Michigan Director of Finance

Provides overall direction and leadership for finance within the Michigan Business Unit (BU) and assists with special projects within the Midwest Division and the Midwest Division Finance Cabinet while proactively offering perspective, advice, and collaboration. Responsible for all Finance and Accounting activities, as well as providing strategic and tactical support for the staff and operational functions of the Michigan Chapter and other programs. Reports initially to the Director of Operations; will transition to a new Division Finance Director (DFD) within 8-10 months, overseeing financial responsibility for the Michigan BU.

About the Role

Contributes to achieving the Michigan Chapter’s strategic priorities through effective management, maintenance, and reporting of financial data. Serves as the subject matter expert on the Michigan Chapter’s and related programs' fiscal positions, long-term sustainability, and communicates this information to Chapter and program leaders, as well as the Board of Trustees, to facilitate sound management decisions. Monitors and ensures compliance with TNC policies, relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, GAAP, and financial best practices. Provides specialized services in financial analysis and reporting, forecasting, multi-year funding stream management, accounting, cash receipting, auditing, fiscal year-end processes, grants administration, spend rate analysis, private award management, contract review and approval, and management controls.

Preferred locations: Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, or Detroit surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

• Develops and coordinates tactics to meet the program’s strategic priorities, completing and/or overseeing day-to-day tasks.
• Communicates financial information effectively to BU and program leaders, as well as the Board of Trustees, to facilitate decision-making and actionable recommendations.
• Serves as a key member of the Management Team and advisor to the State Director, Board of Trustees, and Development team on budgeting, gift allocation, fundraising tracking, financial controls, donor intent, and overall financial health of the BU.
• Manages private funding lifecycles with grants management specialists, collaborating with Development and Conservation teams to construct budgets, complete timely and accurate funder reports, and ensure tasks related to privately funded awards are completed in the appropriate management software.
• Implements and manages new initiatives and multiple projects, ensuring programmatic work is collaborative and well-integrated across the organization.
• Develops the annual collaborative $10M budget process with budget managers.
• Works with the Operations Team and Conservation Operations team to ensure compliance in day-to-day financial activities such as purchasing, invoice processing, and vendor contracting.
• May supervise one or more administrative or professional staff.
• Engages in collaboration with Midwest finance professionals and serves on the Midwest Finance Cabinet, potentially leading special finance projects for the division.
• May negotiate complex agreements and contracts with vendors and partners.
• Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
• Reinforces consistency in organizational policies and provides support related to relevant field operations.
• Reports to leadership on financial activities, forecasts, and long-term sustainability.
• Travel and work long or flexible hours as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration and 5 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with accounting principles, practices, and regulations, including GAAP.
• Technical experience with grants award accounting issues.
• Experience using accounting and financial reporting systems.
• Experience, coursework, or training with U.S. Federal Uniform Guidance, state and local regulations, multilateral and international regulations, and standard contract clauses, as applicable.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience.
• Technical expertise on complex accounting/financial issues.
• Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience monitoring and ensuring compliance with organizational policy, applicable law and regulation, and finance/accounting/management best practices.
• Experience analyzing regulatory frameworks and applying them to specific situations.
• Expert knowledge of GAAP and/or relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Experience evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of management controls; interpreting guidelines and analyzing factual information to adapt or modify processes as needed.
• Ability to resolve complex issues independently within the program area.
• Experience acting as a resource to others to solve problems.
• MBA, CPA, or CIA may be preferred.

Pay

The starting pay range for this position is $100,000–$105,000 for candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Actual pay within this range will be based on factors such as location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Note that pay ranges for positions outside the USA will differ based on local labor markets and are not tied to USA pay ranges.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care benefits.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match.
• Parental leave.
• Accrued paid time off.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Employee assistance program.
• Additional life and work well-being benefits.

TNC offers a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of its employees.