Finance & Operations Manager

Chicago Career Tech
Finance & Operations Manager

World Business Chicago is seeking a Finance & Operations Manager for the newly created Chicago Career Tech initiative. The Finance & Operations Manager is responsible for all financial and procurement activities, as well as coordinating insurance, hr, legal, technology, vendor audit and Advisory Board Finance Committee activities.

ORGANIZATION
World Business Chicago (WBC) is Chicago’s not-for-profit economic development corporation, chaired by Mayor Richard M. Daley and directed by Rita R. Athas. The office fosters the Chicago region’s global position as a thriving business location. WBC enhances Chicago’s economy through the growth of the private sector, building the best city in the world in which to live, work, and play. WBC is a public-private partnership funded jointly by the City of Chicago and the private sector. Chicago Career Tech will initially be operated through World Business Chicago and eventually evolve to become an independent nonprofit organization. We are an equal opportunity employer.

CHICAGO CAREER TECH
Over the next three years, the City of Chicago will invest $25 million in Chicago Career Tech, a new Mayoral-led initiative designed to develop a corps of trained technology professionals who will strengthen Chicago’s position as a national center for technology businesses. Technology based industries not only creates jobs, but also spur the innovation that contributes to job growth across sectors. There is a growing need for individuals with technology skills in health care, telecommunication and education, to name only a few areas.

In the midst of this economic recession, the City of Chicago has identified an opportunity to build a pipeline of human talent to support and grow the information technology sector. Chicago Career Tech will provide technology training for recently displaced workers in administrative and professional fields and employ them in jobs that benefit the City of Chicago and its residents. The City is also pursuing additional federal matching funds. The program is currently funded to serve approximately 2,100 participants over the next three years with goals of further expansion.

Chicago Career Tech will target white-collar industry workers (e.g. administrative assistants, customer service representatives, and bank tellers) with at least a high school diploma, who have been recently laid off and could benefit from additional technology training to upgrade their skills. Participants will have been making $25,000-$75,000 in their previous job, a group that makes up approximately half of the unemployed population in Chicago but has been largely left out of stimulus and other public programs aimed at supporting and retraining dislocated workers.

The critical innovation of Chicago Career Tech is its integration of training with work. Program participants will work 16 hours per week in targeted service learning assignments. Additionally, they will be engaged in on-the-job technology experiences and training approximately 32 hours per week. A spectrum of courses will be offered, delivering advanced skills’ training that leads to certification in growing sectors. Participants will receive approximately $400/week in income support during their participation in the six month program. Training vouchers will also be provided. Participants will also be able to receive unemployment benefits during this period, if they are eligible.

For more information, please go to www.chicagocareertech.com

RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on finance and business operations leader with a proven track record of success in the public and/or private sectors. The individual must be able to effectively multi-task, as well as manage activities of several vendors at one time.

The Finance and Operations Manager will:
• Develop and manage annual and 3 year budgets, ensuring financial sustainability. Prepare monthly, quarterly and year end financial reports.
• Process all accounting transactions in Quick Books accounting system, ensuring proper controls are set-up and maintained. Issue checks to vendors, ensuring accurate and timely payment.
• Manage cash flow, balancing the timing of revenue from a variety of sources with program expenses. Set-up bank accounts and maintain controls and accountability over accounts.
• Manage all formal procurement activity, including developing RFP’s, reviewing RFP responses, vendor negotiations and contracting.
• Manage the stipend (payroll) processing vendor, ensuring all payments are accurate, with proper supporting documents and in compliance with all governmental agencies.
• Periodically audit contract performance for contracted vendors.
• Provide tax documentation to all contributors.
• Support the Finance Committee of the Advisory Board as needed, including providing reports and analysis.
• Coordinate insurance coverage with WBC Director of Operations
• Coordinate annual audit and tax filing work with WBC Director of Operations
• Establish operational processes necessary to operate and expand CCT
• Manage all technology related issues including shared database, website, and equipment needs
• Coordinate legal matters with our outside legal counsel
• Coordinate HR related processing, intake and applications
• In the future, work with legal counsel to set-up Chicago Career Tech as an independent 501(c)3 organization and become exempt from Illinois sales tax. Develop finance and operations processes and policies for independent organization.

CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following experience, skills, and personal attributes:
1) Successful leadership experience with a history of job growth and advancement.
2) Experience in an entrepreneurial setting or significant hands-on experience establishing operations and financial controls for a new program/operation
3) Successful track record in developing and implementing disciplined well controlled financial and operational processes and policies, creating a workplace environment of accountability and results.
4) Strong operations experience including design, implementation and execution of new processes and policies
5) Strong accounting, analytic and business operations skills and the capability to organize and prioritize work, to accomplish goals under tight time constraints.
6) Experience simultaneously coordinating multiple vendors and internal groups, as well as a wide variety of responsibilities, to meet goals.
7) Strong communication skills across a broad range of constituent groups, including Board level, vendor management, program participants and internal staff.
8) Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office. Experience with Quick Books is desirable.


COMPENSATION
Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION INFORMATION
Please email cover letter and resume to:
hr@chicagocareertech.com
Chicago Career Tech at World Business Chicago
Attn: Chicago Career Tech - HR
177 N. State Street, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60601
312-553-0500