Chief Financial Officer

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) seeks an innovative leader ready to commit to improving college admission for the public good to serve as its inaugural Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Reporting to NACAC’s new Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Angel B. Pérez, the CFO serves as a true business partner to the CEO and the senior leadership team in imagining, developing, and implementing ambitious and forward-thinking strategies that will guide NACAC through today’s challenging higher education environment into an even stronger future. The CFO ensures all aspects of budget, finance, and operations align with our ambitious agenda to reinvent NACAC and US higher education. The CFO promotes a culture of excellence and accountability by leading open and honest dialogue throughout the organization (e.g., CEO, leadership colleagues, staff, Board of Directors) and with important external constituents, members and partners.

THE ASSOCIATION

NACAC works to expand access to higher education through policy, advocacy, convening, education, and training. The largest association in the world supporting professionals who serve students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education, NACAC has a membership of more than 23,000 member institutions and individuals, partners with 23 state and regionally-based affiliate organizations, and cultivates special interest groups (SIGs), “micro communities” that nurture the growing diversity of interests across the association.

During a time of disruption for both the college admission profession and associations, NACAC is reinventing itself through a new strategic vision, mission, and values that ensure the organization will become a cutting-edge influencer, leading and supporting the transformation of the college admission profession. The trusted source of information and resources for NACAC members and the students they serve, NACAC infuses the following values into its work:  trust, excellence, integrity, innovation, accountability, and sustainability.  For more information, please see www.nacacnet.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW & DESCRIPTION

A true business partner to the CEO and the senior leadership team, the CFO ensures all aspects of budget and finance are aligned with our ambitious agenda to reinvent NACAC and US higher education.  The CFO is responsible for the financial management of an annual budget of approximately $18 million (pre-pandemic) and provides leadership and direction to a team and organizational portfolio which currently includes finance, operations, and outsourced human resource services. In this inaugural leadership role, the CFO will be responsible for the following:

Leadership

• Participate in ongoing strategic planning as an integral member of the leadership team
• Help lead innovations around business development and revenue generation
• Provide strategic recommendations based on financial analyses and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis, and in alignment with NACAC’s goals and priorities
• Serve as the financial liaison to the Performance Committee of the Board of Directors.

Financial and Operational Management

• Oversee development, implementation, and management of:
  • Day-to-day finance and accounting activities (e.g., reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury management, audit, tax, internal controls, etc.)
  • People and culture/human resources policies and practices to attract, develop, retain, and engage the talent and foster a culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Effective information technology policies and practices and allocation of NACAC’s office facilities
• Develop a framework for financial sustainability and growth; build resource reserves
• Develop and continually improve operational and financial policies, procedures, and systems to ensure accountability, effectiveness, and adequate internal controls to comply with governmental, regulatory, legal, and GAAP regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

A seasoned and effective leader, as well as an inspirational manager, a successful candidate enjoys processes and strategy, and is comfortable working across multiple areas of the association. The CFO will have keen strategic and operational planning skills, strong financial acumen, superb staff and project management skills, a natural inclination toward action, and a highly communicative and collegial working style. They must demonstrate:

• An openness to change, learning, and engaging with new ideas, concepts, and colleagues
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills and ability to work effectively with individuals and groups at all association levels
• Commitment to supporting diverse populations through diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
• Ability to produce, properly analyze, and interpret the financial information of the organization, as well as ensure the efficient management of the association’s operations and facilities
• 8–10 years of broad operational and finance experience with depth and range in managing finance, human resources, technology operations, business development and administrative functions—ideally for a national nonprofit, membership organization, or educational institution
• Master’s degree in business or a related field is preferred.

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please upload your cover letter and résumé here. For other inquiries, please see the full position description here or contact Adrienne O'Rourke at adrienne.orourke@marcumllp.com. Marcum’s Nonprofit & Social Sector Group is supporting NACAC in this search. NACAC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.