Senior Director, Finance, HR & Operations - Washington Center for Equitable Growth

The Washington Center for Equitable Growth is a nonprofit research and grantmaking organization dedicated to advancing evidence-backed ideas and policies that promote strong, stable, and broad-based economic growth. Equitable Growth engages with academics and policymakers to better understand economic inequality in the United States and its impact on economic growth. Important elements of Equitable Growth's mission include grantmaking to academic economists and other social scientists to support new research on inequality, mobility, growth, and related issues, as well as work to apply the best available academic evidence to the policy world. Building a stronger bridge between academics and the policy community and elevating researchers and their work with the news media are both key to our work, with the goal of making new research relevant, accessible, and informative to the policymaking process. 

The Washington Center for Equitable Growth is actively committed to promoting and maintaining the importance of diversity to its work. We encourage everyone across the spectrums of race, ethnicity, nationality, ability, age, gender identity and expression, educational background, sexual orientation, and religion to apply.

SUMMARY

Equitable Growth has an immediate opening for a Senior Director of Finance, HR, and Operations, a senior-level leadership position. The senior director will be responsible for ensuring that Equitable Growth has the internal systems and infrastructure in place to support our teams and enable the organization to meet its mission. The position requires skill in strategic infrastructure alignment, risk management, and proficiency with financial management and human resources, overseeing finance, operations, IT, HR, and Salesforce administration. The senior director will also be a steward of the organization's values and culture, fostering a culture of inclusivity, innovation, learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Our ideal candidate has significant experience as a cross-functional leader with exceptional strategic, financial, and operational acumen and a demonstrated talent for the continuous improvement of organizational teams, systems, and processes. With a strong ability to multi-task, they bring vision and practical wisdom to all facets of Equitable Growth and a proven ability to develop organizational capacity. They are skilled at identifying problems and determining solutions. Finally, the ideal candidate is a deeply collaborative leader with an engaging management style and ability to balance big picture strategy with immediate needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Strategic Management of the Finance, Operations, and HR teams

• Evaluate team structure; supervise, train and develop staff; recruit and retain staff and make hiring/firing decisions
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership
• Serve as a leader on the management team to foster and grow a healthy relationship with the bargaining unit for both employees and the long-term health of the organization
• Communicate effectively about priority issues and projects
• Participate in personal and professional growth and development
• Provide positive model for team through effective self-management and leadership

Financial Management

• Monitor Equitable Growth's financial performance and develop long range financial plans that align with the organization's strategic priorities
• Develop or supervise development of annual and multi-year budgets
• Manage revenue and restricted funds usage and work collaboratively to ensure timely reconciliation of revenue
• Act as liaison with the Board on financial matters
• Supervise monthly and annual financial reporting, including the conduct of an annual audit
• Review and approve financial transactions. Manage banking relationships and investment accounts

• Prepare and present financial reports for the Board of Directors, typically three times a year
• Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices; improve the finance department's overall policy and procedures, and educate staff
• Oversee compliance as a 501c3 tax exempt organization
• Work in partnership with organizational leaders to develop and implement Equitable Growth's strategic plan, annual objectives, and budget, aligning resources to meet the goals and objectives of the organization
• Provide accurate and up-to-date financial reports and projections for Development team
• In coordination with organizational leadership, prepare and maintain multi-year forecast and perform analysis of budget/forecast variances, financial trends, and help with risk management

• Create and maintain integrity of internal and external reporting and fiscal controls

Operations & IT

• Responsible for the overall administration, planning, coordination, and execution of all office and IT functions including:
  • Analyzing organizational needs and recommending technical and security solutions
  • Directing operations in executing Equitable Growth's technology policies
  • Maintaining and enforcing procedures around technology and telecommunications
  • Managing the outsourced IT contracts to provide proper and reliable IT support
  • Managing storage and equipment and strategize on office needs
• Manage the strategy and execution of the Salesforce platform to achieve business goals and enable users to achieve the organization's data and security needs and evaluate effectiveness of Salesforce to meet organizational needs
• Implement a robust contracts management and financial management/reporting system
• Manage the detailed inventory of all furniture, fixtures and equipment, including the depreciation schedule and replacement of these items
• Ensure new and existing hires have adequate workspace, office equipment, and that office layout decisions are documented and communicated
• Serve as relationship manager and liaison with the building on office and employee needs
• Responsible for authorization and approval of all lease agreements and insurance policies (buildings, equipment, etc.)
• Maintain current knowledge of industry guidelines

Human Resources and Culture

• Oversee the work of the HR team, which includes responsibility for personnel, benefits, recruitment/hiring, onboarding, staff development, management training, and DEIB and internal culture
• Support implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Collaborate with senior leadership to understand the organization's goals and strategy related to human resources management
• Supervise the organization's compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; review and modify policies and practices to maintain compliance
• Develop, update, and implement necessary organizational and departmental policies and procedures
• Facilitate professional development, training, and certification activities for HR staff
• Cultivate an organizational culture that reflects Equitable Growth's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Support a learning culture that engenders knowledge sharing, feedback, and continuous growth
• Lead and implement initiatives on best practices in organizational management, performance management, and leadership development

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure legal compliance and limit risk exposure, including contract review
• Manage relationships with attorneys and outside counsel. Seek advice on employment law as needed
• Oversee management of intellectual property
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or master's in nonprofit management preferred

Requirements

• 10+ years of professional experience in operations and senior leadership within a nonprofit organization
• A strategic thinker who understands how operations, human resources, and finances support the broader mission of the organization
• Experience in nonprofit financial management
• Knowledge of GAAP and accrual-based accounting practices
• Experience with annual audits
• History of increasing responsibilities in previous roles
• Experience in a unionized organization strongly preferred
• Effective and persuasive communicator, both oral and written, with exceptional emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Possesses unquestionable personal and professional integrity, unwavering commitment to equity, and a growth mindset

This position is based in Washington, D.C. and the person in this role is expected to be in the office at a minimum of 2 days each week.

For consideration, please include a cover letter.

EEO: The Washington Center for Equitable Growth is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.