Chief Financial Officer

The Opportunity 

Year Up United is on a mission to end the Opportunity Divide by connecting young adults to career pathways and meaningful employment. With a national footprint, a revenue model that leverages both philanthropic contributions and earned income through the delivery of services to external partners, and significant scale, the organization is entering its next phase of growth and transformation. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will play a pivotal role in shaping this future, ensuring financial sustainability while enabling innovation, operational excellence, and expanded impact. 

About Year Up United 

Over 25 years, Year Up United has grown into the nation’s leading workforce development organization focused on young adults, reaching more than 170,000 individuals, building a network of 1,500+ employer partners across more than 25 industries, and raising over 1 billion dollars. The organization has achieved the strongest documented wage gains in the sector, with graduates earning an average starting salary of approximately $55,000, significantly above the national median of $40,000. Among its largest employer partners, more than 75% of participants transition from internships into full-time roles, underscoring both the quality of talent and the strength of employer relationships.  

Year Up United offers a range of services, including an advisory arm called Grads of Life. This practice works with employers across many industries to help them adopt skills-based hiring approaches that expand access to opportunities while driving both business results and positive social impact. 

The organization also operates YUPRO Placement, a talent agency focused on skills-first hiring that connects and supports individuals who have often been overlooked with strong job opportunities. YUPRO Placement is a wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of Year Up United, and part of its earnings is funneled back to the parent organization to help advance its mission. 

Year Up United has also evolved significantly as an enterprise. By integrating its training programs, community college partnerships, alumni network, placement services, and advisory capabilities into a unified model, the organization has streamlined and modernized its offerings. Today, it combines a robust, data-driven infrastructure with expanding investments in technology and AI-enabled tools, ranging from real-time labor market insights to automated intake and scheduling systems. This transformation positions Year Up United to help employers rethink talent strategies while continuing to scale its impact nationwide, strengthening its role as a critical partner in shaping a more inclusive and future-ready workforce. 

The Mandate 

Year Up United seeks a seasoned and strategic Chief Financial Officer to join the Executive Team at a critical inflection point. Reporting to the CEO, the CFO will serve as a key enterprise leader responsible for advancing financial sustainability, strengthening organizational discipline, and enabling mission impact through a blended revenue model of philanthropic contributions and earned income. 
This is not a traditional controller role - it is a highly strategic, enterprise-facing position requiring a strong, entrepreneurial operator who can translate financial insights into action, elevate decision-making, and help guide the organization through a period of financial complexity and transformation.  

The incoming CFO will act as: 

• A strategic business partner to the CEO and Executive Team (E-Team) 

• A driver of financial discipline and rigor across the enterprise 

• A translator of financial insights into strategic decisions 

• A stabilizing, trusted leader during a period of organizational and financial change 

• A builder and amplifier of Finance’s voice and impact internally and externally 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership 

• Partner closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to shape and execute a financial strategy that supports mission impact and organizational growth 

• Serve as a thought partner and innovator, identifying opportunities to modernize financial systems, tools, and processes 

• Lead the design and implementation of forward-looking financial models that inform strategic decisions and investment priorities 

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging data, technology, and best practices to drive effectiveness, transparency, and scalability 

• Contribute to enterprise-wide strategy and decision-making as an active member of the Executive Team 

• Serve as primary financial liaison to the Board of Directors and Finance Committee, providing strategic insights, financial reporting, and guidance on key decisions  

 
Financial Planning & Performance 

• Lead annual budgeting, long-range planning, and forecasting processes in partnership with cross-functional leaders 

• Develop and maintain dynamic financial models to evaluate program effectiveness, growth strategies, and new initiatives 

• Monitor financial performance and trends, providing clear insights and actionable recommendations 

• Oversee cash flow, capital planning, and resource allocation to ensure financial health and sustainability 

• Ensure timely, accurate, and meaningful financial reporting for internal and external stakeholders 

 
Systems & Data Transformation 

• Assess current financial operations and lead efforts to streamline, standardize, and strengthen processes 

• Implement modern, integrated financial systems that provide real-time visibility and support data-driven decision-making 

• Drive thoughtful adoption of automation and technology to reduce manual effort and improve accuracy 

• Ensure financial infrastructure can effectively support a multi-site, growing organization 

• Collaborate across teams to align financial systems with broader organizational priorities and tools 

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance team grounded in collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning 

• Create an inclusive team environment where diverse perspectives are valued and talent can grow 

• Strengthen team capabilities in financial analysis, systems thinking, and strategic partnership 

• Align team structure and priorities to meet the evolving needs of the organization 

• Serve as a coach/mentor for a small number of current students and support student programming 

Risk Management & Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with all financial, regulatory, and legal requirements 

• Oversee audit and tax processes with integrity and transparency 

• Strengthen internal controls and proactively manage financial and operational risk 

• Partner with leadership to ensure responsible stewardship of resources in service of our mission 

The Candidate 

The ideal candidate will be strategic and values-driven with a proven track record of financial leadership, transformation, and organizational impact. This candidate brings deep expertise alongside a commitment to building high-performing teams and advancing mission-driven outcomes.  

Professional Experience 

• 12+ years of progressive financial leadership, including experience in complex or growing organizations 

• Experience serving as a Chief Financial Officer or similar role, with demonstrated experience with modernization of financial systems and development of financial models 

• Demonstrated success leading financial transformation, including systems implementation and process improvement 

• Experience operating within a hybrid revenue model and managing diverse funding streams preferred 

• Strong understanding of how data, technology, and analytics can enhance financial decision-making 

• Experience working with a Board of Directors 

• MBA, CPA, or equivalent experience preferred 

Personal Attributes 

• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing, mission-aligned teams 

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate financial insights into organizational action 

• Hands-on, adaptable leader who thrives in evolving environments 

• Exceptional communication skills, including experience engaging senior leaders and boards 

• High integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to accountability and transparency 

• Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to advancing opportunity for all 

Relationships & Financial Environment 

The CFO reports to the CEO and works closely with the executive leadership team and Board of Directors, serving as the primary financial liaison to the Finance Committee. 

The organization operates with a revenue model that includes philanthropic funding and earned income. The CFO will oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, capital allocation, and reporting across a multi-site national organization. 

Location and Salary 

The CFO must be based in one of Year up United’s current markets and able to travel to Year Up United sites nationwide (with an expected travel commitment of up to 20%). They should also be comfortable maintaining a consistent in-office presence. 

This role offers a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds who bring the skills needed for success in this position. Compensation will vary based on experience and location, with a projected range of $300,000 to $350,000.