Description

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the YMCA of Central Kentucky's senior financial leader and is responsible for the overall financial health, integrity, and sustainability of the organization. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CFO provides strategic financial leadership and partners with the CEO and senior leadership team to support organizational priorities, growth, capital investments, informed decision-making, and long-term sustainability.

The CFO oversees all financial operations of the YMCA, including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, investments, internal controls, audit, compliance, capital project financial management, and financial analysis. The CFO ensures that financial practices are accurate, effective, transparent, and aligned with the mission and strategic direction of the YMCA.

The CFO serves as the primary staff partner to the Board's Finance and Audit Committee and provides leadership and support to the committee in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities.

The successful candidate will be a strong, experienced leader who combines technical financial expertise with excellent judgment, communication, collaboration, and people-management skills. Experience in nonprofit financial management is preferred but not required. Experience with significant capital projects and capital financing is strongly preferred.

Essential Functions

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the organization's principal financial advisor to the President & CEO, senior leadership team, and Board of Directors.
• Develop and implement financial strategies that support the YMCA's mission, strategic priorities, growth initiatives, capital investments, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Provide timely, accurate, and meaningful financial information and analysis to support organizational decision-making.
• Assess financial opportunities and risks associated with new programs, partnerships, acquisitions, capital projects, real estate transactions, and other strategic initiatives.
• Develop financial models, projections, and scenario analyses to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Monitor the organization's overall financial position and recommend actions to strengthen financial performance and sustainability.

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Provide executive oversight of the organization's accounting and financial operations.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Oversee the organization's accounting system, SGA, and ensure effective utilization, appropriate controls, and accurate financial data.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls, accounting policies, procedures, and financial systems.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll accounting, cash management, reconciliations, fixed assets, and other core accounting functions.
• Monitor cash flow and liquidity and ensure appropriate management of organizational cash and reserves.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment and financial reporting for restricted funds, grants, contributions, capital projects, investments, and other specialized transactions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, regulatory requirements, and YMCA policies.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the organization's annual budgeting process in collaboration with the CEO and senior leadership team.
• Develop and maintain financial forecasts and regularly update projections based on organizational performance and changing conditions.
• Establish meaningful financial measures and reporting tools for branch and department leaders.
• Monitor budget performance and provide timely analysis of significant variances.
• Partner with leaders throughout the organization to strengthen financial accountability and understanding.
• Develop tools and processes that help leaders effectively manage revenue, expenses, staffing, and other financial resources.

Capital Projects & Financial Development

• Provide financial leadership and oversight for major capital projects from initial concept and feasibility through financing, construction, completion, and ongoing financial reporting.
• Develop and monitor project budgets, cash-flow projections, financing plans, sources and uses of funds, and financial models for capital projects.
• Evaluate the financial feasibility and long-term operating implications of proposed capital investments.
• Work closely with the CEO, senior leadership team, Board committees, architects, contractors, lenders, investment advisors, and other professional partners on capital projects.
• Monitor project expenditures, commitments, change orders, financing costs, contingencies, and overall project performance.
• Provide regular financial reporting and analysis to the CEO, Finance and Audit Committee, Board, and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Evaluate debt financing, tax-exempt financing, loans, lines of credit, and other financing alternatives as appropriate.
• Support capital campaign planning and financial integration of philanthropic commitments into capital project budgets and cash-flow projections.
• Ensure appropriate accounting, reporting, and internal controls for capital expenditures and project-related funds.
• Assess the long-term financial impact of capital investments, including depreciation, debt service, operating costs, maintenance requirements, and projected return or community impact.

Audit, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead the annual financial audit process and serve as the primary staff liaison with the organization's external auditors.
• Prepare for and coordinate the annual audit, including financial statements, schedules, supporting documentation, and management responses.
• Work closely with the Audit Committee to communicate audit findings, recommendations, and corrective actions.
• Maintain appropriate financial policies and controls to protect the organization's assets and ensure compliance.
• Identify financial and operational risks and work with the CEO and leadership team to develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Oversee compliance with applicable federal, state, and local financial and reporting requirements.
• Support appropriate insurance, risk management, and business continuity planning as they relate to financial operations.

