Chief Financial Officer

Company: Solar and Energy Loan Fund

Location: Fort Pierce, FL

Job Function: Finance


Background

SELF is a national award-winning non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a mission to rebuild and empower underserved communities by providing access to affordable and equitable capital to homeowners, landlords, developers, contractors, and small businesses to help transition communities towards an inclusive clean energy economy. Founded in Florida, SELF has expanded and now serves most Southern United States. Due in part to the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, there is historically unprecedented momentum toward clean energy and home resilience. As the country’s first local Green Bank and an established and proven pioneer of climate equity, there is a need for SELF to lead this national movement. At SELF, we are committed to leveraging the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to drive impactful change in underserved communities. Through strategic investments, we will advance clean energy initiatives, enhance energy efficiency, and support equitable community development.

What We Do

SELF is a non-profit organization with a mission to help homeowners from all walks of life enjoy safer, healthier, and more comfortable homes. We also help homeowners save money on their energy and insurance costs. Diversity, equity, and inclusion define who we are and what we strive for at SELF. Our values embrace integrity, justice, and a passion for learning and serving with innovative financing models that challenge systemic barriers to a just, equitable, and sustainable world. Social, environmental, and economic justice are the ‘why’; our mission-driven team is the ‘how’; and with urgency, NOW is the ‘when’ because there is no time to waste when it comes to protecting people and the planet.

SELF is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation,

national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. SELF makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of SELF’s rapidly expanding Executive Leadership Team (“ELT”), responsible for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial operations for the organization, which includes overseeing a growing budget of over $20M+. The CFO will develop a clear and comprehensive strategy to build and scale financial operations effectively, ensuring alignment with SELF’s mission and long-term sustainability objectives.

Over the next 5 years, the CFO, in partnership with the Executive Director, will spearhead and prepare SELF for the anticipated 10x growth and activities associated with managing over $100M in federal funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). The CFO will also be responsible for overseeing millions of dollars flowing to low-income communities through a diverse set of programs.

Accordingly, In this highly visible role, the CFO will collaborate with SELF staff, the Board of Directors, and external stakeholders. They will ensure SELF’s financial strength, stability, risk management, and liquidity by managing the budget, financial performance, and organizational metrics.

The CFO will lead the budget formulation process in close collaboration with the Executive Director and oversee financial and organizational data for SELF’s annual audit. The CFO will manage the six-person Accounting and Finance Team and work closely with the Finance Committee and the Treasurer of the SELF Board of Directors. Utilizing their deep knowledge of federal financial regulations and reporting requirements, the CFO will effectively oversee accounting, budgeting, and operational activities to ensure flawless audits.

Responsibilities

Strategy, Management & Executive Leadership

  • Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors on all fiscal matters
  • Provide strategic financial guidance, insights, and recommendations to support organizational growth and sustainability
  • Participate in short- and long-term strategic and organizational planning initiatives as part of the Executive Leadership Team
  • Represent SELF externally on financial matters, engaging with external stakeholders such as members, community partners, funders, investors, industry and business leaders, and government officials
  • Monitor the organizational financial impact during the implementation of strategic business plans
  • Manage the operations of the Finance & Accounting team, including supervising staff, investing in their professional development, and ensuring performance in accordance with company policies and strategic objectives
  • Work with the ELT on fundraising and structuring new sources of capital and capitalization approaches with loans, investments, and grants to SELF, including on and off-balance vehicles
  • Support individual operating departments by reviewing financials and programmatic grants with managers and performing financial analysis for pricing and budgeting

Financial Management, Performance & Reporting

  • Provide regular, timely, and accurate financial reports and analysis, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements to the Executive Director, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders
  • Manage and optimize the organization’s financial performance, including financial operations, cost control, and
    revenue generation
  • Establish, develop, and enforce financial policies, procedures, and controls to ensure sound financial management, including processing departmental and business unit budgets
  • Oversee asset-liability matching, liquidity, and covenants for SELF’s financing, capitalization, operating, and finance funding cash flows, investments, and tracking of organizational metrics
  • Ensure compliance with accounting standards and
    regulatory requirements

