What We Do
Jewish Family Service (JFS) is a client-centered, impact-driven organization working to build a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego. Founded in 1918, we are one of San Diego’s most impactful nonprofit human services agencies, providing resources and support to over 70,000 people every year. Our broad network of staff, volunteers, supporters, and community partners is committed to the pursuit of one shared goal: helping individuals and families in San Diego move forward.
JFS welcomes people of all backgrounds, assisting them to build stable and dignified lives. Together, we can create a stronger, healthier community where everyone can thrive. Our wide range of integrated services empowers people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds to move toward self-sufficiency, support aging with dignity, and foster community connection and engagement throughout San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties. Today, JFS is stronger than ever, with a $62M annual operating budget supported by a diverse funding mix of government grants and contracts, philanthropic contributions, and program fees. Our work is powered by nearly 400 team members who are supported by 1,500 volunteers annually. This enables us to provide an incredibly comprehensive range of services. Our core focus areas are: Nutrition and Health, Housing and Stability, Immigration, and Jewish Community Wellbeing.
LEADERSHIP & CULTURE
JFS is led by an exceptional executive leadership team, dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity, learning, and growth. Our focus is to create a highly supportive environment where team members can do their very best work. The Chief Financial Officer serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to CEO Dana Toppel. Since joining JFS in 2009 and assuming the role of CEO in 2025, Dana has leveraged her deep institutional knowledge and her background as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and MBA to drive strategic, high-impact growth. Beyond her 17 years of dedication to JFS, she is a prominent advocate for equity and inclusive leadership, serving as Chair of San Diego for Every Child, a Commissioner for the State of California’s Commission on Aging and Founder of Make Work Work For Moms. Dana also brings a business background to this work and is excited to develop fee-based and earned revenue programs to ensure the diversified sustainability of JFS for years to come.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a true C-suite thought partner: someone who helps JFS anticipate emerging opportunities and challenges, drives revenue diversification, and brings bold, proactive financial leadership to a visionary CEO and engaged Board. Bringing a 'Chief Investment Officer' mindset to the oversight of JFS's sophisticated investment portfolios and endowments, the CFO oversees a $62M operating budget with 180+ distinct projects across 10 funding umbrellas. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CFO drives the modernization of financial systems to support the scalability of JFS’s diverse service offerings. Beyond technical management, they partner closely with Program, Development, and HR teams to align financial practices with broader organizational needs, including workforce planning and compensation strategy. The CFO leads a dedicated team of 17 professionals, with direct oversight of the Senior Director, Controller, and the Executive Assistant.
Year one priorities:
- Team & Culture Leadership: Foster a solutions-based, service-oriented, collaborative culture within the Finance Department and cross-departmentally; work collaboratively to mentor staff and implement succession planning for key roles.
- Strategic Relationship Building: Prioritize a "listen and learn" phase to understand the "JFS Way," building trust-based partnerships with the Board, CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and staff.
- Systems Modernization: Advance organizational technology by eliminating manual processes and increasing the transparency of financial data and reporting for all departments.
- Operational Optimization: Rationalize the cost center ecosystem and standardize financial policies to support the scalability of JFS’s diverse service offerings.
- Strategic Planning: Develop a dynamic, three-year financial forecasting framework to ensure long-term sustainability across shifting grant cycles and programs.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Committees (Audit, Investment, Budget & Finance), and Executive Leadership Team on financial planning, sustainability, and risk management.
- Lead the development of the organization’s long-term financial strategy, annual budgets, and financial forecasts.
- Oversee all financial and accounting operations, including monthly close, cash flow management, treasury, and general ledger functions.
- Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting, including internal dashboards, Board reports, and annual audits.
- Oversee grants and contract financial management, ensuring accurate tracking, reporting, allowable cost allocation, and compliance with federal, state, local, and revenue recognition.
- Partner with Program, Development, and Operations teams to align financial management with program delivery.
- Prepare and deliver regular financial presentations and strategic analyses to Board members and external partners.
- Drive modernization of financial systems and processes to support scalability and efficiency.
- Implement best practices in nonprofit financial management, including cost-allocation methodologies and integrated budgeting.
- Partner with HR and Operations to align financial practices with organizational needs, including workforce planning and compensation strategy.
- Partner with JFS subsidiary, CARS, to ensure that financials and audits are clean and that systems are strong.
BACKGROUND PROFILE
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration; a CPA and/or MBA (or equivalent experience) is strongly preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience overseeing large-scale operations and high-performing teams, specifically within complex organizations managing $60M–$90M+ annual operating budgets.
- Deep mastery of nonprofit GAAP and fund accounting, with extensive experience managing a complex portfolio of restricted and unrestricted funding, including multi-faceted government contracts.
- A collaborative leader who embraces the organization’s values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the cultural competency to engage effectively with stakeholders from all backgrounds and beliefs.
- Proven success leading digital transformations and revenue diversification, including the implementation of modern ERP/financial systems to drive organizational efficiency.
- Exceptional ability to translate complex financial concepts for non-financial audiences, fostering confidence among the Board, staff, funders, and diverse community partners.
- A high-velocity leader who thrives in ambiguity, makes rapid yet well-informed decisions, and remains accessible to a visionary CEO navigating complex, time-sensitive opportunities.
- A proactive financial strategist with demonstrated experience developing and executing revenue diversification strategies, building multi-year financial forecasting frameworks, and serving as a genuine thought partner to nonprofit CEOs and boards.
