Chief Financial Officer

Description

As a trusted partner in disability services since 1965, Lifeworks Services, Inc. is working to make disability inclusion the standard, not the exception. From grassroots beginnings, Lifeworks has evolved alongside people with disabilities and their families, supporting over 9,000 people annually. Lifeworks provides straightforward solutions that help people connect with the support and resources they need at home, at work, and in the community.

The organization operates four Lifeworks Centers for Disability Inclusion in Apple Valley, New Hope, Mankato, and Richfield. Its impact spans 69 counties across Minnesota, supported by partnerships with more than 450 businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.

Through its core services, Lifeworks supports over 540 individuals in employment, helps more than 260 people engage in their communities through Day Support, and empowers more than 2,780 Minnesotans to self-direct their in-home care. In 2024, Lifeworks launched disability inclusion and consulting services, reaching over 9,300 individuals through education and training since inception.

As a strong advocate for disability inclusion, Lifeworks is deeply committed to self-directed support, meaningful careers with competitive wages, and the development of innovative opportunities that enhance everyday life. The organization’s leadership team and employees are united by a shared set of core values that guide their work:

You Lead the Way, We Listen
We honor individual choice and pursue opportunities with community at the heart of everything we do.

Together, We Break Down Barriers

We value diverse perspectives, advance accessibility, and foster a strong sense of belonging for all.

We Focus on Impact
We hold ourselves to high standards, share our expertise, and collaborate to develop solutions that reflect the whole person and their needs.

We Reinvent What’s Possible
We embrace innovation, take thoughtful risks, and learn from experience as we move confidently into the future.

2025–2028 Lifeworks Strategic Plan Priorities

• Continuous Improvement Culture: Cultivate an inclusive, engaged, and high-performing workforce.
• Scalable Infrastructure: Modernize facilities, service delivery models, and technology systems.
• Advancing Universal Disability Inclusion: Lead efforts to expand inclusion across communities, workplaces, and policies.
• Access and Expansion: Grow services to reach underserved geographies and populations.

For more information, visit www.lifeworks.org.

Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the Senior Executive Team and a strategic partner to the CEO, Board of Directors and Audit Committee, responsible for providing enterprise-wide financial leadership while helping Lifeworks navigate a highly regulated and rapidly evolving environment.

The CFO leads the continued transformation of the Finance function, strengthening operational infrastructure, enhancing financial planning and decision-making capabilities and helping position the organization for sustainable growth. 

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Controller, Director of Payroll

Location: Richfield, MN (Hybrid)

Compensation & Benefits: The base salary range for this position is $210,000–$225,000, with eligibility for up to 20% annual bonus. Lifeworks offers a best-in-class benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Extensive medical, dental, and vision plans with low premiums and copays, along with long-term disability and life insurance
• Retirement Program: Competitive 403(b) plan with employer contributions and matching, totaling up to 7%
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO and paid holidays to support work-life balance
  

Enterprise Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, collaborating with peers to shape and execute Lifeworks’ long-term strategy, enterprise priorities, and annual goals.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO, Senior Executive Team, Board of Directors, and Audit Committee.
• Provide an enterprise-wide perspective on financial sustainability, growth, and risk, ensuring alignment between mission impact and fiscal strength.
• Assess growth opportunities, service line performance, margin improvement initiatives, and key organizational investments.
• Help balance growth ambitions with financial discipline by guiding leaders on when to accelerate, pause, or adjust initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership to develop and implement long-range financial and organizational strategies.

Team Leadership & Development

• Evaluate team capabilities, structure, and leadership effectiveness to ensure the Finance function is scalable, high-performing, and aligned with long-term priorities.
• Foster clarity, accountability, engagement, and professional growth across the team.
• Connect team members’ roles to Lifeworks’ mission and values while supporting adaptability and resilience during periods of change.
• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and service excellence.

Financial Management & Stewardship

• Lead and prioritize continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, internal controls, reporting, and scalability.
• Strengthen and modernize accounts receivable processes, improve reconciliation practices, and increase visibility into collections.
• Advance enterprise forecasting, scenario planning, and decision-support capabilities to inform strategic planning and resource allocation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, boost productivity, and leverage technology to improve overall performance.
• Develop dashboards and reporting tools that deliver clear, actionable insights to leaders across the organization.  

