Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance

About Us

UpTogether is a systems change organization working to disrupt the status quo approach to ending poverty because it's not working. We recognize that poverty is created by systems, rooted in racism and perpetuated by false views of people considered "poor."

We seek to change policies, systems, and underlying beliefs so that all people in the United States are seen and invested in for their strengths and are able to build power, reinforce their autonomy, and drive their own economic and social mobility.

Our systems change strategy is two-pronged: We work with our members, partners, funders, governments, community organizations and other supporters to:

• Invest in families and individuals experiencing financial hardship by providing them with direct cash they can use however they choose, no strings attached
• Amplify stories and data that tell their true lived experiences so that, together, we show the impact of investing in people, provide evidence that it works, and influence state and local policies and practices that support and accelerate social and economic mobility.

The strategy is grounded in our strength-based approach of community, capital and choice, which honors people’s initiatives, abilities and self-determination.

At UpTogether, we work towards these values:

• Community: We’re better together than we are alone, and we know that with the support of our neighbors, family and friends, all of us will have a better shot at achieving our goals and dreams. 
• Impact: We focus our time and energy on collective work that will have the largest impact for people experiencing financial hardship. 
• Collaboration: We center the lived experiences of our members, partner with them to change systems and work with them to co-create opportunities for people to reach their financial goals.
• Racial Equity: We are committed to being an anti-racist organization, and we promote anti-racist policies that eliminate the racial wealth divide. 
• Leadership: We intentionally create space for everyone to lead, regardless of their title. 
• Choice: We respect everyone’s autonomy and know each person is capable of  making their own decisions. 

The Position

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer as a critical member or the Executive Team, the Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance will be responsible for leading and evolving a portfolio of teams charged with developing operational, financial, and people systems and solutions that will drive UpTogether’s organizational effectiveness, ensure sustainability, and empower strategic decision-making across the organization.

The EVP, Operations and Finance will set the vision and direction necessary to ensure that the organization has the proper operating systems and controls, people systems and policies, and administrative and reporting procedures in place to support scalability and operational excellence and efficiency. The EVP, Operations and Finance will also play a lead role in managing the financial health of the organization, overseeing UpTogether’s annual and long-term planning and budgeting processes.  

The EVP, Operations and Finance will serve as a strategic business partner to the CEO and other members of UpTogether’s Executive Team, providing senior leaders with insight and counsel relative to all areas of strategic planning, growth, risk management and financial leadership. The EVP, Operations & Finance will supervise a portfolio of teams including: Operations, People & Culture, Finance, and Compliance. The ideal candidate will be an exceptional strategist who can bring a critical eye towards designing and implementing organization-wide systems and processes that improve operational efficiency and support UpTogether’s long-term objectives.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Strategic Leadership and Vision:

• Collaborate closely with the CEO, Board, and Executive Team to define and execute the strategic plan, ensuring it aligns with UpTogether’s vision and mission.
• Transform strategic goals into actionable strategies, leading key initiatives that secure the organization's sustainability and extend its reach and effectiveness.
• Set the vision for operational strategy and ensure that day-to-day organizational operations are aligned with broader strategic objectives, facilitating agility and responsiveness against clear milestones.
• Spearhead clear, transparent, and consistent internal communication, ensuring all staff members are informed, aligned, and motivated towards shared goals.

Financial Management and Sustainability:

• Oversee organizational budget of $40M. 
• Develop and implement a sustainable economic model that optimizes a mix of diverse funding sources. 
• Serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors on annual financial statements and controls environment audits.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for external service providers for other tax, reporting, and/or compliance related matters (e.g. preparation of the Form 990). 
• Assess and ensure UpTogether’s financial systems are designed and built to support the organization’s direction, priorities, and long-term sustainability.
• Support the finance lead in designing, implementing and evolving comprehensive budgeting, financial forecasting, and fiscal management processes that support the organization's financial well-being. 
• Align the work of the finance vertical and the external affairs team to ensure compliance and optimization of funds.

