VP of Finance and Operations

About the role

Our client, a well-established private, mission-driven educational organization in Portland, is seeking a hands-on and forward-thinking VP of Finance & Operations to lead its Finance function and provide strategic oversight across several key operational areas. This is a highly visible leadership position reporting directly to the organization’s President. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting capabilities with excellent business acumen, strategic thinking, and a genuine interest in improving how an organization operates. While the position is primarily focused on Accounting and Finance, this is not a traditional desk-bound CFO role. The VP will also provide leadership across areas such as Facilities, Human Resources, risk management, capital projects, vendors, and organizational operations. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable preparing and reviewing financial information, advising executive leadership, improving systems and processes, and solving practical operational challenges. This role is on-site in Portland, Oregon.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization’s Accounting and Finance function, including month-end close, financial reporting, journal entries, account reconciliations, and transaction review.
• Prepare and analyze financial statements and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and long-range financial planning.
• Monitor departmental budgets and provide analysis and financial guidance to organizational leadership.
• Lead audit preparation, including schedules, supporting documentation, and coordination with external auditors.
• Partner with executive leadership and Board committees on financial performance, investments, reserves, and long-term planning.
• Provide oversight of payroll-related accounting, receivables, cash management, and other financial activities.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen accounting processes, reporting, internal controls, and workflows.
• Reduce manual processes by improving utilization of existing systems, technology, and automation.
• Develop meaningful financial analyses and KPIs to improve organizational decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, operational efficiencies, and improved vendor management.
• Provide leadership and oversight to the Finance team and collaborate closely with Human Resources and Facilities.
• Support facilities planning, capital projects, equipment and asset management, insurance, vendor relationships, and organizational risk management.
• Develop proactive plans and controls that reduce operational risk and improve business continuity.
• Partner with contractors and vendors on facility improvements and other organizational projects.
• Collaborate extensively with the President, Board members, department leaders, employees, and outside professional partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• Approximately 7–12+ years of progressively responsible Accounting and Finance experience preferred.
• Previous leadership experience as an Accounting Manager, Controller, Finance Manager, Director of Finance, CFO, or similar role.
• Strong hands-on accounting background, including month-end close, journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Experience with annual budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and financial analysis.
• Experience supporting external audits and preparing audit schedules and documentation.
• Demonstrated success identifying and implementing accounting, systems, or operational process improvements.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and accounting best practices.
• Strong Excel and financial systems skills, with an interest in leveraging technology and automation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to think strategically while remaining willing to work directly in the details.
• Collaborative leadership style and demonstrated ability to work effectively across multiple departments.
• Comfortable providing oversight or partnership across operational areas such as Facilities, HR, risk management, insurance, vendors, and capital projects.
• Experience within education, nonprofit, foundations, associations, or another mission-driven environment is preferred.
• Experience with fund accounting, restricted funds, investments, or endowments is a plus.
• CPA and/or MBA preferred but not required.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Matching 401k

Pay

Salary: $100K-$150K/year (DOE)