Senior Financial Writer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

About Chicago Public Media
Chicago Public Media is one of the nation's largest local nonprofit news organizations. Home to WBEZ 91.5FM, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Chicago Public Media reaches more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to be the most trusted news source Chicagoans turn to for understanding the people, events, and ideas shaping our community.
Chicago Public Media is a 100% community-funded newsroom powered by nearly 97,000 members whose support makes our journalism possible. This sustained community investment helped drive nationally recognized work in 2025, including 29 awards from esteemed organizations, including the Public Media Journalists Association, the Edward R. Murrow Awards, and the National Association of Black Journalists.
We believe independent journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that access to objective, fact-based news is a right for every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse content that informs and enriches our community, supported by a dedicated staff of approximately 250 professionals.
For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.
The Opportunity
The Senior Financial Analyst is responsible for CPM's financial modeling and reporting including but not limited to Executive Management and Board reporting, quarterly forecasts, annual operating plans, longer-term strategic analysis, detailed reporting for audit, tax, and grants, and reporting for the annual insurance renewal. The Senior Financial Analyst creates the financial update and business narrative for Finance Committee and Board of Directors meetings. In addition to financial modeling and reporting, the Senior Financial Analyst is responsible for analytical decision support and scenario modeling to assist with executive level, strategic decision-making. The Senior Financial Analyst is tasked with ensuring that CPM's third-party financial software meets the organization's financial objectives along with the organization's reporting and compliance needs. The Senior Financial Analyst in partnership with the accounting team serves as the project manager, systems implementation manager, systems administrator, and trainer for key financial systems including the general ledger reporting software, FP&A reporting software, and expense reimbursement software. The Senior Financial Analyst has one direct report (Senior Data Analyst).
General Responsibilities

• Create and analyze financial models and reports to provide accurate and timely financial recommendations to the executive team for decision-making around new initiatives and projects
• Explain complex financial concepts to non-finance partners in a clear and concise manner
• Lead annual budget and forecasting cycles, setting out timelines and managing department heads to stay on plan
• Prepare executive and Board level presentations and reporting on business and financial performance
• Seek out areas where we can improve existing financial efficiencies
• Project manage and lead third-party financial system implementations and training • Manages approval paths, users, dimensions, and other maintenance in third-party financial software, along with troubleshooting issues as they arise
• In conjunction with People and Culture, administer the SAG/AFTRA collective bargaining agreement
• Other duties as assigned

Skills & Knowledge

• Advanced proficiency in financial modeling, key performance indicators (KPIs), budgeting, and forecasting
• Very strong analytical mindset with financial analysis and modeling skills
• Consistently able to demonstrate independent problem-solving and critical thinking skills Proactive style with very strong organization and attention-to-detail
• Strong understanding of financial analysis, U.S. GAAP, and not-for-profit accounting principles
• Strong people management skills
• Proficient in financial reporting (Sage Intacct, Limelight, Expensify), Excel (advanced skills), and data tools (SQL, Power BI)
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple deliverables and priorities in a timely manner
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills - Ability to translate complex analytics into actionable business recommendations

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience with at least 5 years in financial planning roles.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in not-for-profit financial management, preferably with organizations of similar size and complexity.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field; MBA preferred
Certificates and/or Licenses: CPA preferred
Compensation
The expected pay range for this position is $120,000 to $150,000 per ANNUM.
Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
Working at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.
Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.