Controller

Priority will be given to applications received by Tuesday, March 31, but applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Recruiter solicitations will not be considered and will not receive a response.

The Richard L. Duchossois Foundation (RLD) was founded in 2022 and launched formal operations in 2024.  The Foundation is committed to addressing seemingly intractable social problems with imagination and passion. We strive to improve the lives of families and veterans, and to cultivate entrepreneurs through data driven and collaborative approaches to funding.  We seek to practice philanthropy with rigor and from a place of listening and strive to be a learning organization – to always seek greater understanding of our funding priorities. While our home and our priority is the Chicago region, we may consider national efforts that are aligned with our mission, values and goals.

The Controller position is a unique opportunity to build the finance function from the ground up for a start-up philanthropic organization. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Controller will lead all day-to-day finance operations of a $5 million operating budget (exclusive of grant-making) with functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, payroll and benefits, and assist with treasury management. The position will lead the annual audit process and work closely with tax, audit, and investment partners. It will also actively participate in researching compliance issues. The Controller will collaborate with the grant and program teams to support program operations as well as educate program staff regarding finance and accounting procedures.

The ideal candidate will have direct experience with all aspects of the business office, general ledger oversight, internal controls, and process improvement initiatives. Successful candidates will actively seek opportunities to improve the finance function, be proactive in finding ways to leverage their efforts through technology, and collaborate across the organization. This individual would thrive in an organization that is still evolving, desires to actively engage in strategic philanthropic issues, and sees themselves as essential to building a strong foundation for growth and continuous improvement. 

• Own the monthly and year-end close and provide status of financial condition by collecting, interpreting, and reporting financial data.

• Manage general ledger, accounts payable, and biweekly payroll and benefit systems.

• Work closely with the CFO to establish and monitor financial policies, standard operating procedures, controls, and reporting systems. 

• Be the point of contact for financial inquiries, both internal and external, and provide timely and accurate service.

• Oversee the audit process and 990-PF preparation; provide information to external auditors and tax preparers.

• Monitor cash and liquidity effectively across multiple bank and investment accounts.

• Ensure compliance with and anticipate federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, filing financial reports, and advising management on needed actions.

• Protect operations by keeping financial information and plans confidential and maintaining internal control functions.

• Seek out technologies to streamline and continuously improve the finance and HR functions.  

• Assist with achieving budget objectives by scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective actions.

• As needed, support program and grant teams with grantee financial due diligence; research, collect, analyze, and summarize information and trends.

• Auditing, operational and investment accounting

• Oversight of the general ledger 

• Experience with the full business office lifecycle including accounts payable, monthly reconciliation and close, and treasury management

• Learning and adopting new financial and business office software

• Designing and managing processes, controls, and standard operating procedures

• Payroll and benefit experience

• Monthly budget variance and reporting 

• Nonprofit financial analysis

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, CPA preferred

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in accounting/finance 

• Experience with financial reporting requirements specific to foundations/nonprofits with endowments preferred

• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment; specifically in pursuing a long-term vision for process and procedures while being comfortable executing day-to-day tasks autonomously. 

• Extremely detail-oriented, accurate, and inquisitive; proactively investigates variances and develops recommendations.

• Strong communication skills, both verbally and in visual presentations

• Proficiency with multiple platforms and tools, and ability to discern strengths and weaknesses across different technological products. Currently using QuickBooks and bill.com for accounting and accounts payable, but role will be responsible for recommending enterprise-wide applications for both accounting and human resources.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 

• Proactive and collaborative leadership style; ability to work effectively with executives, board members, program staff, grantees, and external partners. 

• Enthusiasm to work as part of a team and with people who hold diverse perspectives. 

• Deep commitment to respectful representation of communities most affected by the RLD Foundation’s focus areas. 

• Flexibility, curiosity, and a sense of humor. 

• Capacity to work amicably in a small office with multiple workstreams, as well as a deep sense of responsibility and accountability. 

• A record of recognizing and acting on opportunities to continuously improve and contribute across the organization. 

• High degree of professional ethics and integrity. 

The Controller will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer. Currently, the Controller does not have any direct reports but will be responsible for managing external vendors and future hires, as approved. 

The RLD Foundation office is located in Chicago’s Loop. Occasional travel outside of Chicago may be expected and may include participation in professional conferences.

Please note RLD Foundation maintains a hybrid work environment where employees are expected to work in the office three days a week with occasional additional days as necessary.

RLD Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives to recruit and retain highly competent individuals for its staff. It is RLD Foundation’s policy to recognize the potential of each employee without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status or family, or socio-economic backgrounds.  This policy shall apply to all phases of the employment relationship.  All applicants will be evaluated on a merit basis.

RLD Foundation intends to conduct background checks prior to hire.

Working at RLD Foundation means becoming part of a talented team of passionate individuals who value inclusivity and innovation, are dedicated to RLD Foundation’s mission and values. Candidates who possess flexibility, maturity, vision, personal fortitude, and a sense of humor will find it a pleasure to work here.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Ability to sit at a computer terminal for long periods of time, ability to be physically in attendance at workstation at a designated company office location during normal business hours designated for the position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, handle, and feel.