Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Savanna Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting agroforestry in the Midwest. They are seeking a Senior Director of Finance to oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and risk management, while also leading the finance team and supporting organizational strategy.
Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and mentor the internal finance team
- Oversee the relationship with and work product of a contracted accounting firm
- Evaluate and advise on the optimal balance of in-house versus contracted finance functions over time
- Develop and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
- Drive continuous improvement of financial systems and processes
- Serve as financial liaison to Canopy Farm Management, the Institute’s subsidiary business
- Lead the annual organizational budgeting process in collaboration with department heads and the Executive Director
- Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts
- Manage cash flow planning and monitoring to ensure organizational liquidity
- Provide cross-departmental financial planning support
- Prepare and present financial reports for the Board of Directors and Finance Committee
- Support the Executive Director and senior leadership with financial analysis for major decisions
- Provide financial modeling, scenario planning, and capital planning in support of organizational strategy
- Participate in strategic financial planning and financial sustainability planning
- Coordinate and manage the annual audit process
- Oversee risk management and internal control systems
- Conduct organizational financial risk assessments and recommend mitigation strategies
- Oversee financial reporting and compliance for grant-funded programs
- Partner with development and program staff on grant budgeting and financial stewardship
- Participate in team, department, and all-staff meetings and associated work
- Contribute to organization-wide activities such as goal setting, planning, and staff trainings
- Support fund development efforts as needed
Skills
- Minimum 7 years of progressive finance experience in a senior leadership role, in the nonprofit sector or in the private sector with substantial nonprofit engagement (e.g., board or finance committee service)
- Minimum 3 years of direct supervisory or management experience, including responsibility for hiring, performance management, and team development; experience managing outside vendors or contracted service providers is a plus
- Solid working knowledge of fund accounting principles and nonprofit financial reporting
- Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
- Experience with cloud-based financial management systems; proficiency in Sage Intacct or comparable software (e.g., NetSuite, Blackbaud Financial Edge) is required
- Experience implementing or managing financial systems and designing financial processes
- Experience supporting board and executive leadership with financial reporting and analysis
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial information for non-financial audiences
- Commitment to participating in an open and collaborative environment
- Willingness to work independently with strong self-direction
- CPA or equivalent advanced credential
- Direct experience in nonprofit finance, including grants management
- Experience managing audits and contracted finance services
- Experience with subsidiary or multi-entity financial oversight
- Familiarity with agricultural, conservation, or environmental organizations
- Public speaking and board presentation experience
Benefits
- 160 hours (20 days) of paid time off annually plus 11 civic holidays
- 480 hours (12 weeks) of parental/disability leave annually
- A 401(k) retirement savings plan
- A monthly home office stipend
- A cafeteria-style benefits plan that includes as options: a monthly stipend that can be used for either reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan, a dependent care pre-tax account, a flex spending account, and/or a health savings account
Company Overview