Vermont Foodbank is partnering with Dragonfly Central to find a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to guide the financial operations of this valuable nonprofit. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished leader to partner with the CEO in all financial aspects of the organization. This position requires a candidate who possesses critical thinking and relationship building skills, and balances big-picture vision with detail.

Vermont Foodbank

Vermont Foodbank opened its doors in 1986. Our mission is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships so that no one in Vermont will go hungry. Our vision is that everyone in Vermont has equitable access to enough nourishing food to thrive. There are hundreds of thousands of our Vermont neighbors  including children, seniors and working families, who are unable to put enough food on the table. Visits to their local food shelves can help with this shortfall, and that’s where the Foodbank comes in.

The food we share is donated or purchased, from sources including local Vermont farms and food producers, nationwide food producers, federal food sources, grocery stores, and small food retailers. Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization and only food bank, providing nourishing food by partnering with 300 network and community partners: food shelves, meal sites, senior centers, after-school programs, schools, and hospitals. Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, provides more than 14 million pounds of food annually to people throughout Vermont.

Vermont Foodbank employs 75 people and has a volunteer network of close to 900 people. The current budget is about $38M, which includes food and financial donations, grants and other income. For more information about Vermont Foodbank, see vtfoodbank.org.

The Position

Reporting to the CEO, the CFO provides strategic and daily financial leadership to the organization, ensuring program quality and financial integrity for this complex organization through appropriate management, planning, contracting, accounting and financial reporting, audit, and control/compliance functions. The CFO is a member of Vermont Foodbank’s executive leadership team, which includes the Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Equity People and Culture Officer, Chief Community Impact officer and Chief Philanthropy Officer. The CFO will oversee a team of 3 finance professionals, which includes a Senior Manager Staff Accountant, Finance Coordinator, and a Finance Specialist.

The CFO plays a role in the future growth and development of the organization by providing input on a broad range of strategic, operational, and financial issues. The CFO is responsible for the financial well-being of the organization by overseeing accounting functions; safeguarding the assets of the organization; and ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and contractual requirements. The CFO is also responsible for risk management, investments management, cash flow, general ledger entry, account analysis, inventory accounting, preparation of financial statements and reports, the year-end audit with an eye to continuously developing and improving systems. The CFO shall consistently communicate accurate financial information to the CEO. This position is responsible for ensuring that the Foodbank carries out its financial obligations in an ethical manner.

Roles and Responsibilities

The CFO will drive all aspects of the organization’s financial planning and well-being by providing financial analysis, projections, growth plans, and act as a strategic thought partner with the leadership team. The CFO will also:

• Work with executive leaders to achieve budgetary goals through program cost analysis, and develop, implement, and maintain all internal controls.
• Generate monthly financial reports for executive leaders, finance committee, and board meetings.
• Oversee all aspects of the organization’s financial management including accounting functions, cash flow management, accounts payable/accounts receivable, banking practices, financial reporting, inventory purchases, financial transactions, account monitoring, reconciliation, and investment monitoring in partnership with professional investment advisors.
• Create and implement the annual budget planning and cost management process in alignment with the strategic direction and fiscal year priorities.
• Track and manage restricted money through temporarily restricted net assets for grant and restricted donations reporting.
• Work with executive leaders and the grants management team to implement grant accounting and reporting requirements for federal, state, and private grants.
• Provide oversight and review of inventory processes and systems and the financial impact of those procedures.
• Coordinate year-end audit, and single audit activities, with minimal exceptions.
• Manage federally funded programs with a high level of accountability and adherence to prescribed procedures.
• Lead staff in making sure that insurance needs are met by working with the insurance broker for the full spectrum of insurance needs.
• Establish, maintain, and update policies, and procedures, including procurement policy, using standard business practices.
• Provide guidance, training, and technical assistance to staff and volunteers as appropriate in accounting, and other policies and procedures.
• Monitor all expenses within the Foodbank to comply with approved policies.
• Act as a resource to the Feeding America Financial Leaders network.
• Monitor all bank and investment accounts and do transfers as necessary.
• Lead the Fraud Risk Assessment every other year.
• Assist in managing retirement plan, including reviewing and submitting the 403(b) 5500-SF Small Employee Benefit Plan to the IRS.
• Remain up to date in the field through continuing education opportunities.

Other functions of the CFO include:

• Attending meetings of the board of trustees and its various committees as required.
• Working cooperatively with staff and volunteers to support the mission of the Foodbank to meet and sustain organizational
• Positively contributing to an organizational culture of safe and secure food handling, warehousing and distribution.
• The Foodbank relies on volunteers every day to fulfill our mission. All Foodbank employees must support our culture of philanthropy by treating every volunteer with appreciation and
• This position will occasionally be required to travel to other Foodbank locations and to attend required meetings, trainings, etc. Some out-of-area and overnight travel may be
• Other duties as assigned by the CEO.

Experience and Attributes

• 8+ years of collaborative leadership experience.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and/or significant comparable experience in a highly regulated environment.
• Solid experience in finance, accounting, inventory management and inventory accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills.
• Ability to work without supervision and make executive-level decisions on a daily basis.
• Working knowledge of not-for-profit finance and organizational structures.
• Able to strategize and solve problems.
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis and forecasting methods.
• Outstanding oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Computer literacy in standard financial programs (NetSuite experience is a plus).

In addition to a competitive base salary of approximately $153,000, Vermont Foodbank also provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes health insurance, group term insurance, and short and long term disability with 100% employer paid premiums; dental insurance with 90% employer paid premiums; vision insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution after 1 year; an EAP program; 16 paid holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year’s; PTO accrued each pay period, 5 days of personal PTO each year; and other benefits.

Application Process

Vermont Foodbank is partnering with Dragonfly Central to find the best candidate for the Chief Financial Officer position. To apply, email a cover letter that details your fit with the position’s requirements and a chronological resume to VFBCFO4@dragonflycentral.org .

For all other inquiries, contact Ginna Goodenow at ginna@dragonflycentral.org .

Vermont Foodbank is an equal opportunity employer, providing equal opportunity to all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex/gender, national origin, age, marital status, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Vermont Foodbank is proud of its commitment to and celebration of diversity throughout all aspects of its operations, vision, mission, and leadership.

To apply, email a cover letter that details your experience's fit with the position’s requirements and a chronological resume to VFBCFO4@dragonflycentral.org .