Senior Executive Director, Finance

Overview

This role is based out of a home office located anywhere within the contiguous United States (Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern time zones) or United States territories that fall within the Atlantic time zone.

The Senior Executive Director, Finance serves as the second-in-command to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With support and oversight of the CFO, this position is responsible for the long-term strategy and operational results of all financial functions, including budgeting, financial planning, analysis, reporting, and accounting. This role helps strengthen financial sophistication and capacity to support program and product expansion and revenue diversification, and provides insightful reporting and analysis of both historical and projected financial information to inform decision-making.

This position also acts as a key thought partner to the CFO and senior leadership by building financial capacity and enhancing operational efficiency across the Finance team. Responsibilities include leadership of finance systems and analysis, as well as oversight of accounting and audit functions, ensuring finance enables data-driven decision-making and meets financial integrity and audit-readiness goals.

Reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Support the CFO in cash flow planning and forecasting to ensure organizational liquidity and financial stability.
• Direct treasury operations, with support and oversight for investment and banking relationships.
• Provide regular updates to the Board of Directors and Board Finance Committee, with support from the CFO.
• Develop key financial performance metrics for the organization and monitor, report, and track progress against those metrics.
• Partner with the CFO to shape and execute the organization’s multi-year financial strategy and financial systems roadmap.
• Identify and lead initiatives aligned to the organization’s strategic goal of financial sustainability.
• Evaluate financial and systems implications of new programs, partnerships, or funding opportunities (e.g., government contracts, major gifts, new IHE partnerships).

Financial Systems & Technology

• Serve as the primary system owner and administrator for the organization’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, including configuration, workflow design, and ongoing optimization.
• Manage the integrated ecosystem of financial data and systems, ensuring data integrity, accurate integrations, and consistent reporting across platforms.
• Drive automation and technology-driven improvements to streamline financial processes and enhance accuracy across cash management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, month-end close, and financial reporting.
• Provide system training, troubleshooting support, and documentation to the Finance team and cross-functional platform users.

Accounting & Audit Oversight

• Provide oversight of the annual external audit process and Form 990 preparation led by the Senior Director of Accounting; support the CFO in interactions with the Board Audit Committee as needed.
• Ensure internal controls are robust and compliance with regulations is maintained across all financial activities; lead enforcement of finance policies, procedures, and internal controls in partnership with the Senior Director, Accounting.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reports are provided to the CFO, CEO, and senior management in alignment with GAAP standards.
• Resolve escalated internal controls or accounting issues in partnership with the CFO and Senior Director of Accounting.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasting, incorporating input from cross-functional teams, with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and scalability.
• Develop financial models to evaluate program sustainability, funding scenarios, and cost-effectiveness of initiatives.
• Produce monthly reports that track key performance indicators; analyze financial performance against budgets, grants, and restricted funds, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Develop an annual budget calendar that incorporates key action dates from organizational leaders.
• Prepare reports and lead management of the organization’s cash position and cash flow forecasting.
• Partner with program and department leaders to develop programmatic budgets reflecting actual costs, future investments, and operating expenses; and to develop philanthropic proposal budgets that reflect proper cost allocations and donor-specific guidelines.
• Serve as a key business partner to program and department heads, providing financial analysis and modeling for new initiatives, strategic opportunities, and cost-saving measures.
• Prepare clear, compelling reports for the CFO for use with the Board of Directors, key funders, and other senior leaders.
• Maintain the Finance Team’s budgeting resources, ensuring processes, policies, and key dates remain current, concise, and accessible.

Collaborative Performance & Team Leadership

• Support a collaborative team culture aligned with the organization’s values and culture.
• Establish annual priorities and objectives for the Finance team in partnership with the CFO.
• Model behaviors of a high-performing, results-driven team member.
• Directly manage and coach finance team members toward high performance and operational effectiveness.
• Serve as a liaison between finance and other departments to ensure alignment with business goals and effective communication of financial data.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in accounting, finance, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10–12 years of relevant professional experience required.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of non-profit accounting experience required.
• Proven experience as a financial leader or senior finance manager with at least 3 years in a similar role.
• Demonstrated experience managing an integrated financial systems and data ecosystem; NetSuite experience strongly preferred.
• Strong background in process improvement and ability to rework and optimize financial operations.
• Expertise in financial reporting, P&L preparation, and financial forecasting.
• Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), with emphasis on Not-for-Profit Revenue Recognition.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, compliance, and risk management.
• Demonstrated success coaching and leading finance teams toward high performance and operational effectiveness.
• Proficient in ERP systems, financial modeling, and technology solutions for finance.
• Understanding of internal control procedures, including experience maintaining and documenting accounting procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and manage effectively at all levels, including staff at remote locations.
• Strong collaboration skills with ability to work with multiple partners and peers across the organization.
• Effective problem-solving skills and ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making.
• High level of integrity and dependability with strong sense of urgency and results-orientation.
• Travel may be required on occasion aligned to the organization’s Travel and In-Person Activities policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA certification preferred.
• Knowledge of federal grant requirements and experience with management of federal grants strongly preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salaries vary based on geographical location. Successful candidates are offered a non-negotiable salary based on their geographical location.
• Employees may be eligible for merit awards, bonuses, and/or commissions depending on role, organizational guidelines, and individual performance.
• Medical plan options, dental care, and vision.
• Employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are eligible to participate in the organization’s Health Benefits and Wellness Program.
• 401K plan for eligible employees.
• Generous paid-time-off (PTO) benefits.

Application Deadline

January 2026. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is an equal opportunity employer and evaluates applicants for employment on the basis of qualifications, merit, and work-related criteria without discrimination on legally protected characteristics.