Director of Finance and Grants

The Director of Finance and Grants oversees the organization’s financial operations and grant management functions, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective fiscal processes, and compliance with federal and state grant requirements. This position is responsible for managing VTAEYC’s $9M budget, maintaining strong financial systems, supporting grant tracking and reporting, and ensuring strong coordination between finance and grant activities. As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director provides financial information and guidance to support organizational decision-making and oversees a team of grants and finance professionals.

Financial Leadership

• Provide strategic financial leadership and serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Leadership Team, and Board of Directors on organizational financial health.
• Supervise and support the finance and grant administration staff, fostering a culture of accuracy, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and present quarterly financial reports to the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors to increase financial visibility and support informed decision making.
• Collaborate with Directors and Program Managers to ensure the allocation of expenses and grant expenditures are accurate and compliant.
• Maintain effective accounting systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure operational effectiveness.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiency gains within the finance and grants department.

Financial Planning and Analysis

• Lead the annual organizational budgeting process, including budget development, fiscal planning, projections, and analysis.
• Develop and present budget materials and financial analyses for leadership, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors.
• Develop and maintain a recurring financial forecasting process to provide leadership with an updated view of projected financial performance and support proactive decision making.
• Collaborate with the Program teams to develop, monitor, and analyze program budgets and financial reports for grants and donations, ensuring clear and efficient financial reporting.
• Analyze financial data and provide meaningful financial insights and recommendations to support strategic decision making and resource allocation.
• Monitor organizational financial performance, including budget to actual results, trends, risks, and opportunities.

Compliance and Audit

• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP), OMB Uniform Guidance, legal requirements and funder regulations.
• Maintain documentation and financial processes necessary to support compliance with federal, state, and private grant requirements.
• Coordinate annual financial statement audit, Single Audits, and tax filings, including preparation of schedules, documentation, and responses to auditor requests.
• Maintain accounting practices and internal controls that meet audit standards for the organization.
• Oversee insurance renewals, payments, and compliance requirements.

Financial Management

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger activities, account reconciliations, and payroll.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording, reporting, and analysis of financial transactions in accordance with GAAP, OMB Uniform Guidance, and organizational policies.
• Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, and analyses for internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor cash flow, liquidity, and financial commitments to support sound financial management.
• Manage treasury functions, including cash forecasting, banking relationships, and ensuring adequate liquidity to support operations.
• Ensure appropriate tracking and reporting of restricted funds, grant expenditures, and program costs.

Grant Compliance and Financial Oversight

• Partner with the Senior Grants Manager and Program teams to ensure effective financial management of the organization’s grants.
• Monitor ongoing compliance with grant terms, funder regulations, reporting requirements and internal policies.
• Review and support grant budgets, budget modifications, and line-item adjustments in collaboration with Program staff and Senior Grants Manager.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of grant invoices, financial reports, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor grant spending, cash draws, and financial performance, and identify and communicate risks related to underspending, overspending, or compliance concerns to leadership.
• Support effective grant forecasting and closeout processes.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Supervision & Leadership

• Supervise the Finance and Grants Team and set effective workflows with clear directives, deadlines, and goals.
• Role model professionalism and set the standard for team and workplace culture.
• Evaluate department needs and build a team around organizational priorities.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work collaboratively with all departments to achieve shared goals in a deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication for presenting financial data to the board and communicating complex financial concepts to diverse audiences.
• Openness to conversation, collaboration, and problem solving.

Attention to Detail and Organization

• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Proven experience reviewing and interpreting budgets, state and federal grants, and large nonprofit fiscal compliance.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in financial leadership, nonprofit finance, data, and/or grant management, with demonstrated expertise in both private and government grants.
• Software Skills: Preferred proficiency in Google & Microsoft office suite, Quickbooks Online, and grants management systems (e.g., Zengine, Fluxx).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

• Remote/Hybrid: Flexible work location within or near Vermont; work remotely from home or work out of VTAEYC’s shared office in Washington County, Vermont.
• Hours: primarily daytime, Monday through Friday. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.
• Travel: Some travel in the state of Vermont will be required.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Professional Development
• Flexible Schedule

• Flex Office Reimbursement

  Mileage Reimbursement

  Health Reimbursement Account Contribution

  Dependent Care Account

  Retirement Account Contribution

About VTAEYC

The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) advances excellence and equity in early childhood education as the state’s largest membership organization for early childhood educators and is the state affiliate of NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children. As a nonprofit organization formed by a grassroots effort 50 years ago and now with nearly 700 members, VTAEYC offers advocacy, workforce development, professional development and other resources to its membership and others in the early childhood education field. VTAEYC aims to meet the needs of today’s early childhood education workforce and create a stronger, more equitable early childhood education system for the future.