Director of Finance and Operations

Democrats for Education Reform · United States · 3 wk ago

RemoteRemoteFinance$165k–$185k/yrFull-time

Role Overview

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to lead and oversee the integrated management of all organizational aspects related to the operational infrastructure, finance and accounting, and human resources functions for our multi-entity organization.

Who We Are

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America's students and confront those that do not. We prioritize historically disadvantaged students and families. DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures through direct political advocacy. ERNA keeps constant pressure on policymakers to champion high-quality educational options. DFER partner Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes innovative reforms in K-12 public education, particularly for historically disadvantaged students.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Partnership

Develop and deliver forward-thinking, usable financial reporting and dashboards that translate complex data into actionable insights for program, development, and advocacy staff
Continuously evaluate the status of short and long-term strategic financial objectives and provide advice on the financial implications of business activities
Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts
Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior executives so as to identify their needs and provide responsive reporting and financial strategies
Manage cash flow and forecasting; optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions

Multi-Entity Financial Management, Accounting, and Controls

Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and ensure a safeguarding of assets, compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting
Maintain a cost sharing allocation model to accurately distribute costs across the entities; ensure proper implementation of cost share and grant agreements; establish processes to monitor the program activity for compliance with grant agreements
Maintain separate financial records for each entity while producing consolidated financial statements for organizational leadership and the Board
Manage intercompany transactions, allocations, cash settlements and transfers, ensuring they are properly documented and comply with all legal restrictions
Ensure the timely and accurate processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and support the Development team with grants administration
Partner with external auditors to execute the annual audit process and prepare and file all required regulatory reports, including Form 990, Form 990-T, Form 1120-POL, and state charity and PAC reports in a timely and accurate manner
Evaluate, implement, and manage financial systems and software (such as Netsuite) to enhance operational efficiency

Multi-Entity Budget & Management Reporting

Manage processes for financial forecasting, reporting, including leading the annual organization budgeting and planning process
Prepare monthly financial statements, financial packages, and other informational reports/analysis
Monitor financial performance against budget, analyze variances, and provide actionable insights to support national departments, state chapters, and special projects
Provide financial data and analysis to support grant proposals and donor reports for the Development team and to ensure programmatic compliance

Business Operations Management

Oversee the organization's IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and cloud-based technology tools
Manage business insurance, contracts, and other operational compliance requirements (office leases, co-working agreements, vendor contracts)
Ensure cross-functional collaboration by partnering closely with other departments to streamline processes, implement organization-wide best practices, and ensure operational support for mission delivery

Human Resources

Lead all aspects of recruitment, hiring, onboarding, professional development, and offboarding processes
Administer and continuously evaluate the employee benefits program, including its compensation strategy
Maintain, update, and implement the Employee Handbook and all HR policies. Ensure policies are communicated effectively and applied consistently
Serve as a trusted resource for staff and managers. Conduct confidential investigations when necessary and provide guidance on performance management and conflict resolution
Ensure HR practices comply with all federal, state, and local employment laws

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, CPA certification desirable
5+ years of financial and/or operations leadership roles, with at least 2-4 years in a multi-entity nonprofit environment, managing budgets over $8 million, and extensive experience with intercompany transactions
Must have direct, hands-on experience managing multiple organizational functions, including Operations (technology infrastructure, vendor management, facilities) and HR functions (benefits, compensation, employee relations, compliance)
An experienced people manager
Proven experience leading annual audits
Proficiency with NetSuite accounting software
Proficiency with Paylocity HCM software
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to translate complex financial information for all levels of comprehension
Commitment to Mission: A demonstrated commitment to advancing the mission of the organization

Benefits