Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

ABOUT DJDS

DJDS is a non profit architecture and real estate development firm that innovates in and around the built environment to address the root causes of mass incarceration with a focus on restorative justice and restorative economics. To achieve this mission the team is comprised of architects, designers, real estate developers, operations/events production  and community organizers within which the production designs and administrative lead is an integrated part of a multidisciplinary team.  This unique position requires someone with the desire to move the organization from a start-up nature to an established organization. This role will also work closely with the Executive team to advise on salary increases to make roles match more closely to local market rates. This position is expected to hold signing authority for contracts, engagements, and bank accounts, and will advise the Board of Directors on best practices for the overall financial management of the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES (Executive level)

• Utilize working knowledge of the finance landscape to advise on Investment Strategies. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Leveraging existing and new relationships/partnerships to build organization investment fund opportunities for underserved communities and DJDS employees. Opportunities could include, but are not limited to:
    • Endowment funds
    • Investment funds
    • Retirement plans to benefit staff and larger community

• Analyze organization’s existing finances to design and strategize organization’s financial goals such as
  • 5-10 year budget and growth projections
  • Overall cash management
  • Interpret organization financial reports to the Board of Directors, and select grantors.
  • Advise on updates for internal financial policies and procedures
  • Appraises the organization’s financial position and issues periodic reports on organization’s financial stability, liquidity, and growth.

• Manage external partnerships including:
  • Accounting firm to ensure financial reports are prepared and presented in a timely manner.
  • Tax strategists, and Legal Counsel to advise on any updates or changes needed for the organization or it’s subsidiaries

• Advise DJDS internal leadership team on:
  • Financial performance benchmarks and incentives.
  • Budget review and preparation.
  • Financial aspects of real estate purchase contracts, and funding opportunities.

• Supervise financial compliance requirements, processes, and filings for the organization such as
  • Tax filings 
  • Charitable organization registrations
  • Organizational audits

POSITION SUMMARY

(Expected duties of an Executive level position)

• Consult on key decisions for the organization, guide directors if needed on decision making for their respective areas of responsibility.
• Review and approve expenses outside of the director level authorized limits.
• Collaborate with the DJDS Leadership team on organization-wide matters.
• Develop and maintain internal and external relationships on behalf of  the organization.
• Act as a fiduciary and officer of the organization, ensuring knowledge of, and compliance with legal requirements as well as acting within the best interest of the organization and its values.
• Establishes company directives, vision, and goals in collaboration with the Board of Directors and Executive Team. 
• Collaborate with the respective Board committee.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and a high level of discretion.
• Exceptional skills in cross-disciplinary collaborative team work
• Facilitation skills and conflict management
• Commitment to DJDS’ mission and goals
• Attend and participate in thought leadership of DJDS’s organizational model and financial opportunities to include attending and speaking at relevant conferences and convenings
• Cultural competency for a diverse range of cultures, communities, and lived experiences
• High level of emotional intelligence and ability to apply it
• Commitment to learning and understanding robust community-led processes and practices
• Adaptability to emergent project processes and problem-solving
• Acute understanding of systemic racism and social inequities and its impacts on a range of individuals from systems impacted individuals and their communities of care to elected officials.
• Thoughtful, empathetic negotiation skills 
• The ability to balance the mindset to abundance with the realities of a business needs and flows. 
• Appreciation for aesthetic design

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

• Healthcare benefits with options for medical insurance under the company group plan. Employer contributes 100% of employee healthcare offered under the group healthcare offerings.
• Compensation for this role will not exceed $130,000

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter using the instructions listed below.

Email: resumes@designingjustice.org

Subject Line: CFO

Attachment: One multipage PDF not to exceed 3MB

The PDF should include:

• Cover letter (in your cover letter please include (please limit to 400 words max):
  • Your definition of Restorative Justice 
  • Your definition of Trauma-Informed Practice
  • An example where you have observed or participated in Non Violent Communication
  • Your understanding of Emotional Intelligence and it’s relation to personal accountability
• Resume

Please, no phone calls or recruiters. All applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.