Chief Financial Officer

We are seeking a forward-thinking Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join our executive leadership team and help shape the next chapter of Easterseals Midwest. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic financial leader who wants to do more than oversee financial operations. The CFO will bring financial insight, discipline, and foresight to organizational decision-making while strengthening our financial foundation and supporting sustainable growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a vital member of the executive leadership team, the CFO will provide strategic and operational financial leadership for a complex, multi-state nonprofit organization.

In partnership with the CEO, Board of Directors, and executive leadership team, the CFO will ensure strong financial stewardship while helping the organization navigate growth, changing funding environments, reimbursement pressures, and evolving business needs.

The successful candidate will balance strategic thinking with operational execution, bringing the financial perspective necessary to evaluate opportunities, manage risk, strengthen organizational performance, and support long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team to develop and execute organizational budgets that support sustainable growth and long-term financial health.
• Translate strategic priorities into financial plans, forecasts, and performance measurement goals.
• Provide financial insight that informs organizational decisions, investments, growth opportunities, and resource allocation.
• Evaluate the financial implications of new programs, service expansions, mergers, and acquisitions.

Financial Management & Stewardship

• Provide oversight of accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and financial controls.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of financial information and reporting.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and establish effective financial planning and monitoring practices.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and funding obligations.
• Oversee external audits and maintain productive relationships with auditors, financial institutions, and other key partners.

Business & Operational Partnership

• Work closely with operational leaders to evaluate financial performance, identify improvement opportunities, and promote accountability for financial results.
• Strengthen financial planning and analysis capabilities to provide timely, meaningful information for decision-making.
• Monitor and report on reimbursement trends, funding changes, labor costs, and other external factors that influence organizational financial performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, leverage technology, and strengthen financial infrastructure.
• Develop financial models, forecasts, and performance measures to support and inform strategic and operational decisions.

Technology & Business Infrastructure

• Provide executive oversight of Information Technology, including leadership and development of the Vice President of Information Technology.
• Ensure technology strategies, systems, and investments support organizational growth, operational effectiveness, data security, and business continuity.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology to improve efficiency, strengthen infrastructure, and support informed decision-making.

Leadership & Board Partnership

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with the CEO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors.
• Provide clear, timely, and meaningful financial information to the Board and its committees to support fiduciary oversight and governance.
• Develop and lead a high-performing finance team, fostering accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Promote a culture of financial stewardship and shared responsibility throughout the organization

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a strategic, collaborative, and financially astute leader who can balance organizational ambition with financial discipline. They will bring the ability to see both the big picture and the details, translating complex financial information into meaningful insights and actionable recommendations.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a strategic thinker who can connect financial performance to organizational mission, priorities, and long-term goals.
• Demonstrates strong business acumen and the ability to identify opportunities, evaluate risks, and guide sound financial decisions.
• Has experience leading financial operations within a complex, multi-location or multi-entity organization.
• Is comfortable navigating growth, organizational change, and evolving business environments.
• Understands the financial complexities of government-funded programs, reimbursement models, and nonprofit funding structures.
• Communicates financial information clearly and effectively to both financial and nonfinancial audiences.
• Builds trusted relationships and works collaboratively with leaders across all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, integrity, transparency, and a strong commitment to financial stewardship.
• Develops strong teams, establishes clear expectations, and encourages accountability and continuous improvement.
• Brings a forward-thinking approach to financial systems, technology, data, and organizational infrastructure.

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required; a master's degree such as an MBA, MS in Finance, or in Economics preferred.
• CPA designation preferred.
• Significant progressive experience in financial leadership, including experience overseeing complex financial operations.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and organizational performance management.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and supporting financial governance and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Nonprofit, healthcare, human services, or other government-funded service organization experience strongly preferred.
• Experience leading organizational growth, integration, or financial transformation is highly desirable.