Greentown Labs is a community of climate action pioneers working to design a more sustainable world. As the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, Greentown Labs brings together startups, corporates, investors, policymakers, and many others with a focus on scaling climate solutions. Driven by the mission of providing startups the resources, knowledge, connections, and equipment they need to thrive, Greentown Labs offers lab space, shared office space, a machine shop, an electronics lab, software and business resources, and a large network of corporate customers, investors, and more. With incubators in Somerville, Mass. and Houston, Texas, Greentown Labs is home to more than 200 startups and has supported more than 525 since the incubator’s founding in 2011. These startups have collectively created more than 24,000 jobs, raised more than $5.1 billion in funding, and generated more than $9.8 billion in regional economic impact. Greentown Labs currently employs more than 50 people and has an annual budget of $18 million. For more information, please visit www.greentownlabs.com or LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Greentown Labs is looking for a mission-driven, growth-oriented Chief Financial and Administration Officer (CFAO) to take its financial operations to the next level as the organization expands its impact over the next critical decade of climate action. In 2023, Greentown Labs transitioned from a B Corporation to a 501©3 non-profit organization, and as such we are looking for CFAO candidates who have both non-profit and private sector finance and accounting experience.

As CFAO will serve as a key leader on Greentown Lab’s senior Executive Team, playing a central role in setting financial and operational strategy to support Greentown’s strategic growth and impact in our host communities and nationwide. In addition to leading and managing all aspects of the finance, accounting, human resources, equity-diversity-inclusion-justice and business process improvement functions for our organization, the CFAO  will be a business partner to the company’s CEO and Executive Team, making significant contributions to strategic planning and organization-wide problem solving, particularly as it relates best financial and human resources practices, reinforcing solid core functions, maintaining our strong track-record of financial health, and organizational growth.

Among the CFAO’s financial responsibilities will be 1) overseeing preparation of forecasts and budgets; 2) monitoring the ongoing financial performance of Greentown Labs; 3) driving positive financial results; 4) developing financial modeling of new business opportunities, profitability analysis and business improvement plans; 5) reviewing and negotiating customer, partner and landlord contracts; 6) providing quarterly financial reports to the CEO and Board of Directors; and 7) maintaining effective working relationships with the Board and across the staff team.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The CFAO role will encompass six key elements: 1) financial operations leadership and reporting 2) financial and accounting staff management, 3) human resources (i.e. People and Culture) leadership and functions, 4) equity, diversity, inclusion and justice staff and activities, 5) business process improvements, and 6) executive leadership and planning for growth.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee daily operations of the finance function including the monthly close process, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and administration

• Manage the preparation and presentation of all financial reports in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and monitor, analyze, and report monthly operating results against budget to the leadership team, Board Finance Committee and Board of Directors  

• Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual budget process in partnership with the leadership team and department heads

• Advise and prepare financial forecasts, including planning, budgeting, cash flow, investment priorities, and policy matters for the CEO and members of the Executive Team

• Contribute to the development of Greentown’s strategic goals and objectives related to new initiatives, programs, and expansions, as well as the overall leadership of the organization, in partnership with the CEO

• Work with auditors in preparation, execution and reporting of the annual audit and swiftly remedying concerns flagged by auditors

• Coordinate the preparation and management of state and federal tax and reporting requirements and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations

• Represent the organization externally, particularly in banking and lease negotiations, and support the review and negotiation of contracts

• Develop and manage the appropriate systems, tools and processes to support philanthropic foundation, major gifts and government grant proposals and reporting, as well as capital funding campaigns

• Ensure that Greentown has adequate and up-to-date insurance coverage for our corporate officers, Board of Directors, staff team, and facilities

• Design and operationalize a comprehensive set of controls designed to mitigate risk and maintain all risk management/insurance relationships

• Design, establish, and maintain a finance and accounting team structure that positions Greentown for further growth, including managing full and part-time contractor resources supporting the finance and accounting function

• Establish and monitor finance and accounting staff performance and development goals; conduct annual performance appraisals.

• Oversee and support business process improvement initiatives across the organization to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of our operations

• Oversee all human resource related activities, policies and procedures, including hiring, onboarding and offboarding, management (of people, projects and budgets) skill building, coaching and mentoring, and advancement pathways.

• Attract, recruit and support top talent while advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and justice across the Greentown staff team and manage the EDIJ staff team to top performance

• Maintain and promote a commitment to diversity and supporting the needs of a diverse community

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Mission-driven professional who is motivated by the goal of supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and solving some of the world’s biggest climate challenges

• A leader with a positive, creative, can-do attitude; inspiring and collaborative leadership and management style; and a constant focus on strengthening effective and healthy managerial skills for self and direct reports

• Experience as a Chief Finance Officer, Controller or equivalent role in a similar-sized or larger fast-growing non-profit organization with complex financials; minimum of 15 years professional experience

• B.S. /B.A. in finance and/or accounting, and a CPA; advanced degree in finance, business administration or a related field a plus

• Some measure of experience with human resources practices and/or oversight

• Executive leadership presence and strong presentation skills to communicate financial reports to Board of Directors and other senior executives

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to create and maintain solid working relationships at all levels across the organization and externally

• Knowledge of non-profit finance, accounting, budgeting, cost control principles (including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and federal/state financial regulations

• Experience with foundation and/or government grant budgeting and reporting

• Experience with startups or in the climatetech or cleantech industries a plus

• Experience in real estate related financial modeling, planning and lease negotiations a plus

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint; Google Workspace; SageIntacct and Bill.com or similar experience

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND LOCATION

Greentown offers a comprehensive benefits package. The salary for this position starts at $210,000 and is commensurate with experience.  This role can be based at either Greentown Labs location -- in Somerville, MA or Houston, TX. Travel one to two weeks per quarter will be required for this role. In addition to a competitive salary, Greentown Labs also offers:

• A flexible, fun, supportive working environment, working alongside talented people tackling the planet’s biggest challenges;

• Generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance and 401k plan; and 

• The opportunity to work at the largest climatetech incubator in North America and our  exciting community of mission-driven entrepreneurs and large networks of investors, corporations and policymakers.

HOW TO APPLY AND THE PROCESS GOING FORWARD

To apply to this position, please submit a cover letter and resume through our hiring portal We plan to move expeditiously to interview candidates and make a hiring decision by end of 2023 if possible. 

We will review and respond to all applications received. First round interviews for those selected will be with the CFAO Search Committee, consisting of Greentown Labs Executive Team and Finance and People and Culture staff. Candidates who advance from that stage will interview with one or more members of the Board Finance Committee and the Chief Executive Officer.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Greentown Labs seeks to fully represent our community and constituencies—particularly low-income communities and communities of color—to amplify those voices and provide opportunities to participate in the direction and leadership of the organization. We actively encourage candidates from broad, diverse backgrounds to apply. 

Greentown Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.