The Opportunity

Reach Out and Read is seeking an experienced Chief Financial and Administration Officer to join our leadership team at a pivotal moment in the organization's growth. This role offers the opportunity to shape financial strategy and sustainability for a $30+ million national organization committed to increasing equity and opportunity outcomes for children.

The CFAO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, providing financial and administrative leadership across all aspects of the organization's operations. This role oversees finance, human resources, IT, and facilities, ensuring fiscal health, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability. The CFAO will work closely with national and affiliate leadership, the Board of Directors' Finance Committee, and budget owners across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic direction to finance staff and serve as a key strategist in partnership with the CEO, Finance Committee, and governing board in support of the organization's long-term financial sustainability

• Lead development and implementation of financial policies, procedures, and systems

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and analysis

• Manage organizational cash flow, investments, and financial risk

• Lead financial audits and ensure compliance with accounting standards

• Direct accounting operations and financial systems management

• Oversee systems change and modernization initiatives

Strategic Partnership and Planning

• Partner with the CEO on strategic visioning and long-term financial sustainability planning

• Collaborate with development leadership to support fundraising strategy and revenue diversification

• Work with budget owners across the organization to support program and operational goals

• Provide financial insights and analysis to inform organizational decision-making

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal contracts, government regulations, and 501(c)(3) requirements including lobbying activities

• Oversee compliance with various regulations including tax, employment, and nonprofit laws

• Manage organizational insurance and risk mitigation strategies

• Maintain strong internal controls and financial accountability

Human Resources Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for HR policies, practices, and systems in partnership with the HR outsourcing firm

• Oversee talent management, compensation, and benefits administration

• Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations

• Support organizational culture and staff development initiatives

IT and Facilities Management

• Oversee information technology infrastructure and systems

• Ensure data security and technology compliance

• Manage facilities operations and real estate decisions

Affiliate and Grant Management

• Navigate the complexities of affiliate structures and relationships

• Oversee re-granting to affiliates

• Manage relationships with multiple nonprofit entities within the network

Qualifications and Experience

There are innumerable ways to learn, grow, and excel professionally. We respect this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and learn about the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate most of the qualifications and experiences listed below.

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of experience serving as a Chief Financial Officer

• Proven experience managing organizational budgets of $30+ million

• Experience with nonprofit management across multiple organizations or complex structures

• Demonstrated understanding of affiliate structures and complexities

• Experience with federal compliance and government contracts

• Knowledge of re-granting processes and affiliate financial management

• Proven track record managing organizational growth (not just contraction)

• Experience with financial systems implementation and change management

• Strong understanding of 501(c)(3) compliance, including lobbying restrictions

Preferred:

• CPA certification strongly preferred

• Experience working in fully remote or hybrid organizational environments

• Background in organizations with national and local/regional structures

• Experience managing through periods of both organizational growth and contraction

Core Competencies

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Ability to set long-term vision and develop plans for financial sustainability

• Relationship Management: High social-emotional intelligence with proven ability to partner effectively with budget owners, affiliate leaders, and diverse stakeholders across the organization

• Communication and Translation: Ability to translate complex financial information for non-finance audiences

• Flexibility and Adaptability: Capacity to see multiple perspectives and manage through crisis

• Team Leadership: Experience building and leading high-performing, distributed teams

• Systems Thinking: Understanding of how financial decisions impact the broader organization

• Collaboration: Strong partnership orientation with development, programs, and other organizational functions

Compensation and Location

Reach Out and Read offers a comprehensive benefits package. The salary for this position ranges from $175,000 to $195,000, commensurate with experience. The organization’s national headquarters is located in downtown Boston, and its affiliate and partner network spans the United States.

This is a fully remote position, and the successful candidate may be located anywhere in the U.S. Experience working effectively in a remote or hybrid environment is essential, as the CFAO will be responsible for building relationships and managing teams distributed across the country.

Timeline and Hiring Process

We will review and respond to all applications received. While subject to change, candidates elected to advance throughout the process can expect two interviews with Positively Partners, an interview with the Hiring Manager, and for finalists, an interview day with team members and staff, including a robust and holistic reference check process. The expected start date is January 2026.

Commitment to Diversity

Reach Out and Read is committed to building an organization that embraces diversity, pursues equity, and fosters an environment of inclusion. Reach Out and Read sits at the intersection of health and education, uniquely positioned to play a critical role in addressing systemic disparities and inequities in the public health framework. Reach Out and Read strives to be an antiracist organization, using its influence to fight against social injustice by supporting a culture of learning, empowerment, equity, and a deep appreciation for the unique experiences that we each bring to our communities. We believe that changing the world begins with holding ourselves and our workplace to that same standard.  

Reach Out and Read is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining a diverse community with a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and encouraging to all. We foster a culture of inclusion that celebrates and cultivates diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, out-of-home care, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.

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