Chief Financial Officer Opportunity Guide ABOUT THE NEW ORGANIZATION Envision Unlimited and United Cerebral Palsy Envision and UCP Seguin will be partners, or Seguin of Greater Chicago (UCP Seguin) are “affiliates,” of this new administrative entity. Within this entering into a strategic partnership that will create federation structure, each organization will retain its a stronger advocate for people with intellectual or 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and its board of directors. developmental disabilities and those with mental Each will continue to deliver the highest quality direct illness. Working together, they will be able to expand service possible while sharing a single mission, services, serve more people, and achieve greater strategic direction, brand, and back office. effectiveness. To read the full announcement, including They have three overarching goals: FAQs about the new partnership, please click here. 1. Achieve greater administrative efficiencies that will This consolidation will bring together nearly 150 years enable them to enhance their services. of combined experience, building on each other’s strengths, and filling in each other’s gaps. Serving 2. Become more innovative to provide those they more than 4,000 individuals and families, programs serve with more choice, independence, and include residential services, day supports, and opportunities to enjoy activities and be fully employment for people with I/DD and serious mental included within the larger society. illness. Additional programs include respite services 3. Leverage their larger size and efficiencies as for the I/DD population and specialized foster care for benefits to funders and policymakers. children with disabilities. The vision for the new organization is for everyone with Jointly, they will be an even greater champion to an intellectual or mental challenge to live a happy and improve the lives of those they serve. Their aim: to fulfilling life without limits. drive innovation that leads to better opportunities for members, creates collaborative systems, and promotes Its mission is to provide high-quality programs so that improved public policy. Their work enables people to all people with disabilities, regardless of their ability, live life without limits. reach their full potential and achieve their greatest level of choice, independence, and inclusion in The two organizations will consolidate key aspects their communities. of their organizations into a third 501(c)(3) entity to enhance their overall efficiency and benefit their As a multi-state organization, the main geographic area clients. Mostly, this means consolidating administrative of focus is currently the Chicago Metropolitan area. functions such as accounting and finance, information However, the future of the organization(s) lies wherever technology, quality assurance, planning and strategy, individuals and families need services. Throughout their facility management, as well as development, combined history, Envision Unlimited and UCP Seguin marketing, and communications, thereby providing have promoted change and propelled innovation in the additional support for the people they serve and for field. The new mission, currently under development, will staff. It also means sharing a mission, name, brand, incorporate values of maximum choice, independence, and strategy that will create positive impact on people and inclusion for people with disabilities. with disabilities. www.kees2success.com | Building transformative teams and leaders 2 THE OPPORTUNITY: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER The impending consolidation of Envision Unlimited and Between the two founding agencies, one finance team UCP Seguin (hereafter called “new organization”) will currently is in-house, and one has select staff with require a savvy Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead all most functions being outsourced; a study is currently areas related to financial strategy and finance for this being done to determine the relative benefits of new organization. Professionals who have led financial these two models. This new executive role will select strategy and implementation through a consolidation, and supervise (i.e., orient, train, schedule, evaluate, merger, or significant organizational change are of discipline, commend, and direct activities) the Finance particular interest for this role. The CFO will work Department staff and/or outsourced services, utilizing directly with the CEO and executive leadership team measurable performance evaluation criteria for the to create, initiate, analyze, and recommend changes in purpose of providing opportunity for staff growth the areas of organizational revenue and expenses. and development based on organizational needs in conjunction with individual interests. The CFO will Further, the CFO will design, recommend, and ensure that performance standards of individuals, as implement overarching strategies and processes to well as those of the new organization, meet or exceed the CEO and Board of Directors for the purpose of the needs and wants of persons and families served, in ensuring that the organization’s mission, goals, and manners consistent with and supportive of the mission, objectives are achieved, including integration of the two goals, and services of the organization. The CFO will founding agencies, exploration of future merger and provide consistent support, oversight, and consultation/ acquisition (M&A) activity, and development of analysis collaboration to members of the finance team and and strategy to ensure complex and blended funding collaborate with other organizational executive streams are maximized. and leadership staff members toward achieving organizational goals. www.kees2success.com | Building transformative teams and leaders 3 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Strategy and Organizational Leadership • Work closely with the Board of Directors, CEO, • Lead, develop, motivate, supervise, and maintain Chief of Staff, and Chief Diversity and Inclusion a highly effective, productive, and cohesive staff Officer, as well as with member organizations’ with both professional/technical expertise and Board Treasurers and Executive Directors, operational talent with an approach of support and to ensure the development of the federation service to the rest of the organization. structure’s annual budget and to provide input, • Provide collaborative leadership in maintaining a information, and assistance as needed, prior to positive and productive working relationship among the beginning of each fiscal year. the Board of Directors, membership, partner • Serve as primary staff support to the Finance organizations, and volunteers. Committee. • Review and analyze data with the CEO and • Effectively provide support and guidance to Chief of Staff to make recommendations for the organization’s leadership team to inspire total compensation throughout the organization the attainment and achievement of financial in accordance with current and newly adopted organizational goals and objectives. human resource policies, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and budgets approved by the • Strategically approach organizational financial organization’s Board of Directors. planning and forecasting. Make data-driven suggestions and decisions related to finance • Collaborate with the CEO and Board of Directors that support the mission and values of the new on investment strategies by considering cash and organization. Make recommendations and liquidity risks. decisions related to strategic financial planning, for • Recognize, analyze, and evaluate the short- and the purpose of ensuring long-term sustainability. long-range impact of financial decisions, actions, • Ensure effective leadership to the organization’s and plans, and identify when/if/what specific Finance Department, including assuming additional action or information is needed. direct supervision of the team and making final • Take initiative in preparing reliable current determinations on in-house or outsourcing and forecasting financial reports, and make functions. Current team members include: Directors recommendations based in fact, alongside of Finance, Revenue Managers, Director of Payroll, professional expertise. and other staff as deemed appropriate or necessary. • Remain informed of the financial climate of government, philanthropy, and other private sector markets. www.kees2success.com | Building transformative teams and leaders 4 PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Financial Management Asset Management • Lead and set the parameters for the preparation • Ensure, as part of the consolidation process, and development of organizational budgets, a comprehensive inventory of all assets is including setting and tracking the new created, maintained, and utilized as a tool for organization’s financial goals and objectives. strategic planning. Develop and maintain up-to-date systems and • Create/implement policies on acquisition, procedures for financial operations in accordance maintenance, performance, and disposal with organization and regulatory policies, goals, to support the approved business and best practices, and mandates to ensure a clean operating plans. annual Audit, addressing all issues raised in a timely manner. • Develop and analyze existing financial models with the ability to create new analytics to assure assets • Analyze financial data to ensure its accuracy, are performing. organizing such information into reports and maintaining thorough and easy to understand financial dashboards. External Affairs • Assess financial risks