The Mind Trust · 5 hours ago
Chief Financial Officer
Indianapolis, IN
Full-time
Hybrid
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$195K/yr - $210K/yr
5+ years expThe Mind Trust is a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis, dedicated to creating an educational system that ensures every student has access to high quality education. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a strategic and operational leader responsible for safeguarding the financial health, integrity, and sustainability of The Mind Trust while providing financial insight to the CEO and Board of Directors.
CommunitiesEducation
Hiring Manager
Brian Laskey, MNM, SPHR
Responsibilities
Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, overseeing execution of efforts to ensure financial viability, sustainability, and excellent stewardship of funds
Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement within The Mind Trust’s Finance and Operations team
Mentor and develop leaders within the Finance and Operations team, promoting shared learning and alignment with The Mind Trust’s mission and values
Model ethical leadership and collaboration, ensuring that financial stewardship reflects The Mind Trust’s commitment to transparency, inclusion, and excellence
Develop and deliver timely, data-driven insights and analysis to guide decision-making by the CEO, Board of Directors, and the executive leadership team
Advise on the financial implications of contracts, partnerships, and new initiatives, ensuring prudent risk management and alignment with strategic goals
Support The Mind Trust’s development and national partnership teams by providing financial expertise, strategic modeling, and guidance to ensure sustainable growth and impact
Participate actively in executive leadership meetings, contributing to cross-functional planning, organizational learning, and strategic discussions
Make recommendations for financial implications and feasibility of proposed and potential strategies
Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team, as well as program teams, to develop and oversee The Mind Trust’s annual operating budget
Oversee approved annual operating budget through monthly meetings with CEO and executive leadership team members who manage functional area budgets throughout the fiscal year
Review and oversee development of The Mind Trust’s financials monthly and provide regular updates to CEO on financial performance
Drive The Mind Trust’s financial planning and manage investment strategy by implementing new strategies to maximize The Mind Trust’s return on investments
Oversee the annual external audit and IRS 990 preparation
Establish and oversee robust internal control systems that ensure compliance with GAAP and all applicable tax laws and regulations
Consider the financial impact of policy measures and take the initiative to make decisions and find solutions as needed
Develop, implement, and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to strengthen financial accuracy, transparency, and accountability
Manage relationships with external auditors, bookkeepers, financial institutions, the external investment management team, and other key partners to ensure compliance, reliability, and trust across all entities
Assess and mitigate financial risks while identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and sustainability across The Mind Trust
Oversee and support the implementation and optimization of financial systems and technology to enhance efficiencies, data integrity, accessibility, and informed decision-making
Oversee the review of contracts and agreements to ensure appropriate financial protections for the organization
Oversee relationship with outside legal counsel for all organizational legal needs related to contracts and finances
Oversee The Mind Trust’s contract procurement, development, executive and implementation processes
Lead and perform in-depth financial analysis to advise the Development team on goals and revenue targets
Oversee the development of fundraising budgets for all proposals in conjunction with the Development team
Oversee the preparation reports by the Senior Director of Finance for existing funders to satisfy all funder reporting requirements
Coordinate development of materials and communication with the full Board of Directors for the Finance and Operations team for all Board and Committee meetings
Coordinate and develop all materials and communication for the Board-level Finance and Audit Committee and Compensation Committee meetings
Research and prepare annual compensation study and relevant materials for Compensation Committee for annual CEO compensation review
Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to the Board of Directors and all committees, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, fundraising progress, and financial risks and opportunities
Collaborate with the CEO and Board to develop financial strategies, policies, and reporting mechanisms aligned with The Mind Trust’s mission and long-term sustainability
Serve as a strategic advisor to the Board and the Finance and Audit Committees, contributing insights that inform key governance and strategic decisions
Oversee and manage members of the Finance and Operations team
Perform additional duties, as assigned
Qualification
Required
CPA and/or MBA required, with a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field strongly preferred
Minimum of five years in progressively responsible senior leadership roles in accounting, finance, and operations
Not-for-profit accounting, tax compliance, and grant management experience required
Proven track record of presenting to and partnering with Boards of Directors and Finance and Audit Committees
Exceptional analytical, strategic, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights
Strong negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
Deep understanding of internal controls, risk management, and regulatory compliance
Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks, Excel and financial systems; familiarity with automation tools
Experience leading and developing high-performing, diverse teams across multiple geographies
Deep understanding of and alignment with The Mind Trust's core values and core beliefs
Experience successfully managing teams and cross-functional projects
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage several simultaneous tasks and projects
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to operate with autonomy and function in a high-energy, dynamic environment
Possesses a spirit of flexibility, an openness to feedback, and a commitment to continuous learning
Critical thinker who displays good judgment in prioritizing problems to resolve and opportunities to pursue
Dedication to embracing new ideas to drive educational transformation
A collaborative spirit and the ability to work effectively in teams and build meaningful relationships with stakeholders
Preferred
Knowledge of education policy and reform, education entrepreneurship, and the charter school sector preferred
Benefits
Healthcare
Retirement Savings
Life and Disability Coverage
Professional Development
Generous Time Off & Family Support
Company
The Mind Trust
The Mind Trust is a nonprofit that is driving education innovation in Indianapolis.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$8MKey Investors
Glick PhilanthropiesLilly Endowment
2023-01-24Grant
2021-02-03Grant· $3.4M
2019-08-19Grant· $4.6M
Leadership Team
Brandon Brown
CEO
Shannon Williams
Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President
Recent News
Inside INdiana Business
2025-02-26
Inside INdiana Business
2025-01-22
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