Current Opportunities

About this role:  

Eat. Learn. Play. is transforming the school experience for a generation of Oakland students. We help to provide the resources kids need to reach their full potential, including access to nutritious food, high-dosage tutoring, and physical activity. We also transform school spaces to ensure kids have equitable access to dignified, joyful places to eat, learn, and play including schoolyards, cafeterias, libraries, and gyms.  

We are searching for a mission-focused, strategic, and process-oriented Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) who excels in nonprofit financial management, operations, compliance, and human resources. 

The CFAO is responsible for providing overall leadership for finance, compliance and risk management, human resources, and internal operations. Working closely with the CEO, the CFAO will develop and implement strategies that maintain a high level of operational excellence and compliance and drive organizational growth and impact. Given ELP’s unique and complex funding landscape, the CFAO must bring expert knowledge of nonprofit financial compliance, public-private grant management, and regulatory reporting.  

By stepping into the CFAO role at ELP, you will have the unique opportunity to help shape a rapidly growing nonprofit at a pivotal moment in its history. You will serve as the trusted partner to a visionary CEO, driving both day-to-day excellence and long-term strategic success. You will ensure that ELP continues to thrive within a complex funding environment, supporting children in Oakland and beyond through high-impact programs in education, health, and wellness. 

The position is based in Oakland in a flexible, hybrid work environment where employees are required to be in the office as needed, typically 1-2 times a week. 

Responsibilities:

1. Organizational Leadership & Strategy 

Strategic Partnership with the CEO 

• Act as a dynamic thought partner to the CEO, co-developing a long-term vision that drives ELP’s bold mission forward. This includes shaping program strategies, evaluating potential partnerships, and building the internal structures that allow us to make an even greater impact in the Oakland community. 

Lead the Annual Budget Planning Process  

• Direct the development of ELP’s annual budget in close collaboration with the CEO, VP of Impact, and other senior leaders—ensuring that each initiative, from major district renovations to local children’s nutrition programs, is sustainably funded and strategically aligned. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Work hand-in-hand with the Executive Team to craft organizational policies, make high-level decisions, and model a culture of trust, integrity, and teamwork.  

2. Financial Management & Compliance 

Financial Strategy & Operations 

• Craft and implement financial policies and controls for ELP’s diverse funding streams (government grants, philanthropic donations, public-private partnerships), guaranteeing clear alignment between resources and our mission to serve children. 

Reporting & Analysis 

• Provide transparent financial reports and forecasts to the Board of Directors and internal teams, fostering a culture of financial literacy where leaders can confidently own their budgets. 

Nonprofit Compliance & Risk Management  

• Safeguard ELP’s financial health and donor trust by overseeing tax filings, audits, and regulatory requirements—particularly in grant management for Oakland Unified Schools—while maintaining the highest standards of ethics and transparency. 

3. People Operations & HR Stewardship 

Align People Operations with Organizational Goals 

• Collaborate with the Director of People Operations to ensure our people practices and policies reflect ELP’s commitment to equity, belonging, and community impact. Provide the strategic guidance and resources needed for success in HR initiatives. 

Accountability for Execution 

• Holds ultimate accountability for confirming that HR initiatives are executed effectively and aligned with ELP’s mission.  

• Serves as a strategic thought partner, providing guidance and resources to keep People Operations on track. 

Policy & Program Support 

• Partners with the Director of People Operations to shape the organization’s People Philosophy.  

• Contributes to the development of policies, programs, and systems that reflect ELP’s culture and drive organizational performance, while the Director of People Operations takes the lead on implementation. 

Integrated Staffing & Development 

• Partner with People Operations to align staffing plans, performance management, and professional development with both annual goals and long-term strategy. Empower teams to thrive in a culture that values creativity and results. 

Compliance & Operational Standards 

• Confirms that all HR operations (including payroll, benefits, and regulatory compliance) are performed at a high standard, ensuring ELP meets its obligations to both employees and regulators. 

