Chief Financial and Administrative Officer; AJP

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (AJP)

Posted on August 12, 2020

The American Journalism Project is seeking an experienced Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) to oversee all aspects of finance, operations and technology for a growing venture philanthropy organization with philanthropic investments in local news across the U.S. The CFAO will collaborate with the senior management team to set strategy and goals while building an organizational culture to achieve them.

This person must be a leader with the experience, analytical skills, sense of humor, nonprofit understanding and managerial skills to accomplish the financial management and administrative goals necessary for the organization of diverse, talented individuals to thrive. They must also have a record of proactive and thoughtful leadership dealing with current and future key issues, effective controls and record-keeping mitigating risk, and systems and process change.

We’re an entrepreneurial team working to re-shape the future of local news in our country. We’re passionate about journalism, civic engagement and how local news plays a unique role in shaping our democracy.

We help build and grow sustainable local news organizations all over the country, through financial investment, venture support, and movement building.

We are a distributed team and strive to maintain a healthy, fun and productive workplace, working alongside smart, energetic colleagues who enjoy one another and enjoy the work.

Employees: 12

In 2019, the American Journalism Project announced its first $8.5M in grants to support 11 civic news organizations across the U.S.

The CFAO acts as strategic thought partner to the CEO and will work closely with the Board of Directors, including the Audit, Governance and Investment Committees.

Reporting to the CEO and working with the Chief of Staff, the CFAO will lead all financial and administrative operations of the American Journalism Project and will have the following responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the CEO, senior leadership team and Board in the leadership of AJP's strategic planning, finance and operations processes.
• Lead the creation, maintenance and continuous upgrade of the appropriate infrastructure and resources, including: data, security, systems, technology, policies, procedures and controls.

• Lead the review and analysis of financials, the development of annual budgets and forecasts and expense management opportunities.
• Provide strategic financial input and leadership on decisions affecting the organization, such as evaluation of potential partnerships and organization challenges.
• Oversee the organization’s cash and investment management approach in partnership with the board of directors and manage the organization’s banking relationships.
• Present financial reports and analysis to the Audit, Governance and Investment Committees Committees as well as the full Board of Directors.
• Coordinate external audit in partnership with AJP’s outsourced accounting firm and ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal government regulations and other applicable laws and requirements governing grantmakers and charitable organizations.
• Oversee tactical and operational aspects of American Journalism Project finances and effectively communicate the results, issues and opportunities to all stakeholders. Ensure compliance and sound internal controls.
• Develop and deliver timely and accurate financial reports and analysis to support decision making across the organization and build the financial literacy of the team in the process.
• Work closely with the Development department to ensure reconciliation on a monthly basis of revenue and cash…