Procurement

  • Oversee the organization’s procurement processes and policies, ensuring cost-effective purchasing and compliance with federal procurement, budgeting, and reporting
  • Develop and manage vendor relationships and negotiate contracts to achieve favorable terms

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

  • Develop, implement, and monitor SELF’s annual operating budget and long-range financial projections in coordination with the Executive Director and ELT
  • Lead the financial strategy, planning, management, and reporting, including policies, procedures, financial systems, key accounting processes, and activities
  • Analyze business and financial trends and performance indicators to assist in strategic business planning and objectives
  • Work closely with ELT for compliance and management of federal budgets

Treasury Management & Strategy

  • Develop and implement treasury investment and management strategies for SELF funds and
    investment returns
  • Oversee cash flow optimization through treasury and cash management planning and forecasting to ensure adequate liquidity and cash flow to meet operational and
    capital needs
  • Support SELF’s capitalization and credit strategies
    and commitments
  • Develop working partnerships and build solutions with key stakeholders and investors
  • Provide oversight for all debt incurrence and management, ensuring timely satisfaction of debt and tax obligations
  • Manage relationships with financial institutions and ensure efficient banking operations

Audit

  • Oversee internal and external audit processes to ensure the integrity and strength of financial operations and reporting
  • Serve as the management liaison to the audit committee, and auditors; implement audit recommendations and ensure compliance with internal controls
  • Oversee and supervise all accounting and tax functions in a timely and accurate manner
  • Manage relationships and maintain transparent and effective communications with SELF’s audit and tax firms
  • Work collaboratively with outside vendors, including auditors, accountants, attorneys, and bankers, to positively impact the financial performance of the organization

Risk Management

  • Establish a comprehensive financial risk management framework to identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks impacting the organization’s stability and reputation
  • Supervise corporate compliance, including charitable registrations, maintenance of SELF’s tax-exempt status, licensing, and other state and federal regulations
  • Develop and implement risk management policies
    and procedures

Financial Systems & Technology

  • Oversee the onboarding, implementation, and maintenance of financial systems and technology to enhance financial productivity, operations, performance, and reporting
  • Manage financial systems, including developing and implementing financial and accounting policies and procedures, and establishing and monitoring
    internal controls
  • Ensure financial systems are secure, efficient, and capable of meeting the organization’s needs
  • Stay informed about emerging financial technologies and best practices

Requirements

  • 10+ years of professional experience in Financial Management with a lending institution or an organization with complex finances, preferably with a Community Development Financial Institution (“CDFI”), green bank, credit union, Minority Depository Institution, or equivalent lending or development organization, including at least seven years in a supervisory or managerial capacity
  • The ideal candidate must be a dynamic and strategic visionary with a proven track record in driving financial growth and innovation; they should bring an entrepreneurial spirit, high energy, and a passion for our mission, with a focus on advancing clean energy, energy efficiency, and equitable community development
  • 5+ years of experience with non-profit financial management and a demonstrated track record of accounting for restricted funds, federal funds, and private capital fund management; must have experience managing federal funds in compliance with 2 CFR 200
  • Must have experience setting up and managing Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and subsidiaries and overseeing the management of and reporting on multiple business lines independently and in consolidated form
  • Experience with federal grants and funding, including developing, managing, and ensuring compliance and successfully managing federal grants and contracts
  • Proven ability to prepare, produce, and present accurate, timely, and thorough financial statements, management reports, and KPI analyses for internal stakeholders, Board of Directors, investors, regulators, and external auditors
  • Strong leadership qualities with the ability to lead and mentor a finance team, foster collaboration across departments, and promote a culture of accountability and transparency

Compensation and Benefits

SELF provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits; and a 403(b)-retirement plan with up to 5% match; performance-based bonuses; 12 paid holidays; a minimum of 21 days of paid leave; and paid leave to volunteer—something SELF is passionate about.

How to Apply

Please contact Robyn Quinn @ [email protected]