Senior Director, Finance

College Possible National Office - Remote

About College Possible: As one of the largest and most successful college access and success organizations in the country, since 2000 College Possible has empowered more than 85,700 students on their path to earning a college degree. Its pioneering model matches eligible students with a near-peer coach and an evidence-based curriculum designed to help them overcome the most common barriers to getting into college and completing their degree - all at no cost to students or their families. Compared with their peers from similar backgrounds, College Possible students are 30% more likely to enroll in college the year after high school graduation, and three times more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.

College Possible is a proud AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service. Our AmeriCorps members commit to a year of service as College Possible coaches in communities throughout the country. Many represent the identities of the students they serve, and each brings a commitment to social justice and closing the college equity divide.

Our near-peer coaching model has earned national recognition: the inaugural Evergreen National Education Award recognized our leadership in increasing access to and success in college for students from low-income backgrounds. It also earns top-of-field results: a Harvard study found that the program more than doubles a student's chance of enrolling in a four-year college, and our students are four times more likely to become college graduates than their low-income peers. College Possible has an annual operating budget of ~$33.5 million, more than 190 full-time employees and more than 245 AmeriCorps and VISTA service members. During the 2021-2022 school year, we reached an estimated 25,700 students nationwide.

Headquartered in Saint Paul, MN, College Possible operates: regional sites in Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Omaha, NE; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; Saint Paul, MN; and Seattle, WA; as well as Catalyze partnerships in California, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

College Possible is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks to build a diverse workforce to create impact in partnership with the communities we serve. We welcome a diverse pool of qualified applicants. For each of its positions, College Possible is mindful about what best serves our students, and seeks to hire staff with relevant experience, skills and aptitude, and a commitment to the power of education.

Equal Opportunity Employer

College Possible is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals and conduct all possible activities in fully accessible settings. Alternative application formats are available upon request by contacting hr@collegepossible.org.

Your Role as Senior Director, Finance

The Senior Director, Finance oversees and monitors national and site financial operations in the following functional areas: finance and accounting. This position supervises key accounting and finance personnel (national office) and indirectly monitors the work of site operations staff as it pertains to financial management within a matrixed organization.

Key Accountabilities

• Financial Management: Prepare national and site expense budgets in close collaboration National Leadership and Executive Directors and other personnel. Develop organization wide annual operating budget. Oversee all financial operations including accounting, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting for the 5013c.

• Grants Management: Manage budgets and monthly billings for large government grants ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (Uniform Guidance).Manage budgets & reporting for private grants as required by funders and site personnel.

• Financial Analysis: Analyze revenue and expenditure trends, recommend appropriate budget levels, and ensure expenditure control for organization. Monitor and review accounting and system reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Board of Directors related support: Collaborate with the Chair of the Finance Committee and senior leadership. Prepare board meeting materials, financial reports, including financial presentations, dashboards and financial performance metrics. Manage the Finance Committee proceedings and attend full board meetings to provide financial updates. Assist in development of financial policies and procedures.
• Monthly Financial Statements and Year End Close-Out: Ensure revenue and expenses are properly recorded in our accounting system for all operating units. Provide financial analysis and support as needed. Update and retain all supporting documents and subsidiary records.
• Ad-Hoc Financial Reporting: From time to time, senior leadership and/or the Board of Directors may request financial information to aid its decision-making. The Director, Finance should be able to produce costing reports, analysis, forecasts, and projections as needed.
• Finance Standards and Procedures: Partner with other finance and accounting staff to ensure that the organization's financial practices follow generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP). Ensure proper documentation and retention of financial records as required by all applicable laws, regulations, rules, and GAAP standards. Establish and document finance procedures for the organization that provide for business continuation and audit preparedness.
• Account Reconciliations: Perform account reconciliations as necessary to verify and validate entries into the finance/accounting systems, including monthly reconciliation of temporarily restricted revenue for assigned sites. Review and approve account reconciliations prepared by other finance team members.
• Audit Engagements: Work with finance and accounting team and across the organization in planning and preparation for all audits. College Possible is subject to a federal organization-wide audit annually. Provide guidance during the audit as needed and assist with management responses as required.
• Internal Controls: Monitor internal controls related to financial reporting. Identify areas of process improvement and implement best practices.
• Back-up Capacity: This position will provide back-up on some occasions to finance and accounting team. Serve as a primary resource for general Q&A for matters of finance and accounting.
• Cross Functional Teamwork: Collaborates with the other departments to support broader National Office goals and objectives. Assist in development and implementation of new procedures and features to enhance the workflow between departments.
• Department Leadership: Hold accountability for leading and managing the accounting and finance team to annual financial budget goals and key outcomes, aligned to the annual plan, and delivered with a high-level of service delivery to the organization.
• Other duties as assigned or required.

What You Bring

Education/Certifications/Licenses

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting or related field required.
• CPA designation preferred.
• MBA preferred.

Related Work Experience

• Ten to fifteen years of related experience showing progressively increasing levels of responsibility with a minimum of 5 years' experience in a senior level position managing finance, accounting, or related function in similar sized organization.
• Experience with not-for-profit and grant accounting preferred, but not required.
• Previous experience in not-for-profit governance, compliance and familiarity with legal aspects of business operations helpful.
• Knowledge of GAAP accounting practices, with previous experience in internal audit and/or federal grants management preferred.

Computer/Software Skills

• Well-developed computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel,

• PowerPoint, Outlook, and other Office Suite programs as well as experience in database management

• Experience with Finance software such as Intacct, Adaptive, or similar software required.

Other Skills, Abilities and Requirements

• Ability to maintain high ethical standards.
• Must have a commitment diversity, inclusion and/or equity in the workplace.
• Strong attention to detail and eagerness to create orderly systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to get work done through others.
• Ability to collaborate with other stakeholders and influence others across the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Self-starter with the ability to take initiative and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem solver; flexible and adapts easily to change.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds when needed.
• Office environment with limited travel.
• Ability to stand and/or sit for a minimum of 7 hours a day.

What We Offer

As a committed, diverse, values-based organization, we offer:

• A competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Excellent benefits including complete health, dental, life, short-term and long-term insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Encouraged sustainability through a generous paid time off program
• Personalized professional development and growth opportunities
• An opportunity to have a tremendous impact both internally and across the country

To Join Our Growing College Possible Team

Please apply online at https://collegepossiblelt.applicantpro.com/jobs/, which includes submitting your resume and cover letter.