Director of Finance & Operations

Description

The Director of Finance & Operations is a part time (average ~20 hours/week, with seasonal variability) and reports to the Executive Director.

Overview 

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW) seeks a dynamic and experienced Director of Finance & Operations to provide strategic and operational leadership across finance, human resources, and organizational systems. This role ensures HGW has the infrastructure, financial clarity, and compliance systems needed to sustain and scale its impact. This role is part-time, averaging approximately 20 hours per week. The role will have a regular schedule to be finalized upon hire (for example, 4 days per week 9 am -3 pm). 

This is a hands-on strategic role that oversees systems and partners, rather than performing day-to-day accounting tasks.

Organizational Background 

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW), an affiliate of Horizons National, advances educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create experiences outside of school that inspire the joy of learning. HGW supports over 420 students in grades K-9 with year-round programming, developing the whole child through experiences that build problem-solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility, and instill respect for self and others. By spanning from Kindergarten to ninth grade, the program nurtures long-term connections between diverse learners and dedicated staff who support them throughout the year. HGW program design and staff practices follow a Positive Youth Development approach, emphasizing engagement, interaction, support, and a safe environment as key components that meet the needs of youth. The five-week Summer Academy is Horizons’ core program, blending high-quality academics with an emphasis on literacy and STEAM with arts, fitness, cultural enrichment, field trips, and confidence-building challenges, including learning to swim. 

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes
• Develop financial models to support strategic decisions
• Advise Executive Director and Board on financial health, risks, and growth scenarios
• Present financials to Finance Committee and Board

Financial Operations Oversight

• Oversee accounting functions, including AP/AR, payroll coordination, and reporting
• Manage external contractors (tech consultant, part-time controller, auditors, etc.)
• Ensure accurate monthly close and financial statements
• Maintain strong internal controls
• This position will have signature authority and final authority of payments

Budgeting & Organizational Visibility

• Develop department-level budget tools for Program and Development teams
• Oversee budget vs. actual reporting
• Improve transparency and accessibility of financial data

Audit, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead annual audit process
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Federal/state regulations
  • Grant requirements
• Oversee insurance and risk management
• Coordinate contract review with legal partners

Grants & Development Collaboration

• Support Development team with:
  • Grant budgets
  • Financial reporting
• Ensure grant compliance and tracking

Human Resources Strategy

• Partner with Manager of HR & Operations on:
  • Hiring strategy
  • Compensation planning
  • Organizational design

Compensation & Benefits 

• The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $80,000, based on the experience of the candidate as well as the role being part-time, averaging approximately 20 hours per week.
• Benefits include 401k, 10 paid holidays, in addition to the week off between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and pro-rated Paid Time Off (PTO). 

Qualifications

• 8 years of progressive experience in nonprofit finance and operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, audit management, and organizational systems.
• Experience with audits, budgeting, and grants
• Strong systems thinker, comfortable with building and maintaining processes
• Comfortable in a small, fast-moving organization

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years experience
• Experience in growing or evolving nonprofit organizations strongly preferred
• Experience managing outsourced accounting relationships

Background Check Requirements 

All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of background checks, including criminal records, fingerprinting, drug testing, child protection agencies, national sex offender registry, etc.  

Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates immediately after acceptance of employment offer.

Location 

This position will be a hybrid (remote and in-person) role with weekly in-person staff meetings and time onsite as required. Generally this means 1 day in the office at 3000 Cathedral Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 with the remaining days remote. HGW reserves the right to move the position to fully in office at any time as well as require additional in office time during certain business related activities (i.e. onsite audits). Candidates must be located in the MD, DC, VA region as this position does NOT offer relocation. 

Environmental and Physical Conditions 

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-20 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee frequently is required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with children and other staff. May be in situations which require conflict resolution. The position works in an office environment with artificial light and air. 

Horizons Greater Washington does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Salary : $70,000 - $80,000