Chief Financial Officer

Who We Are:  

Bellwether Housing was founded in 1980 to create housing in downtown Seattle so city workers could live close to their jobs. After over 45 years of success and growth, Bellwether is the Puget Sound region's largest nonprofit affordable housing provider. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Bellwether Housing builds and manages high-quality affordable housing so that people of diverse backgrounds and incomes thrive in urban King County’s high-cost housing market.  

Bellwether Housing serves over 7,000 residents annually in more than 3,500 apartments across 38 properties, with 600 more homes under construction. Its Bellwether’s properties are near job centers, schools, childcare, and community amenities in vibrant, transit-rich neighborhoods. The organization serves families, households recovering from homelessness, seniors, immigrants, preschool teachers and social workers, and young people just starting out. Living at Bellwether, residents gain access to the resources and prosperity of their surrounding communities and, in turn, cultivate a more inclusive and equitable city.  

Through the development, ownership, and operation of affordable housing properties, and support of residents through its resident services program, Bellwether Housing has been a trailblazer in transforming the lives of lower-income individuals and families in the region. Bellwether is a leader in state and local housing policy issues, an innovator in financing and housing development strategies, and a trusted partner to a diverse array of organizations in its community, while providing real estate development services to other mission-driven nonprofits around Western Washington.  

Bellwether Housing was also named among Puget Sound Business Journals Best Workplaces for 2026! 

How to Apply:

To initiate consideration for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter, outlining your qualifications to the Carlson Beck representative below: 

Heidi Holzhauer (Partner) 

707.963.1250  

[email protected] 

Salary Range: $280,000 - $350,000 depending on experience and qualifications.  

The posted salary reflects the target pay range for this position. Offers made to qualified candidates will be made within this range and will be determined by various factors including knowledge, skills, experience, qualifications, location, and other factors that would be critical to success in this role. 

Position Overview:  

We are seeking a highly skilled, principled, and engaged professional to lead its financial function. The organization takes seriously its leadership role in exemplifying best practices in the financial function of affordable housing.  

The Chief Financial Officer is a key member of Bellwether’s Executive Management Team, providing leadership and guidance to the organization on financial planning risk management, and resource allocation issues. The CFO offers strategic thought partnership on all business matters for the organization.  

The CFO oversees all financial, accounting, and information technology activity of Bellwether and its affiliates, including, but not limited to, ensuring systems for financial controls and regulatory compliance are in place; overseeing accounting, tax and financial reporting functions; advising other leaders on real estate financing and government contracts, and overseeing corporate and partnership structuring; overseeing organization and building budgeting and asset management; overseeing treasury and cash flow and enterprise-level financing activity; maintaining relationships with financial partners; providing leadership in planning and policy development; overseeing financial information systems and administration; overseeing risk management; and sharing in the oversight of appropriate legal matters.  

They will directly supervise four team members: Controller, Director of Finance, Director of Information Technology, and the Director of Asset Management. 

Bellwether’s organizational culture reflects its genuine commitment to mission and a caring, expert workforce. The new CFO will ensure cross-departmental communication and organization-wide financial discipline.  

This is an exciting opportunity for a committed, hard-working, and self-motivated professional to join the leadership of an organization that is regionally premier and nationally recognized. 

Your Impact:  

Financial Management: 

• Advise and support the CEO and Board of Directors on issues related to Bellwether’s finances and assets 

• Staff the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors 

• Advise and support Executive Management Team members on financial concerns related to their departments and programs 

• Play a leadership role in Executive Management Team and Board of Directors meetings 

• Oversee Controller’s management of Bellwether’s accounting staff in the completion of all accounting responsibilities 

• Oversee the preparation and distribution of monthly financial statements and create accompanying performance analysis and commentary 

• Analyze financial statements; prepare reports for the CEO, the Board of Directors, and staff leaders 

• Oversee all internal and external audits 

• Ensure compliance with all financial covenants 

Budgeting, Planning, and Policy Development 

• Oversee the annual budgeting process, as well as long term financial planning for the organization and monitor budget compliance 

• Oversee development of building operations budgets 

• Play financial leadership role in developing long and short-term organizational strategies and business plans 

• Create financial forecasts, models or analyses as needed or required to support both short-term decision making and longer-term strategic planning 

• Play financial leadership role in corporate policy development 

Finance, Treasury, Cash Flow, & Investor Relations 

• Oversee enterprise-level financing strategies, activities and banking relationships 

• Oversee cash and investments to appropriately balance risk, return and liquidity 

• Represent the organization, along with other Executive Management Team members, to financial partners including financial institutions, investors, foundation executives, public officials, and others 

Asset Management 

• Through supervising the Director of Asset Management, oversee asset management activities, including:  

