POSITION SUMMARY:
The Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) is a newly created leadership position designed to play a critical role in transforming and modernizing the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) for its next phase of growth. As a core member of the C-Suite executive leadership team, the CFAO will provide thought leadership and strategic partnership to our leadership team, staff, and members. This role requires the ability to build highly effective relationships with the Board of Directors, the Audit and Finance Committee, and other key leaders.
The CFAO will be instrumental in ensuring that AOTA's financial, administrative, and operational functions are in line with our mission and core values. We seek a leader who promotes best practices in non-profit management, champions transformation, and drives value-based decision-making. The CFAO will work collaboratively across departments to develop new processes and procedures, operating with the highest levels of integrity and accountability.
WORK ENVIRONMENT (Remote):
- This is a fully remote position, with the option to work in a hybrid capacity at our Bethesda, Maryland HQ or a shared workspace in Washington, D.C.
POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Strategic Planning & Leadership
- Report directly to the CEO and collaborate with the executive team to develop and implement financial policies that support the organization's direction and growth opportunities.
- Provide thought leadership on financial implications and risks related to key decisions and issues.
- Manage budget and financial planning functions with the executive team, Board, and the Audit and Finance Committee.
- Evaluate and improve financial systems and processes to ensure timely integration of financial information into strategic decision-making.
- Lead the partnership with the Audit and Finance Committee in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
- Oversee long-term financial planning and forecasting to ensure sustainability and resilience.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for high-revenue potential departments as designated by the CEO.
Financial Planning and Management
- Develop and implement strategies to grow revenue opportunities and diversify income streams, including non-dues revenue.
- Oversee financial performance reporting, including cash flow projections, balance sheets, and income statements.
- Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting processes and the external audit.
- Oversee and refine investment strategies to optimize financial health and mitigate risk.
- Supervise payroll functions in partnership with the People & Culture team.
- Oversee contract management processes related to independent contractors and vendors.
- Lead financial investigations and assessments as needed.
- Manage the organization's business insurances and conduct regular risk assessments.
- Implement internal financial controls and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Membership Strategy & Growth
- Provide executive oversight of AOTA's membership business model in collaboration with cross-functional leadership.
- Partner with Member Experience and Marketing teams to assess ROI on member acquisition and engagement initiatives.
- Evaluate membership revenue performance and identify opportunities for innovation and diversification.
- Align membership forecasting and pricing strategies with broader financial planning.
- Leverage data insights to support investment in member value propositions.
Information Technology
- Provide strategic oversight of AOTA's IT infrastructure, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and cybersecurity best practices.
- Lead efforts to modernize and streamline systems and platforms to enhance efficiency and reduce administrative burden.
- Oversee prioritization and implementation of IT projects in collaboration with departments.
- Ensure scalable, integrated technology solutions support evolving member engagement and product needs.
Development
- Collaborate with the CEO and CMO to evaluate sustainable fundraising strategies.
- Ensure financial alignment and forecasting supports development activities, including grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and donor engagement.
- Partner with staff to develop financial models and performance tracking for philanthropic and mission-aligned revenue initiatives.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:
- Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field; master's degree preferred.
- CPA preferred; MBA strongly preferred.
- Minimum 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, including at least 5 years in an executive or C-level role, preferably within a nonprofit or membership-based organization.
- Proven national experience as a CFO, VP of Finance, or related executive role with oversight of diverse revenue streams.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide digital transformation or modernization initiatives.
- Experience overseeing or collaborating with membership, marketing, or revenue-generating teams, with a strong understanding of member value propositions and retention strategies.
- Knowledge of membership-based revenue models, including tiered structures, pricing strategies, and ROI evaluation of member programs.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and leverage data analytics and business intelligence tools to inform financial planning, membership forecasting, and operational decisions.
- Deep understanding of IT governance, cybersecurity best practices, and data compliance standards.
- Experience aligning technology strategy with organizational goals to support scalable, integrated solutions for finance, operations, and member engagement.
- Proven leadership in developing high-performing, cross-functional teams and fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Expertise in forecasting, budgeting, audits, risk management, and financial reporting.
- Excellent interpersonal, influence, and communication skills, with a history of partnering effectively across matrixed environments and with boards or audit committees.
- Strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and a growth mindset.
- Ability to travel domestically 4-6 times per year.
At AOTA, we believe excellence occurs when:
- Trust and respect are incorporated into decisions at all levels.
- AOTA invests in its employees; and
- Responsibility and accountability for work are fairly assigned.
We believe that:
- Autonomy and empowerment are essential to satisfaction and productivity.
- Creativity and innovation only improve projects and outcomes; and
- Diversity and inclusivity are essential to success.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.