Description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area (BBBSBA), a mission-driven nonprofit that has transformed thousands of young lives through one-to-one mentoring, seeks a strategic, people-centered, and operationally-minded fiscal leader to serve as its next Vice President of Finance & Operations. 
 

About the Role

Grounded in values of connection, resourcefulness, and empathy, BBBSBA serves youth across nine counties in the Bay Area and is on a trajectory of growth to significantly increase its reach and impact. The organization is continuing to develop a culture rooted in collaboration, high expectations, and shared responsibility, and seeks a VP who can help strengthen these norms across teams and functions. With a vision of a Bay Area where all youth achieve their full potential, BBBSBA is expanding its programmatic footprint and preparing to launch a multi-year capital campaign to strengthen its financial foundation and infrastructure. This is a compelling opportunity to join a highly collaborative and values-aligned team at a pivotal moment in the organization’s evolution.

Reporting directly to CEO Lillian Samuel, the Vice President of Finance & Operations will serve as both a key thought partner and the organization’s senior leader overseeing the essential backbone functions of finance and operations (which includes HR, facilities, and IT). This deeply cross-functional role— equal parts strategic planner, systems builder, and integrator—ensures that internal systems are primed to support the organization’s bold goals. As BBBSBA continues to build its operational maturity, the VP will help formalize key systems, policies, and procedures across departments to bring structure, coherence, and alignment to the organization. The VP will also serve as the primary staff liaison to the Finance and Audit Committees of the Board, support fundraising and development strategy through financial modeling and reporting, and play a central role in strategic initiatives such as scaling programming, facilities planning, and refining organizational data systems. As a trusted advisor to the CEO and a core member of the executive team, the VP will help translate vision into execution. This is a rare opportunity to shape how a beloved regional nonprofit operates, grows, and ultimately delivers on its promise to Bay Area youth.

This is a full-time, hybrid, Bay Area-based executive leadership role that combines both strategic oversight and hands-on execution. BBBSBA seeks a confident, personable, and proactive leader with demonstrated experience in finance and operations, someone who thrives in dynamic environments and is energized by the opportunity to build, improve, and partner across functions. In recent years, BBBSBA has undergone leadership changes and growth in staff size; the VP will help ensure organizational continuity and support a culture of shared accountability, trust, and professionalism. The ideal candidate will bring strong financial acumen, people management experience, a track record of organizational stewardship, and a deep belief in the power of mentorship. With a strong reserve position, a deeply committed board, and a culture that prizes collaboration and continuous improvement, BBBSBA is poised for its next chapter, and the Vice President of Finance & Operations will be at the heart of this momentum.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Collaborating closely with the CEO, the VP of Finance & Operations will play a crucial role in enhancing and promoting BBBSBA’s vision and strategic plan for both the short and long term. By engaging with essential stakeholders, the VP will focus on the following priorities:

• Provide strategic financial and operational leadership for the overall growth and sustainability of the organization
• Strengthen the connection between financial strategy and programmatic impact, helping stakeholders, from the board to frontline staff, understand how financial decisions support mission delivery
• Strengthen operational infrastructure and leadership capacity
• Serve as a key thought partner to the CEO and executive team
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to translate the organization’s finances for external audiences and provide strategic support on financial (or philanthropic) opportunities and campaigns
• Lead facilities planning for upcoming lease renewal while developing strategies to support a team geographically dispersed across nine counties
• Foster a culture of accountability and data informed decision-making

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Financial Leadership

• Drive strategic financial planning and analysis to support organizational growth and sustainability
• Lead comprehensive budget development, monitoring, and reporting processes
• Partner with the agency’s contracted accounting firm on all accounting operations, including:
  • Monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting » Cash flow management and forecasting
  • Budget variance analysis and recommendations » Accounts payable and receivable oversight
  • Financial systems and controls implementation
• Manage relationships with external financial partners ( accounting firms, auditors, banks)
• Lead grant financial management, including: » Restricted fund tracking and compliance
  • Grant budget development and monitoring
  • Financial reporting to funders
• Serve as primary financial representative to Board committees: » Finance Committee leadership
  • Investment Committee guidance
  • Audit Committee coordination
• Develop and maintain financial policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local financial regulations
• Lead financial strategy development and long term planning
• Work collaboratively with Executive Leadership to ensure sustainability.

