**Target compensation for this position will be in the range of $240,000-$270,000. This includes a base salary (90% of total) and incentive (10% of total) tied to the achievement of annual goals. Additionally, comprehensive benefits and flexible time-off (FTO) packages are offered. **
The Position: Chief Financial Officer
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: San Jose, California
Overview
Momentum for Health (“Momentum”) has a long history of addressing behavioral health needs in the community, grounded in core beliefs that emphasize the uniqueness of individuals, the potential for change, and the importance of respect. Today, Momentum is one of the largest providers of behavioral health services, meeting the needs of adults, in Santa Clara County. The organization is committed to innovation, evidence-based treatment, and advocacy to reduce stigma around mental health, partnering with clients throughout their recovery journeys.
A Compelling Leadership Opportunity
Momentum for Health’s incoming Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) will participate in the shaping of the future of the organization at a pivotal time of new CEO leadership, organizational transformation, and an era of nationwide reform for behavioral health services.
This CFO role at Momentum is an opportunity for a seasoned finance professional to be a confidante, advisor, and thought partner to the CEO on leading strategic organizational growth while ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the organization. This CFO is a key member of the Momentum for Health Executive Team providing strategic thought partnership and guidance on all business matters at organizational and functional levels. As a member of the Executive Team, this professional plays a critical role in the overall management of the organization - leading a dedicated finance team, participating in informed decision making with peers on the Executive Team, and collaborating with an engaged Board of Directors.
Local Origins
Founded during a time when mental health treatment primarily occurred in hospitals, Momentum's early efforts aimed to shift care from institutions to community-based settings. In the 1950s, California's state hospitals housed over 36,000 individuals, often without due process. Research began to highlight the ineffectiveness and potential harm of institutionalization, prompting a change in public opinion and the development of community-focused treatment options, supported by the Short-Doyle Act and the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS).
In Santa Clara County, three key agencies laid the groundwork for what is now Momentum for Health:
- Avenues to Mental Health (1953): Pioneered behavioral health care with California’s first halfway house and a research-focused residential program.
- Miramonte Mental Health (1962): Developed impactful programs for day treatment and family support.
- Community Companions (1973): Fostered volunteer relationships with individuals facing serious mental illnesses and offered extensive outpatient services.
By the late 1990s, the mental health system had become fragmented. In 1997, the three agencies merged to form Alliance for Community Care, enhancing service delivery, cultural competence, and operational efficiency. This organization rebranded to Momentum for Mental Health in 2007, reflecting a focus on clients’ recovery journeys.
In response to changing community needs, Momentum expanded its offerings throughout the 2010s, including programs for co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. This evolution culminated in a name change to Momentum for Health in 2020, emphasizing a holistic approach to well-being.
Programs for co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions that are currently offered by Momentum for Health include:
- La Selva Group (founded in 1979): A private-pay program developed by Momentum for Health that offers comprehensive behavioral health services, including residential treatment, outpatient programs, supportive housing, and dual diagnosis care.
- Parisi House on the Hill (1994): Established as Santa Clara County’s first residential substance use treatment facility allowing mothers to live with their young children during recovery.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The CFO operates as a strategic partner to the CEO and the Executive Team, helping define and operationalize strategies and plans that ensure financial health, support the organization’s mission, and enable long-term financial viability of the agency in a changing world.
The ideal CFO candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit financial strategy and leadership, including financial planning and accounting, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, and risk mitigation. This position is an exciting leadership opportunity to partner with the CEO on strategy and play a leadership role in building and scaling operations across multiple service lines.
A proven track record in nonprofit financial leadership, government contracts, and knowledge of the behavioral health sector, will be of high value. It’s an exciting time for Momentum for Health as the agency prepares for a future with a growing demand for services, navigates uncertainties around government funding levels, and explores new partnership opportunities and service offerings.
Organizational Leadership
The organization has an annual operating budget of $75 million, a staff of 548, and is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors. The CFO is a direct report to the CEO and a member of the Executive Team.
The Executive Team members include:
- Chief Medical Officer/Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Administrative Officer
- General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer
- Chief of Outpatient Programs
- Chief Officer of Residential and 24/7 Programs
- Executive Director of La Selva Group
- Director of Human Resources
The CFO will be responsible for a staff of 28 and four direct reports, including:
- Controller
- Financial Planning and Analysis and Contracts
- Revenue Cycle Management
- Information Technology
Responsibilities
Financial Management
- Develop and implement financial strategies, policies, and procedures to drive the organization's financial success and long-term sustainability.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes, ensuring accurate financial reporting and analysis and providing timely and actionable insights that impact results.
