Head of Finance and Technology
Head of Finance & Technology
Summary Description:
Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Head of Finance and Technology is responsible for the financial health, fiscal integrity, and strategic financial direction of Goodwill Southern Los Angeles County (Goodwill SOLAC), with leadership responsibility spanning Accounting, Finance, and Information Technology. This executive is a core member of the Executive Leadership Team and the primary financial voice to the Board of Directors and its Finance Committee. The role blends three mandates: a builder who modernizes and scales the back office; a strategist who partners with the CEO on the organization's most consequential decisions; and an innovator who brings AI, analytics, and environmental impact into the daily operating rhythm of the business, ensuring that every dollar generated through Commercial Operations is deployed in service of Goodwill SOLAC's mission.
Exemplary Duties / Responsibilities:
Strategic Partnership to the CEO
Serve as the CEO's trusted financial and strategic thought partner, bringing rigor, candor, and options to the organization's highest-stakes decisions. Report the financial status of the organization to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Senior Leadership, providing actionable insights and recommendations for performance improvement.
Lead financial modeling, scenario planning, and business-case development for growth initiatives, new revenue streams, capital investments, and strategic partnerships.
Translate the organization's strategic vision into a long-range financial plan, capital strategy, and operating model that supports sustained growth.
Board & External Stakeholder Engagement
Present quarterly to the Board of Directors and Finance Committee, delivering clear, decision-ready financial reporting, forecasts, risk assessments, and recommendations.
Represent the organization with external partners, including auditors, banks, lenders, insurers, funders, landlords, and vendors, as a credible and persuasive financial executive.
Lead negotiations on major contracts, leases, financing arrangements, vendor agreements, and partnership terms, securing favorable outcomes for the organization.
Scaling Accounting, Finance & Information Technology
Evolve the Accounting, Finance, and IT functions from their current state into scalable, high-performing organizations with the people, processes, controls, and systems required for a growing multi-channel retailer.
Own the organization's core financial and technology platforms (ERP, point-of-sale, payroll, e-commerce fulfillment, and business intelligence), ensuring data integrity, security, and reliability.
Evaluate, select, and lead implementation of new systems and platforms; digitize and automate AP/AR, payroll, procurement, close, and reporting processes.
Design and continuously strengthen internal controls, cybersecurity posture, and compliance frameworks appropriate to a scaling enterprise.
AI Thought Leadership
Serve as the enterprise thought leader on artificial intelligence, defining the organization's AI strategy, roadmap, governance, and adoption priorities.
Lead implementation of AI and automation across finance, retail operations, pricing, inventory, forecasting, customer experience, and administrative functions.
Build organizational fluency in AI, equipping leaders and teams to use AI-enabled tools responsibly and effectively.
Budgeting, Forecasting, Reporting & Analytics
Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, cash flow and liquidity management, and long-term capital planning across programs, retail, e-commerce, services, and administrative functions.
Oversee timely, accurate GAAP-compliant financial statements and executive-level KPI dashboards; drive accountability through variance analysis and channel-, location-, and program-level profitability reporting.
Build a best-in-class analytics capability that delivers predictive insight on pricing, inventory, staffing, store performance, and resource allocation.
Compliance, Audit & Internal Controls
Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit financial management standards, and applicable government contract and grant requirements.
Lead annual audit preparation and management, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors and the Board Finance Committee.
Revenue Growth, Margin & Environmental Impact
Partner with Commercial Operations leadership to evaluate and expand revenue-generating opportunities across stores, outlet, e-commerce, wholesale/aftermarket, and services channels.
Identify and lead cost-optimization initiatives, vendor and contract reviews, and efficiency programs that expand margin without compromising mission delivery.
Develop the business case and financial model for expanding the organization's recycling, material-recovery, and waste-reduction operations, turning environmental impact into a measurable line of the P&L.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
Build, mentor, and lead high-performing Accounting, Finance, and IT teams; set clear goals, develop talent, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Model the organization's values in day-to-day leadership, building trust and alignment across diverse teams and departments.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Experience:
Any combination of education or experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would qualify. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Information Systems, Technology, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including at least 5 years as CFO, VP Finance, or Head of Finance with enterprise-wide responsibility.
Experience in complex retail, omni-channel, consumer products, or manufacturing environments strongly preferred; multi-location, multi-channel P&L experience required.
Demonstrated track record of scaling Accounting, Finance, and/or IT functions through a period of significant growth, including systems selection and implementation.
Proven experience presenting quarterly to a Board of Directors and Finance/Audit Committee and representing the organization to external partners.
Demonstrated success negotiating significant contracts, leases, financing, or partnership agreements.
Hands-on experience implementing AI, automation, or advanced analytics in a business setting, with the credibility to lead enterprise-wide AI adoption.
Experience managing complex budgets in excess of $20M and leading multiple teams or departments.
Knowledge & Skills:
Expertise in GAAP, nonprofit financial management, compliance, and internal controls.
Demonstrated success implementing enterprise-wide budgeting systems, automation tools, or data platforms.
Strong communication, facilitation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills; highly emotionally intelligent and culturally aware.
Ability to build trust and alignment across diverse teams and organizational levels.
Software & Systems:
Experience with POS systems, preferably Epicor or similar platforms.
Experience with ERP systems, preferably Sage Intacct or similar platforms.
Experience with payroll systems, preferably Ceridian/Dayforce or similar platforms.
Experience with e-commerce fulfillment systems, preferably Upright Labs or similar platforms.
Familiarity with Business Intelligence (BI) and automation systems such as Microsoft Power BI, NetSuite, Tableau, or similar.
License/Certifications:
Valid CA Driver’s License, being willing and able to produce a valid registration upon demand and utilize personal vehicle for work related travel.
Preferred Qualifications:
CPA, CMA, MBA, or relevant advanced degree.
Experience in nonprofit, retail, social enterprise, circular-economy, recycling, or workforce development sectors. Familiarity with ERP, BI, and automation systems such as Sage Intacct, Microsoft Power BI, NetSuite, Tableau, or similar.
Proven track record of leading financial and technology modernization and delivering measurable cost savings.
Core Competencies:
To perform the job successfully an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Strategic Acumen - Sees the whole business, translates numbers into direction, and helps the CEO make big calls.
Builder's Mindset - Energized by evolving functions, systems, and teams to keep pace with growth.
Executive Presence - Credible and compelling with Boards, banks, partners, and staff alike.
Negotiation - Prepares thoroughly, holds the line, and closes favorable terms.
AI & Technology Fluency - A practitioner and evangelist, not a spectator.
Innovative Thinking - Sees environmental impact as a growth opportunity and builds the business case to expand it.
Mission Commitment - Motivated by the idea that financial excellence funds human impact.
Integrity - High integrity, adaptability, and results orientation.
This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standard of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required by their supervisor.