Chief Finance and Operations Officer in Ft Lauderdale, Florida at Covenant House Florida Inc

Job Title: Chief Finance and Operations Officer

Job Type: Non-Direct Care Staff

Position Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

PURPOSE OF POSITION: Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to advance Covenant House Florida’s mission, long-term sustainability, and organizational performance. The CFOO partners closely with the CEO and leadership team to develop and execute the agency’s multi-year strategic plan, annual operating objectives, and capital and operating budgets.

The CFOO is responsible for the stewardship of the organization’s financial health and business operations, ensuring effective planning, resource allocation, risk management, compliance, and operational excellence. This role provides leadership across finance, accounting, legal affairs, procurement, facilities and property management, food services, technology, and enterprise-wide operational initiatives. The CFOO serves as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board, delivering financial insight, business expertise, and data-driven guidance to support organizational decision-making and growth.

In addition, the CFOO fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, strengthening organizational capacity while coaching and developing high-performing teams to achieve mission-driven results.

AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, the CFO has authority to make investment decisions on behalf of the organization following CHF policies and procedures. The CFO maintains authority to make resource allocations within their approved budget and workforce decisions within regulatory standards. Changes in policy, long-range plans for facilities and capital investments, and substantial budget modifications must be referred to the Chief Executive Officer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Covenant House Florida reserves the right to unilaterally modify, remove, or add to any of the following:

Financial Management

• Provides executive leadership for CHF’s finance and accounting functions, including financial reporting, internal controls, payroll, accounts payable, disbursements, banking, investments, and procurement operations.
• Ensure financial transactions are performed in accordance with GAAP utilizing internal controls to safeguard the agency's assets. Manage the monthly financial close process, including preparing monthly reports such as budget comparisons and trend analyses, while overseeing the finance team's month-end financial close bookkeeping.
• Oversee the compliance with the various grantors, donors, federal, state, local agencies, and by administering an accounting system designed to track, reconcile, and report on agency-administered programs ensuring timely and proper billing and documentation in the general ledger.
• Serves as the primary liaison with external stakeholders on all financial matters, including government funders, financial institutions, legal counsel, auditors, and insurance providers.
• Prepare and submit financial statements and reports for Covenant House International, Board of Directors and Committees; as well as all local, state and federal mandated reporting.
• Perform cash flow planning, business forecasting, and cost allocation analysis to identify opportunities, manage costs, and reallocate savings.
• Develop and administer financial management policies and procedures aligned with Covenant House International and Covenant House Florida guidelines.
• Maintain accountability and ensure compliance with all regulations, laws, and the code of ethics for financial professionals while always demonstrating professional conduct.

Grant Funding and Reporting

• Oversee the preparation of budget for grants and ensure protocols are in place for adequate reporting, including but not limited to the collection and management of data necessary for grant reporting.
• Provide oversight and management of grants in accordance with applicable compliance guidelines and expectations.
• Develop and oversee compliance and reporting of government grants.
• Manages monthly close in a timely manner including preparation, review and posting of all journal entries, cash receipts and donations, disbursements, account reconciliations and analysis.

Strategic Planning

• Serve as a key strategic advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, contributing financial insight and risk analysis to help shape and execute CHTs strategic plan.
• Collaborate with the CEO and the Board of Directors to develop and update the organization's strategic plan, aligning operational activities with the overall mission and vision.
• Counsel CEO, BOD, and Finance and Investment Committees on finance policy to ensure that financial strategies, decisions, and functions effectively facilitate the achievement of strategic goals.
• Lead multi-year financial planning and scenario modelling to support major initiatives, including capital redevelopment, technology transformation, and program expansion.
• Partner across the organization to align financial strategy with operational goals, ensuring resources are deployed effectively to support CHT’s mission and long-term sustainability.

Facilities Management

• Manage the Request for Proposal process in collaboration with RFP Committee.
• Assist with review of all legal contracts with vendors and grantors.
• Oversee facilities management to ensure efficient and consistent operations as the organization scales including Information Technology services, housekeeping, receiving, facilities services and vehicles.
• Responsible for the annual review and implementation of Covenant House emergency preparation plan facilitating communications, logistics, and equipment.
• Oversee the compliance of all licensing, code enforcement regulations, site visits, and permitting required by official entities (fire code, health and safety code, Department of Education food service delivery, Department Of Health, etc.).

