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Senior Executive Search Principal at Scion Executive Search

Scion Executive Search has been retained to identify the incoming Vice President of Finance on behalf of our client, San Jose Conservation Corps + Charter School (SJCC+CS), a nonprofit dedicated to developing young adults to create transformational change for our community and our planet. SJCC+CS accomplishes this mission by providing workforce development and educational experiences while performing important environmental and recycling services to the larger San Jose Community.

The right individual will have a love for developing systems that support sustainable growth, ensuring fiscal integrity and compliance as SJCC+CS expands their impact on the community and environment. This full-time, on-site opportunity is located in San Jose, California .

ABOUT SAN JOSE CONSERVATION CORPS + CHARTER SCHOOL:

The San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School (SJCC+CS) is dedicated to empowering young adults to create meaningful change in their communities and the environment. Guided by a vision of a hopeful and sustainable future, the organization fosters personal, professional, and academic growth while emphasizing service to self, community, and the environment. Its core values—respect, education and development, safety, empathy, and equity and inclusion—shape a supportive and inclusive environment where diverse voices are valued, and individuals are encouraged to thrive. Through its mission, the Corps and Charter School strive to build a stronger, more resilient community while equipping young people with the skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact. To learn more, visit

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Vice President of Finance will lead the development and implementation of financial and administrative systems and infrastructure to support the substantial growth of SJCC+CS over the next 5 to 10 years. This role will establish efficient and scalable processes across financial management, accounting, contract compliance, and procurement.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Finance will play a critical role in both short-term financial operations and long-term strategic planning. This position will contribute to high-level decision-making, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives while overseeing evaluation and professional development initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Fiscal Management:

• Coordinate the preparation of the annual budget, including supporting assumptions and rationale for presentation to the finance committee, CEO, and board of directors.
• Ensure financial systems comply with GAAP, as well as state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Lead and coordinate the development and administration of the agency’s budget, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Forecast funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies in the finance department.
• Provide the senior management team with budget and cost analysis support.
• Collaborate with the executive team to ensure programmatic success and compliance with all contractual and programmatic requirements.
• Train and coach the senior management team on applying fiscal methodology to their respective departments.
• Ensure accurate and timely billing of accounts receivable in compliance with vendor standards.
• Maintain adequate cash flow and a minimum of six months’ operating reserve.
• Manage the annual audit, tax filings, and 990 tax return.
• Supervise accounting supervisors and monitor banking activities.
• Ensure the timely processing of payroll.
• Primary performance metrics: Timely completion of the budget and a clean annual audit.

Financial Analysis and Data Production:

• Maintain fiscal reporting systems to ensure all stakeholders have a clear and up-to-date understanding of fiscal activities.
• Produce monthly financial reports, balance sheets, and cash flow projections for the CEO and Board of Directors and assist program managers in understanding the impact of their programs on the agency.
• Create and publish a monthly dashboard of key financial indicators that drive the organization.
• Interpret financial documents for the CEO, Board, and program managers.
• Regularly forecast the financial position of SJCC and advise on necessary corrective actions.
• Design and implement tracking systems to monitor the performance of all grants and assist program managers in maintaining these systems.
• Primary performance metrics: Timely and accurate monthly financial performance reports.

Strategic Planning:

• Develop and execute long-term financial strategies that align with the organization’s mission, sustainability, and growth goals.
• Lead financial planning processes, ensuring that short- and long-term objectives support organizational impact and fiscal responsibility.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to provide financial insights that drive strategic decision-making and resource allocation.

Risk Reduction and Quality Assurance:

• Assess the benefits, risks, and return on investment for all new business proposals.
• Advise program managers and the CEO when programs face financial barriers and fail to produce planned income.
• Ensure all current and future programs have quality assurance, fiscal control practices, and strategies to meet contract, grant, and government audit requirements.
• Develop and maintain internal controls and documentation to protect against theft and illegal practices, safeguarding SJCC's financial assets.
• Supervise contract compliance processes to ensure adherence to federal, state, city, OMB Circulars, federal register GASBs, and private grants.
• Identify and assess areas of compliance risk.
• Ensure the timely submission of welfare exemption, business property tax reports, and other compliance-related filings.
• Ensure proper retention and archiving of financial records.
• Performance metrics: Absence of compliance failures.

People Management:

• Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and professional growth.
• Provide strategic guidance to finance staff, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, goals, and values.
• Cultivate a high-performing team by setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback, and supporting career development.
• The VP of Finance works closely with the VP of Administration and HR Director to provide insight on relevant projects such as staff compensation planning and budget.
• Serve as a thought leader, equipping the team with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate nonprofit financial challenges.

Procurement:

• Ensure open and fair competition, requiring clarity and specificity in the solicitation documents and conducting cost analyses to verify reasonable subcontract amounts.
• Develop procurement procedures, including requests for proposals and qualifications, and collecting vendor data that meets SJCC criteria standards.
• Conduct cost analysis of vendor bids to evaluate and rank proposals in compliance with government standards.
• Ensure all supporting procurement documents meet government audit requirements.

Asset Management:

• Select and implement software to track inventory and depreciation of capital equipment.
• Coach staff on maintaining records and planning scheduled equipment replacements.
• Develop security procedures to protect capital equipment from theft or damage.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in accounting; master’s degree in business or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive management experience in finance, accounting, or business, with executive-level leadership experience preferred.
• Extensive experience in senior financial management, including federal and state contracts, charter school billing, construction accounting, and fee-for-service billing.
• Expertise in nonprofit accounting, including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance, reporting, and financial statement analysis and/or secured financing.
• Strong background in finance, audits, contract compliance, and budgeting.
• Proven ability to develop and implement creative financial management strategies in collaboration with executive leadership.
• Ability to influence outcomes, prioritize projects, and drive organizational change in a highly entrepreneurial environment.
• Collaborative and flexible work style with a strong service orientation and experience working in diverse and dynamic multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Alignment with and respect for the mission and values of the San Jose Conservation Corps.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive base salary of $144,000 to $178,000, SJCC+CS also provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes access to robust health, vision, and dental insurance; Flexible Spending Account (FSA); Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (]]> <

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