Chief Financial Officer

Renaissance Social Services, Inc. is recruiting a strategic Chief Financial Officer to join our executive leadership team!

Renaissance Social Services, Inc. (Renaissance) is a leader in Chicago’s response to homelessness. Renaissance prevents and ends homelessness for vulnerable Chicagoans, providing a range of proven solutions including prevention, outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management.

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for overseeing all financial operations and ensuring the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of Renaissance. This role provides forward-thinking financial leadership, builds high-performing systems and teams, and serves as a strategic partner in driving organizational growth, accountability, and resilience.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board, offering insight and recommendations based on financial trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead long-term financial planning and forecasting to support strategic goals and scenario planning.
• Drive the automation and streamlining of financial processes by leveraging technology solutions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across the organization.
• Present clear, data-driven financial analyses and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

Financial Oversight & Risk Management

• Direct all financial functions including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Oversee the preparation and presentation of accurate, timely monthly and quarterly financial statements, budget updates, and projections.
• Coordinate, maintain, analyze, and communicate the financial performance to Management, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors, including Monthly Financial Status, Budgets, and Cash Flows.
• Oversee Accounting, Audit, and Tax functions; coordinate and lead activities with external audit firms and Grantee officers; prepare internal financial statements and footnotes.
• Present Financial Audit findings to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
• Ensure regulatory and grant compliance, working closely with auditors and funding agencies during annual audits and reporting periods.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements by researching, consulting, and filing financial reports, and completing monthly tracking of all grants.
• Maintain and enhance internal control systems to safeguard organizational assets and ensure financial transparency.
• Review and approve all invoices for payment, monthly rent rolls, providing GL coding, Accounts Payable Summaries, and Bank Reconciliations.
• Review and approve all Federal Grant Voucher Drawdowns before processing; process vouchers as needed.
• Oversee financial procedures at organizational fundraising events as necessary.
• Oversee client billing and payment tracking.

Team & Departmental Leadership

• Supervise and support finance and accounting team members, ensuring clarity of roles, high performance, and opportunities for professional development.
• Establish a team culture of ownership, responsiveness, and solution-oriented thinking.
• Support cross-departmental collaboration and financial literacy across leadership and program teams.

Budgeting & Program Alignment

• Partner with executive and program leadership to develop and manage annual and program-specific budgets.
• Monitor and report on budget-to-actual performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective strategies.
• Align financial strategies with programmatic goals, funding requirements, and organizational priorities.

Grant, Medicaid, and Contract Management

• Oversee financial aspects of public and private grants, ensuring accurate tracking, reimbursement, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy and program staff on grant proposals, budget narratives, and cost allocation plans.
• Work with the Director of Philanthropy on foundation grant applications, budgets, and financial reports.
• Collaborate with the Billing and Compliance Manager to support accurate Medicaid billing and reconciliation processes.

Payroll Financial Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee the financial components of payroll, including payroll accounting, tax remittance, and reconciliation with the general ledger.
• Ensure accurate recording of payroll transactions, wages, and related liabilities in financial statements and organizational budgets.
• Complete quarterly payroll reconciliations between payroll software and general ledger detail.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure alignment of payroll data, compensation changes, and benefit deductions for accurate financial processing.
• Manage payroll-related financial reporting and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal tax regulations.
• Incorporate payroll costs into broader budgeting and forecasting models to support financial planning and organizational sustainability.

Organizational Systems & Accountability

• Refine and implement financial systems and tools that promote transparency, accountability, and actionable decision-making.
• Lead the rollout of organization-wide tools such as Program Status Reports that require departments to identify successes, barriers, and action plans.
• Assist in identifying, transitioning, and streamlining financial operations to digital systems and platforms.
• Establish and track performance metrics that align financial performance with organizational impact.

Pay and Schedule: 

• Full-time, salaried exempt
• In office 3 days per week, 2 days remote after introductory period
• Starting salary range: $125,000 - $140,000 annually

Benefits Include:

• Multiple options for health insurance coverage
• Employer provided life insurance
• Simple IRA with employer match
• Up to 15 days accrued in the first year
• 11 paid holidays, your birthday off, and designated mental health days
• NEW - ComPsyc Guidance Resources Program & Employee Assistance Program 
• NEW - Well onTarget tools and resources to help you manager your health
• MDLive - Telemedicine visits

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; MBA, Master’s in Finance, or CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior finance role, preferably within a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience building, leading, and mentoring high-performing finance teams, with a strong emphasis on accountability, continuous improvement, and talent development.
• Strong ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights and provide strategic guidance to executive leadership and board members.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP), grant compliance, audit processes, and Medicaid-related financial management.
• Experience with financial systems/ERP platforms (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, or similar) and advanced financial reporting tools.
• Demonstrated strength in risk management, internal controls, and financial governance.
• Strategic, solutions-oriented leader with exceptional critical thinking, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience working closely with executive leadership, auditors, and board committees, supporting organizational growth and sustainability.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Renaissance, with a proven ability to align financial strategy with organizational goals and long-term vision.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply now and become a key part of our growing team.