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POSITION PROFILE

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) 
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL IOWA 
Des Moines, IA 


 
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), United Way of Central Iowa | 2 


About United Way of Central Iowa 
 
Since 1917, United Way of Central Iowa (UWCI) has served as a trusted convener of philanthropic 
efforts in the Greater Des Moines region, bringing together individuals and organizations from every 
corner of central Iowa to create and implement initiatives that address the community's most pressing 
needs. 
 
Today, UWCI has grown beyond being an organization that simply provides funds to other nonprofits. 
It has evolved into a “Collective Impact” organization, earning a four-out-of-four-star rating each year 
since 2004 from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent evaluator of charities and nonprofit 
organizations. In addition, this year United Way of Central Iowa was recognized by Business Record as 
one of the Top 25 Most Influential Nonprofits in the Greater Des Moines region. 
 
UWCI has 61 employees with an annual budget of $22 million, and is dedicated to authentically 
engaging nonprofits, businesses, elected officials, community leaders and those with lived 
experiences to collaborate and implement long-lasting solutions. In 2023, UWCI welcomed two key 
executives to its leadership team, the Chief Equity and Talent Officer and Chief Advancement Officer. 
The entire UWCI team and Board share responsibility in fulfilling its mission and are specifically 
committed to thinking and acting in a way that is accountable to the advancement of equity in central 
Iowa for many years to come. 
 
 
 
 


Mission
Improve Lives By Uniting 

The Caring Power of 
Community

Vision
Engage Community to 

Empower All

Core Values
Compassion
Integrity
Community Engagement
Responsiveness
Striving for Excellence


 
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), United Way of Central Iowa | 3 


United Way of Central Iowa: Fostering an 
Equitable, Engaged, Empowered Community 
 
While progress has been made in recent decades to advance the mission and the work of UWCI, there 
are existing barriers for every person in central Iowan to have the opportunity to thrive. For the last three 
years, United Way of Central Iowa’s work has been guided by its strategic imperative UNITED to THRIVE. 
UWCI has been exclusively driven by a shared vision of building all of its work and engagement with 
equity at the center. 
 
Focus on Equity 
 
UNITED to THRIVE emphasizes equity as a key component to inform intentional strategic and resource 
investment decisions. Investment decisions are made based on the advice and direction of volunteer 
advisors and community experts in the 5 Elements of a Thriving Community: Essential Needs, 
Early Childhood Success, Education Success, Economic Opportunity, and Health &amp; Well-
Being. For each of the five elements, UWCI has identified a dashboard of metrics and measures, which 
are used to set goals, measure impact, and track progress over time. 
 
Through initiatives that extend UNITED to 
THRIVE's reach into specific communities, 
United Way is showing up - to collaborate, 
dialogue and build trust. UNITED to 
THRIVE also serves as a framework for 
targeted impact and a call to action to donors, 
volunteers, and advocates to unite to create a 
thriving community for everyone. 
 
Some of the ways UWCI plans to integrate 
equity into its work includes incorporating 
Equity Principles into the grantmaking process 
and diversifying its vendor and community 
partnerships. In addition, UWCI plans to 
collect, analyze and share data and stories 
about inequities in order to implement 
equitable solutions. 
 


LEARN MORE: 
<a href="http://www.unitedwaydm.org" target="_blank">www.unitedwaydm.org</a> 


<a href="https://www.unitedwaydm.org/united-to-thrive" target="_blank">https://www.unitedwaydm.org/united-to-thrive</a>
<a href="https://www.unitedwaydm.org/" target="_blank">https://www.unitedwaydm.org/</a>


Chief Financial Officer (CFO), United Way of Central Iowa | 4 

The Opportunity 
UWCI is a force for change and has 
embraced innovative approaches to 
improve community outcomes and 
increase impact. The organization 
requires a new style of CFO who is 
dynamic and aligns work and 
actions. The next Chief Financial 
Officer will be committed to UWCI’s 
work and bring an appreciation for 
digital engagement and 
organizational growth for greatest 
impact. 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will 
be the organization’s chief finance 
executive with frequent Board 
engagement. In addition, they will 
guide the organization’s data and 
technology, donor services and 
project management for enterprise-
wide projects as UWCI runs close 
to 90 fundraising campaigns for 
companies, and processes all of 
the pledges made. 

