Chief Financial Officer

Lifeworks (CoCo Search/Carolyn O'Brien Consulting, LLC)

ADVOCACY EMPOWERMENT OPPORTUNITY

Job Description

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Westwood, Massachusetts
2025

Join Lifeworks as their next Chief Financial Officer! Lifeworks, one of Greater Boston’s premier human services organizations, serves and supports persons with intellectual & developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families 

With a 70-year track record of advocacy, empowerment, and opportunity for its community, Lifeworks and its dedicated team offers a diverse range of programs and services including residences, recreation, employment supports, counseling, support groups and many others. The incoming CFO will oversee a more than $40 million operating budget with critical contracts with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, MassHealth, and other state and federal agencies. With a team of 15, the CFO oversees all financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, contracting, accounting, billing, and compliance requirements, as well as Lifeworks’ technology support. The next Lifeworks CFO will report to President/CEO Daniel Burke and work closely with the Lifeworks Board of Directors to ensure financial sustainability for the next 70 years. Join Lifeworks and bring your financial acumen to powerfully impact the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Opportunity

Five years after its successful merger with the Arc of South Norfolk, Lifeworks and its 400+ person staff work in Westwood and across Greater Boston to advocate, empower, and ensure opportunities for more than 2,400 individuals and families. In an increasingly complex field and financial structure, Lifeworks’ next CFO will provide vision, leadership, and deep experience for the finance function. The CFO will ensure that each of the elements of the finance department acts as a timely, high performing, reliable, and forward thinking partner to the departments and people that make Lifeworks succeed. With a recent assessment and set of recommendations from an external consultant, the next CFO will be well positioned to develop an even stronger financial infrastructure. From ensuring that Lifeworks’ annual independent financial audit,  Uniform Financial Report, and Federal 990 are impeccable to anticipating technological needs agency wide, from maintaining systems that secure maximum reimbursements for contracts to simplifying expense reporting, the CFO can position Lifeworks for continued growth and financial success.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the CEO, supporting the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee, and managing the finance team, the CEO will have extensive and varied responsibilities. Successful members of the Lifeworks team never shy away from lending a hand and being willing to do whatever task is needed, and while the new CFO should have vision and leadership skills, she or he should also be willing to support any member of the team with advice or expertise. As Lifeworks continues to grow and evolve, we imagine the CFO position will take on more strategic, forecasting, and analysis initiatives, after bringing additional strength and depth to the function. Among the key responsibilities for the CFO are the following:

Financial Management

  • Manage and oversee all financial operations, including contracting, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, real estate, insurance, cash flow, audit and tax preparation, and financial analysis.
  • Develop, implement, and update financial strategies that support Lifeworks’ mission and goals.
  • Support the controller and other staff to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems.
  • Direct and oversee the establishment and management of all contracts with funding sources including all state and federal contracts.  
  • Prepare and present regular financial reports to the CEO, Finance Committee, Board of Directors and Agency Leadership, providing analysis and recommendations.
  • Ensure preparation and compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, annual independent financial audit, other audits as presented, and other reporting requirements.
  • Manage relationships with external partners, including state funding sources, banks, auditors, Lifeworks’ investment advisors, external technology supports and other financial service providers.

Budgeting and Forecasting

  • Develop and oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with the CEO, COO, the Program Vice Presidents, and the Controller, leading each program area to develop accurate and useful budgets that address immediate and long-term goals.
  • Oversee reporting and support managing actual performance against budget, and provide regular updates and analysis to the executive team and Board of Directors.
  • Ensure Lifeworks has financial forecasting models that support long-term financial planning and decision-making.  Continue to develop the finance staff infrastructure to enhance financial planning and forecasting.

Strategic Planning, Leadership and Technology

  • Work closely with the CEO, COO, and executive team to ensure continued excellence across Lifeworks and support for the Lifeworks community. 
  • Partner with the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee, enabling them to provide strategic financial guidance and support to the organization.
  • Oversee relationship with outsourced IT partner and manage internal IT support staff.
  • Oversee assessment, adoption, and implementation of technology solutions for Lifeworks’ financial systems and larger infrastructure, collaborating with the CEO and COO to develop enhanced technology improvements in the future.
  • Provide leadership and mentorship to the finance team, fostering a culture of agency-wide customer service, continuous improvement, and professional development.
  • Provide advice, guidance, and an extra set of hands, when necessary, to the Controller and every member of the finance team to ensure Lifeworks’ financial systems continue to improve and serve its changing needs.
  • Collaborate with other senior leaders to develop and implement strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals and support Lifeworks in financially assessing mergers, partnerships, or other opportunities and risks.

Board Relations and Reporting

  • Report on the financial performance of the organization to the Board of Directors, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities.
  • Identify and recommend financial policies and procedures, infrastructure updates, technology solutions, and other improvements that ensure Lifeworks meets its financial requirements with excellence and accuracy.

Tax Filing and Compliance

  • Oversee all tax filings and compliance requirements, ensuring that the organization is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
  • Manage relationships with external auditors and other financial service providers to ensure compliance with all reporting and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications and Qualities

While no candidate will bring every ideal qualification or experience to a role, the new Lifeworks CFO should be a highly motivated individual with deep experience in nonprofit finance and accounting, agencies with substantial state contracts, staff management, and board relations. As Lifeworks considers and adopts new technology solutions, the CFO should bring extensive comfort with and leadership in technology strategy. The next CFO should be energized by the chance to further Lifeworks’ 70 years of excellence and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The primary qualifications and qualities for this role include:

  • Previous experience as a CFO of a complex social or human services nonprofit organization is preferred, with staff supervision, board reporting, and state contracting expertise required. 
  • Expertise in all facets of state and federal contracting, reporting, and compliance for a large and growing nonprofit.
  • Experience in legal, audit, real estate, budgeting, and financial projections.
  • Proven ability to oversee implementation of complex technological systems, with consulting support, from purchase to team training.
  • Outstanding people skills alongside direct supervisory responsibility for teams larger than 5 individuals, ideally including a controller and technology leader, in addition to the core finance and accounting positions. 
  • Proven track record of successful financial management, including hands-on experience developing and implementing financial strategies, managing budgets, executing hands- on accounting roles, and overseeing financial reporting and compliance. 
  • Strong leadership and management skills, with experience building and leading high-performing teams and supporting cross-agency collaboration.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, presentation, decision-making, and technology skills.
  • Persistence and enthusiasm for serving as a leader for the agency to support adoption of new systems, priorities, and ways of creating efficiencies, and guiding cultural change among long-time, deeply dedicated team members. 
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
  • Passion for Lifeworks’ mission, history, and community. 
  • A sense of humor is appreciated and always an asset!

This is a full-time, in-office position. Lifeworks direct care staff work in-person 24/7, and leadership members recognize that it is equitable for every staff person to work in the office as well. 

Salary and Benefits

Lifeworks is committed to offering a generous compensation and benefits package to every team member. The compensation range is available to serious candidates. Benefits include 2 health insurance plan options through MassGeneral Brigham health plan, an HRA, 2 Delta Dental insurance plan options, vision, an FSA, a 403b with a discretionary match, and a generous Paid Time Off plan as well as 12 paid holidays.

To Apply

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter outlining your background, experience, and alignment with the qualifications, as well as a resume to this link. Lifeworks is supported in this search by Carolyn O’Brien Consulting LLC/CoCo Search. All applications will be reviewed by a human, with followup as necessary.

Lifeworks is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of actual or
perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship
status, age, physical or mental disability/handicap, sex, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, arrest record, or on account of membership in any category or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. For more information or for assistance with this policy, please contact an HR representative.