Michigan Director of Finance

Overview

Provides overall direction and leadership for finance within the Michigan Business Unit (BU). Also supports special projects within the Midwest Division and participates in the Midwest Division Finance Cabinet, offering strategic and tactical perspective to staff and operational functions for the Michigan Chapter and other program(s) as agreed with leadership.

This role supports the implementation of a new division finance structure over the next 8–10 months, introducing a Division Finance Director (DFD). The Director of Finance will report to the DFD assigned to the financial responsibility of the Michigan BU.

The position reports to the Director of Operations currently.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Support the program’s strategic priorities by developing and coordinating tactics for approved plans, including completion and/or oversight of day-to-day tasks.
• Communicate financial information effectively to BU and program leaders and to the Board of Trustees (BOT) to support management decisions and recommendations.
• Serve as an advisor within the Management Team to the State Director, BOT, and Development team, collaborating on budgeting, gift allocation, fundraising tracking versus budget, ensuring financial controls reflect donor intent, and supporting overall BU financial health.
• Manage private funding lifecycles with grants management specialists, including collaboration with Development and Conservation to construct budgets, provide timely and accurate reports to funders, and ensure tasks related to privately funded awards are completed in the appropriate management software.
• Implement and manage new initiatives and multiple projects.
• Ensure programmatic work is collaborative and well-integrated across the organization.
• Develop the annual collaborative $10M budget process with budget managers.
• Partner with the Operations Team and Conservation Operations team to ensure day-to-day financial activities are managed for compliance, including purchasing, invoice processing, and negotiating and contracting with vendors.
• May supervise one or more administrative or professional staff.
• Collaborate with Midwest finance professionals across the Midwest Division.
• Serve on the Midwest Finance Cabinet, which may include special finance projects for the division.
• May negotiate complex agreements and contracting with vendors and partners.
• Ensure programmatic commitments, organizational policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
• Reinforce consistency in organizational policies and procedures and provide support related to relevant field.
• Report to leadership on financial activities, forecasts, and long-term sustainability.
• Travel and work long or flexible hours as needed.

Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated.
• Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel; recognized technical expert on complex accounting/financial issues.
• Experience monitoring for and ensuring compliance with organizational policy, applicable law and regulation, and finance/accounting/management best practice.
• Experience analyzing a regulatory framework and applying it to the situation at hand.
• Expert knowledge of GAAP and/or relevant regulatory framework.
• 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.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary

• Starting pay range generally within $100,000–$105,000.
• This range applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA.
• Actual pay within the range will be based on factors including location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience.
• Geographic location will be confirmed during recruitment.

Benefits

Competitive, comprehensive benefits package including:

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

Location

Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, or Detroit surrounding areas preferred.

Additional Information

• Background screening is required for the successful applicant.
• The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applicants from all backgrounds.
• Accommodation support is available for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans during the application process.