The chief financial and operating officer role described in this sample job description oversees the functions that support the programs but do not relate directly to program participants, and other senior managers are responsible for the programs themselves. Feel free to use and modify this sample job description to help you create one for your organization.

Sample Position Description

Job title: Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Reports to: Executive Director

ABC Nonprofit seeks a strategic, mission-driven, and collaborative leader to serve as Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). This individual will play a pivotal role in strengthening the financial and operational backbone that powers ABC’s impact. We are looking for a leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution, someone energized by building systems that support growth, fostering high-performing teams, and ensuring that resources are aligned with mission. This is an outstanding opportunity for a finance executive with operational experience and a proven track record of creative problem-solving and change management to join in a high-growth, mission-driven organization.

Organization

Founded in [YYYY], ABC Nonprofit’s mission is…

We do this by…

For more information, please visit www.ABCnonprofit.org

Position

Reporting to the Executive Director (ED) and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the CFOO will oversee the organization’s finance and administrative functions, ensuring that ABC Nonprofit has the systems, policies, and practices needed to sustain growth and deliver on its mission. The CFOO will lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, while also strengthening operational infrastructure across areas such as internal controls, human resources, and administrative processes. In close partnership with the ED and board, the CFOO will help translate strategic priorities into sound operational plans, build capacity across teams, and create the conditions for staff and programs to thrive.

Core Competencies

• Decision making: Ability to exercise sound judgment, solve problems creatively, and manage negotiation and conflict resolution with fairness and clarity
• Team development and motivation: Ability to mentor and coach staff at all levels, motivate high performance, and engage both direct and indirect reports
• Strategic thinking: Ability to balance long-term vision with tactical execution, aligning tactical finance and administration initiatives with organizational strategy
• Management under uncertainty: Ability to stay self-reliant, flexible, and results-oriented while navigating complexity, ambiguity, and change
• Communication and influence: Ability to communicate with clarity and impact in writing, speaking, and presentations, to effectively engage senior management, the board, and staff

Core Responsibilities

Financial Strategy

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes that ensure alignment between resources, strategy, and mission.
• Provide clear, data-driven analysis and recommendations to the ED, senior leadership, and board to support strategic and operational decision making.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Finance and Audit committees; prepare and present timely, accurate financial reports and insights.

Operational Infrastructure

• Design, implement, and refine systems, policies, and processes that promote efficiency, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee key operational functions—including finance, administration, human resources, and facilities—to ensure they are integrated, scalable, and aligned with organizational growth.
• Lead efforts to strengthen internal controls, risk management practices, and information systems to support data-driven decision making.
• Manage relationships with key external partners, including auditors, bankers, insurance providers, and vendors.

Operational Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and operations team, cultivating a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear performance goals and professional development plans for team members, providing regular feedback and coaching.
• Serve as a collaborative member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, planning, and decision making.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a senior management role, ideally with both external audit and in-house financial management experience in a high-growth organization
• Experience either as an employee or board member of a nonprofit organization; must be familiar with nonprofit finance and accounting regulations
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a growing organization
• Business or Accounting degree mandatory, a master’s in business administration or CPA is preferred
• Strong commitment to ABC’s mission and core values

Location and Remote Work Flexibility

This is a hybrid position, requiring travel in the United Stated two times a quarter.

Compensation

ABC offers a generous salary and benefits package, which include:

• $XX–YY annual base salary
• [health, 401(k), and vacation benefits]

• [Insert Equal Employment Opportunity statement and organizational values]