Senior Director of Finance and Administration

Senior Director of Finance & Administration 

Location: Seattle, WA  

Reports To: Executive Director 

Classification: Exempt 

Salary Range: $125,000 – $150,000 (commensurate with experience) 

Position open until Filled 

The Machinists Institute is a nonprofit workforce development organization dedicated to creating  clear, accessible pathways into advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and related industries. We  provide high-quality training programs that connect people to family-wage careers while helping employers build and sustain a skilled workforce. Our mission is rooted in equity, opportunity,  and community impact. 

Position Overview 

The Senior Director of Finance & Administration is a key member of the senior leadership  team, responsible for guiding the financial strategy, administrative systems, and organizational  infrastructure that power our mission. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on  execution. The Sr. Director will oversee finance, grants management, compliance, and core  administrative operations, while driving modernization of systems and processes as the Institute  grows. The ideal candidate is a flexible and curious leader—eager to learn, unafraid to problem solve, and skilled at navigating complex, evolving requirements tied to federal and state grants.  You will serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and  program leaders—translating financial insights into actionable strategies that ensure long-term  sustainability and operational excellence. 

Key Responsibilities 

Financial Leadership & Strategy 

• Partner with the Executive Director to align financial management with strategic  priorities. 

• Lead development and monitoring of annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow strategies. 

• Oversee accounting operations (A/P, A/R, payroll, general ledger, and reconciliations). 

• Manage grant and contract compliance, ensuring timely and accurate budgeting, tracking,  

 and reporting for state, federal, and private funding sources, including single audits for  federal funding. 

• Direct the preparation of clear, actionable financial statements and reports for staff,  Board, and funders. 

• Lead risk management and safeguard organizational assets. 

• Manage annual audits (including grant) and external financial reviews. 

Administration & Operations 

• Oversee financial and administrative systems, implementing process improvements that  scale with organizational growth. 

• Ensure policies and procedures remain current and aligned with best practices.

• Collaborate across HR, operations, and IT to strengthen integration between finance and  organizational systems. 

• Support transparency, accountability, and efficiency across all departments. • Oversee all contracts and MOU’s to ensure timeliness, consistency, and both PSC and MOU templates are updated in accordance with legal requirements. 

Leadership & Team Development 

 • Supervise, mentor, and support finance/administrative staff, fostering culture of  belonging, collaboration, and continuous learning across diverse teams. 

• Provide training and guidance to non-financial staff on budgets, compliance, and  reporting. 

• Lead change management efforts to improve processes and systems organization-wide. 

Board & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Present financial and operational updates to the Board of Directors and Finance  Committee. 

• Build strong relationships with Board members, funders, and community partners by  providing insights that inform decision-making. 

• Partner with development staff to create budgets and reports that strengthen grant  proposals and funder stewardship. 

Qualifications 

The qualifications listed within the job description are intended as a guide and we do not expect  candidates to bring all experiences and skills listed. Research supports that self-selecting out of  potential professional opportunities is particularly common among individuals with identities  that are marginalized in professional spaces. So, if you believe that you can meet the overall  expectations of the position, we encourage you to apply so that we have an opportunity to learn  more about you and the unique strengths you would bring to the workplace. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Approximately 7 years of progressive experience in finance/accounting, including  nonprofit leadership. We welcome candidates with equivalent experience gained through  alternative pathways. 

• Proven success managing multi-source, grant-funded budgets (state and federal  experience required). 

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards. 

• Demonstrated success in team supervision and organizational leadership. 

• Excellent communication skills—able to explain complex financial data to diverse  audiences. 

• Strategic thinker who thrives in dynamic, evolving environments. 

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Preferred 

• CPA, MBA, or equivalent advanced degree.

• Experience with workforce development, education, or training organizations. • Expertise in financial system implementation and modernization. 

• Familiarity with unionized environments. 

• Proficiency in financial software (NetSuite preferred).