Northern NY Community Foundation

Northern NY Community Foundation

Employment

Director of Finance Operations

Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Regular, Full-time, Exempt

Position Description

The Northern New York Community Foundation is currently seeking an experienced financial professional to join its leadership team as the Director of Finance Operations. Responsibilities include financial and investment management, compliance and risk management, information technology and, cross-functional philanthropic services. The Director of Finance Operations is an exempt, management-level position responsible for organizing, planning, analyzing, directing and evaluating the Community Foundation’s financial functions. The position will act as a true partner to the Executive Director in assessing organizational performance against both the annual budget and the organization’s long-term objectives. The Director of Finance Operations primary purpose is to maintain the financial integrity of the Foundation by ensuring the accurate and timely implementation, accounting and reporting of the Foundation’s finances and investments in compliance with the policies and procedures developed by the Board of Directors. This involves the responsibility of managing and leading the financial, investment and administrative aspects of the Community Foundation. This includes supervising the Finance Coordinator and the responsibilities of that position, financial planning and budgeting, monitoring of investment services, development of financial, personnel, computer and administrative systems, managing personnel and employee benefits administration and oversight of long- and short-term facility management.

The Director of Finance Operations will also interface with donors and other partners as it relates to fund administration and certain elements of gift planning. They work under the direct leadership of the Executive Director, working closely with the Investment Committee and collaboratively in a team environment with other staff to provide the highest quality service to the Foundation’s partners, including current and prospective donors, investment and financial professionals, grantees and other nonprofit organizations, and greater professional advisor community.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Accounting Policies and Procedures– Develops and implements the fiscal policies and procedures as developed by the Board of Directors, with the Finance Coordinator. Advises the Executive Director of needed changes in such policies. Implements and monitor all internal control activities of the Foundation. Stays up-to-date with current developments in accounting standards and other rules and regulations affecting the Foundation.
  • Fund Development– Assists staff with accurate and timely information for stakeholders, including professional advisors and donors.
  • Audit– Responsible for relationship with external auditors. Assist with the annual audit and preparation of all tax and regulatory agency filings. Works with the Finance Coordinator gathering all required financial records and letters for the audit.
  • Board and Committee Attendance– Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and staff the Investment Committee. Provide other committees and supporting organizations with financial information needed for their meetings and decision-making process.
  • Budget– Work with the Finance Coordinator and Executive Director to project and prepare the annual operating budget. Work with other team members to develop and monitor specific event and program budgets, including the grantmaking and scholarship budgets.
  • Financial Reporting –Assist with preparation of financial statements and summary financial information for the Executive Director and Board. Prepare other necessary and requested financial reports for the Executive Director, as requested.
  • Fund Management– Ensure that all funds held by the Foundation are accounted for in the proper manner according to IRS regulations, FASB, and other generally accepted accounting principles, by accurately posting revenues and expenses on a regular basis; preparing the “amount available to grant (spend)” on an annual basis, in accordance with the Foundation’s spending policy; processing fund statements on a quarterly basis; processing all changes to the fund; monitor and/or oversee the processing of all gifts and grants to or from new and existing donors, including preparing and maintaining fund agreements; maintain the fund’s status in database and report all fund information as needed or requested. Supports other Community Foundation staff by serving as the primary contact for payment and administration of charitable grants; oversees the processing of all forms of gifts.
  • Human Resources – Serve as the Foundation’s human resources professional by maintaining employee files; coordinating functions, including enrollment and orientation of new employees, monitoring of employee benefits and evaluating and recommending those plans which provide cost benefits and best value to both the organization and the employees; assisting in facilitation of the new-hire process and the maintenance and updating of the personnel policies manual. Coordinates insurance and service contracts for the Foundation, including, but not limited to, liability, directors and officers liability, equipment and property lease and rental, building and grounds maintenance and upkeep; ensures the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to facilities management, building security and emergency preparedness.
  • Investments – Provide staff support for the Investment Committee. Serve as the liaison to and work closely with the Foundation’s investment managers to monitor investment performance; with the finance coordinator, monitor the cash flow needs of the investment portfolio; conduct transfers and sales of donated securities and relay the information to the Custodian and Investment Managers of investment transactions that must be performed based on the guidance of the Foundation’s Investment Committee and/or Consultant in accordance with the Investment Policy; coordinate and facilitate the Investment Committee’s efforts to formulate and implement investment policies, asset allocation strategies, and investment manager/consultant hiring and evaluations. Serve as staff liaison to the Investment Committee and proactively work to address investment performance concerns as appropriate.
  • Planned Gifts – Serve as the Foundation’s primary contact for the trustees and administrators of the Foundation’s Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Gift Annuities and other planned gifts. Monitor the Foundation’s planned gifts of life insurance and bequests. Support other Community Foundation staff in processing charitable gifts through the Foundation.
  • Technology –Serve as the Foundation’s technology professional and main point of contact and liaison for the Foundation’s information management software; implement the proper procedures for additions, deletions and changes to database; work with Foundation contracted specialists and other staff to recommend the most appropriate upgrades to the Foundation’s network; troubleshoot minor problems with the Foundation’s network and assist staff with network related problems.
  • Leadership –Works closely with the Executive Director and other staff in developing and implementing organization-wide, strategic, financial and operating goals; proactively identifies potential issues or situations and assists in developing strategies to manage those issues; adheres to code of ethical behavior and practice for functional area and maintains confidentiality and discretion.
  • Operations –Oversight of the operational systems, processes and policies in support of Foundation’s mission; develop internal processes as needed; establish priorities for this position; create budgets and timelines for projects related to financial management and manage workflow internal to the department to ensure smooth operations and prevent deviations from accounting standards. Supervise, assign, plan and review work of the other staff as necessary; develop, implement, evaluate and maintain financial policies and standards to ensure strong internal controls and adherence to applicable federal and state regulations and compliance with national Council on Foundations Community Foundation Standards. Oversight and stewardship of buildings and grounds and related functions.
    • Answer sector-specific surveys
    • Represent Foundation at events and meetings as required and appropriate
    • Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications and Experience

