Director of Finance & Operations

Director of Finance & Operations

The Alliance for Youth Action (along with our sister 501(c)(3) organization, the Alliance for Youth Organizing) is searching for a Director of Finance & Operations. The Director of Finance & Operations will lead on day-to-day internal financial management and operations to ensure our organization is running smoothly behind the scenes. This role reports to the Chief Financial Officer, and will directly manage two finance and operations staff. This is a full-time exempt position based in the United States (see Logistics, below). Alliance for Youth Organizing is a unionized workplace, and staff are represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, Local 32035. This position is not in the bargaining unit.

About the Alliance for Youth Action

The Alliance convenes, supports, and scales a national network of youth-led, locally rooted organizations growing civic engagement and social justice coast to coast. We truly are a multiracial network “of young people, by young people, for all people.” Our Affiliates and Partners run massive voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, train new young leaders, and run powerful campaigns to win on the progressive issues our generation cares about most. Our national team empowers this work by tracking down national resources for the network, building capacity for local groups, seeding new efforts, and coordinating national issue campaigns.

Job Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of this position include:

Financial Management, Planning & Reporting

• Oversee the Alliance’s daily financial operations and supervise finance management and external bookkeepers, including c3/c4 cost sharing and the management of team members responsible for cash, bank, accounts receivable, and accounts payable processes.

• Direct the Alliance’s grant and revenue management processes and systems, coordinating with the development department to ensure revenue is organized and compliant with all grant, funder, and contract requirements.

• Create and enhance financial management systems, processes, and policies as needed.

• Analyze and develop monthly financial reporting, acting as the primary reviewer on various reports to ensure accuracy and quality, including organizational budgets and cash trackers.

• Lead on the Alliance’s annual financial audits and coordinate with Executive Management to ensure accurate and timely IRS 990 filings.

• Work with Executive Management on the Alliance's annual budgeting process, assisting on planning and analysis to ensure organizational goals are achieved fiscally and compliantly.

• Manage budget forecasting and reforecasting needs as necessary and develop tools and strategies to advise Executive Management to make real-time financial decisions.

• Prepare financial reports for Alliance staff, leadership, board, and funders as needed, working in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer to present these to various stakeholders.

• Develop and maintain systems and processes to manage departmental budgets, working with department heads to ensure departmental spending is aligned with established budgets and needed adjustments are implemented.

Internal Operations & Administration

• Oversee the documentation and administration of grants and contracts, ensuring that all financial and compliance requirements are met in accordance with agreed-upon terms,

• Lead the Alliance’s RFP processes, vendor/consultant contract review & execution.

• Maintain systems for internal document storage, organization, and access to information via Google Drive in compliance with Alliance policies.

• Prioritize the preservation of institutional knowledge through the maintenance and management of internal documentation, including but not limited to organizational manuals and staff portals.

• Direct organization’s development and enhancement of internal operational and administrative process and procedures documentation.

• Coordinate and lead the organizations’ state charitable, business, and organizational registrations and renewals to ensure all registrations are kept current and in good standing.

• Manage current organizational systems (e.g. travel, employee time tracking, documentation management) and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of Alliance systems, onboarding new systems as needed.

• Oversee facilities management and office planning to ensure the office space meets organizational needs

• Direct and manage the organization’s IT and cybersecurity in partnership with the IT Managed Service Provider, as well as managing organizational hardware and equipment.

• Manage the Alliance business insurance portfolio including participating in the annual renewal process, COI requests, claims, and broker communication.

People Management

• Manage and supervise staff members as they develop and reach goals outlined in the strategic plan, annual work plan, and budgeting process to support the organization.

• Guide the professional development of team members by identifying opportunities to grow their individual skills and abilities.

• Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer to create, implement, and effectuate management processes, policies, and practices that maximize organizational capacity and streamline our financial management processes.

• Oversee, manage, and supervise team members’ results, performance, standards, and goals, taking appropriate action where necessary, and supporting an environment of creativity and innovation that ultimately impacts organization-wide initiatives.

Key Qualifications & Experience

We’re looking for candidates with particular strengths in the following areas:

• There are no formal education requirements for this position, and a CPA or similar certifications are not required. The knowledge necessary for this role is often gained through undergraduate education in finance, accounting, or a related field; certification or training in accounting practices; or work experience in comparable roles.

• Working knowledge of GAAP, audits, and other regulatory requirements in the nonprofit financial field.

• Advanced proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets.

• Experience with budget management and financial forecasting

• Ability to manage multiple projects, plan backwards, anticipate obstacles, troubleshoot, and make smart judgement calls as needed

• A track record of improving organizational systems and preparing departments to utilize them with rapidly shifting organizational demands.

• Knowledge of nonprofit legal structures as it relates to financial and organizational management, specifically 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 financial and legal compliance.

• Detail oriented and organized, with a proven ability to effectively and independently manage projects.

• A self-starter with strong initiative who - beyond directing our current systems - has the willingness to identify additional processes that could be streamlined and the skills to realize that vision.

• Willingness and excitement to think outside the box to ensure organizational values are reflected in financial and operations management.

• Champion of organizational diversity & equity with a commitment to social justice.

• Passion for and commitment to youth organizing and the Alliance’s mission.

Logistics

• Compensation: $90,000 - $100,000 per year commensurate with experience.

• Benefits: The Alliance offers a competitive benefits package covering:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance covering

    • 100% of employee premiums

    • 75% of premiums for employee dependents

  • Employer retirement contributions (SEP IRA) of 5% of salary

  • Employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability income protection insurance

  • Cell phone and internet stipends of $100 per month

  • WMATA transportation Smartbenefits for staff located in the DMV area

  • Professional development opportunities and funds

  • Generous paid time off policy through which staff accrue 10 hours of PTO per month

  • Unlimited sick leave

  • Paid family and medical leave up to 16 weeks

  • Paid Sabbatical (after 4 years of service)

  • 15 paid holidays

  • Potential for end of year or other bonuses

• Location: This is a full-time position based in the United States. All Alliance staff are required to live within about an hour from an airport with frequent flights to DC and to our network locations; eligible airports are listed here. Moving reimbursements are offered to employees who need to move for this position.

• Travel: Domestic travel for this role may be up to 15% of this position. Must be willing to work long, irregular hours periodically and travel as needed.

• COVID-19: The Alliance currently requires employees to be fully vaccinated and boosted before traveling on behalf of the Alliance. Additionally, vaccine requirements may apply for attendees at Alliance, Network, or partner events.

Commitment to Equity

At the Alliance for Youth Action, we want to create a world where our democracy works for everyone and where all people – no matter where they come from, what they look like, or how they identify – live in loving, safe, and thriving communities. As such, we value diversity and equity as central to our work. The Alliance for Youth Action is an equal-opportunity employer and an inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. People of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, people of diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions, and identities are encouraged to apply.

Some candidates may feel discouraged from applying if they don’t match every job requirement - we encourage you to apply anyway.

To Apply

Please fill out this form and submit a single PDF document including the following:

• Two paragraphs or less explaining why you want this position and what makes you a strong candidate (please prioritize content over formality)

• Resume

Please reach out via email with any questions.

The Priority Deadline to apply is January 31, 2025, and the ideal start date for this position is no later than April 1, 2025.