Overview

Pursuits mission is to create economic transformation at scale. Our comprehensive model combines rigorous training with strategic partnerships to connect & support high-quality tech talent from low-income backgrounds with leading companies. By training adults to launch & advance careers as software engineers, we help our Fellows increase their earnings from $18,000 to over $90,000 in starting salary on average, adding an estimated $2M in lifetime earnings. Since 2013, we have generated ~$1B in lifetime wage gains & partnered with top companies like Blackstone, USV, Citi, Peloton, & Uber. Our vision of scaled impact is to reshape the skill training landscape, & particularly how governments, funders, & employers invest in workforce solutionsensuring capital is allocated in ways that drive lasting economic mobility. Through our innovative financial model, the Pursuit Bond, we are building the capital market to finance a sustainable model that other organizations can adopt, removing structural barriers & changing workforce development for good.

The Opportunity
As Pursuit scales its impact & drives systems-level change, we are seeking a strategic, hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to play a pivotal role in expanding a mission-driven organization. This unique opportunity offers the chance to shape the financial infrastructure that will power Pursuits long-term growth & sustainability. As CFO, youll oversee financial operations, drive strategic business decisions, & innovate new financial models & funding structures to create scalable solutions for workforce development.

The CFO will lead the complex financial landscape of our hybrid organization, which includes both a 501(c)(3) nonprofit & a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), while managing financial operations, external fundraising, legal affairs, investor relations, & government contracts. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in capital fundraising, strategic finance, highly regulated industries, & financial management, & the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. The CFO will be critical in scaling Pursuits impact & advancing economic mobility at a systems level.

Key Responsibilities

(1) Financial Management & Operations

• Oversee all financial operations, ensuring efficient management of budgets, cash flow optimization, & compliance with regulatory requirements across both nonprofit (501(c)(3)) & Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) entities.
• Drive liquidity management & capital allocation strategies to support growth, optimize resource utilization, & position Pursuit for long-term success.
• Oversee risk management & ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, balancing innovation with adherence to regulatory requirements.

(2) Strategic Finance

• Develop & implement a forward-thinking financial strategy that accelerates Pursuit's mission, positioning the organization for scalable impact & future innovation.
• Lead external fundraising initiatives, manage investor relations, & identify innovative funding models to ensure financial sustainability.
• Advise the executive team on business strategy by providing financial insights to inform decisions on new programs, scaling operations, & capital allocation.

(3) Executive Leadership & Ownership

• As a key member of the executive team, provide strategic insights & guidance to shape Pursuits growth trajectory, ensuring the organizations strategy aligns with its mission to transform workforce development.
• Oversee legal, external affairs, & business operations functions, ensuring alignment with organizational goals & managing risks effectively.

Experience

• • Strategic & innovative financial leader with 10+ years of experience in CFO or senior finance roles, with a strong track record of driving growth & operational efficiency in fast-paced, mission-driven environments
  • Deep knowledge of financial planning, strategic finance, risk management, & capital structuring.
  • Direct experience with non profit accounting & debt financing.
  • Strong understanding of capital markets, external fundraising, investor relations, & innovative funding models.
  • Experience with government contracts, philanthropic funding, & mission-driven finance.
  • Hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to innovate, implement scalable solutions, & navigate the challenges of a growing organization in a startup-like environment.
  • Experience in executive leadership, including acting as a key advisor to the CEO & senior leadership team, & playing a central role in driving the organizations overall strategic direction & impact.
  • Comfortable working in a lean, high-growth environment with the ability to scale teams as needed.
  • Strong external presence & ability to engage investors, funders, & strategic partners.
  • Willing to take calculated risks & push the boundaries of traditional finance to drive impact.
  • Experience leading & driving results across key organizational functions, including legal, business operations, and/or external affairs.
  • Strong communication skills, able to collaborate with internal teams, external partners, & align financial strategies with business objectives.
  • Exposure to nonprofit & Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) structures or in highly regulated industries is a plus, but not essential.
  • Startup experience is highly preferred, with the ability to thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments & navigate evolving financial landscapes.

Where youll work: Hybrid: 3 days (Tu/Wed/Thurs) a week in our HQ in Long Island City & 2 days wherever you work best. 

Compensation: $250,000 - $300,000

The range above is for the expectations as laid out in the job description, however we are often open to a wide variety of profiles, & recognize that the person we hire may be less experienced (or more senior) than this job description as posted.  If that ends up being the case, the updated salary range will be communicated with you as a candidate.

Pursuit offers: 

• Great culture where transparency, respect, teamwork, & kindness are valued
• Competitive compensation in base, plus bonus & a full benefits package
• 401k plus match
• Unlimited PTO & an all-Pursuit week-long holiday the last week of August & December
• An opportunity to work at the intersection of tech & social impact, & make a direct impact on the communities of those we serve.

Pursuit values diversity: 

Our team has a wide range of backgrounds & experiences, & we value the richness that diversity brings to our organization. We welcome new perspectives & affirm that all employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, familial or marital status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuit is an equal opportunity employer.