Director of Finance

Are you committed to strong financial leadership and community impact? We’re seeking a mission‑driven Director of Finance to oversee financial strategy and support sustainable growth for our economic development work on Chicago’s southwest side. Your expertise will help strengthen programs that expand opportunity for local business owners and residents. Ready to make a meaningful difference? Join us!

Who are we:

We are a team of passionate advocates, activists, and social champions. Our staff members are former business owners, individuals with decades of economic development experience, parents, children and residents of the South and Southwest Side.

We work in service of a multicultural, prosperous and economically vibrant Southwest Chicago, one rooted in social justice and racial equity. Together with the community, we strive to build generational, inclusive and sustainable wealth on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

Check out our website to learn more about GSDC and the team at www.greatersouthwest.org

About the Role:

Schedule: Hybrid up to 2 days remote. Monday to Friday, weekends as needed.

Work Locations: 6155 S Pulaski Rd Chicago, IL 60629 & 2601 W 63rd St Chicago, IL 60629

The Director of Finance provides strategic and operational leadership for all financial functions of the organization. This role oversees accounting, budgeting, grant management, compliance and financial reporting across multiple organizational entities to ensure strong stewardship, transparency and alignment with the mission. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with program leaders and the Board of Directors, the Director of Finance supports effective program operations, strengthens internal systems, and maintains long-term financial sustainability. The role also supervises finance staff, leads day‑to‑day financial operations, ensures systems and procedures support program implementation and prepares the organization for successful audits.

Principal Job Duties and Responsibilities

Finance and Accounting Leadership

• Oversee all accounting functions, including AP/AR, payroll, general ledger, and month-end close for multiple business units.
• Oversee financial operations across multiple organizational entities, ensuring accurate consolidation, reporting, and compliance.
• Develop and implement standardized accounting practices across all entities to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Maintain strong internal controls and safeguards for revenue, expenditures, and program budgets.
• Produce timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and communicate results to leadership and the Board.
• Lead the annual budgeting and planning process; monitor performance and analyze variances.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Lead annual audit activities and collaborate with the CPA on tax filings, including Form 990.
• Present financial updates to the Executive Director, Board and Finance Committee

Grant Management and Compliance

• Oversee all grant-related accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting for government, corporate, and foundation grants.
• Ensure expenditures align with grant budgets and compliance requirements throughout each grant period.
• Collaborate with program directors to assess financial performance, support program operations, and strengthen administrative systems.
• Ensure timely and accurate grant reporting and audit readiness.

Team Leadership & Organizational Support

• Supervise and develop finance staff; clarify roles, provide coaching, and build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Lead initiatives to improve department policies and procedures to support organizational growth and operational excellence.
• Manage and execute finance-related projects, including system upgrades and process improvement initiatives.
• Streamline financial and operational workflows to increase efficiency and strengthen internal controls across the organization.
• Strengthen internal communication and collaboration across departments; support financial literacy among program and administrative staff.

GSDC Team Support

• Contribute to all organizational events, helping as necessary with set up/take down, management, networking, various tasks, etc.
• Responsible for ensuring that all work performed is in compliance with the company’s mission, vision, and values. This includes participation in company events and other community-facing activities as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Vision-focused - Resonates with vision and understands all are part of a broader goal of putting the community first and serving them well.
• Communication - Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, has strong, empathetic listening skills.
• Client Focus - Builds customer confidence, is committed to increasing customer satisfaction, sets achievable customer expectations, assumes responsibility for solving customer problems, ensures commitments to customers are met, solicits opinions and ideas from customers, responds to internal customers.
• Decision Making/Judgment - Recognizes problems and responds, systematically gathers information, sorts through complex issues, seeks input from others, addresses root cause of issues, makes timely decisions, can make difficult decisions, uses consensus when possible, communicates decisions to others. Knows how to prioritize multiple tasks.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive financial management experience, including nonprofit experience.
• Strong Knowledge of GAAP, Nonprofit accounting and fund accounting.
• Experience with audits, Form 990 and grant financial management.
• Proficiency with accounting software (e.g. QuickBooks, RealPage) and Excel.
• Experience working with Chicago-area funders, government grants, or community-based organizations preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work across all levels of the organization.
• Able to effectively organize and present information in group settings, both formal and informal.
• Intermediate knowledge and experience working with computers, including word processing and data entry programs; spreadsheet experience and client management software, is a plus.
• Able to work effectively both independently and collaboratively. Self-starter.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Comfortable with community-based work (visiting business owners onsite, attending meetings/functions, etc.) and office/administrative work.
• Must be sensitive to the diverse community needs and be able to engage with diverse populations, while using excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong ties to Chicago's Southwest Side is a plus.
• Driver’s License is required.
• References are required.

Physical Requirements

• Prolong periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Position requires travel between locations of the organization, business sites and events.
• Variable outdoor exposure to noise, weather, and elements.
• Constant interactions with the public and employees.
• Flexible working hours: some evening and weekend availability required.

Position Classification

Exempt Salary

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Office

Application Question(s):

• Which accounting and financial management software systems have you used in previous roles, and what was your level of proficiency with each?
• What is your desired salary range?
• Are you willing to undergo a background check, in accrodance with local law and regulations? Yes or No

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Non-profit accounting: 7 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPA (Preferred)
• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60629