Director of Finance & Operations - Mission-Driven Step-Up Leadership Role

Help Build the Financial Foundation for Community Transformation

Most finance roles focus on managing numbers. This one helps transform neighborhoods.

HOPE Community Development Corporation is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to expanding homeownership, revitalizing neighborhoods, and creating economic opportunity throughout Wichita. Through affordable housing development, property rehabilitation, community partnerships, and financial empowerment initiatives, HOPE is investing in the long-term success of families and communities.

We're seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to become the financial and operational partner to Founder & CEO Dr. Kevass Harding. This person will help build the systems, discipline, and financial infrastructure necessary to support a growing organization managing approximately $10 million in community assets and a residential housing portfolio approaching 50 properties.

This is an opportunity to move beyond traditional accounting and become a key leader helping shape the future of a mission-driven organization.

Why This Role Matters

Every home acquired, every family served, every funding opportunity secured, and every neighborhood investment made depends on strong financial stewardship and operational execution.

The Director of Finance & Operations will play a central role in helping HOPE:

• Expand affordable housing opportunities

• Strengthen financial sustainability

• Improve operational discipline and accountability

• Maximize public and private funding opportunities

• Support community development initiatives

• Build systems capable of supporting future growth

Your work will directly impact families, neighborhoods, and the future of Wichita's urban core.

What Success Looks Like During the First Year

The person hired will have the opportunity to create visible and measurable impact almost immediately.

Establish Accurate and Timely Financial Operations - Build confidence across the organization by ensuring accounting processes are maintained accurately, financial reporting is timely, and leadership has reliable visibility into organizational performance. Success means creating a financial foundation that leadership, partners, lenders, and the Board can trust.

Improve Cash Flow Planning and Financial Decision-Making - Develop forecasting and reporting systems that allow HOPE to proactively manage cash flow, prioritize investments, and make informed decisions. The goal is to move from reactive financial management to intentional financial stewardship.

Capture High-Value Financial Opportunities - Lead the tracking, documentation, and execution of critical initiatives including developer fee reimbursements, affordable housing utility connection refunds, and property tax exemption programs. Successful execution of these initiatives will directly increase resources available for future community investments.

Become a Trusted Partner to the Founder - Work closely with Dr. Harding to improve organizational execution, evaluate opportunities, support strategic initiatives, and build the infrastructure necessary for sustainable growth.

Growth Opportunity

This role is designed to grow with the organization. The successful candidate will initially focus on financial leadership, operational execution, reporting, forecasting, compliance, and strategic project management. As HOPE continues to expand, there is a clear opportunity for this position to evolve into a future Chief Financial Officer role with broader organizational leadership responsibilities.

For the right person, this is not simply a job change—it is an opportunity to build toward executive leadership while helping shape the future of an organization making a meaningful difference in Wichita.

Additional Leadership Exposure

In addition to overseeing financial operations, this individual will have the opportunity to:

• Support fundraising initiatives and funding strategy

• Assist with financial presentations and Board materials

• Collaborate with lenders, donors, grant partners, and community stakeholders

• Participate in strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives

• Help evaluate future housing and community development opportunities

While these responsibilities will not be owned independently, they provide valuable exposure to nonprofit leadership, community development finance, and executive decision-making.

Who Will Thrive Here

We're looking for someone who enjoys creating structure, solving problems, building systems, and helping organizations grow.

You may currently be:

• An Accounting Manager ready for broader leadership responsibility

• A Controller in a small organization

• An Assistant Controller seeking greater impact

• A Senior Accountant looking for a leadership opportunity

• A nonprofit finance professional

• A church finance leader

• A property accounting or real estate accounting professional

A CPA is not required. What matters most is your ability to build trust, maintain financial discipline, manage complexity, and execute consistently.

Culture & Mission

HOPE operates from a faith-based foundation centered on serving people and strengthening communities.

Candidates do not need to share the organization's faith background, but they must genuinely respect, support, and feel comfortable working within a faith-based mission and culture.

This is an entrepreneurial environment where priorities evolve quickly, resources must be stewarded carefully, and team members often wear multiple hats. People who are proactive, resourceful, mission-driven, and accountable tend to thrive here.

Why This Could Be the Right Career Move

Many finance professionals spend their careers reporting on results. This role offers the opportunity to help create them.

You'll work directly alongside a visionary founder, influence organizational strategy, strengthen financial stewardship, support community development initiatives, and help build systems that will impact families and neighborhoods for years to come. If you're looking for a role that combines finance, leadership, operational influence, and meaningful purpose, we'd welcome a conversation.