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Chief Financial + Administrative Officer

POSITION: Chief Financial + Administrative Officer (CFAO)
DEPARTMENT: Operations
REPORTS TO: President + CEO
LOCATION: Maine-based hybrid position, with regular presence at and travel among Dempsey Center locations (Lewiston, Westbrook, and Portland, ME)
SCHEDULE AND HOURS: 40 hours per week, some evenings and weekends, occassional travel required
SALARY RANGE: $135,000 – $155,000

About the Dempsey Center and This Opportunity

The Dempsey Center makes life better for people impacted by cancer by providing personalized, whole-person supportive cancer care at no cost. Through locations in Lewiston, Westbrook, and Portland, Maine, as well as virtual services, the Center supports individuals and families across Maine, Northern New England, and beyond.

With an annual operating budget of approximately $5 million, the Dempsey Center employs approximately 25 to 30 team members, engages contractors and per diem providers, and is supported by hundreds of volunteers. Our work is made possible through philanthropy and grounded in our values of compassion, teamwork, humility, resilience, respect, and commitment.

The Chief Financial and Administrative Officer is a key member of the Dempsey Center’s leadership team and a strategic partner to the President and CEO. This leader will guide the financial and administrative functions that support the organization’s mission, people, programs, and long-term sustainability.

In addition to leading financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, accounting, reporting, investments, reserves, and endowment administration, the CFAO will provide executive oversight of human resources, facilities, technology, contracts, insurance, compliance, and organizational risk. The successful candidate will be a thoughtful and practical leader who can translate complex financial information into clear guidance, build strong relationships with staff and Board members, and balance strategic leadership with the hands-on needs of a lean, multisite nonprofit.

This search follows the planned departure of a valued, longtime member of the Dempsey Center team who has provided leadership across Finance and Administration for many years. Our current CFO/COO is expected to participate in the search and, as timing permits, help support a thoughtful onboarding and transition process for the incoming CFAO.

The Dempsey Center hopes to have the selected candidate begin in early October 2026, with some flexibility based on the successful candidate’s availability.

Application Requirements

Please submit a résumé/CV and a cover letter of no more than one page. In your cover letter, please briefly address:

  • Why you are interested in the Dempsey Center and the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer opportunity.
  • The experience that has best prepared you to lead financial strategy and long-term sustainability within a mission-driven organization, including any relevant work with Boards, endowments, reserves, investments, or philanthropic resources.
  • Your approach to serving as a strategic partner to a President and CEO while overseeing a broad administrative portfolio that includes finance, human resources, facilities, technology, compliance, and organizational risk.

We value clear, concise responses and specific examples. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.

Dempsey Center Mission + Values

At the Dempsey Center, our mission is to make life better for people impacted by cancer. Our core focus is on meeting our clients where they are and offering care and community that supports them in every part of their journey.

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about our mission, eager to support our clients, and who live and model our core values of compassion, teamwork, humility, resilience, respect, and commitment.

Position Summary

The Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) is a key member of the Dempsey Center’s leadership team and a strategic and practical partner to the President + CEO. The CFAO provides executive leadership for the financial and administrative systems that support the organization’s mission, people, programs, and long-term sustainability.

The CFAO is responsible for financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, accounting, reporting, internal controls, audit and tax compliance, cash flow, investments, reserves, endowment administration, and financial decision support. The role also provides executive oversight of administrative functions, including human resources, facilities, technology, contracts, insurance, compliance, and organizational risk.

The CFAO partners closely with the President + CEO, leadership team, Advancement team, Board of Directors, and Finance Committee to ensure that organizational decisions are informed by clear financial analysis and aligned with the Dempsey Center’s mission, values, strategic priorities, and available resources. A central focus of the role is maintaining and strengthening the organization’s financial sustainability, including the responsible stewardship and growth of reserves, endowment assets, and other long-term resources.

Working in a lean, multisite nonprofit environment, the CFAO must be both strategic and practical. The successful candidate will bring strong financial expertise, sound judgment, a collaborative leadership style, and a willingness to engage directly in the work when needed.

The Dempsey Center has an annual operating budget of approximately $5M. The organization employs approximately 25 to 30 team members, engages approximately a dozen contractors and per diem providers, and is supported by hundreds of volunteers. Services are delivered through locations in Lewiston, Westbrook, and Portland, as well as virtually to clients across Maine, Northern New England, and beyond.

