VP, Finance and Accounting (Remote)

Overview

The organization is seeking a Vice President, Finance and Accounting to provide strategic and operational leadership for all financial functions across its entities, including its 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PAC entities. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the Leadership Team, this role serves as the primary financial steward and accounting advisor to the Executive Director and Leadership Team.

This is a remote, U.S.-based position with approximately 10–15% travel for Leadership Team retreats and periodic in-person meetings with the Executive Director in New York.

Responsibilities

Executive Financial Leadership (30%)

• Lead finance strategy across all entities (including LEE, the LEE Foundation, and PACs) in alignment with industry-standard accounting principles and in compliance with IRS standards and federal, state, and local law
• Partner with senior leaders to set long-term financial strategies and goals across all entities
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director and Leadership Team, providing forward-looking insight, scenario planning, and constructive challenge
• Support the Executive Director with financial reporting to the Board by preparing analysis, materials, and recommendations
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to develop and monitor resource allocation, forecasts, and expenditures supporting the organization’s mission and growth initiatives
• Respond nimbly to time-sensitive financial needs from the Executive Director, including funder and Board requests

Financial Accounting & Operations (30%)

• Own the accounting function, including month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, consolidation, intercompany activity, and cost allocation across entities
• Strengthen, document, and monitor internal controls and ensure strict segregation of duties to minimize risk, protect assets, and support accountability
• Partner with General Counsel (who leads legal interpretation and state-by-state compliance for political activity) to translate compliance requirements into appropriate accounting structures and practices, including tracking 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) revenue and expenses and documenting inter-entity transfers
• Manage external relationships and audit processes; serve as a point of contact for auditors, consultants, and regulatory bodies

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) (15%)

• Lead the organization and team-based budgeting process in alignment with annual and multi-year strategic planning led by the Partnerships & Infrastructure Team
• Evolve FP&A into a forward-looking function that drives strategic decisions
• Refine and own forecasting models, including building multi-year forecasts and scenario plans to support long-term financial sustainability
• Provide timely and accurate financial analysis, reports, and recommendations to senior leaders and the Board, including resource allocation, investment options, and risk management insights
• Develop practical financial reporting and dashboards to help Leadership Team members understand and manage budgets
• Lead treasury management strategy, including banking relationships, cash management, and recommendations for investing reserves to optimize financial assets across entities

Team & Organizational Stewardship (15%)

• Lead, coach, and develop the finance team, building accountability, strengthening performance, and expanding team capabilities over time
• Drive a high-performance team culture balancing strong standards of accountability and performance with support and coaching
• Assess the team’s structure and capabilities and shape roles to meet current and future needs
• Contribute to day-to-day accounting work while coaching and developing the team

Special Projects (10%)

• Lead or contribute to team-level, organization-wide, or cross-team special projects as assigned
• Oversee system integrations and automation projects across Sage Intacct, ADP, Ramp, and Paystand, including integration between payroll (ADP) and the general ledger to eliminate manual processes and journal entries
• Assess and implement FP&A and reporting tools, leveraging automation and AI where they add value
• Champion development and implementation of a robust, tech-enabled, scalable financial infrastructure that supports strong controls and security

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate years of work experience
  • If you do not hold a Bachelor’s degree, an additional 4 years of relevant experience is required
  • If you hold an Associate’s degree, an additional 2 years of relevant experience is required
• 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including:
  • Senior finance leadership (e.g., CFO, VP or Director of Finance, Controller) with significant accounting responsibility in an organization with a budget of at least $15M
  • Deep, hands-on accounting expertise, including ownership of the close, financial reporting, audit, and nonprofit accounting
  • Experience managing accounting for an organization with two or more legal entities, including consolidation, intercompany activity, and cost allocation
• Track record strengthening internal controls and segregation of duties, including addressing control gaps or audit findings
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, and financial analysis for senior leaders (candidates with strong accounting leadership and meaningful exposure to FP&A will be considered)
• Experience leading the implementation or integration of a cloud ERP or core financial system, including change management to drive adoption
• Strong people management experience with a player-coach mindset (willingness to contribute directly while mentoring and developing staff)
• Mission-driven, entrepreneurial, and collaborative mindset, with commitment to ethical financial management and transparency
• Ability to balance strong controls with helping the organization move forward; comfortable with shifting priorities and time-sensitive requests
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance leaders and collaborate effectively within a geographically dispersed team
• Alignment with the organization’s mission, core values, and theory of change

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA strongly preferred; MBA a plus
• Hands-on experience with Sage Intacct, ideally in a multi-entity environment with integrations
• Experience with 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) or political action committee accounting
• Experience leading FP&A, including selecting or implementing FP&A or reporting tools
• Experience with treasury management and reserve investment strategy
• Experience leveraging AI-enabled analytics and reporting tools
• Experience leading a remote team

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation

Compensation for the Vice President, Finance and Accounting role is based on years of relevant work experience and location.

In 100% COLA tier locations (e.g., Atlanta, Miami, Phoenix), compensation ranges from $167,800–$220,000.

Sequential COLA tiers increase starting pay by approximately 5%, up to the highest COLA tier in cities like New York where starting pay begins at $201,360.

Benefits

The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health, dental, and vision coverage for spouses, families, and domestic partners (with the organization covering up to 85% of premium costs)
• 100% employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Retirement package with 5% employer match
• Parental leave benefits
• Home office setup fund
• Ongoing virtual work benefits for phone and internet
• Generous paid time off
• An organization-wide winter break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Location & Work Demands

• Location: Remote (U.S.-based)
• Travel: Approximately 10–15%, including Leadership Team retreats and periodic in-person meetings with the Executive Director in New York
• Work demands:
  • Primarily a sedentary role working with colleagues across the country using remote technologies
  • Ability to travel to in-person meetings in various U.S. cities
  • Occasional evening and/or weekend work is required

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

The organization is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, programs, and operations. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants who need them as part of the job application process.