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Build strong partnerships with operational and program leaders to ensure financial insights effectively support decision-making at all levels.
• Translate complex financial information into clear, accessible insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Strengthen collaboration across Finance, Programs, Payroll, Human Resources, and other key functions.
• Partner closely with Human Resources and Payroll leadership to align workforce planning, compensation execution, and organizational outcomes.
• Promote organization-wide accountability for financial performance while advancing Lifeworks’ mission and values.

Strategic & Enterprise Leadership

• Brings a forward-looking, enterprise-wide perspective to strategy, thoughtfully balancing mission impact, financial sustainability, and risk.
• Guides the organization in making informed trade-offs and prioritizing high-value opportunities.
• Partners closely with the executive team and Board to set direction, align resources, and drive long-term success.

Sound Decision Making

• Demonstrates strong intellectual curiosity and the ability to critically, analytically, and conceptually evaluate ideas and proposals.
• Uses data and insights to inform decisions while remaining comfortable navigating ambiguity and incomplete information.
• Effectively balances timely action with prudent risk management.

Fosters Collaboration

• Cultivates an environment that promotes open communication, coordination, and shared accountability across the organization.
• Builds trust, encourages constructive dialogue, and ensures diverse perspectives inform decision-making.
• Strengthens organizational cohesion by aligning functional priorities and fostering a unified culture.

Disciplined Execution

• Translates strategy into clear priorities, actionable plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Aligns resources, builds organizational capability, and ensures consistent execution and follow-through.
• Maintains focus and adaptability while driving accountability and performance in a dynamic environment.

Builds Talent

• Develops and sustains high-performing teams while coaching leaders to strengthen their own capabilities.
• Creates an environment where individuals challenge and support one another, valuing diverse contributions and perspectives.

Emotional Intelligence

• Exhibits strong self-awareness, sound judgment, and emotional resilience.
• Remains composed and clear-headed in complex or high-pressure situations.
• Actively seeks feedback, reflects on impact, and adapts approach to build trust, credibility, and strong working relationships.

Leadership Styles

• Maintains a calm, grounded presence and demonstrates composure in high-pressure situations.
• Approaches challenges with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Leads with a low-ego, high-impact style that prioritizes team success over individual recognition.
• Communicates with confidence and thoughtfulness, expressing differing perspectives with respect and professionalism.
• Takes full accountability and drives disciplined, results-oriented execution with a sense of urgency.
• Demonstrates curiosity and patience, particularly when partnering with non-financial teams.
• Operates with a strong moral compass and an unwavering commitment to integrity.
• Balances confidence with humility, remaining open to feedback and adjusting perspective when presented with new information.
• Builds trust through transparency, consistency, and reliable follow-through.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA strongly preferred (CPA also preferred).
• Minimum of 5+ years of proven experience as a strategic finance leader and advisor to CEOs, executive leadership teams, and Boards within complex organizations.
• Experience in highly regulated industries—such as healthcare, human services, Medicaid-funded services, senior care, insurance, or government contracting—is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights that inform strategic decision-making.
• Strong financial planning and analysis expertise, including forecasting, scenario modeling, business case development, and long-range planning; ability to balance mission, growth, risk, and financial sustainability.
• Proven success strengthening financial processes, internal controls, reporting capabilities, and overall organizational infrastructure.
• Solid understanding of compliance, risk management, audit requirements, and regulatory oversight, with experience partnering with external agencies and advisors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change and build, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
• Prior experience working with Boards of Directors, with a strong understanding of governance best practices and fiduciary responsibilities.

To Apply:

Lifeworks has partnered with Doran Leadership Partners to lead this search.

To express interest, submit resumes or nominations.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with consideration beginning immediately. The position will remain open until filled.

Equity Statement:

Lifeworks’ hybrid work model and inclusive culture emphasize collaboration, interpersonal relationships, and

high-quality performance. Presence on-site or in-person will be defined by the needs of the business.

Lifeworks strives to be radically accessible, diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We appreciate the vibrancy of

differences, center the voices of silenced and marginalized people, and champion universal rights.

Lifeworks Services is committed to hiring people from a variety of diverse cultures with diverse life

experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,

religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity

or expression, marital status, familial status; genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Lifeworks Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage members of diverse groups to apply.

We are committed to an inclusive and accessible hiring process. If you need an accommodation to apply or

participate in an interview, please share your needs with the Doran Leadership Partners team.