Our Organization
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) fights poverty and seeks justice for low income New Yorkers. For almost 50 years, we have challenged systemic injustice and helped clients meet basic needs for housing, income and economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and health care. LSNYC is the largest civil legal services provider in the country; our staff of more than 400 people in neighborhood-based offices and outreach sites across all five boroughs helps more than 80,000 New Yorkers annually. We partner with scores of community-based organizations, elected officials, public agencies, pro bono lawyers, and the courts to maximize our effectiveness. Our work fights discrimination and helps to achieve equality and economic, social, and racial justice for all New Yorkers.
The Opportunity
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will play a critical role in developing and implementing the overall strategy for LSNYC. As a member of the Executive Team, the CFO will be responsible for overseeing all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization, in conjunction with the board of directors and the Audit and Budget Committee of the board. S/he will oversee compliance for government (federal, state and city) contracts and private grants. LSNYC has a budget of more than $60 million, from over 150 federal, state, city, foundation, and donor sources. We are highly regulated by the federal Legal Services Corporation and other funders. Of our five borough-based programs, four are separate 501(c)(3) entities. The CFO must be able to adapt to a continually evolving environment and thrive in a collaborative and deadline-oriented workplace while managing a finance and compliance team of twelve.
Specific responsibilities include:
Strategy
• Assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and LSNYC’s long-term financial and other strategies. Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial information and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Support the vision of the ED and help ensure ongoing alignment between financial, operational, and programmatic objectives.
• Staff the board’s Audit & Budget Committee around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model(s) and operational delivery. Assist in establishing yearly objectives and meeting agendas, and selecting and engaging outside consultants (e.g., auditors, investment advisors) as needed.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with LSNYC strategic plan.
• Represent the organization to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors, foundation executives, auditors, public officials, etc.
• Support the development and implementation of LSNYC’s Diversity & Inclusivity efforts.
• Participate in key strategic projects and lead vendor engagements related to finance as needed.
Financial and Operational Management
• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, regulatory requirements, and Office of Management and Budget audit requirements. Maintain internal control safeguards and coordinate all audit activities.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting. Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs. Optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
• Oversee budgeting and the implementation of budgets so as to monitor progress and present financial metrics both internally and externally.
• Manage and track the performance of LSNYC’s operating reserve in keeping with the policies and investment guidelines established by the board.
• Oversee the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the compliance infrastructure and its related activities to prevent illegal, unethical, and improper conduct.
• Provide reports on a regular basis, and as directed or requested, to keep the board and senior leadership informed of the operation and progress of compliance efforts.
• Serve as Fiduciary for LSNYC 403(b) plan.
Team Management & Collaboration
• Mentor and develop a direct team of twelve, managing work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and the building of an effective team dynamic.
• Guide larger, cross-divisional teams outside of direct span of control.
• Collaborate closely with the COO and operations team.
• Ensure sufficient presence in all LSNYC program offices, offering ongoing support to constituent corporation leadership and boards.
The CFO will be a seasoned and mature leader with at least 12-15 years of broad finance experience, ideally beginning in accounting, followed by experience gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership. S/he will have experience managing the finance function (accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting) and compliance functions within a diverse, division-based entity. The CFO will have the following experience and attributes:
• A minimum of a BS; MBA and/or CPA strongly preferred.
• Demonstrable passion for LSNYC’s mission; a hands-on manager with integrity and a desire to work in a dynamic environment.
• Mature and proactive, with evidence of having worked as a true business partner to the ED of a multi-divisional organization.
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model.
• Deep understanding of and experience with Office of Management and Budget audits.
• Past experience successfully partnering with IT to manage critical financial management systems.
• An effective communicator at all levels in the organization, with strong oral and written skills and a willingness to share information.
• A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality.
• Creativity, with experience funding activities in ways that both cover costs and generate operating margins.
• Experience with unionized environments and/or law firms are a plus.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated professional to assume a pivotal role in the evolution of a fast-growing, highly respected organization. We are seeking an individual of outstanding quality with a respected track record. LSNYC is prepared to offer a very attractive compensation package, including a competitive base salary as well as health, 403(b), and vacation benefits.
Legal Services NYC has retained AMS to spearhead our search efforts. To apply please send your resume and cover letter to Octavia Gilmore, Senior Executive Recruitment Manager at [email protected].