Senior Executive Director, Finance

Overview

This role, Senior Executive Director, Finance, 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 oversight and support from the CFO, this position leads the long-term strategy and operational results of all financial functions, including budgeting, financial planning, analysis, reporting, and accounting.

This leader partners with the CFO and senior leadership to strengthen financial sophistication and capacity for program and product expansion and revenue diversification. The role supports financial sustainability through insightful reporting and analysis of historical and projected financial information to inform decision-making.

The Senior Executive Director, Finance reports to the Chief Financial Officer.

Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Support the CFO in cash flow planning and forecasting to support 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 the Board Finance Committee in partnership with the CFO.
• Develop key financial performance metrics for the organization and monitor and report progress against those metrics.
• Shape and execute the organization’s multi-year financial strategy and financial systems roadmap.
• Identify and lead initiatives in pursuit of the organization’s strategic goal of financial sustainability.
• Evaluate the 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 to ensure 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 tracking key performance indicators; analyze financial performance against budgets, grants, and restricted funds and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Develop an annual budget calendar incorporating 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 reflecting proper cost allocations and donor-specific guidelines.
• Serve as a key business partner to program and department heads, providing financial analysis and modeling to evaluate 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.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 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 demonstrated 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 an emphasis on Not-for-Profit Revenue Recognition.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, compliance, and risk management.
• Demonstrated success in 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 the ability to communicate and manage well at all levels of the organization, including with staff at remote locations.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work with multiple partners and peers across the organization to achieve project and operational results.
• Effective problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and decision-making.
• High level of integrity and dependability with a 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.
• Employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are eligible to participate in the Health Benefits and Wellness Program.
• Medical plan options, dental care, and vision.
• 401K plan for eligible employees.
• Generous paid-time-off (PTO) benefits.

Location

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.

Application Deadline

January 2026. Please note applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity

The organization evaluates applicants for employment based on qualifications, merit, and work-related criteria and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental or physical disability, handicap, pregnancy, childbirth, medical condition, marital or familial status, family responsibilities, veteran status, personal appearance, political affiliation, matriculation, or any other characteristic protected by law in administration and operation of its programs and activities, including admission or access thereto, or treatment or employment therein.