Chief Financial Officer

Pro Search, Inc. is partnering to fill a Chief Financial Officer role based in Portland, ME (onsite), supporting the University of Southern Maine Foundation. This leadership position provides oversight of financial strength and operational effectiveness, while guiding policy compliance, risk management, and long-term sustainability for the Foundation. The CFO also serves as a senior HR leader and an advisor to executive leadership and the Board.

Role Overview

The CFO is part of the Foundation’s executive leadership team, responsible for strengthening the organization’s financial position and ensuring effective internal practices across finance, employment, and governance. This includes serving as a trusted advisor to the President & CEO, the Board of Directors, the Finance Committee, and senior staff, with an emphasis on proactive risk identification, stewardship, and strategic decision support.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, oversight, analysis, strategic guidance, risk management, and organizational stewardship.
• Identify risks and policies needed, develop solutions to complex organizational challenges, and ensure compliance with financial and employment policies.
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts, cash flow projections, and long-term financial models.
• Monitor organizational performance and recommend adjustments to support strategic priorities and financial health.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board Treasurer and the Finance Committee, ensuring board members receive clear, accurate, and actionable information for fiduciary oversight.
• Present financial reports, forecasts, recommendations, and analyses to the Board and committees.
• Oversee preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Maintain and periodically review internal controls, financial policies, and procedures.
• Oversee budgeting processes and financial planning activities.
• Be accountable for completion of the annual audit and IRS Form 990.
• Serve as an authorized signatory on banking, retirement, and investment accounts.
• Monitor invested assets and cash reserves.
• Oversee Foundation transfers and financial relationships with the University, ensuring donor agreement obligations are honored and administered appropriately.
• Oversee pledges receivable and collaborate with development staff to monitor collections and maximize pledge fulfillment.
• Develop and maintain systems for accurate reporting and effective stewardship of donor commitments.
• Serve as the Foundation’s primary liaison to the University’s Chief Financial Officer and business leadership, supporting aligned policies and effective financial processes.
• Act as lead advisor on gift structure, donor intent documentation, fund administration, and compliance with gift acceptance policies.
• Draft and review gift agreements and pledge forms in collaboration with gift officers and portfolio managers; work with donors, staff, administrators, and legal counsel as needed to resolve complex issues.
• Ensure donor intent is documented clearly and aligns with institutional and Foundation policies.
• Establish, modify, and inactivate gift funds and endowments; maintain comprehensive documentation of gift agreements and fund criteria.
• Oversee reporting related to donor funds and endowments, monitor spending activity for compliance with donor intent, and provide stakeholder support on gift fund administration.
• Serve as the Foundation’s senior human resources leader, ensuring consistent application of organizational values, employment practices, and personnel policies.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation review processes, and employee development; support supervisors in sustaining a high-performance workplace culture.
• Ensure employment practices and personnel records comply with applicable laws and regulations; serve as primary liaison to external HR consultants and employment advisors.
• Oversee employee handbook development, policy updates, and HR compliance; assist with compensation analysis, job descriptions, employment offers, and employee relations matters.
• Oversee payroll administration and compliance through third-party providers; evaluate benefit offerings and recommend changes aligned with values and financial priorities.
• Ensure employees understand and utilize Foundation benefits; participate as an active member of senior leadership and exercise sound judgment with confidential financial, personnel, and donor information.
• Supervise two professional staff members.

Compensation

• Salary: USD 125,000 - 150,000 per year

Experience & Education

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit finance, higher education administration, healthcare administration, municipal finance, foundation management, or a related field.
• Experience serving as a member of a senior leadership team and contributing to organization-wide strategy and decision-making.
• Experience presenting financial information and recommendations to governing boards, finance committees, executives, or senior stakeholders.
• Experience supervising professional staff and fostering a positive, accountable workplace culture.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, MBA, MPA, SHRM certification, or other advanced degree.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, charitable gift administration, endowment management, or higher education foundations.
• Experience supporting audits, IRS Form 990 preparation, and board governance processes.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Family leave
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Leadership Competencies

• Trusted advisor approach rather than solely a technical expert.
• Ability to identify risks, opportunities, and emerging issues before they become organizational problems.
• Strong communication skills to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable guidance.
• Comfort working with donors, board members, executives, and staff across organizational levels.
• Collaborative problem-solving, navigating ambiguity and achieving results through influence and relationship-building.
• High organization and ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality, integrity, sound judgment, and professional excellence.

Location: Portland, ME (onsite) | Experience: 10+ years | Education: Bachelor’s degree required