Chief Financial Officer

KIPP•New York, NY

3d•$300,000 - $350,000•Onsite

About The Position

KIPP NYC is seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to help shape the organization's next chapter of growth and impact. Joining a financially strong organization with healthy reserves, an excellent credit rating, and a clear strategic vision, the CFO will partner closely with the CEO and executive team to translate ambitious goals into an integrated, forward-looking financial strategy. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CFO will oversee all aspects of the finance function, including accounting and financial planning & analysis (FP&A), and is responsible for ensuring financial health, operational rigor, and long-term sustainability, including oversight of a ~$300M annual operating budget. The CFO will lead a team of ~15 accounting and FP&A professionals across a complex, multi-entity network with a ~$500M real estate portfolio. For a leader motivated by impact, scale, and the opportunity to build, this role offers the chance to shape the future of a high-performing organization and expand opportunities for thousands of students across New York City. Over the past year, KIPP NYC has made significant investments in strengthening its finance organization, adding several key leadership roles, including a Senior Director of Finance, a Senior Director of Accounting & Audit, a Director of Cash Management, a Director of Revenue, and a Controller. With a strong leadership team now in place, the incoming CFO will have an extraordinary opportunity to influence both enterprise strategy and organizational effectiveness. Early priorities include: Building a more integrated, systems-driven, and scalable finance function. This role requires a leader who is equally comfortable driving near-term execution and building the infrastructure needed for long-term success. Modernizing systems, refining core financial infrastructure, and integrating emerging technologies like AI to build scalable, data-driven operations. Transitioning payroll into finance, standardizing internal controls across the organization, and partnering with school-based leaders to build a financial acumen network-wide. Coaching, mentoring, and fostering a high-performing team, with a culture grounded in accountability and continuous improvement. Serving as a trusted thought partner to the CEO and senior leadership, translating financial data into clear insights and guiding decision-making across a complex, multi-entity organization. Partnering with the Board and external advisors to evaluate long-term strategy for KIPP NYC’s ~$500M real estate portfolio, including its current reliance on outsourced real estate management. Deepening the partnership between Finance and the People team.

Requirements

A strong technical foundation in accounting, with deep experience leading enterprise financial strategy and financial management, including long-range planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
A track record of serving as a trusted strategic advisor to CEOs, executive teams, and boards, bringing executive presence, sound judgment, independent thinking, and the confidence to constructively challenge assumptions.
Significant experience leading finance within highly complex, multi-entity organizations (ideally $100M+ operating budgets), including sophisticated debt structures, S&P-rated bonds, capital planning, and real estate financing.
Experience overseeing significant real estate and capital assets, with the ability to guide long-term planning, financing strategies, and external partner relationships across a large and complex portfolio.
The analytical sophistication to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights that support organizational strategy and informed decision-making.
A demonstrated track record of strengthening and modernizing finance organizations by improving systems, processes, technology, and organizational effectiveness.
Experience leveraging technology—including AI and modern financial platforms—to build scalable, data-driven operations and improve organizational decision-making.
An unwavering commitment to fiscal stewardship, strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and audit readiness.
Strong operational judgment, including the ability to assess finance operations, establish meaningful performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement across the function.
A collaborative, enterprise-wide mindset with the ability to build strong partnerships across Finance, People, Operations, and school-based leadership to advance organizational priorities.
An empowering leadership style that develops high-performing teams through clear expectations, coaching, accountability, and a culture of ownership, learning, and continuous improvement.
Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust, influence stakeholders, and communicate complex financial concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including school leaders, executive leadership, and the Board.
A passion for building financial acumen across the organization, enabling leaders at every level to make informed, data-driven decisions and strengthen organizational performance.
A demonstrated commitment to KIPP NYC’s mission of providing high-quality public education and advancing social justice and racial equity, with a deep belief in the power of education to create opportunity
Authenticity, humility, and sound judgment, with a student-centered approach to financial stewardship and organizational decision-making.
Intellectual curiosity, resilience, adaptability, and comfort navigating complexity within a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.
The highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in managing highly sensitive and confidential information.

Nice To Haves

Education or nonprofit sector experience is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, Board, and executive team, translating vision into actionable financial plans, scenario models, and resource allocation across a complex, multi-entity structure.
Deliver forward-looking financial insights and actionable recommendations to guide high-level decision-making.
Advance budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis toward strategic, driver-based, school-level models.
Oversee financial strategy for real estate and facilities across a ~$500M asset portfolio.
Modernize financial infrastructure and accounting operations to ensure consistency, accuracy, and audit-readiness across entities.
Standardize internal controls, financial reporting, and compliance to drive operational rigor.
Optimize core financial systems (e.g., Intacct, FloQast, Vena) and explore emerging tools like AI to increase efficiency and scalability.
Streamline cash management, banking structures, and the transition of payroll into finance.
Execute a multi-year finance/ops roadmap in partnership with the CEO to build sustainable, scalable systems.
Build financial acumen across the network through targeted training for school leaders and central staff.
Lead, mentor, and foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement across the ~15 to 18-person finance team.
Build trust-based relationships with school leaders, boards, and external partners.