Book Harvest, Chief Financial Officer
About Book Harvest
Book Harvest is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization based in Durham, NC, with an ambitious mission: books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community. Since 2011, Book Harvest has placed more than three million books in the hands of children and families — grounded in the belief that literacy starts at birth, in the home, powered by parents, and nourished with books.
The Opportunity
Book Harvest seeks a Chief Financial Officer who is equal parts financial architect and people leader. This is a moment of real organizational ambition—we are building the infrastructure for national scale, and we need a CFO who asks, "how do we make this possible" rather than suggesting "why we can't." This means holding a meaningful duality: optimistic by default, disciplined by design.
We are seeking a CFO who is comfortable with the uncertainty that will at times be present during periods of growth, in pursuit of the organization’s vision of literacy and justice for all.
What We're Looking For
Three Leadership Priorities
Build the Systems for Scale
Deliver Rigor in Service of Possibility
Lead and Grow a High-Functioning Team
Additional Responsibilities
Participate actively in C-Suite meetings, providing critical financial context to strategic decisions across all departments.
Contribute to a strong, inclusive culture by advancing Book Harvest's Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (DEBI) commitments—including institutionalizing equitable practices within the Finance function.
Research and connect with peer executives at similarly scaled organizations to stay current on financial best practices.
Engage in ongoing professional development.
About the Ideal Candidate
Holds a CPA designation (strongly preferred) or equivalent high-level financial training.
Has 12+ years of progressive financial leadership, with at least eight years managing full-scope finance for a nonprofit with revenues exceeding $10 million.
Possesses expert knowledge of nonprofit GAAP, fund accounting, grant compliance, and fiscal reporting for government and restricted grants.
Can translate complex financial concepts into plain language for non-finance colleagues, board members, and community partners.
Brings high emotional intelligence and experience navigating organizational transitions with grace and stability.
Experienced in cash management, investment portfolio oversight, and long-term fiscal health strategy.
Core Competencies
Integrity & Governance: You define the ethical standard for the organization's finances. You hold compliance not as a constraint but as a competitive advantage.
Communication: You translate financial complexity into strategic clarity. Board members, staff, and partners trust you to make the numbers meaningful.
People Leadership: You build environments where people do their best work. High support and high challenge aren't in tension for you—they're the job.
Decision-Making: You make well-reasoned calls under ambiguity, using data and judgment. You're decisive without being rigid.
Strategic Thinking: You connect financial architecture to organizational vision. You think beyond the current budget cycle.
DEBI Commitment: You institutionalize equitable practices within your function and advocate for broader organizational impact.
Agility: You adapt financial systems and team structures as the organization grows and changes—without seeing this as a problem or losing accuracy or control.