changes, and benefit deductions for accurate financial processing.
Manage payroll-related financial reporting and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal tax regulations.
Incorporate payroll costs into broader budgeting and forecasting models to support financial planning and organizational sustainability.
Refine and implement financial systems and tools that promote transparency, accountability, and actionable decision-making.
Lead the rollout of organization-wide tools such as Program Status Reports that require departments to identify successes, barriers, and action plans.
Assist in identifying, transitioning, and streamlining financial operations to digital systems and platforms.
Establish and track performance metrics that align financial performance with organizational impact.