Organizational Leadership

• Act as the primary senior management liaison with external/internal auditors, general legal counsel, and other business regulatory bodies.
• Develop and update policies pertaining to internal communications, financial processes, and procedures to reduce overall risk.
• Oversee risk management issues and provide expert advice on the interpretation of account regulations and impact of new legislation or program initiatives.
• Continually monitor and assess competencies of finance and facilities department staff, providing guidance and support to foster career growth, ensure cohesion, and equal and equitable treatment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by CEO or requested by fellow members of the Covenant House community.
• Ensure finance and operations related organizational policies and procedures remain current through annual review and revision, maintain official electronic and hard copy policy manuals, and oversee the timely communication and distribution of update to CHF team members.

People Leadership

• Cultivate a diverse, transparent, and engaged workforce.
• Foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and accountability across CHF.
• Enhance training and capacity-building initiatives for team development and retention.
• Support organizational change through structured change management initiatives.
• Develop leadership capabilities across the organization, addressing gaps and enhancing team engagement.
• Ensure that a strong focus is maintained on the creation and maintenance of a respectful, safe, and healthy work environment for all team members.

General Counsel / Legal

• Serve as CHF’s in-house legal resource for contracts, real estate agreements, privacy law, and funding documentation.
• Review bequests and estate-related documentation; act as liaison with external counsel, where required.
• Engage external counsel for legal guidance for major capital transactions, lease negotiations, and insurance provisions in legal contracts.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in in Finance, Accounting, or closely related financial degree required. Master’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business/Non-Profit/Public Administration, preferred. Current Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License required.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of five (5) years of progressive accounting and financial management experience at the Controller level or above, combined with at least five (5) years of leadership and staff supervision experience. Demonstrated expertise in federal, state, and local funding sources, including grant regulations, compliance requirements, and fiscal oversight. Proven ability to strategically align and integrate new funding opportunities and program initiatives to maximize resource utilization while ensuring adherence to all funding requirements.

Extensive knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control practices, with a strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit financial management. Technology-driven leader with experience implementing and optimizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and other business software platforms. Proven ability to leverage technology to improve operational efficiency, strengthen data integrity, enhance reporting capabilities, and elevate the overall user experience.

SCHEDULE:

Working flexible hours as required to meet agency needs that may take place outside of regular Monday-Friday business hours; this may include evenings, weekends, and early mornings.

SKILLS:

Must be a self-starter, goal oriented and team player with the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be able to prepare and present complex financial and programmatic information to internal and external stakeholders and exercise appropriate judgement. Must have strong supervisory and mentoring, problem solving and negotiating skills with the ability to persuade and motivate others. Excellent communication skills as demonstrated by concise, timely and professional correspondence, both written and verbal. Comfort working with a diverse population with myriad backgrounds and experiences; must have awareness of and sensitivity to the needs of the youth that Covenant House Florida Serves

TRANSPORTATION:

Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work occasionally in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs. Ability to work standing, walking, and/or sitting a minimum of 8 hours per day/shift. Some weekend/holiday work may be required. Ability to drive agency or personal vehicles to transport items and/or persons.

Ability to travel as needed for training or to fulfill job requirements.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES:

This position supervises an internal and in occasions, an external team.

EQUIPMENT USED:

Must be proficient in usage of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Office Suite, and internet-based software.

Due to licensing requirements, Covenant House Florida applicants will not be permitted to begin employment service until they have been cleared by a Florida and national criminal background search. Please see the link below to the new Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of HB 531 (2025).

https://info.flclearinghouse.com

All applicants for employment will be responsible for the cost associated with instituting background checks and will be eligible for reimbursement after 90 days of service.

Equal opportunity is a fundamental principle at Covenant House Florida. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital/parental status, political affiliation, citizenship, disability, genetic information, veteran/ military status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.