Operational Leadership

• Direct contract Operations Manager in:
  • Facilities management, including office spaces, storage, and leases
  • Vendor and consultant relationship management
  • Creating productive, accessible, and inclusive work environments
• Lead and develop risk management and compliance standards
  • Coordinate operational policies and procedures
  • Ensure Board maintains governance policies
• Review and collaborate on developing board/ agency governance policies and procedures
• Maintain insurance policies and renewals
• Coordinate annual operations planning and budgeting
• Manage IT services and systems, including: » Technology infrastructure and security
  • Software and systems evaluation and implementation
  • Digital transformation initiatives
  • IT vendor relationships and contracts
  • Technology training and support programs
  • Data and Systems Administration

People Management Leadership

• Direct contract HR Manager to:
  • Develop and implement an equitable compensation philosophy
  • Create inclusive performance management processes
  • Foster a culture of continuous learning and development
  • Enhance HR functions, including recruitment, benefits, and employee relations
• Manage and develop staffing and benefits budgets
• Champion initiatives driven by core principles throughout all operations
• Partner on HR policies and procedures
• Partner with the CEO on organizational culture and strategic plan implementation

CORE COMPETENCIES, QUALITIES & ATTRIBUTES

• Advanced financial management and analysis skills
• A strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to execute at both high-level and tactical levels
• Risk assessment and management expertise
• Inclusive leadership style
• Excellence in presenting complex financial information
• Project management capabilities
• Goal oriented
• Change management proficiency
• Confident and credible, with the ability to inspire trust across all levels of the organization
• Strong interpersonal skills; approachable, warm, and able to build authentic relationships with staff, Board members, and external partners
• Comfortable serving as a thought partner to the CEO and senior team, especially in a high expectation, mission-driven environment
• A strong people manager who fosters accountability and supports professional growth
• Skilled in building and refining internal systems, policies, and procedures to support efficiency and scalability
• Experienced in managing cross-functional operations, including HR, IT, facilities, and vendor relationships
• Adept at partnering with Board committees, especially Finance and Audit, to ensure transparency and fiscal health
• Effective in connecting finance to fundraising and program impact, helping stakeholders see the full organizational picture
• Mission-aligned, values-driven, and attuned to social justice and equity goals
• Comfortable working in a hybrid environment and leading a geographically dispersed team
• Open to learning and growth; able to appreciate what’s working while bringing fresh ideas and improvements
• Familiarity with, or willingness to learn, AI tools and technologies to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve workflows.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a business-related field
• 5+ years of progressive financial management experience
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Financial planning and strategy
  • Budget development and management
  • Financial systems and controls
  • Audit preparation and compliance
• Strategic Planning and Operations experience
• Experience managing and developing teams
• Experience partnering with and presenting to Boards
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem solving abilities
• Commitment to BBBSBA’s mission and core principles

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Nonprofit finance leadership experience
• Nonprofit Operations and/or project management experience
• Advanced proficiency in financial software systems
• Advanced proficiency in spreadsheets
• Experience with grant financial management
• Knowledge of the youth development sector
• Multilingual abilities

To Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit via https://bit.ly/BBBSBA_VPFinOps_AppLink the following materials confidentially as a single PDF file:

• A cover letter indicating the candidate’s particular interest in and qualifications for the position
• A current resume

Application Deadline 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those submitted by August 25, 2025

Interviews will take place throughout September and into October 2025, or until the position is filled

Equal Employment Opportunity

BBBSBA provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap or disability.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential duties & responsibilities either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

Please address any questions by email to [email protected].