Chief Financial Officer, CZI and Biohub Network

As a Chief Financial Officer at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, you’ll oversee all financial operations, strategy, and reporting across both CZI and the Biohub Network. This involves managing budgets, guiding investments, and ensuring compliance with regulations while supporting groundbreaking scientific research and philanthropic efforts.

To qualify for the Chief Financial Officer position at CZI, candidates should typically hold a Bachelor's or advanced degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. An MBA or CPA is preferred, along with a minimum of 15 years in senior financial leadership roles, ideally within mission-driven organizations.

The financial strategy under the Chief Financial Officer's leadership at CZI includes developing comprehensive financial plans that align with CZI and the Biohub’s missions, focusing on optimizing cash flow management and ensuring financial transparency to underpin their philanthropic and scientific goals.

The Chief Financial Officer at CZI plays a crucial role in identifying and managing financial and operational risks, establishing strong internal financial controls, and developing effective risk management strategies to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

The expected salary range for the Chief Financial Officer position at Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in Redwood City, CA, is between $357,000 and $571,000. Compensation is tailored based on experience and skills, allowing room for growth in this range over time.

In addition to a competitive salary, the benefits for the Chief Financial Officer role at CZI include a generous 401(k) match, annual benefits for personal needs, paid volunteer time off, and support for relocation, among others, ensuring a well-rounded package for employees.

The leadership culture at CZI emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and innovation. As a Chief Financial Officer, you will be expected to cultivate high-performing teams while aligning finance goals with the organization’s philanthropic missions and scientific objectives.

When answering this question, emphasize your experience with developing realistic forecasts based on historical data and strategic goals, ensuring alignment with both nonprofit missions and donor expectations. Use examples of past forecasting efforts that led to successful organizational outcomes.

Highlight the significance of transparency in building trust with stakeholders, including funders and the community. Discuss how clear reporting can enhance decision-making and improve the organization’s reputation, and share examples of how you have fostered transparency in previous roles.

Discuss your systematic approach to risk management, including identifying potential risks, implementing controls, and preparing for financial uncertainties. Provide concrete examples of risk management initiatives that have had a positive impact in your previous roles.

Here, focus on how you involve various stakeholders in the budgeting process to ensure that the budget aligns with strategic goals. Share a specific project or situation where your budgeting efforts directly influenced the success of a mission-driven initiative.

Emphasize the importance of staying updated on financial regulations relevant to nonprofit organizations and research funding. Share your processes for regular compliance audits, training staff, and integrating best practices into the organization’s operations.

Discuss your experience with implementing financial software solutions, which improve efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting. Provide examples of systems you've integrated and how these tools have benefited financial operations.

Share your approach to prioritizing spending, reallocating resources where necessary, and advocating for funding. Discuss a specific example where you successfully navigated budget constraints while achieving goals.

Describe your leadership style as collaborative and supportive, ensuring that team members feel valued and motivated to contribute to the organization’s mission. Provide examples of how you've fostered team development and accountability.

Highlight the importance of clear and concise communication. Sharing examples of how you've successfully translated complex financial concepts for board members or community partners will illustrate your ability to engage with varied audiences.

Discuss trends such as greater transparency, technology integration, and strategic partnerships in nonprofit finance. Share your insights on how forward-thinking financial strategies will empower organizations to better serve their missions.