Sr. Director, Finance and Operations

Society of American Foresters•Washington, DC

21h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Finance and Operations is a strategic partner to the CEO and a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for the financial health, administrative operations, and enterprise data infrastructure of SAF. This role provides leadership across finance, human resources, administration, technology, and data/knowledge management, ensuring effective systems, data integrity, compliance, and operational excellence to support organizational growth. The Senior Director leads financial planning and analysis, maintains strong internal controls, and ensures compliance with nonprofit accounting standards. They also oversee administrative infrastructure and enterprise data strategy to improve efficiency, scalability, and data-informed decision-making.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in finance and operations, preferably within a nonprofit or association environment
Deep knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards
Demonstrated experience with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and audit management
Experience overseeing federal grants and compliance requirements (including Single Audit preferred)
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including experience with data analysis and reporting
Proven ability to translate strategy into operational and financial plans
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with executive leadership and board committees
High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information
Experience with financial systems such as QuickBooks Online and Bill.com
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling
Strategic thinker with a hands-on, solutions-oriented approach
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
Collaborative leadership style with strong customer service orientation
Commitment to staying current on nonprofit best practices and regulatory changes
Willingness to travel occasionally (less than 10%)

Nice To Haves

MBA and/or CPA preferred
Experience leading or partnering with data/analytics or knowledge management functions strongly preferred
Experience with data reporting tools, dashboards, and data governance practices strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary financial advisor to the CEO and Finance Committee, supporting strategic decision-making through financial analysis and forecasting
Develop and maintain short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans, including a rolling 5-year financial model
Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with fellow senior leaders and department directors; monitor performance and analyze variances
Partner with internal stakeholders to forecast revenue and align financial planning with organizational trends
Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll reconciliation, and financial reporting, partnering with accounting firm
Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Maintain and strengthen internal controls and financial policies to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit standards
Manage organizational cash flow, forecasting, and banking relationships
Oversee grant invoicing, federal grant compliance, and revenue recognition
Monitor investment accounts and report on performance
Provide leadership to the Director of Data and Knowledge Management to ensure alignment of data systems and reporting across the organization
Ensure integrity, accuracy, security, and accessibility of organizational data across systems
Develop and maintain dashboards and report on key organizational metrics (growth, retention, engagement, revenue, program impact)
Analyze organizational and program data to generate insights that inform strategy and improve outcomes
Align data and trends with financial forecasting and organizational planning
Evaluate and optimize systems to improve data integration, reporting, and usability across departments
Establish and maintain enterprise data governance standards, including policies for data entry, access, reporting, and knowledge management
Lead the annual financial statement audit and Single Audit, serving as the primary liaison to external auditors and the Audit Committee
Ensure timely preparation and filing of Form 990 and other required federal and state filings
Oversee submission of required reports and standard forms, including Forest Service reporting and RxDC data submissions
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as organizational policies and bylaws
Lead enterprise risk management efforts, ensuring risks are identified, monitored, and mitigated
Oversee administrative operations through the Office Manager/Administrator, including facilities, insurance, vendor contracts, and office management
Ensure efficient day-to-day office operations and a high level of internal customer service
Establish and maintain contract management systems and support staff in contract review and compliance
Lead organizational process improvements and implementation of administrative systems
Oversee corporate credit card and expense management programs
Directly supervise the Office Manager/Administrator, HR Manager, and Director of Data and Knowledge Management, including goal setting, coaching, and performance management
Serve as point of contact for current financial consulting firm
Provide strategic oversight to the HR Manager and coordinate with staff responsible for IT/vendor management
Foster alignment across finance, data, and operations to ensure integrated systems and workflows
Promote a data-driven, service-oriented culture across administrative and operational functions
Provide strategic oversight of HR functions, partnering with the HR Manager on execution
Ensure effective payroll administration, benefits management, and personnel recordkeeping
Maintain compliance with employment laws and regulations
Support organizational development, onboarding, and policy development
Provide strategic oversight of organizational technology and systems
Partner with internal staff responsible for IT vendor management to ensure systems meet business needs
Evaluate and recommend system improvements to enhance efficiency, integration, and data integrity
Serve as staff liaison to the Finance Committee and Audit Committee
Build strong cross-functional relationships and foster collaboration across departments
Contribute to organizational strategy and continuous improvement initiatives
Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO