About UnidosUS
We empower Latinos to define and achieve their own American Dream. We believe in an America where economic, political, and social advancement is a reality for all Latinos, where all Hispanics thrive and our community’s contributions are recognized.
For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our country stronger.
UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza) is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through our unique combination of expert research, advocacy programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels.
For more information on UnidosUS, please visit their website.
The Opportunity
In conjunction with senior management (“Cabinet”), the CFO is responsible for all financial aspects of UnidosUS. This position is also responsible for oversight of two of the three separate related entities for UnidosUS: Strategic Investment Fund for La Raza and Unidos Properties LLC.
Success in this role requires strong technical accounting, financial, and investment skills. It also requires strong ability to oversee multiple functions with a vision to the big picture, including achieving strong financial and business results over time. The successful candidate will be highly collaborative, with a focus on presenting solutions to facilitate the organization’s effectiveness and growth, and fostering strong working relationships among teams to advance the mission of UnidosUS.
The CFO’s responsibilities will include:
Leadership and Staff Management
- Collaborate with the CEO and COO on overall organizational business.
- Supervise two Deputy Vice Presidents and one Senior Manager, and provide overall guidance to the team (10 members in total)
- Align Finance and related functions with priorities set by the Cabinet, in partnership with the Leadership Team and Office of the President.
- Work closely with Board and Committees, to move the business of the organization forward.
- Oversee and direct infrastructure for information technology. Support IT manager to manage the IT team. Partner with IT team to identify upcoming trends and implement new technology platforms.
Finance Team and Functions
- Lead and manage financial aspects of UnidosUS. Manage the finance team and partner with the CEO and senior leaders to achieve financial results. UnidosUS has approximately $100 million in net assets.
- Oversight of federal grants compliance, currently valued at over $30 million, including extensive federal internal controls required to meet Uniform Guidance. Coach programmatic VPs on compliance where required.
- Manage annual audit requirements for the financial audit and the Uniform Guidance federal audit. Unqualified audit opinions will be a critical anchor.
- Lead federal program audits as required (some programs have been audited annually in the past).
- Ensure a strong financial internal control environment is created and maintained.
- 401(k) and 457(b) Trustee for retirement plans. 401(k) assets are valued at about $18.5 million. Role involves overseeing vendors in partnership with HR for these retirement plans, including the investment manager and investments chosen. Oversees cost structure to maintain competitive retirement plans and strong investments for the long run.
- Oversee 401(k) annual audit. Ensure collaboration between HR and Finance for compliance.
- Manage the balance sheet and capital requirements of the organization, including liquidity.
- Lead banking relationships, including a decades long relationship with Bank of America and overseeing the $15 million debt for Unidos Properties, LLC. Banking relationships require regular meetings and oversight, including credit reviews as required.
- Oversee general legal work in partnership with each Component.
- Oversees general compliance, including correcting prior compliance issues.
- Chief Investment Officer for approximately $65 million in investments. Deliver investment results over a long period of time. Develop Investment Policy Statements in concert with the Board and strategic investment advisors.
- Utilize technology to strengthen core financial and IT work, while saving long-term costs, including implementing new IT systems when required (e.g., updating accounting system, implementing first-ever HRIS system, etc.).
Board
- Manage Board of Directors committee work, including the Finance Committee and Audit Committee. Ensure governance and provide materials and updates. Build Board relationships, especially with the Treasurer and Audit Chair.
- In partnership with the COO, support Board Compensation Committee, including with compensation studies and answer board questions.
Related Entities
- Lead and oversee the Strategic Investment Fund for La Raza (SIFLR), a separate organization holding the UnidosUS endowment. Manage SIFLR’s separate board governance and performance. The endowment assets are estimated at $45 million.
- Lead and oversee Unidos Properties LLC. Manage performance and building oversight for this separate organization. The LLC oversees the organization’s facilities, including property management of the DC headquarters’ building and office leases in field office; and marketing and administering space to tenants. Total property portfolio is estimated at $28 million.
- Partners with Raza Development Fund (3rd related entity organization) regarding their audit which is consolidated and consults on audit issues as needed.
Candidate Profile
While no one candidate will possess every quality outlined for this position, a successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:
- Master’s in Business Administration or equivalent (MPA) preferred.
- Certified Public Accountant required.
- Big Four accounting experience is a plus.
- 15-20 of experience required.
- Seasoned financial executive, including overseeing finance for at least a $25 million organization, preferably as CFO.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Familiarity with and commitment to the U.S. Hispanic community and Hispanic nonprofit organizations.
- Commitment to UnidosUS values: Excellence, Accountability and Respeto.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of various teams and committees.
- Acute attention to detail.
- Bilingual (Spanish-English) skills a plus.
Competencies
- Integrity - Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, authenticity, and acceptance of responsibility. Follows through on commitments. Accepts responsibility for one’s own conduct in creating a climate of inclusive excellence. Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures. Establishes clear expectations and processes.
- Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
- Collaboration - Brings a spirit of shared responsibility to the organization; works with colleagues to foster an environment that will support mission achievement.
- Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
- Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
- Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
- Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
- Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions.
- Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision- making process; Makes timely decisions.
- Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
- Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
Compensation & Benefits
For this role, salary is competitive, commensurate with experience and will be discussed directly with interested candidates. A comprehensive benefits package is offered as well.
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Please submit a compelling cover letter and resume to Erin Reedy here. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
UnidosUS is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.
