Research Finance Manager Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT KIPP NORTH CAROLINA

Every School. Every Student. Every Day.

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) North Carolina, is a network of six tuition-free, college-preparatory public charter schools educating approximately 3,000 students in grades K-12 in Durham, Halifax, Northampton and Mecklenburg counties. At KIPP NC, we are committed to improving the life outcomes of North Carolina’s children through the delivery of research-based, rigorous curricula that’s clearing the paths that our students choose to follow by ensuring that they have the roadmaps and guideposts they need to arrive at success - however they define it.

At KIPP, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to build a future without limits. Making that vision a reality requires talented educators, dedicated teams, strong schools—and the financial foundation to sustain and grow that work. As Chief Financial Officer, you have the opportunity to help build that foundation.

We value the resources entrusted to us by our students, families, communities, employees, and partners, and we believe thoughtful stewardship is essential to fulfilling our mission. That means pairing financial rigor with a deep understanding of the people and communities our work serves. It means building systems that support long-term sustainability, making data-informed decisions that strengthen our schools, and ensuring our resources are aligned to where they can have the greatest impact.

At KIPP, finance is more than numbers and budgets. It is a strategic partner in creating the conditions for students and educators to thrive. From investing in talented teachers and school leaders to strengthening operational systems and planning for the future, the CFO helps translate our mission into sustainable action.

We are looking for a leader who brings financial expertise, strategic vision, and a commitment to mission-driven leadership—someone who can help KIPP grow responsibly while keeping students and communities at the center of every decision.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

KIPP North Carolina seeks a Chief Finance Officer who brings financial expertise, strategic vision, and a commitment to mission-driven leadership—someone who can help KIPP grow responsibly while keeping students and communities at the center of every decision. Reporting to theChief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer will set the strategic financial vision for KIPP NC and support organization-wide financial decision-making. Bringing sophisticated finance expertise to KIPP NC, the Chief Financial Officer manages all aspects of the organization’s finances, including financial operations, controls and compliance, financial reporting, budgeting, real estate financing, and sustainability planning.

The Chief Financial Officer directly manages the Finance Manager, who oversees restricted grants and funds and supports school-based budget management, and the Controller, who oversees the organization's accounting operations and directly manages the Accounts Payable Associate, Accounting Manager, and Accounting & Payroll Manager. The Chief Financial Officer coaches and develops the Finance team while fostering strong cross-functional partnerships and a responsive, customer-centric service culture.

This is an ideal opportunity for a dynamic and visionary organizational leader to play a critical role in building and shaping a premier K-12 charter management organization committed to supporting all our students to graduate college and succeed in school and life.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Finance & Accounting

• Provides executive leadership and strengthens systems, processes, and internal controls across financial reporting, accounting operations, payroll, procurement, expense management, cash management, and compliance.
• Serves as the organization's financial leader, overseeing all aspects of KIPP North Carolina's financial operations while partnering with Executive Leadership, the Board of Directors, and school-based leaders through financial modeling, compliance oversight, strategic planning, and data-driven analysis.
• Oversees the organization's accounting and finance functions to ensure the accurate execution of accounting, financial reporting, banking, budgeting, procurement, payroll, compliance, and the timely submission of all required financial reports to authorizers, lenders, funders, auditors, and other key stakeholders.
• Leads the organization's annual budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial planning processes, ensuring financial resources are aligned with organizational priorities and long-term financial sustainability.
• Partners with School Support Team leaders to develop, monitor, and manage regional and departmental budgets through financial reporting, budget review meetings, and strategic financial guidance.
• Prepares and presents financial, budget, enrollment, facilities, and other strategic analyses to Executive Leadership, Board working groups, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors to support effective governance and organizational decision-making.
• Develops and executes the organization's long-term financial strategy, including balance sheet management, cash flow planning, investment oversight, debt management, and other financial sustainability initiatives.
• Oversees the administration of federal, state, and restricted grant funding to ensure funds are secured, allocated, monitored, and expended in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and grant requirements.
• Leverages technology to improve financial operations and decision-making by overseeing financial systems, budgeting and forecasting platforms, expense management tools, payroll systems, and other finance-related technologies.

Organizational & Team Leadership

• Leads the financial planning process in support of KIPP North Carolina's annual and multi-year strategic priorities by developing long-range financial models, enrollment projections, and sustainability analyses.
• Develops and continuously improves organization-wide financial strategies, systems, policies, and key performance indicators to strengthen financial stewardship, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
• Shares best practices and learnings with the broader, national KIPP network as well as local charter and public school networks

Strategic Leadership

• Serves as a strategic advisor to Executive Leadership, school leaders, and the Board by providing financial analysis, scenario modeling, risk assessment, and recommendations to support organizational decision-making.
• Leads organizational change initiatives by designing, implementing, and continuously improving financial systems, operational processes, policies, and internal controls while ensuring effective communication and stakeholder adoption.
• Evaluates the financial feasibility of new initiatives, programs, and strategic investments through business case development, financial modeling, and cross-functional collaboration.

People & Stakeholder Management

• Identifies opportunities and leads the change management process to establish the Finance Team as collaborative and customer-centric, supporting partnerships across the organization
• Develops, coaches, and mentors Finance team members while fostering a culture of continuous learning, accountability, collaboration, and customer service.
• Manages the Board’s Finance Committee, serving as a trusted advisor and thought partner to its members and the Board
• Builds collaborative partnerships across the organization to promote sound financial management, clear communication, and shared accountability for budget performance.
• Partners with the Development team on grant budgeting, restricted fund management, gift accounting, financial reporting, and compliance with donor requirements.

Other Information

• This role must be based in North Carolina but can live anywhere in the state as long as the person in the role has access to reliable transportation.
• Required to attend meetings in-person at a school several times per year and any in-person School Support Team meetings (2 per year).
• May require work some nights and weekends

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

• The successful candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:
• A deep commitment to the mission of KIPP NC and an unwavering belief in the potential of all our students
• A strong desire to collaborate with school leaders and School Support Team colleagues in service to KIPP North Carolina schools
• BS in Accounting or Finance required, CPA desired and MBA, MPA, or other Masters’ equivalent degree strongly desired
• 10+ years in progressively responsible financial leadership roles 
• Significant experience in senior budget and finance positions at complex organizations, ideally at education nonprofits or charter management organizations 
• Experience and/or exposure to multiple lines of business with a demonstrated mix in both the public and private sector
• Strong analytical capabilities including financial planning, forecasting, modeling, and data analysis
• Proven project management skills as it relates to the creation of different systems and structures
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across teams across the organization
• Demonstrates integrity, both in words and actions, and encourages ethical behavior and decision making 
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an ability to serve as an exemplar for the organization’s values and foster an inclusive and respectful workplace
• Possess a deep commitment to both racial equity and improving the lives of kids from low-income communities; experience working within predominantly Black, Brown, and/or low-income communities
• Understanding and willingness to work in both rural and urban communities, including exhibiting resourcefulness and willingness to travel up to five hours within North Carolina multiple days per week based on need
• Collaborative approach to executive leadership, and the ability to work effectively with cross functional teams to meet goals and improve organizational performance