Finance Director

Background

ABOUT SUSTAINABLE NORTHWEST
Sustainable Northwest works at the intersection of environment, community, and economy. We bring entrepreneurial solutions to natural resources challenges to keep lands healthy and provide economic and community benefits. We believe a healthy economy, environment, and community are indivisible and that all are strengthened by wise partnerships, policies, and investments. Founded in 1994, our work focuses on forests, ranches, clean energy, water and green markets. The success of our work is based on relationships, trust, and inclusion. Sustainable Northwest has an on-going commitment to ensuring our staff and board are representative, inclusive, and supportive of all backgrounds, cultures, and identities.

Summary

POSITION TITLE: Finance Director
APPLICATION PERIOD: Priority will be given to applications submitted prior to March 28, 2025
PREFERRED START DATE: May 2025

POSITION DETAILS
LOCATION: Oregon or Washington, Portland preferred
REPORTS TO: President
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time Exempt, 35-hour work week
SALARY: $115,000 – $140,000
BENEFITS: Sustainable Northwest offers a generous benefits package supporting employee wellness with medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance; ample paid time off, sick time, and 11 federal holidays; flexible daily and weekly work schedules; 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions; cell phone reimbursement; transit and bicycle benefits; pre-tax spending plan for medical and/or dependent care; and support for professional training.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Finance Director is responsible for the finance, accounting, and grant management functions of Sustainable Northwest. This includes financial policies and procedures, contracts and grant agreements. The Finance Director manages the finance team which currently includes a Senior Accountant and Accounting Manager.

Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

ACCOUNTING

• Oversee AR processes, grant billings, and reconciliations

• Oversee AP processes including payment to sub-recipients and vendor management

• Oversee and review journal entries, account reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and month-end close process.

• Prepare monthly grant and contract reports; distribute and discuss as needed with appropriate staff.

• Prepare quarterly financial reports for the board, including financial analysis dashboard, profit and loss and budget to actual reports and present all financial matters at quarterly board meetings.

• Work with auditors and board finance committee in preparation for annual audits including single audit and reviewing annual tax return.

• Assist program staff and management team with preparation of required financial reports for grant application and management.

• Oversee tracking of grant expenditures for reporting purposes.

• Review contract and grant budget proposals.

• Develop/maintain adequate and effective internal control, fiscal policies, and procedures.

• Safeguard all fixed assets and maintain adequate supporting documents for fixed assets’ depreciation schedules.

• Filing and ensuring compliance with all federal and state requirements.

• Maintain/improve processes for obtaining/reporting organizations basic data flows: timesheets, expense/grant reporting, etc.

• Advise program staff in matters relevant to financial management, accounting and administration.

FINANCE

• Develop comprehensive pricing and costing analyses, emphasis on overhead allocation.

• Negotiate federal indirect rates.

• Manage cash flows and cash flows forecast.

• Prepare financial analysis, financial forecast and planning to assist and advise program directors, president and board of directors in decision making and strategic planning.

• Coordinate, develop and lead the annual organizational budget process.

• Monitor program budgets and organizational budgets: prepare actual vs. budget analysis to report any variances and identify key factors for the variances, recommend solutions to ensure revenue goals are met and expenditures are within budget.

PAYROLL

• Administer PTO, 403(b) and other fringe benefits to ensure compliance with labor laws, federal and state tax law.

• Participate in the annual staff review process and review recommendations for annual salary adjustments while maintaining the organizational salary matrix.

• Support periodic compensation analyses to ensure employee pay grades are fair and competitive.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS
This is a fantastic opportunity for a leader with extensive accounting and finance experience. Applicants must have experience with and an understanding of nonprofit management with multiple programs and complex funding sources. Specific requirements include:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in accounting; CPA license or masters in accounting preferred.

• 5+ years of accounting and finance experience

• 3+ years’ experience managing accounting and finance functions of a nonprofit.

• 3+ years’ experience working with federal grants and contracts.

• Knowledge of GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and commitment to Sustainable Northwest’s mission.

• Hands-on strategic thinker who will own the responsibility for finance.

• An eagerness to help implement systems to further improve financial processes; while also possessing keen analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills to interpret data as opposed to simply reporting.

• A track record in grants management compliance and reporting of federal and state government, corporate, and foundation grants. Aptitude in nonprofit ERP systems, preferably MIP funds accounting.

PLEASE NOTE
The skills and experience listed above are what we believe is necessary to succeed in this position. However, we encourage all interested applicants to apply even if your skills are not a match with all requested qualifications. Please, underscore applicable skills unique to you in your cover letter.

Sustainable Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race or ethnicity, national origin; gender, gender identity or sexual orientation; religion or creed; age, ability, or other legally protected status.

Compensation and Benefits

DOE

How to Apply

TO APPLY
Send an email with ‘Finance Director ’ in the subject line. Email cover letter and resume to Hannah Meganck at [email protected]. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please make no phone calls or email inquiries. Interview questions will be provided in advance. References will be requested from finalist candidates.