View Position Brochure Here

About Epilepsy

According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide with no age, racial, social class, national or geographic boundaries. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.4 million people in the United States are affected by epilepsy. Epilepsy is the underlying tendency of the brain to produce seizures which are sudden abnormal bursts of electrical energy that disrupt brain functions.

About the Epilepsy Foundation

With a network of partners throughout the United States, the Epilepsy Foundation is focused on improving the lives of people with epilepsy by educating the public about epilepsy and seizure first aid; leading advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal level; funding innovative research; and connecting people to treatment, support and resources so that no one faces epilepsy alone. For decades, the Epilepsy Foundation has continued to drive innovation and improve access to care to transform the lives of people across the epilepsy spectrum. Today, the Epilepsy Foundation also focuses on addressing social determinants of health in epilepsy through its partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address barriers to quality care, increase awareness and reduce the stigma of living with epilepsy.

Mission & Programs

The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy through education, advocacy, research, and connection. For more than 65 years, the Epilepsy Foundation has shone a light on epilepsy by promoting awareness and understanding, advocating for laws that matter to people with epilepsy, and funding epilepsy research. 

The Epilepsy Foundation, in collaboration with its community and network partners, connects the people, data and resources needed to address challenging health problems associated with seizures and the epilepsies—and promotes education, policy, research and systemic change that will foster measurable and sustainable improvement for all people living with epilepsy.

Since its founding, the Epilepsy Foundation and its network of 26 affiliates and 3 regional offices have helped to:

• Provide access to care, support and resources;
• Fund innovative research and the training of specialists; and
• Educate the public about epilepsy and seizure first aid.

Learn more about the Epilepsy Foundation at www.epilepsy.com.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Epilepsy Foundation is well-positioned to benefit from a skilled, hands-on and collaborative finance and accounting professional as its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Reporting to CEO, Bernice Martin Lee, the CFO provides executive-level leadership and strategic direction to the finance and accounting functions of the organization, assuring its overall short- and long-term financial stability. As an integral member of the leadership team, the CFO is the primary advisor to the CEO on matters relating to finance, playing a critical role in achieving the organization’s strategic and operational goals by delivering accurate, timely financial reports, analyzing data, and generating forecasts and financial modeling to inform decision making. The CFO leads the annual budgeting process, oversees the annual external audit, and selects, negotiates, and maintains cost-effective relationships with external vendors and institutions. As the primary staff liaison to the Finance, Investment and Audit Committees, the CFO works with the CEO to provide timely financial data to the Board of Directors allowing for appropriate fiscal oversight of the organization’s activities.  

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Oversee the work of the five-person finance and accounting team, ensuring compliance with best practices, accounting standards and internal controls.
• Enhance, develop and execute the annual budgeting process in coordination with the Board of Directors and leadership team. Develop and approve organizational and departmental budgets and ensure availability of funds through balanced budgets.
• Ensure the timely completion of annual audits.
• Manage administrative and operational accounting services such as treasury management, 401K plan, grants payment processing, payroll, accounts payable, and purchasing.
• Develop, implement and oversee policies, procedures and financial controls to promote efficient operations and compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to fiscal affairs of the organization. 
• Develop and communicate financial planning strategies. Oversee the preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics for the CEO and Board of Directors; prepare and communicate financial statements.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting; direct all financial accounting. Ensure that accounting staff maintain financial records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; monitor use of all funds.
• Develop, mentor and coach staff and build a cohesive, high performing team. Establish and communicate priorities of projects and departmental goals.
• Monitor investment of funds and compliance in accordance with investment policy statement and provide timely reporting of investment results to the Board of Directors and related committees.

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and hands-on finance and accounting professional who can provide a strategic perspective while executing daily activities. The CFO should demonstrate a high level of initiative, sense of urgency, accountability and results-oriented organizational and leadership abilities with a capacity to work independently and as part of a team. As such, the CFO must have exceptional interpersonal skills and be an open yet tactful and persuasive communicator, both verbally and in writing. Realistic and optimistic, the successful candidate will establish positive relationships and exhibit confidence when working with the Board of Directors, staff, outside consultants, and other key stakeholders.

Analytical with strong strategic planning skills as well as comfortable with day-to-day management, the CFO should be an inclusive leader who is collaborative, transparent, self-aware, and good at setting priorities, and will possess the ability to manage multiple tasks and functions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. The person in this position must also bring a mindset of continuous improvement and be a model of integrity and fairness with high ethical standards. Resourcefulness, compassion, dedication, and energy are key attributes that will be valued.

CAREER TRACK LEADING TO THIS POSITION:

Competitive candidates will ideally bring some combination of the following:

• A track record of excellence in professional finance or accounting positions, ideally within a government-funded nonprofit human service organization with experience managing and reporting on large scale federal grants. 
• Experience overseeing budgeting and accounting, fiscal management and financial planning, investment policies and procedures, financial reporting, and proficiency in the technology and systems used to support this work. 
• The proven ability to develop a mission-driven and results-oriented team across multiple geographic locations in a manner that encourages positive team culture, regular feedback, high performance, and employee retention.
• A successful track record in setting priorities, shaping processes, guiding investment in people and systems, and developing an infrastructure that creates a stronger and more efficient organization.

EDUCATION:

A bachelor’s degree and CPA license are required.

COMPENSATION, WORK HOURS AND LOCATION:

The annual salary range for this position is $200,000 to $230,000. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided, including: life and disability insurance; medical, dental, vision insurance; tax savings plans such as flexible spending and health spending accounts; paid leave; and 401k retirement savings.

The Epilepsy Foundation staff work fully remotely. The CFO may reside anywhere in the U.S. with the expectation of working on Central or Eastern Standard Time. Anticipated travel is approximately one week per quarter for board meetings and national events.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO) is a fundamental principle at the Epilepsy Foundation, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications. The Foundation does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, national origin, creed, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

The Epilepsy Foundation recognizes that to fulfill its mission to serve people affected by seizures it must acknowledge the diverse makeup of its clients and the people who work to fulfill the mission.

To that end, the Foundation affirms its commitment to reflect the diversity of American society in its Board of Directors, staff, and programs. In particular, the Foundation will work to ensure that its workplace has an inclusive environment that maximizes the benefits of the differences of its workers and presents equal opportunities to all applicants and employees.