Director of Finance and Administration, The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund
Company: Noetic Search, LLC
Location: Chicago
Posted on: November 16, 2024
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Job Description:
BACKGROUND
Working in five communities, the McGowan Fund empowers families and
individuals living in poverty to achieve their greatest potential.
Across the nation, the McGowan Fund supports the resurgence of
ethics in business and community life.
The Fund gives priority to programs that have demonstrated success,
have measurable outcomes and plans for sustainability, and aim to
end cycles of poverty and suffering. The Fund strives to be a
problem-solving organization creating opportunities for sustainable
change for program participants.
The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund is a private (family)
grant-making foundation established in 1993. Programs are supported
in five geographic regions of the country including Chicago, Kansas
City, KS & MO, Lackawanna & Luzerne Counties in PA, Rochester and
Penn Yan, NY, Denver and Eagle County, CO. The current endowment is
over $200 million and, in 2023, approximately 60 grants were
awarded ranging in size from $10,000 to over $1 million with an
average grant of $80,000. Grant awards are made in K-12 education,
health access, human services with a focus on pathways to safe
housing, healthy food and a living wage.
The Fund is guided in all endeavors by six principles:
accountability, character and integrity, courage, empathy,
resilience, and self-awareness.
The Fund is governed by an engaged Board of Directors comprised of
family members. Grants are made by the Board three times a year. In
2023, grant making reached approximately $7,000,000. The fiscal
year is July 1 to June 30. Last year's operating budget was
approximately $2.8M. McGowan Fund employs 6 full-time staff.
OPPORTUNITY
The McGowan Fund is seeking a Director of Finance and
Administration ("DFA") to collaborate closely with the Fund's
leadership. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to be a
strategic partner in philanthropy while contributing to a culture
of excellence and collaboration.
The DFA will serve as a key advisor working closely with the
Executive Director, Board President and Board Treasurer to build
and manage the operating budget, ensuring alignment with strategic
goals. The Treasurer's strong financial expertise will provide
invaluable support and guidance. The role will be central to
guiding financial strategy and operations, leveraging the Board's
extensive financial acumen.
The DFA will engage in weekly meetings with the Treasurer and
partner with the Executive Director to build the budget reviewed
and approved by the Board of Directors. The McGowan Fund is managed
in a fiscally constrained fashion, consistent with comparably
resourced foundations.
The DFA will be a part of developing a forward-looking strategy
that supports program activities and operational efficiency. The
role will be a key driver in continuing to build a dynamic,
positive internal culture of collaboration.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a curious, adaptable, and
relationship-oriented finance professional. The DFA will make a
significant impact and be a key player in shaping the future of
McGowan Fund's philanthropic efforts.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Executive Director, the DFA is the top financial
and administrative position with responsibility for overall
financial management, general operations, and several human
resources functions. The DFA facilitates work with audit, tax,
benefits and financial services providers and investment oversight
consultants. The McGowan Fund has approximately 50 investments in
over 20 asset classes. The DFA seeks to minimize financial risk to
the McGowan Fund and ensure that financial transactions, policies,
and procedures meet the Fund's short and long-term objectives,
needs and regulatory requirements.
The DFA works closely with the Executive Director and the Board of
Directors to support their fiduciary responsibilities. This
includes, in partnership with the Executive Director, providing
leadership, promoting teamwork and collaboration. Working through
the Executive Director, the DFA will seek to achieve effective
utilization, develop quality goals and objectives, and analyze data
to develop and support management decisions. The DFA will be a
trusted partner and resource to the Board of Directors and staff of
the Fund.
The DFA is responsible for promoting integrity in all matters
relating to fiscal operations, and human resources. Management of
external vendors is another essential component of the job. The DFA
will be the principal liaison with banks, investment consultants,
and auditors.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Management (40%):
Investments (50%):
Human Resources Management (10%):
CANDIDATE PROFILE
We seek a proven financial and operational strategist who has a
successful track record of building strong internal controls,
fiscal integrity and exceptional interpersonal and management
skills. The person we seek will demonstrate a commitment to the
principles, goals and work of the McGowan Fund. A balance between
management acumen and creative thinking as well as the ability to
assess and maintain policies, procedures and systems is sought. The
successful candidate will have exemplary analytical skills and will
excel in financial planning, managing investment portfolio,
effective communication and the judgment to determine the best
courses of action. Experience in budget and cashflow modeling,
liquidity analysis and private equity interface with capital calls
is needed.
The ideal candidate must be a multi-tasker with the ability to
identify and leverage resources, identify fiscal and operational
best practices and implement accordingly. This person will be able
to roll up their sleeves and quickly toggle between oversight of
routine accounting functions to high level investment strategy and
everything in between. The successful candidate assesses the
organization's financial risk and potential exposure. Utilizing
data to inform decision-making and communicate financial data to
others who may lack a finance background is required.
We seek a strategic thinker, analytical and imaginative problem
solver with an open style of communication. The ideal candidate
will foster a culture of ethics and will utilize change management
principles. A track record in establishing relationships marked by
trust, respect and integrity is needed. Excellent organizational,
negotiation and presentation skills, written and verbal
communication skills are necessary. The ideal candidate will be a
tenacious, positive team player with demonstrated success moving
projects forward. The selected candidate will actively participate
in appropriate professional organizations and networks.
The person we seek will have high standards for planning,
accountability, controls, timeliness, reporting and accuracy.
Experience with accrual, cash based and fund accounting as well as
American Depository Receipt (Equity and Private Equity) with tax
return preparation is required. Commercial banking experience with
depository (peg balances) accounts, ACH (PPD & CCD), wires and
credit card reconciliation is also necessary.
Understanding of IRS regulations related to foundations,
philanthropic practices, and non-profit law is desired. Previous
experience and responsibility for investment management, budgets
and forecasts, financial reporting, financial analysis, cash
management and tax compliance required.
MBA or master's degree in finance, or other business-related field
desired; active CPA required. The qualified candidate will have ten
or more years of experience in accounting/finance/investment
experience in a leadership role. Previous hands-on experience with
accounting systems is required, QuickBooks a plus. A general
understanding of geopolitical, monetary and fiscal policy is
desired. The Foundation's staff are currently working in a hybrid
office with 3 days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) in the office
and 2 days remote.
Compensation:
$150,000 - $175,000 comprehensive benefits.
The William G. McGowan Fund is an equal employment opportunity
employer.
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Keywords: Noetic Search, LLC, Racine , Director of Finance and Administration, The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, Executive , Chicago, Wisconsin
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