Request for Proposals: Finance Director Contractor
Background
As part of a multi-year succession planning process, the Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) is excited to announce that we are seeking a Director of Finance to help develop and drive DAWI’s accounting and finance function. This is a one year contractor position, with the possibility of renewal, approximately 8 - 10 hours per week, and can be done remotely. There will be weeks that require additional hours, including the orientation period.
The Director of Finance will be a strategic thought partner, collaborating with the Co-Executive Directors, Finance Manager, Bookkeeper, and contract CPA, and reporting directly to the Co-ED of Programs & Operations. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on collaborator who is excited to be part of this transition. In partnership with the Senior leadership team, the Director of Finance will play a critical role in managing financial resources, creating budgets, and imagining future scenarios in a way that supports DAWI’s mission and organizational growth over the next 3 - 5 years.
Our ideal candidate will also be enthusiastic about the role they will play in fortifying and building upon the financial literacy of our Co-ED’s. We hope to attract a coach who feels passionate about helping equip our Leadership team with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need in order to make sound values-driven financial decisions.
Scope of Work:
Financial management - 75%
● Collaborate with Co-EDs in the development and implementation of financial strategies that align with DAWI’s mission, values, and long-term goals. This includes guiding the leadership team through the construction of long-term budgetary planning, cost management strategies and forecasting scenarios.
● Oversee annual budgeting process, including managing results of budget-to-actual results throughout the year.
● Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the Co-ED team and board of directors; provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.
● Monitor and communicate analysis of contracts, labor, and other earned revenue projects.
● Collaborate with Co-EDs to communicate financial and compliance
information to various stakeholders (board, donors, funders and partners).
● Manage the finance team, providing planning and oversight for all fiscal functions of the organization including accounting, grants administration and management, periodic reporting, budgeting and cash flow.
● Work with the Finance Manager to analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate periodic and annual financial statements to the Co-EDs.
● Work with Finance Manager to maintain a robust and responsive grants/contracts management system.
● Oversee annual audit preparations and serve as an internal resource, model, and steward of strong internal controls. ● Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the finance department’s overall policy and procedure manual.
● Ensures maintenance of financial records and systems in accordance with GAAP and Budget audit requirements, including any A-133 requirements.
Staff Development - 15%
● Participate in the ongoing financial literacy development of Co-EDs.
● Provide mentorship to the Finance Manager: work with them to set goals for their growth into a director-level position; periodically evaluate progress and communicate results to mentee.
Development - 10%
● Cultivate a working relationship with the Development team to ensure that funding targets and objectives are aligned with DAWI’s overall programmatic objectives and financial goals.
● Collaborate with the Development team on long-term strategic planning
● Provide Development Team with financial data for grant proposals that is current, accurate and reflective of grant objectives.
● Oversee Finance manager in the preparation of mid-year and annual financial reports to funders.
● Develop and monitor periodic reconciliation of Development financial reports to Quickbooks reports.
Selection Criteria:
Requirements
● 7+ years of experience in finance/accounting with a minimum of three (3) years demonstrated successful experience in nonprofit accounting
● Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration
● At least three (3) years relevant experience managing/supervising direct reports.
● Experience managing budgets of $3 - $5 million.
● Effective writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
● Demonstrated ability to design and implement best practices in financial and operations management.
● Solid knowledge of non-profit organizations, GAAP standards and fund accounting and rules under OMB Circulars A-133 and A-122
● A track record in not-for-profit grants management, particularly in the areas of financial reporting and compliance. Federal grants experience preferred.
● Solid understanding of contracts management and compliance
● Demonstrated ability to consistently make accurate and clear assessments/determinations about constantly changing financial and organizational landscapes
● Enthusiastic attention to detail and solid ability to connect the details to the big picture for others.
Preferred Qualifications
● MBA/CPA preferred
● Remote work experience
● Familiarity with Salesforce and data-driven analysis and reporting
● Interest in learning more about the values-driven model of worker ownership
Budget
● Compensation is retainer-based; $3k - $4k / month DOE and qualifications. Approximately 8 - 10 hours per week.
How to submit your proposal
● Please submit a resume and cover letter, indicating Finance Director Contractor in the subject line. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and priority consideration will be given to all letters and resumes received by April 30, 2024.
● Cover letters should be no more than 2 pages in length. In your cover letter, please share how your professional interests and passions specifically correlate to the mission and purpose of DAWI.
● All proposals must be submitted via email, in PDF format (cover letter and resume combined into one document) and emailed to: hiring [at] institute.coop
● Those moving forward in the process will be asked to provide three professional references.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) is committed to a multi-racial and class-diverse staff that reflects the future of worker cooperatives. Women, people of color and others who may be underrepresented at senior levels of the nonprofit workforce are strongly encouraged to apply. DAWI is committed to equal opportunity for all persons without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law. It is the policy of DAWI to comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity. In keeping with that policy, DAWI is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Accordingly, DAWI will not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or harassment of any of our employees or others present at our facilities by anyone, including any supervisor, co-worker, vendor, client, or customer of DAWI.