• portfolio recapitalizations and asset management plans  

• legal, regulatory and partnership compliance for all properties  

• analysis of property financial and other performance indicators 

• preparation and submission of quarterly and annual reports to investors and lenders 

Business Management 

• Oversee structuring and administration of corporate and partnership entities 

• Assist with financial issues related to housing development, including tax-credit finance underwriting and structuring 

• Oversee government contracts, including budget development, financial reporting, compliance oversight and related tasks 

• Oversee planning, administering and monitoring risk management activities 

• Provide leadership and oversight, along with other directors, of risk management and insurance activities 

• Manage, along with other Executive Management Team members, attorney relationships and monitor pending and potential litigation within sphere of control 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Provide leadership in the management and development of Bellwether Housing 

• Participate in advocacy and fundraising activities related to the organization when appropriate 

• Other responsibilities as required by the CEO, Board of Directors and Executive Management Team colleagues 

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE 

Minimum requirements: 

• An undergraduate degree is required. A graduate degree in Business, Finance, Real Estate or another similar field is preferred. 

• Commitment to working on behalf of the communities Bellwether Housing serves and supporting Bellwether’s mission and culture 

• Ten years of senior level financial management experience 

• Eight years of broad-based business management experience 

• Proven ability to manage the finances of an organization with a multi-million-dollar budget 

• Experience with fund accounting software system 

• Experience in partnership accounting and public finance 

• Experience with property financial asset management 

• Experience with financial risk identification and mitigation 

• Demonstrated ability to provide organizational leadership as a member of the Executive Management Team; able to develop organizational capacity in financial function 

• Experience leading, managing and mentoring a team of high performing staff in functional areas under the CFO’s purview 

Highly desirable, not required: 

• Experience in the fields of affordable housing, property management and/or real estate 

• Experience in the nonprofit sector 

• Experience with programs such as low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) and HUD financing 

Who You Are: 

To be successful in this role, you will have: 

• The highest level of professionalism, stewardship and integrity in executing the CFO role 

• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to make well-reasoned decisions as part of a high performing team 

• Demonstrated management skills, able to mentor, motivate and hold team accountable 

• Technical knowledge to lead the financial function of an extremely complex and sophisticated organization 

• Demonstrated ability to combine macro strategic, policy and planning perspective with attention to details, controls and other micro concerns 

• Excellent interpersonal skills; promptly provides feedback to staff for professional development 

• Excellent oral, and written communication skills; proactively communicates with the CEO, other senior leaders, direct reports, and when appropriate, Board members 

• Well-developed organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to prioritize work effectively and adjust to multiple demands 

• Ability to balance financial goals and missional goals 

• Experience working effectively and collegially with a diverse staff 

• Understands employee performance metrics and professional development 

• Proficiency with financial accounting systems (experience with Yardi a plus) 

• Excellent computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a working knowledge of information technology, both existing and emerging 

To be successful in this role, you will be: 

• Highly collaborative with other leaders within their own team and across departments 

• A strategic thinker and organization builder 

• A seasoned financial leader capable of both big picture thinking and directing tactical implementation; able to “connect the dots” of disparate lines of Bellwether’s business 

• Adaptable and able to meet the demands of an organization with a complex underlying financial and legal structure with a substantial real estate portfolio 

• Highly motivated, with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and follow tasks through to completion 

• Calm and unflappable in times of stress and pressure 

• Able to positively respond to strong personalities, maintain a sense of humor; show up with confidence and humility 

What We Offer: Bellwether Housing is your platform for growth, empowerment, and purpose. When you join our team, you will receive: 

• Competitive compensation accompanied by a generous benefits package. 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance. 

• A 403(b)-retirement plan with an employer match, guiding you towards a prosperous future. 

• Fuel for your personal and professional development with up to $1,500 in employer-paid continuing education per year. 

• An ORCA Transit Pass to navigate the city with ease. 

• Up to 24 paid days off in your first year, prorated personal days renewed annually, and 8 paid office closure days. 

• The chance to be part of a transformative mission, leaving a mark on the lives of those we serve in our communities. 

At Bellwether Housing, you will elevate your career in a role that's as rewarding as it is impactful, where you’ll be part of a movement that is helping shape the future of affordable housing in the Greater Puget Sound Area and where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are the pillars of our success.   

Bellwether Housing embraces a workplace that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, and is dedicated to building a team that is made up of a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills that reflect the populations we serve. We are committed to being an anti-racist organization, while acknowledging we have a long way to go. You can learn more about our DEI work on our website. 

Work Authorization: All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor employment visas. 

Bellwether Housing is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to reasonably accommodate all qualified applicants [and employees] by providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. To request Reasonable Accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. 

Note: This role requires successful completion of a background check in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance.