Director Of Finance
LOCATION OF POSITION: Remote/work from home in the United States, with a preference for a New England/Northeast location. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship.
SALARY RANGE: $100,000 - $115,000 FULL-TIME salaried position with a competitive benefits package
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
An increasing number of Americans – most of whom are women and people of color – are employed in service sector jobs that are marked by low wages, no health care, job insecurity, and lack of training and career advancement opportunities. The SEIU Education & Support Fund [1] tackles these issues by designing and facilitating worker-centered, relationship-based, and accessible education, training, and workforce development programs. We serve as a strategic partner to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and collaborate with other unions, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and employers to help workers access good jobs and spark positive social change. Throughout our work, we promote a culture of empowerment that honors experience, culture, diversity, and inclusion.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Director of Finance will oversee all finance, accounting, and reporting functions in our growing organization. The Director of Finance will oversee the day-to-day finance operations of a $18 million annual budget, supervising the Finance Manager and directing the activities of ESF's external accounting firm/finance team partner. The Director of Finance will work closely with program leaders and their staff to educate them regarding finance and accounting procedures as well as to explore how the finance function and related systems can best support program operations. They will be able to partner with the COO and other executive leadership team members to connect and align the finance function to the organization's strategic goals and overall financial health and stability.
ESF's budget is complex - with funding from collective bargaining agreements, private foundations, and state and federal government sources - and has doubled year over year for the past three years. The ideal candidate for the position will have experience in a nonprofit organization supporting finance, budget management, and administration of philanthropic grants and government contracts across teams. In addition, they will bring expertise in the design of financial systems and protocols that are flexible and can adapt to ESF's evolving needs. This position will play a key role in building the finance function and recommending new capacities aligned with ESF's growth.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a genuine commitment to ESF's mission and an ability to translate intricate financial concepts into understandable language for diverse stakeholders. Collaborating closely with the COO and Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Finance will integrate finance functions with the organization's strategic objectives, fostering financial health and stability.
KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the organization, including the work conducted by ESF's external finance partner (bookkeeping, month close accounting, internal grants and contracts reporting, preparation of organizational financials)
- Lead the development of ESF's annual budget in conjunction with the COO; assist program directors in the development of their annual programmatic budgets
- Monitor financial plans and budgets; develop internal communications protocols to ensure all relevant parties receive the information they need to manage at the level required of their positions; ensure a shared understanding of budget variances, including cause, potential impact, and possible solutions
- Lead financial forecasting, in collaboration with ESF finance and program staff; contribute to long-term planning
- Ensure grants and contracts compliance; partner with program, development, and accounting staff to ensure co-understanding of revenue and award requirements, including allowable use of funds
- Implement and enhance contract and grant management and reporting systems; ensure program leads are equipped and supported to access and interpret financial data for internal use as well as for external reporting
- Build an understanding of full program costs and help craft grant budgets and prepare financial documentation for grant applications and government or private sector contracts, in partnership with relevant program staff and Senior Director of Development
- Partner with Human Resources on actual and projected personnel costs and any other salary and benefits related information program leads need to develop staffing budgets
- Support indirect cost proposals and negotiations with state and federal funders
- Work closely with the finance team to develop, integrate, and scale existing or new financial policies and processes in ways that ensure compliance but also embody the organization's values wherever possible; build new systems for flexibility and to keep pace with ESF's growth and evolving needs
- Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels of the organization; establish and maintain strong working relationships and collaboration across teams
- Maintain, and update as needed, all necessary banking and accounting policies, procedures, and practices; serve as a lead resource on procurement requirements and documentation; ensure implementation of accounting policy and procedure manual
- Establish and manage a comprehensive onboarding and progressive training program to educate employees regarding staff financial management tools, policies, and procedures, customized to position and responsibilities; ensure documentation and workflows are kept up to date
- Work with the COO, external accounting partner, and Director of Operations to identify and upgrade technology to support financial management functions
- Assist COO and Board Treasurer with finance committee meetings as needed
- Oversee external annual audit process and state and federal filings
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Is flexible, comfortable working independently, and is a sophisticated collaborator
- Exceptional judgment, interpersonal, and communications skills and ability to manage up, down, and laterally; demonstrates flexibility, creativity, humility, and patience.
- Has excellent organization and communication skills
- Digitally fluent and comfortable using collaborative technology tools, including Google Workspace and Slack.
- Ability to work independently and be a self-starter as well as a collaborator in a dynamic team environment; can balance inclusive processes while driving toward deadlines.
- Is able to flex hours to support staff across multiple time zones as needed (generally with notice).
- Ability to travel quarterly for in-person team meetings and annual all-staff retreat
- Has exceptional judgment, interpersonal skills, and a desire to develop and grow a talented team
- Is comfortable working in a high-growth environment
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
- 7-10 years of nonprofit finance experience, including budget development and restricted funds management
- Proficiency in cost allocations and fund reporting.
- Knowledge of A-133 audit requirements and GAAP
- Ability to effectively communicate with senior-level stakeholders and build relationships across an organization
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
- Proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets.
- Experience with enterprise accounting software.
- Familiarity with Salesforce
- Project management expertise.
- Experience creating and communicating about financial tools and procedures for non-finance staff
- Experience in a growing organization and/or managing significant change
- Excellent business judgment, analytical, and decision-making skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced education or substantial expertise in Finance or Accounting; CPA a plus
- Experience managing a complex nonprofit budget structure requiring segregation of revenue and cash per donor restrictions across multiple programs and regions
- Managed financial functions for multi-state organizations
- Demonstrated experience in short- and long-term financial forecasting and analysis
PAY AND BENEFITS
We offer competitive wages and top-notch benefits, including 100 percent employer paid medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and eligible dependents; a defined benefit pension plan for retirement; paid holidays, sick leave, and personal days; and 4 weeks of vacation. We are a hybrid organization with co-located and remote staff. We provide a home office stipend for employees who telework, and cell phone stipend (or company sponsored cell phone) for all employees.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
SEIU Education and Support Fund is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply, including persons with disabilities and individuals from historically marginalized identities. SEIU Education and Support Fund celebrates diversity and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. SEIU Education and Support Fund’s hiring and employment decisions are based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications.
