About Us

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including over-incarceration, global climate change, nuclear risk, and significantly increasing financial capital for the social sector. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsible and responsive democracy, as well as the strength and vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago.

MacArthur is one of the nation's largest independent foundations. Organizations supported by the Foundation work in about 50 countries. In addition to Chicago, MacArthur has offices in India, Mexico, and Nigeria.

About the Position

The Office of Finance is responsible for all accounting, banking, payroll, budget, internal control, tax, audit and financial reporting for the Foundation and subsidiary operations. The Office is also responsible for maintaining the financial enterprise systems and end user support and training.

The Director, Financial Planning and Analysis leads the Finance Planning team in the Office of Finance. The Director is responsible for day-to-day planning, implementing, managing and controlling the financial operations of the Foundation. This includes production of periodic financial reports, budget planning documentation, ad hoc financial modeling and ensuring that reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles. The Director, Financial Planning and Analysis must exercise professional judgment and assume responsibility for decisions that have an impact on the Foundation, its staff, and quality of service.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Manage the Foundation’s financial area direction and strategy, including understanding the implementation of new regulations on financial reporting, issues and directions in finance, and communicating the same to senior staff with recommendations; communicating the strategy to staff, defining and clarifying operational financial priorities; communicating clear roles and responsibilities, and identifying efforts with the greatest strategic impact
• Participate on the Foundation’s Budget and Compensation Committee; meet with the President and CFO to discuss budget and other financial issues
• Contribute to best organizational governance practices by recommending, implementing and administering policies, procedures and practices best suited for the Foundation
• Act as a catalyst of change and pave the way for changes; be willing and able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities, ambiguity, and rapid change
• Interact with the Controller on issues impacting the department
• Build relationships with Foundation staff, grantees and external audiences

Finance Operations:

• Manage the financial systems and reporting for a $7 billion organization
• Oversee the finance functions for Lever for Change
• Monitor changes and maintain compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements

Reporting and Analysis:

• Oversee enterprise, cross Foundation reporting
• Create executive level dashboards and scorecards
• Formulate key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Create models for financial metrics and trends
• Direct management reviews as selected by the Foundation’s Budget and Compensation Committee

Financial Systems:

• Oversee the system configuration, implementation and integration of the Foundation’s financial systems
• Co-lead the financial systems training
• Oversee the financial systems’ maintenance and administration

Staffing:

• Create the structure of the Financial Planning team within the Finance department and make all hiring decisions
• Set clear performance expectations and measures; provide coaching and feedback to improve performance, acknowledge and reward people for a job well done, and manage staff learning, training and development

Lever for Change:

• Oversee the financial reporting and all associated functions for Lever for Change, a separate entity from the Foundation

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• A graduate degree (MBA) is preferred, bachelor’s degree and CPA and/or CMA are essential
• Fifteen or more years of related work experience
• Background of supervising a team of experienced finance professionals
• Comprehensive understanding of technology as relates to systems and implementations; expert level knowledge of accounting systems and applications, ERP systems, Microsoft Office Suite and other business-related software
• Comprehensive knowledge of general principles of financial reporting, forecast modeling and budget planning is a plus
• Financial planning and analysis experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of practices, rules and regulations applicable to private foundations and the nonprofit field is a plus
• A sophisticated finance professional with a strong desire to maintain the MacArthur Foundation’s outstanding reputation
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and able to effectively communicate with the broader organization and a sophisticated Investment team
• Strong leadership and organizational skills and able to work well in a collegial team environment
• High ethics and integrity; well respected in the finance community for technical skills, credibility and high standards of professional conduct

To Apply

Please apply online here: https://macfound.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/MAC_FOUND_EXT_CAREERS/job/Chicago-Office/Director--Financial-Planning-and-Analysis_REQ-000072