The CFAO directly supervises the HR Generalist and Office Manager and provides oversight of contracted technology and other administrative partners.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership and Sustainability

  • Lead annual and multiyear budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, scenario analysis, and long-term financial modeling.
  • Monitor financial performance and provide timely analysis and recommendations to the President + CEO, leadership team, Finance Committee, and Board.
  • Translate complex financial information into clear, practical guidance for nonfinancial leaders.
  • Assess the financial implications of programs, partnerships, staffing, facilities, contracts, technology, and other organizational decisions.
  • Identify financial risks, trends, and opportunities and recommend strategies that balance current mission delivery with long-term sustainability.
  • Develop and maintain financial policies, systems, and practices appropriate to the size and needs of the organization.

Accounting, Reporting, and Internal Controls

  • Oversee accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, payroll accounting, cash management, reconciliations, fixed assets, and financial close.
  • Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
  • Maintain appropriate accounting for gifts, grants, pledges, restricted funds, endowment funds, investments, and other philanthropic revenue in accordance with donor intent and applicable requirements.
  • Oversee the financial administration, reporting, compliance, and audit readiness of federal, state, and other governmental funding sources, ensuring adherence to award requirements, allowable cost standards, reporting obligations, and grant and contract terms.
  • Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, applicable nonprofit accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain effective internal controls and appropriate separation of duties across payroll, purchasing, deposits, gift processing, credit cards, expense management, and financial reporting.
  • Lead the annual financial statement audit, Form 990 preparation, and other required financial, tax, and regulatory filings.
  • Manage relationships with auditors, financial institutions, tax professionals, and other financial advisors.

Endowment, Reserves, Investments, and Philanthropic Resources

  • Lead the stewardship and administration of the Dempsey Center’s endowment and operating reserve investments, and other long-term financial resources.
  • Partner with the President + CEO, Advancement leadership, Finance Committee, Board, and investment advisors to develop strategies to grow the endowment and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
  • Develop and monitor financial projections related to endowment growth, investment income, endowment spending distributions, reserve levels, and future organizational needs.
  • Monitor investment performance, liquidity, fees, asset allocation, reserve levels, and compliance with investment and spending policies.
  • Ensure that endowed and restricted funds are documented, administered, and used in accordance with donor intent, gift agreements, Board authorization, organizational policy, and applicable law.
  • Provide clear reporting on endowment balances, investment performance, reserves, spending distributions, restrictions, and available resources.
  • Recommend updates to investment, endowment, reserve, and spending policies as needed.
  • Partner with Advancement to reconcile philanthropic revenue, monitor pledges, and review the financial provisions of significant gift, grant, pledge, sponsorship, and endowment agreements.
  • Advise organizational and Advancement leadership on restricted funding, planned and complex gifts, multiyear commitments, endowment contributions, and gift acceptance.
  • Provide financial analysis and administrative support for significant fundraising initiatives as needed.
  • Coordinate with legal counsel, auditors, investment advisors, and other specialists when complex gifts, restrictions, or endowment matters require additional review.

Board and Finance Committee Partnership

  • Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee.
  • Prepare and present financial reports, forecasts, dashboards, and risk assessment reports that assist Board members in understanding the organization’s financial position, operating model, opportunities, risks, and key financial policies.
  • Support the Finance Committee and Board in fulfilling their responsibilities related to budgeting, audit, internal controls, investments, endowment, reserves, and financial sustainability.
  • Support the development and implementation of Board-level financial policies.

Human Resources Oversight

  • Provide executive oversight of human resources while the HR Generalist manages day-to-day HR operations.
  • Partner with the President + CEO and leadership team on workforce planning, organizational design, compensation, benefits, succession planning, and other workforce priorities.
  • Ensure compliance with employment laws and the consistent, equitable application of organizational policies and practices.
  • Provide guidance on complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee relations matters and coordinate with employment counsel when appropriate.
  • Oversee payroll controls, compensation programs, benefits strategy, HRIS, policies, and workforce reporting.
  • Review employment offers, compensation recommendations, benefit changes, and workforce decisions.
  • Support effective performance management, professional development, employee engagement, and organizational change.
  • Supervise, coach, and establish priorities and decision authority for the HR Generalist.