As part of UWCI’s senior leadership 
team, the CFO will participate in 
shaping the strategic direction of 
the organization, leveraging best 
practices, managing cross-
functional organizational growth, 
and driving results that enhance 
cohesion across the organization. 
Moreover, they will actively play a 
key role in managing the 
complexities of a key funding 
organization in the community. 

The CFO will also be responsible for preparing the budget, interpreting and effectively communicating 
financial information and analysis. Building upon a solid financial foundation and positive momentum, 
the CFO will lead, and partner in evaluating financial health of funded partners, evaluating fundraising 
campaigns administered by UWCI, all with the goal of making greater impact in the community. 


Chief Financial Officer (CFO), United Way of Central Iowa | 5 

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 
 • Lead and support United Way’s mission by guiding the tactical and strategic management of 

the finance function and other internal business operations to align with the execution of 
external organizational strategies in the five elements of a thriving community: Education 
Success, Early Childhood Success, Economic Opportunity, Health and Well-being and 
Essential Needs;

 • Guide UWCI’s development of the annual budget and multi-year planning, assuring the 
development of individual and departmental plans and budgets are consistent with the 
strategic imperative and overall budget;

 • Enhance and ensure sound business, risk management and financial systems policies, 
procedures and internal controls; ensure the accuracy of accounting and finance processes in 
compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit best 
practices;

 • Develop accountability systems necessary to ensure that all organizational objectives are 
achieved;

 • Prepare financial information and recommendations utilizing forward-looking predictive models, 
data and activity based financial analysis;

 • Engage with the community and funded partners when support, knowledge and expertise is 
needed; often times other nonprofits seek the expertise of UWCI in times of financial challenge 
or needed growth or other types of needs. UWCI has roughly 125 funded partners and funds 
more than 200 programs within those funded partners;

 • Oversee, implement and maintain organizational governance measures and adherence to 
United Way Worldwide membership standards.

The ideal candidate will be a strong leader who brings people together and makes connections 
between the different aspects of UWCI’s work. It will be a person who understands the need to both 
lead and defer. They will also be a detailed-oriented leader who is able to effectively manage, engage 
and empower a team of four direct reports and an overall team of nine staff members to achieve 
results and drive business continuity. The CFO must be a continuous learner who has a consultative 
approach to problem solving. The CFO will have a strong work ethic, and a commitment to 
implementing integrated solutions that ensure the overall financial health of UWCI. 


Chief Financial Officer (CFO), United Way of Central Iowa | 6 

Candidate Profile 
While it is understood that no single candidate will offer every desired attribute and competency, the 
following is a representative list of the ideal professional and personal qualities, skills, and 
characteristics along with primary tasks and responsibilities. 

 
A Commitment to Equity and Mission of UWCI 
The CFO will bring a dynamic community mindset with an unquestionable passion for the purpose and 
mission of UWCI. They will have an appreciation for working in partnership and service with the broad 
community with an emphasis to diverse populations, treating others with respect regardless of race, 
ethnicity, age, education, socio-economic status and physical and mental abilities. The CFO will have 
an ability to think long-term to develop an image of how United Way and the community should work 
together, creating a vision that energizes others to commit and invest. This leader will also have 
genuine empathy for others with a focus on deeply understanding the diverse community that UWCI 
serves in the central Iowa region. 

A Business-Oriented Partner with Expertise in Finance and Accounting 
The CFO must bring an appreciation for complex business challenges and an excitement to be part of 
a team that is focused on identifying creative and efficient solutions. They will have a keen sense of 
opportunities for financial growth and proactively take steps to mitigate organizational risk. The CFO will 
bring financial rigor and in-depth knowledge of financial systems, accounting and process 
improvement strategies. Ultimately, they will have the ability to conceptualize and analyze both 
problems and solutions, providing financial modeling and grants management techniques to 
leadership that will help the entire organization achieve its mission and improve performance. A tactical 
executor, the CFO will have a strong data orientation and a proven ability to use metrics to drive 
decisions and achieve strategic objectives. 

An Enterprise-wide Collaborative Leader 
As a strategic partner, the CFO conceptualizes and analyzes problems and solutions in a constructive, 
collaborative manner geared toward helping the entire organization. The successful candidate will 
demonstrate the ability to maintain several projects of equal priority across the organization at once 
and sustain productivity and accuracy under pressure. Furthermore, the CFO will ensure that team 
members are actively involved and invested in activities and decisions that promote team work to 
achieve financial goals and targets. The successful candidate will exhibit objectivity and openness to 
others’ views; give and welcome feedback; contribute to building a positive team spirit; and put 
success of UWCI above their own interests. The CFO must have a collaborative and teamâoriented 
management style. 


Chief Financial Officer (CFO), United Way of Central Iowa | 7 

A Strong Relationship Builder and Communicator 
The CFO will establish rapport across UWCI and cultivate relationships across all levels of the 
organization while maintaining high ethical standards. They must be a team builder with the ability to 
set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, assure accountability and allocate resources. In 
alignment with UWCI’s culture, the CFO will be humble, empathetic, inspiring, and dependable with a 
high degree of emotional intelligence.â¯This leader will also keep abreast of current economic, political, 
legislative, technical or general business trends in the central Iowa community that may affect UWCI 
and key relationships. The CFO will embrace a proactive, positive, open, and effective communication 
style. 

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

The description given is intended only to provide information about the general nature of the job and is not an all-inclusive list 
of the job duties, skills or abilities which may change from time-to-time. 

We welcome interest from all sectors, both for profit and nonprofit. CPA or bachelor’s degree in accounting required; MBA 
preferred. 

United Way of Central Iowa is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, 
persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ leaders. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with 
disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The United Way of Central Iowa reserves the right to review each requested 
accommodation and determine if such poses an undue hardship. 


 
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), United Way of Central Iowa | 8 


Location, Compensation &amp; Benefits 
 
This is a full-time, hybrid work environment. The successful candidate must be based in central Iowa. 
 

The annual salary for this role will be based on a range, starting at $150,000 - $175,000 and will be 
commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills and experience. UWCI also offers a generous 
benefits package and a hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two remote workdays per 
week after 90 days of service. As a senior leader of the organization, the flexibility to adapt schedules 
to meet business needs is necessary. 


Contact 
 
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been 
exclusively retained for this engagement. Tiara Muse is leading this search. To express interest in this 
role email <a href="mailto:tmuse@koyapartners.com" target="_blank">tmuse@koyapartners.com</a> or submit your materials by filling out our Talent Profile here. 
 

All inquiries and recommendations will be considered strictly confidential. 
 

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with 
disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing 
interest online, please email <a href="mailto:NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com" target="_blank">NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com</a>. If you are selected for an interview, 
you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview 
process. 
 
 

 
About Koya Partners | Diversified Search Group 
 
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to 
mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission 
driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and 
have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits &amp; NGOs, responsible 
businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world. 
 
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best 
Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a 
changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have 
decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and 
building equitable teams. 
 
Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm’s website. 

<a href="https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/our-people/tiara-muse/" target="_blank">https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/our-people/tiara-muse/</a>
<a href="mailto:tmuse@koyapartners.com" target="_blank">mailto:tmuse@koyapartners.com</a>
<a href="https://talent-profile.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/v2/20704" target="_blank">https://talent-profile.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/v2/20704</a>
<a href="mailto:NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com" target="_blank">mailto:NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com</a>
<a href="https://diversifiedse1.wpengine.com/our-brands/koya-partners/" target="_blank">https://diversifiedse1.wpengine.com/our-brands/koya-partners/</a>

1 United Way of Central Iowa Job