Description

About Firehouse Community Arts Center

Firehouse Community Arts Center (FCAC) is a Chicago-based nonprofit advancing community safety, youth development, and economic mobility through violence intervention, arts-based healing, and workforce pathways. We operate street outreach and case management, deliver trauma-informed programming, and convene partners to reduce gun violence and strengthen neighborhood well-being. Our work is supported by a diversified portfolio that includes government contracts, foundations, corporate partners, and individual donors.

Position Summary

The Finance Director is a strategic leader responsible for safeguarding FCAC’s financial health and building a modern, compliant, and data-driven finance function. This role oversees all fiscal operations, including budgeting, cash flow, reporting, internal controls, grant compliance, and audit readiness. The Finance Director manages a small, growing team: Finance Coordinator (receipts, payroll, budget support), Bookkeeper (QuickBooks and monthly reconciliations), and the Building Director/Bill Payer (accounts payable), and partners closely with program, development, and operations leads. The Finance Director does not perform the audit but leads all preparation, liaison, and follow-up.

This role is ideal for a mission-driven nonprofit finance leader who can blend high-level strategy with hands-on systems building in a scaling environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Planning, and Reporting

• Lead annual organizational budgeting and quarterly forecasting; align budgets to strategic priorities and funder requirements.
• Own the monthly close package: actuals vs. budget, cash position and runway, program P&L, and variance analysis for leadership and board finance committee.
• Develop rolling 12 - 18 month cash flow projections; model scenarios and mitigation strategies.
• Establish key financial dashboards and KPIs for leadership and board use.
• Conduct analytical reviews and financial analysis: trend analysis, cost-per-outcome, unit economics by program, margin diagnostics, and scenario sensitivity to inform decisions.

Accounting, Controls, and Compliance

• Oversee the Bookkeeper’s monthly reconciliations and ensure timely, GAAP-compliant close.
  Strengthen internal controls, approvals, documentation standards, and segregation of duties.
• Ensure payroll, benefits, and personnel records are accurately administered and documented through BambooHR and aligned with allocations, compliance, and internal controls.
• Maintain compliant HR policies, procedures, and employee documentation in coordination with leadership.

Grants, Contracts, and Cost Allocation

• Implement grant budgeting, restricted funds tracking, time & effort allocation, and allowability under federal, state, and county rules (including Uniform Guidance where applicable).
• Government contract management: oversee full lifecycle (budgeting, compliance, invoicing/drawdowns, amendments, desk reviews/site visits, and closeout) for city, county, state, and federal awards.
• Prepare drawdowns, reimbursement packets, and audit-ready documentation; coordinate with program leads to validate programmatic support for expenses.
• Standardize grant reporting calendars and deliverables across departments.

Treasury and Risk

• Manage banking relationships; maintain appropriate signatories and user permissions.
• Oversee cash management, reserves policy development, and investment guidance in alignment with board policy.
• Coordinate employee insurance coverages, benefits administration, annual renewals, and HR-related risk mitigation practices.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Own the finance tech stack (QuickBooks Online, BambooHR for payroll/time, and related tools); drive automation, accuracy, and auditability.
• Document and train staff on standard operating procedures for purchasing, reimbursements, payroll allocations, and documentation retention.
• Partner with data systems (e.g., Apricot or similar) to ensure finance-program data integrity for outcome-based reporting.

Team Leadership and Board Relations

• Supervise the Finance Coordinator, Bookkeeper, and Building Director/Bill Payer; set goals, coach performance, and build capacity.
• Staff the board finance committee; present clear, decision-useful materials and risk updates.
• Serve as primary liaison to external auditors and tax preparers.

90-Day Success Outcomes

• Deliver a current, reconciled month-end close and board-ready finance dashboard.
• Publish an updated finance policies and procedures manual and control matrix.
• Implement a grants calendar with standardized reporting packets and allocation methods.
• Produce a cash flow model with risk triggers and mitigation steps.

Qualifications

• 5+ years progressive nonprofit finance leadership, including budgeting, grants management, compliance, and audit preparation; experience with government grants strongly preferred.
• Mastery of GAAP for nonprofits, fund accounting, restricted contributions, and cost allocation.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online and Excel/Google Sheets; familiarity with BambooHR or comparable HRIS/payroll systems.
• Demonstrated success building internal controls, closing processes, and board-level reporting in a scaling organization.
• Excellent communication skills; able to translate complex financials into plain language for non-finance stakeholders.
• CPA or MBA a plus; commitment to FCAC’s mission is essential.

Compensation and Schedule

$90,000 annually, full-time, exempt; compensation commensurate with experience. Flexible schedule within standard business hours; occasional evening meetings (e.g., board/committee).

START DATE: March 2nd, 2026

To Apply

Visit https://thefcac.bamboohr.com/careers/23 to apply.

FCAC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.