  • Deep interest in and commitment to Northern New York and its people, organizations, places and heritage and appropriately honoring community legacies.
  • Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting or a degree with equivalent experience. Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a finance or accounting management capacity. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and prior community foundation experience is preferred.
  • Knowledge of GAAP and FASB standards and IRS regulations as they apply to nonprofit agencies.
  • Experience in and knowledge of the nonprofit sector, foundations, and investment management.
  • Self-starter, ability to work with minimal supervision in a team-based atmosphere.
  • Outstanding written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal skills.
  • Superior analytical skills.
  • Proven track record of exhibiting sound judgment with the highest ethical standards.
  • Capable of managing all aspects of finance and administration and maintaining effective relationships with all partners and stakeholders.
  • Proven knowledge of accounting and financial systems.
  • Excellent project management skills.
  • Strong managerial skills.
  • Experience with and competency with the Microsoft Office Suite as well as the ability to comprehend and use the Foundation’s software packages and various investment management software packages.
  • Experience in working with and dealing with a board and its committees, as well as donors and all partners and stakeholders.
  • Human resource experience preferred.
  • Well-organized, self-disciplined, decisive with an ability to balance the big picture, long-term view with a hands on, day-to-day focus.
  • Accomplish goals on time with the ability to balance the appropriate expenditure of physical and financial resources.
  • Ability to multitask, meet deadlines with excellence, accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Understanding of investment instruments, investment performance, asset allocation and investment strategies.
  • Highly donor-centric.

Time and Transportation

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Watertown, NY

Salary

Salary is dependent upon experience

How to Apply

Please submit a letter of interest and resume, which must include your salary requirements, to rande@nnycf.org. Questions regarding the position may also be directed to this email address. The deadline for first consideration is March 15, 2019.

This description should not be construed to contain every function or responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job classification. Incumbents are required to perform other related functions as assigned.

Date posted: February 15, 2019