Administrative Operations, Facilities, and Technology

  • Provide executive oversight of facilities, leases, safety, accessibility, office operations, technology, and administrative systems.
  • Partner with the Office Manager, who leads day-to-day office, facilities, bookkeeping, and administrative operations and supervises the Client Experience Specialist Lead and Client Experience Specialist team.
  • Lead significant lease negotiations, facility agreements, renovations, relocations, and capital projects.
  • Ensure Dempsey Center locations are safe, accessible, welcoming, and responsive to client and employee needs.
  • Oversee contracted technology services, technology planning, cybersecurity, data privacy, access controls, and business continuity.
  • Ensure appropriate protections are in place for confidential client, employee, donor, financial, and organizational information.
  • Oversee significant vendors, purchasing practices, administrative contracts, and organizational insurance coverage.
  • Supervise, coach, and establish priorities and decision authority for the Office Manager.

Contracts, Compliance, and Risk

  • Lead organizational contracts, compliance activities, insurance oversight, and enterprise risk management
  • Establish processes for contract review, approval, documentation, monitoring, and renewal.
  • Coordinate with outside legal counsel regarding contracts, compliance issues, and other legal matters.
  • Assess and monitor financial, operational, employment, technology, facilities, compliance, safety, and reputational risks.
  • Ensure material commitments and organizational decisions are evaluated for financial, legal, operational, privacy, insurance, and reputational implications.
  • Maintain appropriate insurance coverage and oversee claims, renewals, risk-related reporting, and mitigation activities.
  • Communicate significant risks promptly to the President + CEO.

Executive Leadership

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the President + CEO and contribute to organizational strategy and decision-making.
  • Help translate strategic priorities into clear financial and administrative plans.
  • Lead significant cross-functional projects and organizational change initiatives.
  • Build effective partnerships across Finance and Administration, Advancement, Client Experience, and the Board.
  • Represent the Dempsey Center with auditors, financial institutions, investment advisors, insurers, legal counsel, vendors, partners, donors, and community stakeholders.
  • Model the Dempsey Center’s values and promote accountability, collaboration, learning, respect, and continuous improvement.
  • Develop team members through coaching, feedback, professional development, appropriate delegation, and setting clear performance expectations.

Required Qualifications and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience, including leadership and supervisory responsibility.
  • Demonstrated nonprofit financial management experience, including fund accounting, restricted funds, grants, and nonprofit financial reporting.
  • Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, accounting operations, financial statement preparation, audit coordination, tax filings, and internal controls.
  • Experience overseeing investments, reserves, endowment funds, or other long-term financial resources.
  • Experience partnering with executive leadership and a Board or Board committee on financial strategy, planning, and risk.
  • Experience supervising and developing staff.
  • Experience overseeing or partnering across human resources, facilities, technology, contracts, insurance, compliance, or other administrative functions.
  • Ability to translate complex financial information into clear analysis and recommendations.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify risks, improve systems, and manage both strategic and hands-on work in a lean organization.
  • Strong analytical, communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
  • Sound judgment, integrity, discretion, attention to detail, and commitment to confidentiality.
  • Collaborative, practical, adaptable, and approachable leadership style.
  • Commitment to the Dempsey Center’s mission, values, and impact.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

  • CPA, CMA, MBA, MPA, or another relevant advanced degree or professional credential.
  • Financial leadership experience in nonprofit healthcare, human services, foundations, higher education, or another mission-driven or regulated environment.
  • Experience developing or implementing strategies to grow an endowment or other long-term philanthropic resources.
  • Experience with endowment administration, investment oversight, spending policies, donor-intent compliance, and restricted fund accounting.
  • Experience supporting significant fundraising or endowment-building initiatives.
  • Experience with complex gifts, planned gifts, pledge receivables, gift agreements, and philanthropic financial administration.
  • Experience with Sage Intacct or another cloud-based accounting system.
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience developing financial models, dashboards, and management reports.
  • Experience with multisite facilities, cybersecurity, insurance, contracting, and business continuity planning.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Dempsey Center

The Dempsey Center promotes a culture of inclusion and seeks talented staff from diverse backgrounds. The Dempsey Center encourages applications from qualified candidates of every age, race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and veteran status.