Chief Financial Officer

Overview

Pursuit’s mission is to create economic transformation at scale. Our comprehensive model combines rigorous training with strategic partnerships to connect and support high-quality tech talent from low-income backgrounds with leading companies. By training adults to launch and 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 and partnered with top companies like Blackstone, USV, Citi, Peloton, and Uber. Our vision of scaled impact is to reshape the skill training landscape, and particularly how governments, funders, and employers invest in workforce solutions—ensuring 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 and changing workforce development for good.

The Opportunity
As Pursuit scales its impact and 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 Pursuit’s long-term growth and sustainability. As CFO, you’ll oversee financial operations, drive strategic business decisions, and innovate new financial models and 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 and a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), while managing financial operations, external fundraising, legal affairs, investor relations, and government contracts. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in capital fundraising, strategic finance, highly regulated industries, and financial management, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. The CFO will be critical in scaling Pursuit’s impact and 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, and compliance with regulatory requirements across both nonprofit (501(c)(3)) and Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) entities.
• Drive liquidity management and capital allocation strategies to support growth, optimize resource utilization, and position Pursuit for long-term success.
• Oversee risk management and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, balancing innovation with adherence to regulatory requirements.

(2) Strategic Finance

• Develop and implement a forward-thinking financial strategy that accelerates Pursuit's mission, positioning the organization for scalable impact and future innovation.
• Lead external fundraising initiatives, manage investor relations, and 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, and capital allocation.

(3) Executive Leadership & Ownership

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

Experience

• • Strategic and innovative financial leader with 10+ years of experience in CFO or senior finance roles, with a strong track record of driving growth and operational efficiency in fast-paced, mission-driven environments
  • Deep knowledge of financial planning, strategic finance, risk management, and capital structuring.
  • Direct experience with non profit accounting and debt financing.
  • Strong understanding of capital markets, external fundraising, investor relations, and innovative funding models.
  • Experience with government contracts, philanthropic funding, and mission-driven finance.
  • Hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to innovate, implement scalable solutions, and 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 and senior leadership team, and playing a central role in driving the organization’s overall strategic direction and impact.
  • Comfortable working in a lean, high-growth environment with the ability to scale teams as needed.
  • Strong external presence and ability to engage investors, funders, and strategic partners.
  • Willing to take calculated risks and push the boundaries of traditional finance to drive impact.
  • Experience leading and 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, and align financial strategies with business objectives.
  • Exposure to nonprofit and 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 and navigate evolving financial landscapes.

Where you’ll work: Hybrid: 3 days (Tu/Wed/Thurs) a week in our HQ in Long Island City and 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, and 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, and kindness are valued
• Competitive compensation in base, plus bonus and a full benefits package
• 401k plus match
• Unlimited PTO and an all-Pursuit week-long holiday the last week of August and December
• An opportunity to work at the intersection of tech and social impact, and make a direct impact on the communities of those we serve.

Pursuit values diversity: 

Our team has a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and we value the richness that diversity brings to our organization. We welcome new perspectives and 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.