Deputy Chief Operating & Financial Officer

The Deputy Chief Operating & Financial Officer (DCOFO) at Community Change plays a vital role in managing day-to-day financial and operational activities. Responsibilities include financial management and analysis, strategic leadership, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement. The DCOFO partners with the COO/CFO in driving financial strategy, overseeing treasury management, and mentoring a high-performing team, all to maximize the organization's overall impact.

Candidates for the Deputy Chief Operating & Financial Officer position at Community Change should have over 10 years of progressive experience in finance and operations management, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles within nonprofit organizations. Experience with financial planning, budgeting, compliance with nonprofit accounting principles, and HR/people operations expertise are essential. A commitment to our mission of social justice and equity is also crucial.

The salary range for the Deputy Chief Operating & Financial Officer at Community Change is between $200,000 and $220,000 per year. Additionally, the role comes with an excellent benefits package, including four weeks of paid vacation, generous health insurance options, and an employer contribution to retirement plans, enhancing the overall compensation for this important position.

The Deputy Chief Operating & Financial Officer contributes to Community Change's mission by leading financial strategy and operational initiatives that empower low-income communities and drive social justice efforts. By providing executive-level support to the COO/CFO and advocating for effective financial and operational practices, the DCOFO ensures that the organization's resources are utilized efficiently to bring about meaningful change in immigrant rights and economic justice.

At Community Change, the Deputy Chief Operating & Financial Officer oversees a vibrant team environment that emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and high performance. You'll lead Director-level staff in finance, operations, and people operations, promoting a culture of engagement that aligns with our organizational values. The DCOFO plays a crucial role in developing talent, optimizing processes, and ensuring strategic alignment across departments.

When approaching this question, it’s essential to highlight your understanding of Community Change's mission and how financial and operational strategies support their goals. You might discuss initiatives like enhancing financial modeling for sustainability, improving compliance protocols, or increasing capacity for program support. Demonstrating your ability to link financial management with social impact will resonate well.

To address this question, emphasize the importance of transparency, accuracy, and compliance. Discuss how you create comprehensive financial reports that align with nonprofit governance best practices while ensuring that stakeholders have the insights needed for strategic decision-making. Sharing examples of past experiences where clarity in reporting led to informed decisions can strengthen your response.

In answering this question, provide specific examples that illustrate your management style and successes in developing talent. Talk about how you foster an inclusive environment, set performance metrics, and encourage professional growth. Highlight any innovative training or mentorship programs you've implemented that led to team success or individual development.

Candidates should convey a methodical yet flexible approach to strategic financial planning, emphasizing collaboration with key stakeholders. Discuss how you analyze trends, conduct scenario planning, and engage in financial forecasting to enable informed decisions that align with organizational growth. Providing examples of proactive steps taken in past roles will showcase your expertise.

Your response should illustrate a thorough understanding of nonprofit compliance requirements and your proactive approach to ensuring adherence. Talk about establishing internal controls, ongoing risk assessments, and engaging with Board Committees to resolve compliance concerns. Sharing real-world scenarios where you successfully navigated complex regulatory environments will enhance your credibility.

Here, emphasize your communication skills and ability to phase complex financial data into clear, actionable insights. Provide a particular example detailing how you tailored your message for different audiences, what feedback you received, and the outcome of the presentation. Highlighting effectiveness in conveying financial narratives will showcase your strengths.

To answer this, discuss your strategic approach to implementing changes, including communicating the vision, involving key stakeholders, and providing support throughout the transition. Explore examples where you successfully managed change, detailing obstacles and how you overcame them to achieve buy-in from your team.

Here, share your knowledge of various financial technologies and tools that enhance analysis and reporting, such as financial modeling software or HRIS systems. You might discuss how you assess tools based on organizational needs and share examples of technology implementations you've led that resulted in improved operational efficiency.

Discuss the critical importance of data in driving informed decisions. Emphasize how you leverage data analytics to reveal insights, identify trends, and guide resource allocation. Providing specific examples of data-driven decisions made in past roles will illustrate your analytical approach to support organizational strategies.

In your answer, focus on the importance of relationship-building and effective communication. Discuss strategies you use to engage with Board members and external partners, such as regular updates, collaborative initiatives, and transparency in financial matters. Sharing successful partnerships you've developed can emphasize your relationship management skills.