Board & Committee Support

• Serve as the primary staff partner to the Board Finance and Audit Committee.
• Prepare and present financial reports, forecasts, budgets, audit materials, capital project updates, and other financial information for Board and committee meetings.
• Help Board members understand the YMCA's financial position, performance, risks, capital investments, and opportunities.
• Provide clear, concise, and accessible financial information appropriate for both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Support the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary and financial oversight responsibilities.

Team Leadership & Organizational Partnership

• Lead, develop, and support the YMCA's finance and accounting team.
• Establish clear expectations, promote accountability, and create a culture of collaboration, service, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing finance professionals.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, structure, training, and professional development within the finance function.
• Partner effectively with other members of the senior leadership team and branch and department leaders.
• Build financial literacy and confidence among leaders throughout the organization.
• Model the YMCA's values and foster a culture that reflects integrity, inclusion, service, accountability, and collaboration.

Investments & Special Projects

• Monitor the organization's investment portfolio and work with appropriate advisors and Board committees regarding investment strategy and performance.
• Provide financial analysis and due diligence for potential acquisitions, partnerships, real estate transactions, and other significant organizational initiatives.
• Participate in strategic planning and other enterprise-wide initiatives as assigned by the CEO.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Significant progressive experience in accounting and financial leadership.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing a finance/accounting team.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, audit, and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated experience providing financial oversight for capital projects, including budgeting, forecasting, financing, expenditure monitoring, and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a complex, mission-driven organization.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, sound judgment, and accountability.

Preferred

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation strongly preferred.
• Previous financial leadership experience in a nonprofit organization.
• Experience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors and Finance or Audit Committee.
• Experience with SGA or a comparable nonprofit accounting/financial management system.
• Experience with significant capital construction or renovation projects, including project financing and long-term financial planning.
• Experience with capital campaigns and integration of philanthropic commitments into capital project financial planning.
• Experience working with lenders, architects, contractors, developers, investment advisors, and other external partners.
• Experience with debt financing, tax-exempt financing, real estate transactions, investments, or mergers and acquisitions.
• Experience working in a multi-site or multi-department organization.
• Familiarity with nonprofit accounting, including restricted funds, contributions, grants, and fund accounting.

Leadership Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Strategic Thinking - Understands the broader organizational picture and uses financial information to help shape strategy, capital investment, and long-term decisions.

People Leadership - Builds, develops, and holds teams accountable while creating an environment of trust, collaboration, and professional growth.

Communication - Communicates financial information clearly, concisely, and confidently with employees, senior leaders, Board members, volunteers, auditors, lenders, and external partners.

Collaboration - Builds strong relationships across the organization and approaches financial management as a partnership in achieving the YMCA's mission.

Business Acumen - Understands the relationship between financial performance, operations, membership, programs, philanthropy, facilities, capital investment, and strategic growth.

Project & Financial Management - Demonstrates the ability to evaluate, structure, monitor, and communicate the financial aspects of complex capital projects.

Judgment & Integrity - Demonstrates exceptional financial stewardship, confidentiality, ethical judgment, and accountability.

Continuous Improvement - Looks for opportunities to improve systems, processes, reporting, efficiency, and organizational financial literacy.

Success in This Role

Success will be demonstrated by:

• Strong financial health and sustainability of the YMCA.
• Accurate, timely, and useful financial reporting.
• Effective budgeting, forecasting, and financial decision-making throughout the organization.
• Strong internal controls and successful completion of annual audits.
• An effective and well-developed finance team.
• Strong relationships with the CEO, senior leadership team, Board, and Finance and Audit Committee.
• Increased financial understanding and accountability among organizational leaders.
• Sound financial analysis supporting strategic growth, capital investment, and other major organizational decisions.
• Successful financial oversight of capital projects, including effective budgeting, financing, cost control, reporting, and long-term financial planning.
• Financial systems and processes that are efficient, reliable, and responsive to the needs of the organization.
• Consistent stewardship of the YMCA's financial resources in support of its mission and long-term impact.

YMCA Leadership Expectations

All YMCA of Central Kentucky employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the YMCA's mission and values; foster an inclusive and welcoming environment; build positive relationships with members, volunteers, staff, and community partners; and contribute to a culture focused on service, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Chief Financial Officer is expected to serve as a visible member of the YMCA's senior leadership team and to actively contribute beyond the finance function to the overall success and impact of the organization.