Operations Management:

• Ensure streamlined and standardized operational processes and systems across departments. Assess existing operational systems, tools, and processes to identify strengths as well as gaps, risks, and areas for improvement, and lead through the design, development, and implementation of needed changes.
• Ensure UpTogether is able to successfully leverage technology solutions that allow for cost efficiency, data security, and scalability and that staff members have a frictionless experience accessing the workplace productivity tools they need for their jobs in an entirely virtual organization. 
• Oversee the development and management of IT infrastructure, data management practices, and physical assets, ensuring they meet the needs of staff and program delivery.

People and Culture:

• Conduct a thorough appraisal of UpTogether’s people systems, processes, and structures and oversee completion of priority deliverables as needed to evolve and strengthen the organization.
• Partner with the People Team leadership and reporting staff to build and strengthen HR functions and develop, implement and evolve people-related systems, processes, and policies that support attracting, developing, and retaining top talent. 
• Ensure people systems and culture strategy are responsive to and meet the needs of a ~50 staff member, entirely virtual organization.  

Team Management:

• Lead reporting teams across key organizational verticals: Operations, Finance, People, Compliance, Workplace IT, Project Management and Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Serve as a manager, mentor, and coach to senior leaders under line of management. 
• Establish team-level processes, structures, and rituals as part of building a strong, high-performing team capable of leading their respective areas with autonomy and excellence.

Organizational Leadership:

• Successfully represent the organization at high-level meetings, conferences, and events, fostering partnerships and alliances to advance the organization's mission and strategic objectives.
• As a member of UpTogether’s Executive Team, help establish the overall strategy and direction of the organization and ensure organizational goals are met.
• As a member of UpTogether’s Executive Team, help define the organization's desired culture and relevant strategies to help achieve it.
• Champion desired organizational direction, culture, and REDI initiatives throughout the organization through effective management practices, strategic planning, and personal modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous Experience

• A minimum of 12+ years experience in relevant fields/functions including a minimum of 5+ years in a senior, executive leadership role overseeing operations, finance, people and/or strategy (ideally at least two of these functions).
• Previous experience leading the business operations of a team, including building processes, goal setting, budgeting, tracking against strategic goals is required.
• Previous experience successfully managing multiple functions/departments is required
• CPA, MBA or equivalent experience preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional strategist: Experience defining organizational strategic priorities and performance metrics and translating goals into actionable strategies. Demonstrated ability to lead key initiatives that drive organizational sustainability and impact.
• Exceptional operator: Experience leading the business operations of an organization, including process design, goal setting, budgeting, tracking against strategic goals, and implementing continuous improvement efforts.
• Exceptional culture champion: Ability to consistently model organizational core values and ensure REDI principles are deeply integrated into all aspects of operations, culture, and strategic planning to foster an inclusive and equitable workplace.
• Strong people leader: Ability to build, manage and lead a multi-layered, high-performing department capable of leading their respective areas with autonomy and excellence. 
• Strong financial acumen: Strong understanding of / technical expertise in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic business partner and collaborate effectively as part of a senior, executive team.
• Strong change-management skills with the ability to effectively lead the organization through transitions and build staff engagement and buy-in.

Staff Attributes for All Roles at UpTogether

• Deep investment in UpTogether’s Core Values
• Ardent commitment to continuing on a racial equity journey organizationally within UpTogether, as well as personally
• Exemplify a respected professional recognized for collaborating with others with a commitment to integrity, candor, and transparency
• Lived or shared experiences with those who are experiencing poverty is a plus

Compensation

This is a full-time position with a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision, 401(k), and vacation. Salary is commensurate with experience, between $188,000-234,000 annually.

Inclusion Statement
We strive to create a community that embraces equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we support the efforts of others to build such communities. We encourage all qualified and interested persons to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Sponsorship