Workplace Culture & Accountability 

• Serve as a key champion for ELP’s values, ensuring teams across the organization feel supported and engaged in their day-to-day responsibilities. Help shape policies and programs that strengthen our culture of collaboration and continuous learning. 

4. Internal Operations & Organizational Effectiveness 

Operational Infrastructure 

• Ensure our administrative, technological, and physical infrastructures run smoothly in a dynamic, growing environment. Work closely with the Chief of Staff to set and measure objectives that reflect ELP’s commitment to excellence. 

Measurement & Evaluation 

• Lead the design of frameworks that evaluate ELP’s organizational performance. Translate data insights into actionable strategies, ensuring every department understands how their work contributes to ELP’s overarching success. 

Program & Partnership Viability 

• Collaborate with the VP of Impact to assess proposed initiatives, analyzing budgets, timelines, and resource needs. Champion a human-centered approach that stays grounded in the realities of the communities we serve while meeting our high standards of quality and accountability. 

Qualifications & Experience:

Deep Nonprofit Financial Expertise 

• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience overseeing finance, operations, and human resources. 

• Proven track record in nonprofit financial management, compliance, and risk mitigation, especially with multiple funding streams and public-private partnerships. 

Demonstrated Leadership & Organizational Scaling 

• Experience building teams, implementing systems, and refining processes to meet the needs of a growing organization. 

• Experience overseeing cross-functional leaders—ensuring accountability, promoting high performance, and fostering a culture of inclusivity. 

Strategic & Analytical Mindset 

• Skilled in translating big-picture strategy into actionable plans, using data-driven decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and practical operational knowledge. 

• Adept at translating the CEO’s vision into workable plans, processes, and outcomes—maintaining flexibility for evolving opportunities and challenges. 

• Collaborative & Influential Communication Style 

• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort working with diverse stakeholders, including staff, Board members, external funders, and community partners. 

• Skilled at communicating complex financial or operational information in accessible ways to build organizational capacity and shared understanding. 

Mission Alignment 

• Genuine passion for ELP’s mission to serve children and communities, ideally with familiarity in the education, youth, or public sector landscapes. 

• Commitment to fostering a culture of belonging, teamwork, and continuous improvement. 

• Appreciation for Oakland’s rich diversity and a commitment to uplifting and partnering with the communities we serve. 

Integrity, Adaptability & Humility 

• Maintains the highest ethical standards and exercises sound judgment when navigating sensitive financial, HR, or operational matters. 

• Demonstrates resilience in a fast-paced, evolving nonprofit environment—willing to pivot, learn, and innovate to maximize ELP’s impact. 

To Apply: 
Please submit your resume and a cover letter that speaks to your relevant experience and passion for ELP’s mission. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Salary Range: $200,000 - $225,000, and an annual bonus of up to 10%

About this role: 

Eat. Learn. Play. is transforming the school experience for a generation of Oakland students. We help to provide the resources kids need to reach their full potential, including access to nutritious food, high-dosage tutoring, and physical activity. We also transform school spaces to ensure kids have equitable access to dignified, joyful places to eat, learn, and play including schoolyards, cafeterias, libraries, and gyms. 

Working with the VP of Impact and CEO, the Senior Director, Impact will advance our goals and impact by building strong relationships with our community partners to ensure the successful delivery of our programs across the Foundation’s three programmatic pillars. In this newly established role, the Director will work shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners to support the strong implementation of a portfolio of programs totaling $10 million+ annually, including major investments in the high dosage tutoring and middle school sports through the Oakland public school system. They will also manage the Foundation’s own programmatic initiatives, including the Bus, Little Town Libraries, and school pantries.  

