Director of Finance

L.e.a.p. Inc.•New Haven, CT

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Finance plays a critical role in supporting LEAP’s $7M annual operating budget through hands-on oversight of finance and accounting functions, grant financial reporting, and financial analysis that informs organizational decision-making. At LEAP, Vice Presidents hold broad strategic accountability for their departments while Directors take ownership of key functional areas and directly oversee implementing staff. The Director of Finance owns the day-to-day execution of key LEAP financial operations, working in close partnership with the Vice President of Finance & Business Affairs on strategy, compliance, and organizational priorities. This position ensures compliance with applicable accounting standards, grant guidelines, and organizational policies. Supervisory responsibilities—including oversight of the Accounts Payable & Receivable Coordinator and the Payroll Coordinator—will transition to this role over the first six months, allowing time for onboarding, relationship-building, and a thorough understanding of LEAP’s financial systems. This is a full-time, exempt (salaried), onsite position. The role requires strong analytical capabilities, thorough knowledge of nonprofit accounting and grant compliance, and a commitment to LEAP’s mission of empowering young people from underserved communities. The position provides ample opportunities for professional development, including training, conference attendance, networking, and on-the-job learning experiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education
Minimum of five years of progressive finance and accounting experience, with at least two years in grant reporting and analysis
Strong knowledge of GAAP, grant compliance requirements, and nonprofit accounting practices
Demonstrated tact and discretion in handling confidential financial information
Supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to develop and support staff
Proficiency in accounting or ERP software
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables, financial modeling)
Experience with ADP Workforce Now or similar payroll systems (or ability to learn quickly)
Experience with RAMP and DocuSign (or ability to learn quickly)
Interest in and willingness to learn AI tools to assist with financial analysis, research, and reporting
Ability to organize and maintain digital records and filing systems for collecting and reporting data
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to meet deadlines
Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making capabilities
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work successfully both independently and collaboratively
Commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality standards
Commitment to LEAP’s mission and the communities we serve

Nice To Haves

CPA certification or actively pursuing CPA
Experience with federal, state, and local grant compliance requirements
Experience in nonprofit organizations with similar scale ($5M+ budget)
Connection to or familiarity with New Haven community

Responsibilities

Prepare, review, and submit grant financial reports in compliance with federal, state, local, and private funder requirements and applicable regulations
Conduct grant budget monitoring, variance analysis, and forecasting to ensure alignment between spending and grant budgets
Manage the alignment of expenditures with grant budgets and funder expectations, coordinating with the Development department and program managers as needed
Oversee financial tracking and reporting for the organization’s full grant portfolio, including public and private funding sources
Ensure accuracy and timeliness of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting and close processes
Support the Vice President of Finance & Business Affairs in developing and maintaining cash flow analyses and projections
Provide financial analysis to support strategic decision-making by organizational leadership
Support the Vice President of Finance & Business Affairs in maintaining compliance with GAAP and other relevant accounting standards
Supervise the Accounts Payable & Receivable Coordinator and the Payroll Coordinator, with full supervisory responsibility transitioning over the first six months
Provide guidance, training, and professional development support to these finance team members
Support payroll, accounts payable, and receivable processes as needed to ensure continuity
Assist in annual organizational audits and coordinate grant-specific audits
Support the development and maintenance of internal financial controls and procedures
Collaborate with other departments to ensure accurate financial coding and reconciliation across programs