Finance Director

The Salvation Army Central Territory • Chicago, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Finance Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the financial activities of The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center of Chicago. The role oversees budgeting, forecasting, accounting, financial reporting and analysis, internal controls, grant fiscal oversight, and financial compliance to promote responsible stewardship and long-term financial sustainability.

As a member of the Management Team, the Finance Director partners with senior leadership and department leaders to evaluate financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support informed operational and strategic decisions. The position leads and develops Finance Department staff and ensures that financial processes and reporting are accurate, timely, and consistent with Salvation Army policies and established accounting practices. The role also performs Manager on Duty responsibilities and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• At least five years of progressively responsible professional accounting or financial management experience, including budgeting, financial reporting and analysis, general ledger oversight, internal controls, and financial operations.
• At least two years of supervisory or management experience, including directing work, coaching employees, managing performance, and establishing departmental priorities.
• Ability to lead accounting and financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, internal controls, cash management, and financial analysis.
• Strong ability to analyze financial results, identify trends and variances, evaluate financial risk, and develop practical recommendations.
• Ability to establish and maintain financial controls and ensure the accuracy, timeliness, consistency, and integrity of financial records and reporting.
• Knowledge of nonprofit financial operations, including restricted funding, grants, cost allocation, revenue recognition, audit requirements, and financial accountability, as applicable.
• Ability to lead, supervise, coach, and develop accounting staff, establish expectations, assign work, and hold employees accountable.
• Ability to manage priorities, multiple deadlines, and responsibilities in a complex, fast-paced operating environment.
• Sound judgment in addressing financial concerns, control issues, compliance matters, and competing organizational priorities.
• Ability to explain complex financial information clearly and provide practical recommendations to leaders without a financial background.
• Ability to collaborate with program, operational, Human Resources, payroll, and senior leadership while maintaining financial controls and accountability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting financial information to leaders, auditors, and stakeholders.
• Integrity, discretion, confidentiality, and professional judgment in handling financial, payroll, employee, and organizational information.
• Commitment to responsible stewardship, financial policies and procedures, and the mission, values, and objectives of The Salvation Army.
• Ability to perform moderate physical work and lift and carry 10 pounds.
• Ability to use standard office equipment and a PC, participate in community center activities at times, and drive on occasion.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a nonprofit, human services, community center, government-funded, or similarly complex multi-program organization.
• Experience with government, private, or foundation grants, including grant budgeting, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, reconciliation, and compliance.
• Experience supporting organizations with multiple programs, departments, revenue streams, restricted funds, contracts, or cost centers.
• Experience with Shelby, Club Automation, or comparable financial and operational systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and oversee financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, internal controls, cash management, and compliance.
• Establish financial practices and controls that support responsible stewardship and the Center's long-term financial sustainability.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting with department leadership; analyze operating plans, staffing costs, revenue projections, capital needs, and resource allocation.
• Monitor financial performance and recommend adjustments in response to changes in revenue, expenses, operating conditions, or organizational priorities.
• Oversee accounting operations, including general ledger activity, journal entries, reconciliations, cash and reserve accounts, payroll accounting, and financial close activities.
• Prepare, review, reconcile, or resolve accounting transactions and discrepancies as operational needs require, ensuring records are accurate and properly supported.
• Evaluate financial processes and systems and implement improvements to internal controls, efficiency, and reliability of financial information.
• Prepare, direct, and review monthly and annual financial statements, budget comparisons, management reports, and financial analyses.
• Analyze budget-to-actual performance, revenue, expenses, trends, and variances; investigate material activity and identify risks or issues requiring attention.
• Develop recommendations and work with senior leaders and department leaders to address financial concerns and improve financial performance.
• Oversee accounts receivable, contract billing, revenue collection, aging, and related controls; resolve billing and collection issues and take or direct corrective action.
• Direct and participate in fiscal administration of government, private, and other restricted funding, including grant budgets, expenditure monitoring, reporting, documentation, billing, and reconciliation.
• Review financial activity for compliance with funding requirements and organizational policies, resolve discrepancies, and partner with program leaders and Salvation Army departments on restricted-fund stewardship.
• Serve as the primary financial resource for department leaders, providing analysis, budget guidance, cost-control recommendations, and support for operational and revenue-generating decisions.
• Evaluate financial implications of programs, staffing, facility rentals, special events, shared resources, and other initiatives and provide recommendations.
• Supervise and develop the Accountant and Accounting Clerk; assign and evaluate work, set priorities and performance expectations, coach and train staff, conduct evaluations, and provide input on personnel decisions.
• Maintain knowledge of departmental accounting functions and perform essential finance activities when staffing, workload, deadlines, or operational circumstances require.
• Coordinate financial support for internal and external audits and maintain appropriate records and supporting documentation.
• Partner with Human Resources, Divisional Payroll, and other departments to ensure accurate payroll coding and financial reporting and resolve accounting matters.
• Exercise independent judgment within established authority regarding financial controls, accounting practices, departmental priorities, resources, and corrective action.
• Serve on the RJKCCC Management Team and communicate significant financial matters, risks, trends, and recommendations to Center leadership.
• Collaborate with Center and Divisional leadership on financial performance and organizational sustainability, and perform Manager on Duty responsibilities and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, hearing, disability, and life insurance may be available to eligible employees.
• Flexible spending accounts may be available to eligible employees.
• 403(b) retirement accounts may be available to eligible employees.
• Company-funded defined contribution pension plan may be available to eligible employees.
• Generous time-off policies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director