Director of Finance & Operations

Location: Crystal Lake, IL
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary Range: $80,000-$95,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI McHenry County provides free mental health support, education, advocacy, and community-based services to individuals and families throughout McHenry County.

As a rapidly growing organization, NAMI McHenry County operates innovative programs that provide hope, support, education, crisis diversion, and recovery services to thousands of community members each year. Recent expansion has included the launch of the Living Room Program, Drop-In Center, youth services, and a growing portfolio of state, local, and private grants.

The Director of Finance & Operations serves as a key member of NAMI McHenry County's leadership team and provides strategic oversight of the organization's financial management, operational infrastructure, compliance systems, and administrative functions.

This position is responsible for ensuring the organization has the systems, processes, financial stewardship, and operational capacity necessary to support continued growth and long-term sustainability. The Director will oversee budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, grant administration, risk management, facilities operations, technology systems, vendor relationships, and administrative functions while serving as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Executive Director.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on-comfortable building systems, solving complex operational challenges, and supporting a growing organization in a dynamic environment.

Financial Leadership & Stewardship

• Lead the organization's financial management functions in partnership with outsourced accounting and bookkeeping providers.
• Develop, monitor, and manage the agency's annual operating budget.
• Prepare monthly financial reports, forecasts, and financial analyses for leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Monitor cash flow, revenue projections, and organizational financial health.
• Support annual audit, tax filing, and financial review processes.
• Develop financial models and projections to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Monitor grant budgets and expenditures to ensure compliance with funder requirements.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities and recommend appropriate action.

Operations & Organizational Infrastructure

• Oversee day-to-day administrative and operational functions across the organization.
• Supervise and support the Office Manager, and work closely with them to oversee facilities operations, maintenance coordination, safety planning, and vendor relationships
• Develop and improve systems, workflows, policies, and procedures that increase organizational effectiveness.
• Ensure organizational infrastructure keeps pace with agency growth.
• Manage contracts and relationships with key service providers, including accounting, payroll, HR, IT, insurance, and facility vendors.
• Lead operational planning for agency growth and expansion initiatives.

Compliance, Risk Management & Grants Administration

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and grant-related requirements.
• Oversee grant administration systems and reporting processes.
• Manage organizational compliance activities within GATA, CSA, CRV, SAM.gov, and other required grant management systems.
• Coordinate contract execution, reporting requirements, and grant monitoring activities.
• Maintain organizational policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Support insurance administration, risk mitigation efforts, and organizational safety initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit governance, employment, and regulatory requirements.

Strategic Initiatives & Sustainability

• Partner with the Executive Director on strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives.
• Research and evaluate long-term sustainability strategies for major programs and grants.
• Research and pursue national accreditation of NAMI McHenry County's programs.
• Assist in evaluating future funding models, reimbursement opportunities, and revenue diversification strategies.
• Support exploration of opportunities such as Medicaid billing, insurance reimbursement, and other sustainable funding mechanisms.
• Lead or support special projects that strengthen organizational capacity and long-term impact.
• Develop business processes and infrastructure that position the organization for future growth.

Human Resources Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison with the outsourced HR provider.
• Assist leadership with employee relations, performance management processes, and HR compliance matters.
• Support workforce planning and organizational development initiatives.

Technology & Data Management

• Serve as the primary liaison with the outsourced IT provider.
• Ensure staff have the technology resources necessary to perform their work effectively.
• Partner with the IT provider to support implementation and optimization of software platforms and operational systems.
• Collaborate with program leaders to improve data collection, reporting, and performance measurement systems.
• Promote efficient use of technology across the organization.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the agency leadership team.
• Participate in Board and committee meetings as assigned.
• Provide leadership and support across departments.
• Contribute ideas and recommendations that strengthen organizational performance and sustainability.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in finance, operations, administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and organizational operations.
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and financial management systems.
• Ability to pass required background screenings.

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), Nonprofit Management, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience in nonprofit leadership or nonprofit financial management.
• Experience supervising staff or managing teams.
• Experience managing government grants and grant compliance requirements.
• Experience with GATA, CSA, CRV, SAM.gov, or other grant management systems.
• Experience overseeing outsourced accounting, HR, IT, or operational vendors.
• Experience supporting organizational growth, expansion, or change management initiatives.
• Familiarity with behavioral health, healthcare, or human services organizations.