The Senior Director, Impact will thrive on developing a deep understanding of the strengths our partners bring while also uncovering the areas in which our partners need additional support, capacity and/or development to achieve our shared goals.   They will be a systems thinker, ideally with experience working in a large and complex school system, with the ability to establish and nourish trusted and authentic relationships with a diverse mix of partners including a major strategic partnership with Oakland Unified School District and a mix of local and national non-profit partners. The role will require humility, deep listening to the community partners our programs serve, a curiosity to uncover obstacles to our shared goals, a solutions-oriented mindset and a willingness to clearly and kindly communicate about these barriers and potential solutions to our partners.  

The position is based in Oakland in a flexible, hybrid work environment where employees are required to be in the office as needed, typically 1-2 days a week. 

Responsibilities: 

Portfolio Strategy 

• With the VP Impact, develop goals and align programs and grantmaking with overall strategic plan 

• Think broadly about the ways our community partners can work together, leveraging their strengths, to achieve our mission and vision for impact 

• Develop budgets for programs and monitor spending with partners 

• Lead innovation process for new programs or portfolios, including projects like landscape research, program or portfolio design, budgeting, and partner selection 

• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications and Development teams to develop portfolio specific communications plans and share relevant information and outcomes. 

Partnership Management 

• Act as a public face and voice for the Foundation in the community and at events 

• Play a strategic and diplomatic role with community partners, positively representing the Foundation’s decisions and rationale with a wide range of stakeholders 

• Seek out, cultivate, and manage relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, partners and vendors within the community that can contribute to the achievement of our goals 

• Support implementation of partnerships by ensuring there are clear roles, managing progress against collective work plans  

• Through close and careful attention to the implementation of partnerships, work to identify potential barriers to success as they arise, suggest solutions to the barriers and work to gather the resources—including buy in from other stakeholders-- necessary to resolve those complex challenges 

• Establish strong relationships with partners and grantees to provide feedback on strengths and challenges in the implementation of the partnership 

Grantee & Contractor management  

• With the Director of Grant Administration, support strategies for monitoring and evaluation. 

• Ensure program excellence and that operations and activities adhere to legal guidelines and internal policies. 

• Develop programs and grantmaking budgets and oversee spending. 

Communications:

• Keep Eat. Learn. Play. staff informed of programmatic and grantmaking developments 

• Act as a motivating mentor to direct reports, providing regular feedback to support development. 

Work Experience: 

• 10+ years of leadership experience, including designing, building, and managing seven-figure budgets and/or and program portfolios.  

• Experience as an effective manager within a growing organization, with an ability to handle shifting priorities and an appetite for new ideas and approaches. Successful managerial experience in leading a team and mentoring/coaching staff. 

• Experience working collaboratively with a broad range of nonprofit, community-based organizations, and public sector entities to co-design and implement solutions 

• Experience in creating realistic project budgets and timelines. 

Required Skills & Abilities: 

• Demonstrated interest in Eat. Learn. Play.’s core issue areas with a broad range of experience working with non-profit organizations. Deep expertise is not needed, but issue area experience and/or experience working with public school systems is a plus. 

• Knowledge of Oakland’s social, economic, cultural, and political landscape. 

• Respect for the community, and ability to engender trust, credibility, and confidence with a variety of constituencies. 

• Demonstrated creative initiative and problem-solving skills, can synthesize information, translate it into a program design and lead a team to execute it. 

• Strong people management skills leading through collaboration and shared accountability with high emotional intelligence and comfort with agile role definition. 

• Strong written and verbal communication, active listening and interpersonal skills needed to work with a broad range of individuals successfully, including nonprofits, government officials, and donors. 

• Able to work sensitively and ethically with confidential information, work independently, and demonstrate good judgment and tact when handling difficult or sensitive situations.  

• Strong analytical skills, basic business intuition, and common sense. Able to view problems from a "big picture." 

• Adaptable, able to thrive in a fast-paced, growing, and dynamic organization. 

• Attentive to detail and follow through 

To Apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter that speaks to your relevant experience and passion for ELP’s mission. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

Salary Range: $120,000 - $150,000