ROLE: Director, Finance & Operations

LOCATION: Remote

POSITION TYPE: Exempt, Full-time

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: 5%

START DATE: ASAP

REPORTS TO: President

ROLE OVERVIEW

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to direct and oversee the integrated management of all organizational aspects related to the operational infrastructure, finance and accounting, and human resources functions for our multi-entity organization, which includes a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Political Action Committee (PAC). This includes direct responsibility for accounting, finance, cash flow, budgeting, internal and external audits, and legal and management reporting. This role is a key strategic partner to the executive team, providing the financial insight necessary to advance the organization's mission. You will:

Lead efforts to manage the organization's financial resources, supporting its commitment to advancing its mission through strategic fiscal planning, strong financial reporting and analysis.
Sustain robust financial systems and internal controls to safeguard assets, ensure compliance, and provide accurate and timely financial data to support strategic decision-making.
Provide strategic financial guidance and support to the executive leadership team, department heads, and program staff on budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal management.
Lead the annual audit and 990 preparation process, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors.
Sustain organizational operations, including IT hardware and technology tools, along with contract management.
Lead all aspects of human resources, including benefits, compensation strategy, recruitment, hiring, onboarding, offboarding, investigations, maintaining and implementing policies.
Manage a team of staff and consultants: FT staff accountant (1), PT HR Director (1), PT HR Manager (1), along with various consultants (example: external auditors, IT consultant).

WHO WE ARE

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America’s students and confront those that do not. We prioritize historically disadvantaged students and families.

DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures through direct political advocacy. ERNA keeps constant pressure on policymakers to champion high-quality educational options.

DFER partner Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes innovative reforms in K-12 public education, particularly for historically disadvantaged students.

WHAT WE DO

1. Support for Forward-Thinking Education Leaders — In an approach that is markedly different from our peers and partners in the field, DFER engages directly with candidates and elected officials to empower them to advocate for education policies that focus foremost on serving students. Our partner organization, Education Reform Now, does work that involves policy research, analysis and awareness-raising that helps policy makers at all levels understand complex education issues and make informed decisions.

2. Informing the Education Debate — Our coalition work reflects the breadth of our policy priorities. We work collaboratively with organizations and our community networks to create an education system that serves and is held accountable to all students and families.

3. Targeted Interventions and Rapid Response — DFER’s reach, from the most local district relationships to state and federal policymakers, enables us to respond quickly to the changing landscape and policy trends. Activities vary significantly from project to project and may include training, policy analysis, public engagement, electoral and issue advocacy, and policy guidance for elected officials and local advocates.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Partnership

Act as a strategic partner by developing and delivering forward-thinking, usable financial reporting and dashboards that translate complex data into actionable insights for program, development, and advocacy staff.
Continuously evaluate the status of short and long-term strategic financial objectives and provide advice on the financial implications of business activities.
Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior executives so as to identify their needs and provide responsive reporting and financial strategies.
Manage cash flow and forecasting; optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.

Multi-Entity Financial Management, Accounting, and Controls

Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and ensure a safeguarding of assets, compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting.
Maintain a cost sharing allocation model to accurately distribute costs across the entities; ensure proper implementation of cost share and grant agreements; establish processes to monitor the program activity for compliance with grant agreements.
Maintain separate financial records for each entity while producing consolidated financial statements for organizational leadership and the Board.
Manage intercompany transactions, allocations, cash settlements and transfers, ensuring they are properly documented and comply with all legal restrictions.
Ensure the timely and accurate processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and support the Development team with grants administration.
Ensure cash flow is appropriate for the organization’s operations for national, the states and projects (including fiscal sponsors).
Partner with external auditors to execute the annual audit process and prepare and file all required regulatory reports, including Form 990, Form 990-T, Form 1120-POL, and state charity and PAC reports in a timely and accurate manner.
Evaluate, implement, and manage financial systems and software (such as Netsuite) to enhance operational efficiency.

Multi-Entity Budget & Management Reporting

Manage processes for financial forecasting, reporting, including leading the annual organization budgeting and planning process
Prepare monthly financial statements, financial packages, and other informational reports/analysis.
Monitor financial performance against budget, analyze variances, and provide actionable insights to support national departments, state chapters, and special projects.
Provide financial data and analysis to support grant proposals and donor reports for the Development team and to ensure programmatic compliance.

Business Operations Management

Oversee the organization's IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and cloud-based technology tools.
Manage business insurance, contracts, and other operational compliance requirements (office leases, co-working agreements, vendor contracts).
Ensure cross-functional collaboration by partnering closely with other departments to streamline processes, implement organization-wide best practices, and ensure operational support for mission delivery.

Human Resources

Lead all aspects of recruitment, hiring, onboarding, professional development, and offboarding processes.
Administer and continuously evaluate the employee benefits program, including its compensation strategy.
Maintain, update, and implement the Employee Handbook and all HR policies. Ensure policies are communicated effectively and applied consistently.
Serve as a trusted resource for staff and managers. Conduct confidential investigations when necessary and provide guidance on performance management and conflict resolution.
Ensure HR practices comply with all federal, state, and local employment laws.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Democrats for Education Reform welcomes applications from all, and strongly encourages women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees & LGBTQ people to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of the students we serve.

Please apply as soon as possible, even if you are not available to start immediately. References will be requested in a later stage of the selection process. Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States and will be required to submit proof of eligibility. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and skills:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, CPA certification desirable.
5+ years of financial and/or operations leadership roles, with at least 2-4 years in a multi-entity nonprofit environment, managing budgets over $8 million, and extensive experience with intercompany transactions.
Must have direct, hands-on experience managing multiple organizational functions, including Operations (technology infrastructure, vendor management, facilities) and HR functions (benefits, compensation, employee relations, compliance) and .
An experienced people manager
Proven experience leading annual audits.
Proficiency with NetSuite accounting software.
Proficiency with Paylocity HCM software.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to translate complex financial information for all levels of comprehension.
Commitment to Mission: A demonstrated commitment to advancing the mission of the organization.

The base salary range for this position is $165,000 - $185,000. DFER is proud to offer excellent benefits: health, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; 401K plan with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; paid family leave; paid time off (vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and all National holidays).

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