Vice President of Finance

Description

The Vice President of Finance serves as a key strategic leader at Christianity Today (CT), providing executive oversight of all financial operations and serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership. This role encompasses comprehensive financial management, advanced analytics, team leadership, and stewardship of organizational resources to support CT's mission and ministry impact. The VP of Finance will drive strategic decision-making through insightful financial analysis, maintain operational excellence through robust processes, and ensure the long-term financial health of the organization.

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of executive finance experience, preferably at a non-profit organization with annual revenues greater than $10M, combined with exceptional analytical skills and proven team leadership capabilities.

Functions and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Financial Leadership & Analysis

• Conduct comprehensive financial analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks, providing strategic insights that inform organizational decision-making
• Prepare and present monthly financial reports and executive dashboards to the senior leadership team and board of directors, with clear analysis of variances, key performance indicators, and strategic recommendations
• Lead quarterly and annual financial reviews with focus on performance against budget, revenue projections, and expense optimization
• Proactively identify and implement cost-saving initiatives that support organizational strategy while maintaining operational effectiveness
• Partner with department heads to analyze program ROI and guide resource allocation decisions

2. Finance Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance & Accounting team, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and professional growth
• Establish clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and create development opportunities for team members
• Build collaborative, high-performing team dynamics that support both individual success and organizational goals
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies for finance department personnel

3. Financial Operations & Data Management

• Maintain and oversee critical financial data integrity, including weekly cash flow analysis, account reconciliations, and financial controls
• Supervise and approve accounts payable processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and proper authorization protocols
• Oversee cash management and investment portfolios to optimize organizational liquidity and returns
• Ensure accurate and timely month-end and year-end closing processes
• Manage relationships with external auditors, banks, and other financial service providers

4. Budget Stewardship & Forecasting

• Lead the comprehensive annual budgeting process, working collaboratively with department heads and senior leadership
• Implement regular reforecasting processes to maintain current and accurate financial projections
• Monitor budget performance and provide timely alerts regarding variances or emerging financial concerns
• Establish processes for tracking restricted and unrestricted giving, grant compliance, and fund accounting
• Support grant proposal development by analyzing financial impact and ensuring sustainable resource allocation

5. Policy Development & Organizational Procedures

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive expense policies and financial procedures that ensure fiscal responsibility and organizational health
• Create and update internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and ensure compliance with applicable regulations
• Establish approval workflows and authorization matrices that balance operational efficiency with appropriate oversight
• Design and implement financial policies that support organizational growth while maintaining stewardship excellence
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit financial regulations, reporting requirements, and best practices

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with publishing teams to analyze revenue trends, subscription metrics, and market opportunities
• Collaborate with Human Resources on payroll systems, benefits administration, and compensation analysis
• Support ministry operations through financial insights and resource planning
• Serve as primary financial liaison to the board Finance Committee and participate in board meetings as required
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned 

Requirements

The ideal candidate is a systems thinker who is passionate about continuous improvement for themselves, their team, and the business. They will have strong experience as a financial controller and leading a finance team and can easily translate financial trends and data to non-finance leaders and stakeholders across the organization. The ideal candidate will also excel in strategic resource allocation, building collaborative, high-performing teams, ensuring operational alignment, and redefining what it means to deliver excellence.

• Bachelor’s degree and CPA required; MBA preferred
• 5+ years of executive finance experience required 
• 10+ years of finance, expense management, or accounting experience, preferably in non-profit organization
• 10+ years of people management 
• Strong knowledge of accounting software (Sage Intacct) and data analysis preferred
• Effective communication skills, especially the ability to break down complex challenges and ideas to make them easily understood, measured, and executed
• Some experience in publishing and/or membership-driven business models preferred

Essential Traits

• Spiritual Maturity – You strive to represent Christ in all you do, aiming to give God the glory for every success and relying on Him to overcome challenges.
• Self-Motivated - You have a consistent drive to achieve your personal and professional goals.
• Critical Thinking - You can find and synthesize information, apply logic to problems and quickly analyze to provide a recommended course of action.
• Coachability - You are humble, acknowledging your own strengths and weaknesses, and willing to accept feedback and adapt accordingly.

Employment Details

• CT headquarters are located in Wheaton, Illinois
• Work Location: Fully Remote or Hybrid
• Type: Full time, 37.5 hour workweek
• Classification: Salaried, Exempt FLSA status
• Benefits: CT offers a comprehensive benefits package - check out our careers page to learn more

Exact compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and location.