Director of Finance and Operations

Position Title: Director of Finance and Operations

Location: Admin Office, Bellingham, WA

Reports to: Executive Director

Team: Finance and Operations: This position directly supervises 2-3 management staff and oversees a department of 7-8

Hours: 40 hours per week; exempt position

Salary Range: $97,760-$116,731 annually

NWYS Mission

At Northwest Youth Services, we affirm youth experience and autonomy as we work together to foster collective healing and justice, in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness.

Job Overview

The Director of Finance and Operations is the senior leader for finance, accounting, HR and core operations. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the leadership team, this role guides financial strategy, owned and leased real estate portfolio planning, and risk management.

Key scope includes oversite of the full accounting cycle and monthly close, AP and AR, payroll, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow, internal controls, grants and contracts compliance, audit and 990 preparation. The role also oversees operations such as facilities, HR administration, IT, procurement, risk management, and administrative services. The Director supervises a small team and partners with Program Directors and the Board Finance Committee to turn data into timely decisions.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on. They are a systems thinker that builds efficiency and accountability in all areas of their work.  They possess a positive, problem-solving attitude, They communicate clearly, practice equity and transparency, and collaborate well across the organization. Adaptability and change management skills are a must.

Key Responsibilities

1) Strategy and Leadership

• Serve as chief advisor to the Executive Director on finance and operations.
• Translate strategy into financial and operational plans with clear goals and measures.
• Staff the Board Finance Committee and present clear updates.
• Prepare decision briefs for leases, capital investments, and new lines of service.
• Represent the organization with auditors, banks, vendors, and key partners.

2) Finance, Accounting, and Treasury

• Oversee the full accounting cycle and monthly close.
• Provide accurate and timely financial statements and dashboards to leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Lead annual budgeting and rolling forecasts with variance analysis and recommendations.
• Manage cash flow, liquidity, investments, credit facilities, and banking relationships.
• Maintain strong internal controls and GAAP-compliant policies to ensure clean audits and accurate Form 990s.

3) Grants, Compliance, and Risk

• Work with leaders to build program, department, and grant budgets that reflect allowable costs and match requirements.
• Oversee grant billings, drawdowns, and financial reports with on-time and compliant submissions.
• Ensure compliance with RCWs, WACs, grant terms, and other legal and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor enterprise risk, including insurance coverage for directors and officers, property, liability, auto, errors and omissions, and cyber.
• Support pricing, cost allocation, and scenario planning to guide program decisions.

4) Facilities and Real Estate

• Oversee owned and leased real estate, including assessments and long-range plans.
• Direct asset maintenance, capital improvements, and space planning.
• Ensure facility safety standards and vendor performance.

5) Operations and Systems

• Lead core business operations, including procurement and administrative services.
• Set the technology roadmap, manage external IT partners, and ensure secure and reliable systems and data.
• Drive process improvement and system implementations that integrate finance, HR, and program data.

6) Human Resources

• Oversee HR benefit contracts and administration.
• Partner with leaders on workforce planning and organizational development.
• Support compensation philosophy, job architecture, onboarding, training, and performance management.

7) Team Leadership

• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing finance and operations team.
• Set clear goals, coach for results, and build an inclusive, service-oriented, accountable culture.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary, office-based position. The employee must be able to:

• Remain in a stationary position for extended periods to work at a computer.
• Operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Communicate effectively in person, over the phone/virtual platforms, and in writing.
• Occasionally move about the office, attend on-site meetings, and travel between local program sites or partner locations.
• Occasionally lift and/or move materials such as files or equipment (generally up to 20–25 pounds).
• This role will require occasional regional travel; a valid driver’s license and insurability is required.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in finance, accounting, business, public administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Seven or more years of progressive finance and operations leadership, including three or more years supervising managers
• Full accounting cycle experience including monthly close, audits, and 990 preparation
• Proven success building and managing budgets, forecasts, cash flow, and internal controls
• Grant and contract compliance experience, including OMB Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 and single audit readiness
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit cost allocation
• Experience overseeing operations such as facilities, IT, procurement, risk, and administrative services
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex information for staff, leadership, and board
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and transparent practices
• Proficiency with accounting and reporting tools such as QuickBooks or Sage Intacct, Microsoft Excel, and dashboarding platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, finance, public administration, or a related field
• CPA or CMA
• Experience with Washington public funders and compliance frameworks, including RCWs and WACs relevant to nonprofit operations
• Background with government grants, fee for service models, and multi entity or multi program organizations
• Systems implementation experience, such as upgrading accounting, HRIS, or CRM platforms and integrating data
• Change management and organizational development experience
• Board engagement experience, including staffing a Finance Committee and presenting scenario plans

Other Requirements

• Background check clearance consistent with organizational policy
• A valid Washington driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and auto insurance
• Availability for occasional evening or weekend meetings tied to board, audit, or funding timelines

Benefits

• Earn paid time off based on hours worked
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance benefits begin first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
• Voluntary life, critical illness, supplemental vision, long term disability, and accident insurance eligibility begins first of the month following date of hire (positions at or above 0.75 FTE)
• Simple IRA Retirement plan with match up to 3% of employee contributions, per pay period, after first year of employment
• NWYS sponsored Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Annual Healing Fund stipend
• Two paid holidays

Northwest Youth Services is an Equal Opportunity employer. Employment is based upon individual qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, disabilities, political ideology, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Northwest Youth Services participates in E-Verify.

To apply please visit our website at https://www.nwys.org/employment.