ABOUT CISLA

Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) partners with fifteen Los Angeles public schools to ensure students get the social-emotional learning (SEL), academic, and financial support needed to succeed in school and life. CISLA is a dynamic 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to transforming education and improving opportunities for students living in poverty. Our mission is to empower young minds through innovative Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, advocacy, and partnerships with community groups and educators. We work in five communities across Los Angeles including South Central LA, Watts, Boyle Heights, Westlake/Pico-Union, and West LA. We aim to create lasting change and ensure equitable access to quality education for marginalized populations.

OVERVIEW

The Chief Finance and Operations Director (CFOD) plays a critical role in supporting CISLA’s growth and sustainability by overseeing the strategic and daily operations of the organization. The CFOD is responsible for ensuring operational efficiency, strong financial systems, strategic alignment across departments, and the effective implementation of key initiatives. CISLA seeks candidates with strong leadership, operational expertise, and a passion for advancing education equity.

The CFOD reports directly to the Executive Director and collaborates closely with CISLA’s Executive Team to drive organizational performance and ensure that CISLA meets its short- and long-term goals. The CFOD currently manages three direct reports including the People Operations Manager tasked with HR functions, an Operations Coordinator, and a Finance and Accounting Consultant.

This position is hybrid with most functions implemented remotely. Candidates must be in Los Angeles and will drive to some in-person meetings and/or locations to facilitate duties aligned with the role.

FLSA STATUS

Full-time, Exempt

REPORTS TO

Executive Director

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

Lead the development and execution of operational strategies that align with the organization’s mission and vision.
Collaborate with the Executive Director and Executive Team to set short- and long-term operational goals and priorities.
Lead organizational change initiatives to improve efficiency, adaptability, and scalability.
Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across all departments.
Serve as a key liaison to the Board of Directors, with oversight of the Finance and Audit Committees.
Oversee the operational aspects of program delivery, ensuring high-quality and effective services for students and communities.
Manage organizational and department budgets, timelines, and resources to maximize impact and sustainability.
Ensure adherence to compliance standards, regulations, and best practices in program execution.

2. Team Leadership & Capacity Building:

Guide CISLA’s culture, professional development, and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Facilitate the development, communication, and evaluation of goals for CISLA on an annual basis.
Supervise and support department heads and operational staff, providing coaching and guidance to ensure the efficient execution of their responsibilities.
Recruit, hire, and retain top talent for key operational roles.
Lead key culture initiatives; develop employee engagement programs and monitor team satisfaction.
Guide the organization to become a greater proponent of equity, diversity, and inclusion, both internally and externally.
Oversee team development and individual professional, including people leadership and organization-wide learning.
Identify and recruit key staff in collaboration with Human Resources team and department chiefs; partner with managers to improve diversity hiring; onboarding, retention and succession planning.
Work with Human Resources team to administer personnel policies and standards, benefits renewal contracts, salary administration, and best practices in a non-profit work environment.
Oversee the performance management system and strategy.
Lead the Operations team in developing systems and analytics to support decision-making.
Oversee IT.
Ensure timely filing of all required regulatory reporting and those required by CIS National.

Financial Oversight & Resource Management

Oversee the development of organization and department budgets and financial planning for operational areas, ensuring responsible use of funds and cost-effective operations.
Work with the finance team to track expenditures, manage operational costs, and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising program quality.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting to the ED, Board of Directors, funders, and key stakeholders.
Provide guidance to direct reports in developing operational plans and timelines for all projects and initiatives.
Lead the annual budget development process, in partnership with the ED, department chiefs, Finance & Data Committee, and Finance Manager.
Oversee scenario planning and financial analysis to drive decision-making.
Provide recommendations to leadership regarding all major strategic and financial decisions and oversee the implementation of decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Minimum 7 years of progressive-related experience with proven successful operations management and/or executive-level expertise.
Must possess solid business acumen and experience at a leadership level.
Strong strategic planning skills, including execution expertise.
Prior P & L management experience required; demonstrated strength in financial planning, budgeting, and analysis with previous experience overseeing non-profit programs.
Demonstrated track record of attracting and developing high-performance teams.
Strong people leadership expertise to drive results and a positive culture.
Strong ability to provide strategic level input to senior leadership and the ability to influence others at all levels of the organization, including at the ED and Board level.
Must possess excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; excellent relationship-building skills and demonstrated confidence working with corporate and community leaders.
Must exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision-making.
Analytical capabilities, including thinking critically and strategically, to propose and implement change successfully.
Must be able to successfully organize, plan, prioritize, and manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.
Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, collaboration, resilience, and ability to pursue bold conversations where needed to gain alignment and results
Strong commitment to CISLA’s mission. Prior experience in a social services agency a bonus.
Bachelor's degree in business administration or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience required. Master’s degree preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Criminal background check required.
TB clearance, to be renewed every four years.
Must have access to reliable transportation. (A valid California driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance required when personal vehicle is used).
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required (digital record)

Annual Starting Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000

CISLA is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

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