Chief Financial Officer

Cambridge Housing Authority • Full-time • Cambridge, MA, US • $250k - $280k / year • 1d ago

Position Overview: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will serve as a key strategic partner to the CEO and senior leadership team, overseeing all financial operations for the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA), its affiliates, subsidiaries, and managed housing authorities. Leading a 15+ person finance team responsible for a $210+ million agency budget, the CFO will strengthen financial infrastructure, modernize systems and reporting, enhance technology and data capabilities, improve internal controls, and develop innovative financing strategies to support CHA’s continued growth and long-term sustainability. This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of the nation’s most innovative housing authorities by building a high-performing finance organization that advances operational excellence, affordable housing development, and organizational impact.

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Deputy Fiscal Directors, Budget Director and Senior Purchasing Agent

Other Key Relationships:

• Board of Commissioners

• Deputy Executive Director

• Deputy Executive Director of Development

• General Counsel

• Director of Real Estate (vacant)

• Director of Information Technology

• Director of Asset Management

• Director of Operations

• Director of Leased Housing

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership

Advises the CEO on all finance matters and participates in the formulation of financial policy for CHA, including its subsidiaries and affiliates; serves as a strategic thought partner on major agency economic strategies, long-term financial sustainability, capital planning and growth, organizational growth and risk management.
Leads the development and implementation of agency-wide and departmental financial metrics to support financial forecasting, scenario planning and data-driven decision-making. Works closely with the CEO and senior leadership to produce timely and accurate budget-to-actual variance reports, regular revenue and cost projections, key performance indicators and analysis of financial risks and opportunities.
Strengthens CHA’s financial infrastructure, reporting and internal controls to support borrower strength and bond issuance, maintain audit readiness, and sustain continued organizational growth.
Builds scalable financial systems, dashboards and shared documentation that improve transparency, increase operational efficiency, strengthen organizational decision making and reduce dependency on individual institutional knowledge.
Identify and evaluate innovative financing strategies, capital structures and revenue generating opportunities including positioning CHA as a bond issuer—to support long term financial sustainability and affordable housing development.

Financial Planning, Reporting & Operations

Directs the preparation and timely completion of all required financial statements for the Board of Commissioners, CEO, Department Directors, property managers, funders, tax credit partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders.
Directs preparation of department-level budgets, reviews budget proposals and prepares supporting documentation in partnership with senior leadership; provides timely and accurate reviews of the CHA’s financial status and progress across programs and activities.
Serves as CFO for the Belmont Housing Authority, an adjacent housing authority that CHA manages with an annual budget of $2 million.
Leads the continued optimization of Yardi and related financial processes to include budgeting, procurement, accounts payable workflows, reporting and internal controls to improve operating efficiency and customer service.
Formulates and recommends investment policy aligned with funder requirements, organizational risk tolerance and opportunities for impact investment; makes recommendations regarding the investment of available cash and endowments and oversees the CHA’s investment portfolio.
Ensures financial operations effectively support the CHA’s expanding portfolio of real estate assets, affiliated entities, and affordable housing and social service financing activities.

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensures compliance with HUD and other stakeholder requirements governing public housing and affiliated entities, with particular emphasis on the Moving to Work (MTW) Demonstration Program.
Maintains strategic knowledge of federal housing programs and general real estate financing principles and proactively advises organizational leaders on the financial implications of changing regulations, funding levels, policy developments and market forces.
Advises management regarding insurance coverage, enterprise risk management and protection against financial, operational and property-related liabilities while ensuring compliance with stakeholder and regulatory requirements.
Identifies emerging financial risks and develops mitigation strategies that strengthen the CHA’s long-term financial sustainability.
Oversees agency preparation for annual audit and other periodic monitoring by public and private funders. Liaise with CHA’s independent auditor, senior leadership, staff and the Board to review audit or other program review findings, coordinate management responses, and as necessary, implement corrective actions.
As the Chief Procurement Officer, oversees and implements public procurement processes consistent with applicable agency and funder requirements.

External Relations & Stakeholder Engagement

Represents the CHA with governmental agencies, financial institutions, investors, peer housing authorities, and other affordable housing providers and national industry organizations while serving as an ambassador for CHA's innovative financial and operational leadership.
Communicates complex financial information clearly while building trusted relations and delivering responsive financial partnerships across the organization.
Serves as a trusted financial advisor to the CEO and Board, helping translate financial data into strategic business decisions that advance the CHA’s mission.

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development

Provides strategic leadership for the Finance Department through the hiring, supervision, mentoring and professional development of staff; establishes standard operating procedures, evaluates performance, and promotes continuous learning and accountability.
Leads succession planning, delegation and talent development to strengthen organizational capacity, preserve institutional knowledge and build a high-performing finance organization prepared for future growth.
Leads the ongoing transformation of the Finance Department by modernizing systems, improving processes, empowering staff and fostering a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
Demonstrates exceptional leadership and team-building skills, inspiring collaboration, strengthening cross-functional relationships and transforming an already talented team into a highly engaged, high-performing finance organization.

The Leader

The ideal candidate will bring a demonstrated record of financial leadership, strategic thinking and organizational impact, supported by the following qualifications, experience and core leadership competencies:

Education & Professional Experience

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field, and a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, investments or related disciplines, including significant supervisory experience. MBA and/or CPA preferred.
Experience leading finance functions through periods of organizational growth, change management and process improvement.
Experience leading finance within affordable housing, real estate, higher education, healthcare, government or another highly regulated, operationally complex organization is strongly preferred.

Strategic Leadership & Business Acumen

Demonstrates a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance long-term vision and innovation with disciplined execution, financial stewardship and operational excellence.
Leads with unquestioned integrity and sound judgment while fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and service that reflects CHA's mission and entrepreneurial spirit.

Leadership & People Management

Provides direction by clearly and effectively setting the course of action for the department; manages performance by providing regular feedback and reinforcement to staff.
Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to build relationships, drive accountability, foster collaboration and influence across departments.
Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, develop and empower high-performing teams through periods of growth and change.

Communication & Relationship Management

Ensures important information is shared with those who need to know; conveys information clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; demonstrates active listening and an understanding of others' comments and questions.
Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, public boards, residents, community stakeholders and financial partners.

Collaboration & Organizational Effectiveness

Demonstrates an open-door, collaborative leadership style that values transparency, active listening, accessibility and thoughtful decision-making while empowering staff and fostering trust.
Balances team and individual responsibilities; demonstrates objectivity and openness to others' perspectives; welcomes feedback; builds morale and commitment to shared goals; and supports the success of colleagues across the organization.

Location