National education technology nonprofit seeks full-time Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to be a key advisor and partner with the Executive Director, leadership team and Board of Directors to galvanize organizational growth by leading the finance, budgeting, reporting, risk management and strategic financial planning. 

What We Do
Classroom, Inc. is a philanthropically supported edtech nonprofit that helps middle school youth in high-poverty communities develop the literacy, life and career skills that are essential for success in school today, and to ensure a smooth transition to high school and beyond. 

We created and launched Read to Lead in 2017, a platform offering supplemental literacy curriculum in the form of unique literacy learning games set in diverse professional worlds. Our digital learning games, personalized pathways and supporting curriculum empower middle school students by putting them in the role of the boss, where they must read closely, tackle authentic workplace challenges and make evidence-based decisions. Through our immersive virtual workplace experiences, students improve reading and writing skills, apply essential 21st century skills and imagine new possibilities for themselves to achieve new-found ambitions.

Why We Do It
At Classroom, Inc. we design curriculum and tools for teachers to help them re-engage their middle school students in building reading and leading skills. With 28 years of research and results, we know our approach works. When middle school youth are given the chance to connect the dots between school and their future, immerse themselves in career exploration, and develop critical literacy and leadership skills, they are ready to bring their full potential to any opportunity they wish to pursue. 

Students participating in Read to Lead programs outpace their peers in literacy gains on standardized assessments; demonstrate growth in the 21st century skills that are critical to thrive in the modern workplace such as collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving; and gain exposure to new career paths and opportunities.

Middle school leader, Kiwonda Riley, shared her students’ experience: “My students were asking questions about how businesses work, and what it takes to be a boss. On top of improving their reading comprehension, Read to Lead taught them the skills they need to be effective leaders. Students are challenged to make important decisions, preparing them for life outside of their classrooms.”

About the Role
Classroom, Inc.’s Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a self-starter driving strategic and financial support that contribute to the organization’s growth, and sustainability. The CFO will serve as an organizational leader, developing and strengthening the financial, and strategic planning functions that will enable Classroom, Inc. to dramatically increase the number of youth we impact annually. The CFO will work closely with the Executive Director,  and Board of Directors including the chairman, finance and audit committee chairs, and will manage a small finance and operations team.

A strategic systems-builder, the CFO is directly accountable for finance and accounting, and legal/risk management. The CFO will report to the Executive Director and will serve on the Executive and Leadership Teams. This is a new role and an ideal opportunity for a leader who is committed to applying their financial, strategic and operational skills to build and sustain an organization grounded in helping educators across the United States create the next generation of readers and leaders.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Financial Management

  • Lead and manage the finance, budgeting, compliance, financial modeling, and monthly analysis.
  • Lead the annual budget process for the organization, overseeing organizational and departmental spending and linking spending back to strategic priorities. 
  • Ensure the accurate execution of finance operations (i.e., accounting, cash management, payables, receivables, budgeting, audit, reporting, procurement, and compliance) and the delivery of all mandated financial reports to authorizers, lenders, funders, external auditors and other key stakeholders.
  • With the Executive Director, lead the quarterly Board Finance and yearly Audit Committees meetings.
  • Oversee the yearly audit to ensure timely completion of audited finances and Form 990. 
  • Lead the development of the organization’s long-term financial strategy, including strengthening the organization’s balance sheet and setting other appropriate financial targets to ensure strong financial health and financial sustainability for the organization.
  • Support Board committees that include Finance, Audit/Risk Management, and others as needed. Regularly interface with and play a leadership role with the broader Board on financial, operational, and compliance matters.

Organizational Strategy and Team Leadership

  • With the Executive Director, support the development of the organizational strategy, ensuring processes are in place for the organization to achieve its strategic vision for growth. 
  • Develop organization-wide financial and operational strategies, systems and processes, and key performance indicators for growth and success.
  • Share best practices and learnings with the CI team; facilitate outreach to other key networks to advance our mission, reach and impact; and serve as a thought leader at conferences and in fundraising meetings.
  • Collaborate with the Development team in the creation and implementation of financial models and budgets 

Additional Operational Oversight 

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director, Executive Assistant, ADP Workforce representatives on general office administration, and human resources policies.
  • Adhere to company, federal, state, and local business requirements, enforcing compliance and taking action when necessary.
  • Ensure Classroom, Inc. is working with the most current and appropriate tools and resources available for fiscal management, administration, and operations, and is readily able to leverage technological systems and solutions to meet goals.
  • Lead  the annual risk management audit for the organization including financial and operational.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required; CPA, MBA, MPA, or related Masters degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 7 years of progressively increasing financial management experience and strategic planning, with preference for leadership experience in the edtech sector.
  • Deep financial management and/or accounting background, including financial/revenue modeling.
  • Experience leading, planning, and managing in an entrepreneurial, client-oriented setting with diverse constituents.
  • Excellent management, communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail and an ability to develop, implement, and manage systems and processes to support a growing multi-million dollar organization.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a strategic growth plan for either a non-profit or for-profit organization.
  • Ability to exercise excellent judgment in creative decision-making, with the ability to juggle many tasks, deadlines, and competing priorities to develop clear solutions.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
  • Highly proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Excel, Financial Edge and Salesforce.
  • Familiarity with ADP TotalSource portal a plus.
  • Integrity and commitment to Classroom, Inc.’s mission.
  • Grit, optimism, persistence, gratitude, trustworthiness, able to work collaboratively and has a sense of humor.

Diversity & Inclusion
We respect, value and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that bringing diverse individuals together allows us to collectively and more effectively address the issues that face our communities, educators, and students today. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Salary & Benefits: 

  • Salary: Commensurate with experience
  • Benefits: Classroom, Inc. offers a comprehensive healthcare plan, a generous PTO package including 20 days of PTO and 10 paid holidays, and matching 403-b benefits up to 5% of total compensation (after 6 months of full-time employment). 

This is a full-time position reporting to the Executive Director, and based at our New York City office located in the Financial District. At Classroom, Inc., each team member is fully committed to our mission. We are looking for talented team members who match our passion and are ready to lead and help us achieve growth and impact for youth nationwide. If you’re interested, send BOTH a cover letter and resume to coliver@classroominc.org.

About Read to Lead

Read to Lead uses the power of game-based learning to empower middle school students to build literacy, life, and career skills. Teachers can sign up for a free account to get started!