- Collaborate with key service line leaders to develop annual budgets, monitor performance against targets, and improve processes to optimize financial results (for example, cycle time for reimbursements).
- Manage cash flow and financial risk to optimize resources and achieve organizational objectives. Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations, accounting standards, and reporting requirements.
- Oversee the preparation, analysis, and presentation of financial reports, budgets, and forecasts to the CEO and Board of Directors.
Leadership and Management
- Contribute actively to the strategic planning process, including evaluating and modeling the financial impact of strategies under consideration by the Executive Team and the Board of Directors.
- Collaborate with the CEO and Executive Team to strengthen and modernize Momentum’s operational infrastructure, evolve the service portfolio, and enhance cross-department collaboration to optimize impact.
- Clearly communicate financial benchmarks, expectations, performance, and trends, ensuring the Board of Directors, CEO, and other stakeholders are informed on a timely basis. Attend and present at board meetings and staff board committees.
- Build, lead, mentor and empower a team of talented finance professionals while building a culture of continuous improvement, best practices and customer service.
- Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, donors and community partners. Represent the organization in financial and strategic matters as required.
Information Technology
- Provide guidance, leadership, and oversight of the IT function ensuring the appropriate strategy, infrastructure, talent, and tools are in place to support the agency’s mission and operational requirements.
- Ensure appropriate safeguards and escalation processes are in place to appropriately manage IT infrastructure, systems, and applications, with sound practices around data security, privacy, cybersecurity and compliance.
- Foster and support innovation in IT, including Identifying and implementing technology solutions to streamline operations, improve productivity, and enhance data analytics capabilities.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related degree required. Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or related degree preferred.
Experience:
- Prior Chief Financial Officer experience in a similar sized complex nonprofit organization and/or healthcare provider or large behavioral health provider.
- Experience working with governmental funders at the State and/or County levels.
- Experience working in partnership with a CEO and a Board of Directors on strategic and operational matters that include and extend beyond financial accounting.
- A solid foundation of financial planning an analysis, accounting, revenue cycles, forecasting, and strong nonprofit and government contract experience.
- Knowledgeable of government initiatives and systems in a managed care setting, including CalAIM initiative, Medicare, and Medi-Cal billing.
- Experience strengthening technological capabilities to increase financial accuracy and for more efficient financial operations. Experience using financial data to inform decision making. Familiarity with NetSuite is desired.
COMPETENCIES/ATTRIBUTES
The ideal candidate is:
- A strategic thinker and thought partner to the CEO.
- A leader with business acumen and financial savvy.
- A confident, proactive and responsive leader of financial operations.
- A skilled negotiator, including public sector funders and unionized workforce negotiations.
- A leader who empowers colleagues and fosters inclusivity.
- Highly effective and well-honed verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
The ideal candidate brings:
- The highest level of professionalism, stewardship and integrity in executing the CFO role.
- Approachability and effective interpersonal skills demonstrated when interacting with staff, Board, external stakeholders, government workers, vendors, and constituents, including patience, tact, and courtesy.
- Excellent oral and written communication skill to appeal to a variety of audiences; ability to proactively communicate with the CEO and board members when appropriate and translate complex financial concepts and data in an understandable manner; attentive listening skills.
- Experience as a strategic thinker and an operational builder regarding financial operations; capable of both big picture thinking and directing tactical implementation; able to “connect the dots” of disparate areas of Momentum’s service areas and programs.
- Leadership as a seasoned finance professional able to meet the demands of an organization with a complex underlying financial and operational structure.
- Experience leading through a time of organizational growth and transformation, i.e., taking financial operations to the next level to optimize organizational impact.
- Respect for Momentum’s history and track record while engendering future success via creativity and innovation.
- Ability to make difficult decisions while being able to deal successfully with nuance and complexity.
- A collaborative and mission-driven mindset, humility and a sense of humor.
It is not necessary to meet all the criteria above to apply and be considered for this critical position.
COMPENSATION
Target compensation for this position will be in the range of $24o,000-$270,000. This includes a base salary (90% of total) and incentive (10% of total) tied to the achievement of annual goals. Additionally, comprehensive benefits and flexible time-off (FTO) packages are offered.
To initiate consideration for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter, speaking to your qualifications as per this Position Specification, to the Carlson Beck representatives below. For additional information regarding this opportunity, please contact:
Sally Carlson, Managing Partner Heidi Holzhauer, Partner
415.203.5259 mobile 707.963.1250 direct
sally@carlsonbeck.com heidi@carlsonbeck.com
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
