Chief Financial Officer

About Elemental Impact 

Elemental Impact is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit investment organization with 15 years of experience advancing innovative technologies with deep environmental and local impact. The nonprofit is supported by 40 funders and its portfolio includes 160+ companies that have catalyzed $11.5B in additional funding and created 17,200 jobs. Elemental works to address market failures for first-of-a-kind and early commercial projects by providing catalytic capital and specialized expertise—from policy engagement to workforce development and capital coaching. 

About the role 

Elemental is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the senior-most financial executive of Elemental Impact and the future Elemental investment platform. In this role, you will own the development and implementation of the long-term financial strategy for Elemental Impact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit investment organization, and help architect the growth of a broader multi-asset class platform with diverse investment strategies, service capabilities, and funds. You will operate at the intersection of philanthropy and nonprofit finance on the one hand, and private investing (including venture investments, program-related investments, debt and project finance, and strategic portfolio management) on the other hand.

The CFO will look across the various funds and may provide direct or advisory support including working directly with fund leads, teams, and service providers to manage and optimize financial assets. You will design and implement a comprehensive framework of financial management that ensures donor compliance, investment rigor, and organizational scalability at the 501(c)(3). The CFO will also help design economic and investment relationships across the platform that optimize exposure and information sharing while keeping compliance as a top priority.

This position will report to the Chief Executive Officer of Elemental Impact, serve on the executive leadership team and manage the financial operations team. This is a dynamic and responsive team that ensures the financial foundation of the organization remains strong. The role collaborates effectively with all other parts of the organization, and many external entities, to execute the firm’s financial strategies. 

Key Responsibilities Include:

1. Platform Fund Leadership

• Platform Design & Development: Help architect the growth of a multi-asset class investment platform with diverse strategies, service capabilities, and funds.
• Fund Administration: Lead the administration of current and expanding investment vehicles, including precise performance tracking.
• Capital Innovation: Develop and implement strategies to service new capital sources, including Recoverable Grants and Program-Related Investments (PRIs), to increase Elemental’s reach and impact.
• Portfolio Payments & Risk Management: Support risk management functions, oversee impairment analysis and ensure timely execution of investment transactions in partnership with the Portfolio & Investments team.

2. Non-Profit Financial Operations & Revenue Compliance

• Non-Profit Oversight: Lead the finance team in managing accounting and administrative functions across a $30M+ budget and manage required compliance and auditing across multiple entities and inter-company transactions. Lead the creation and delivery of financial materials for the Board of Directors.
• Grant Revenue Compliance: Manage a sophisticated framework for grant administration, ensuring 100% adherence to industry standards, donor requirements and federal regulations, including GAAP, 2CFR200, and IRS Form 990.
• Strategic FP&A: Oversee the annual budgeting process, cash flow forecasting, and the integration of diverse revenue streams from 40+ funders into a cohesive financial plan.
• Treasury & Controls: Manage institutional banking relationships, assess payment controls against emerging threats, and execute transactions for company bank/brokerage accounts.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a high-performing team, including the Controller and Sr. Director of Finance and Revenue Compliance and others, to reach individual and organizational goals.

Qualifications  

Desired skills:                               

• Financial Mastery: Extensive experience in senior financial leadership within complex, multi-entity organizations.
• Both For-profit and Non-profit Expertise: Demonstrated success in both venture capital/private finance environments and federally-funded nonprofit organizations.
• Systems Fluency: Deep experience with ERP and accounting software (e.g., NetSuite) and the ability to leverage technology to drive operational efficiency.
• Compliance Rigor: Advanced knowledge of GAAP, FASB, and federal single-audit requirements.
• Communications: Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills. 
• Values Aligned: Sense of integrity and personal accountability; a constant learner who will be a proactive, positive member of the team; someone that will demonstrate Elemental’s values: Be Brave, Keep Innovating; Live your Kuleana, Master your Craft, and Cultivate Joy. 

Standout skills:                             

• Architectural Vision: Experience designing complex multi-entity platforms that bridge 501(c)(3) philanthropy with for-profit venture or project finance.
• Blended Finance Expertise: Proven track record of layering federal funding / philanthropic funding with investment capital to de-risk First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) technology.
• Strategic Capital Recycling: Innovative approach to managing recoverable grants and PRIs to create sustainable, "evergreen" funding loops.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time "at-will" position working at least 40 hours per week. You will be asked to travel for work periodically. 

The salary range for this role is $262,200 - $330,000 which is based on market data and the organization's compensation philosophy. Our offer will be within the range as required by certain state laws and individual salary offers will vary within the range depending on location, relevant education, knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer comprehensive employee benefits, including a professional development stipend and three weeks paid time off (more details here). 

Location

We strongly prefer candidates located near one of our headquarters: Honolulu, San Francisco, and New York. Elemental has a hybrid working model and if you are within a reasonable distance to one of our offices in New York, Bay Area, or Honolulu, we ask employees to come into the office at least once a week. Currently, most people come in two times a week to build community with team members. 

Other Application Details

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

We will accept and review applications on a rolling basis. Although all applications will be considered, we may be unable to respond to all inquiries. Please note that we do read cover letters, so we advise spending time on them to share your relevant stories and experiences with us. We ask that you keep the cover letter to 1-2 pages long. 

Elemental is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Elemental is also committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws.