Hunt Alternatives (www.huntalternatives.org) is a two-generation family operating foundation based in Cambridge, MA with a $20M annual budget. Its mission is to bring daring goals, distinctive perspectives, innovative practices, and extraordinary talent to some of the world’s most complex and injurious challenges. Since its founding in Denver in 1981, the organization has devoted significant resources to social change through a blend of grant-making and operating programs.

Led by its CEO and Chair, Ambassador Swanee Hunt, Hunt Alternatives has five programmatic initiatives:

• Advocating for full inclusion of all stakeholders (particularly women) in peace and security processes, consulting with governments, conducting field research, and providing leadership development for women leaders in conflict zones around the world. (Institute for Inclusive Security)
• Supporting entrepreneurial leaders of diverse American social movements. (Prime Movers)
• Finding innovative ways to advance women to the highest levels of U.S. political leadership. (Political Parity)
• Combatting the purchase of prostituted adults and children in the United States. (Demand Abolition)
• Disseminating our model for strengthening arts organizations for disadvantaged youth. (ARTWorks for Kids)

The foundation has also incubated several other successful organizations, including Women Moving Millions and the Free for All Concert Fund.  

Hunt Alternatives advances its mission by convening allies, building partnerships, and engaging in high-level advocacy, training, research, and program-related grantmaking. Its actions are evidence-based and its assessments are metric-based in order to achieve breakthrough understanding and accomplish its goals.

Hunt Alternatives’ programmatic initiatives are supported by an operating platform that includes communications, development, finance, human resources, information technology and facilities, which also support Ambassador Hunt’s other professional and personal activities. Hunt Alternatives employs 90 staff and is poised for further growth.

For more information, please visit: http://www.huntalternatives.org/

For more information about Ambassador Hunt, see her biohereand four brief videos, where she discusses her vision and commitment to the organization’s mission,here.

Learn about Hunt Alternatives’ Board of Directors and senior staffhere.

The Position:

Location:         Cambridge, MA

Reports to:       Chief Operating Officer; strong working relationships with the Principal/Chair/CEO and Treasurer

Summary:        The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be a strategic advisor and business partner to the Principal/Chair/CEO, the Treasurer and other members of the senior leadership team. S/he will lead and mentor a small team to: align long-term and short-term financial strategy, systems and investment results that appropriately support Hunt Alternatives’ operating programs; provide precise financial data and insightful analyses; ensure reporting, policies and procedures are tailored to the needs of the diverse entities; monitor family investments and oversee estate as well as tax planning through the proactive coordination of external advisors; and ensure overall fiscal rigor, sustainability, and alignment.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a seasoned financial leader to play a critical role in shaping Hunt Alternatives’ future impact.

Key responsibilities include:

Financial Management and Oversight

• Work with Principal/Chair/CEO, Treasurer, board members, Chief Operating Officer, finance team, and advisors to set and monitor financial goals, plans and capacity for the various entities 
• Provide oversight of all investment portfolios including but not limited to: ensuring asset allocations are appropriate and investment managers are adhering to their investment strategies; monitoring performance and informing appropriate parties (Treasurer, Board) when changes are necessary
• Oversee financial statement preparation and reporting; liaise with Hunt Alternatives’ Treasurer in coordination with the Chief Operating Officer
• Direct all financial management and control functions, ensuring that Hunt Alternatives has the right financial team structure and skills to support:
  • The Principal’s personal financial matters
  • Hunt Alternatives (private operating foundation), the Swanee Hunt Family Foundation (private foundation), Inclusive Security Action (public charity)
  • Family trusts
  • The family ranch

Financial Operations and Legal

• Partner closely with, and staff, the Board Audit Committee and the Board Finance and Investment Committee; act as the primary financial interface with the full Board
• Participate in annual and long-term resource allocation planning with the Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director, Strategy and Growth, Director of Operations, and programmatic initiative leadership/staff
• Review various monthly and quarterly financial statements prepared by the Director of Operations
• Monitor liquidity needs with Finance Director
• Oversee investment advisor relationships; establish and maintain familiarity with all investments and their performance; work with investment advisors to recommend changes as appropriate
• Ensure that outside audits are scheduled and any resulting findings addressed
• Partner with financial and legal consultants to ensure compliance with regulatory and legal requirements and to ensure that big picture goals are communicated and implemented effectively
• Refine and continually develop efficient and effective systems and processes
• Streamline/simplify financial statements and reports
• Review annual insurance renewals for all policies, personal and organizational, for all locations
• Oversee the Director of Operations’ work to include office systems, lease revisions, processes, and procedures, and management of Columbine Ranch
• Network with other family office CFOs to continually learn as well as to track and implement best practices
• Estate and Tax Planning, in collaboration with Treasurer, Finance Director, and external tax/estate advisors:
  • Proactively ensure that the Principal’s estate plan and will are reviewed and updated regularly with investment advisor(s) and attorneys
  • Advise family members regarding appropriate estate and tax planning matters
  • Monitor tax law changes and the impact on personal, trust, and foundation tax returns; present proactive tax planning strategies to the Principal and Board, as necessary and appropriate
  • Oversee tax compliance for individuals, trusts, private foundations, public charity, and partnership including ensuring tax returns are prepared and/or reviewed independently
  • Prepare annual review and present accounting of residuary investments of prior estate to heirs

Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor the finance team, instilling a strong team dynamic and taking ownership for the professional development of colleagues
• Proactively collaborate across all entities

The Leader:

Qualifications

• Professional qualifications to include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a CPA designation; CFP, MST, or MBA are desirable but not required
• Ideal professional experience includes: previous advisory work to very high net worth individuals (with knowledge of family office best practices and approaches) alongside a genuine interest in being a senior financial leader within a complex, multi-entity operation
• Deep expertise in financial control, analysis, budgeting and reporting
• Proficient in tax compliance for individuals, trusts, private foundations and partnerships
• Experience with philanthropy including private operating foundations, private foundations, public charities, and donor advised funds. Further experience with disqualified persons, prohibited transactions and activities, and all related accounting and legal requirements
• Prior experience working with a Board of Directors, and committees comprised of high-level principals
• Familiarity with political campaign finance rules and regulations a plus
• Sophisticated user of technology, with experience streamlining and simplifying processes and reporting

Personal Attributes

• Creative, “out of the box” thinker
• A problem solver who quickly builds reasoned, thoughtful and practical scenarios
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; candid and direct
• Confident, energetic, collaborative, and proactive, with exceptional judgment and integrity
• Presence and ease when engaging principals and partners; invests deeply in relationships
• Highly accessible, adaptable and flexible, with an unflappable attitude in a dynamic environment that goes beyond a “nine-to-five” schedule
• An inspiring team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategically and tactically
• Passion for Hunt Alternatives’ initiatives

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.Employee benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life, ADD, and short- and long-term disability plans. The organization provides a 401(k) plan and matches 100% of the first six percent of an employee’s annual salary that she/he contributes to her/his plan. Additional discretionary matching of four percent is available to eligible employees. Hunt Alternatives offers 33 days of paid time off per year. This includes all holidays, sick days, vacation days, and personal days. Other benefits include parental leave, flexible healthcare and dependent care spending accounts, professional development and educational assistance, a pre-tax parking and transit program, and a matching program for personal charitable contributions.

A diverse workforce helps Hunt Alternatives realize its fullest potential. We are committed to fostering an environment that embraces mutual respect, cooperation, and productive relationships.