Director of Finance & Business Services

At SEI, we are problem solvers and change agents. We all contribute to building sustainability and climate change resilience and making a positive impact in the world. SEI is a teams-based, non-profit organization dedicated to building leaders to drive sustainability solutions. For 25 years, SEI has partnered with schools, communities, and businesses to develop a sustainability leadership pathway from elementary school to early career. Our flagship programs educate and empower students and emerging professionals to create thriving, resilient communities. Come join our team!

The Opportunity

As a member of SEI's executive leadership team, The Director of Finance and Business Services ensures SEI’s financial needs are met and helps drive best financial practices within the organization, helping to create the strategic vision that directs the organization’s growth. The Director of Finance and Business Services is a collaborative manager who leads finance and accounting, human resources, and administrative operations. This is a hybrid position. Work is conducted in your home office/offsite location 3 days per week and in our San Rafael office 2 days per week.

Financial Management 

• Oversee and carefully steward SEI’s financial resources, including all accounts and assets. Accomplish financial objectives by actively managing monthly forecasting and reporting, detailing and examining the annual budget, scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating necessary corrective actions. 
• Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate expenditures in each department to achieve financial objectives. Set the tone for the financial team and help to shape the culture of the department. 
• Ensure active communication between the accounting team and the broader leadership team to enable dynamic and informed decision-making related to the organization’s cash flow and staffing planning/ forecasting. 
• Provide final approval on all SEI expenditures, including payrolls. Provide oversight and guidance to the team throughout annual financial audit and tax preparation, and for accounting-related compliance. Participate in monthly financial reconciliation meetings, and oversee the accurate and timely preparation of monthly financial reports and quarterly Board reporting. Continually troubleshoot complex accounting/finance situations. 
• Draft and implement policies and best practices to support the achievement of objectives and required standards. 
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to tax laws, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), federal acquisition regulations (FAR), cost accounting standards (CAS), insurance policy management, and organizational compliance. 

Strategic Planning, Risk Management, and Execution 

• In collaboration with the executive team, establish strategic goals by gathering and providing pertinent financial and operational information, and current and future people/human resources needs. 
• Provide financial planning and strategy. Develop strategies for a variety of scenarios. Plan and budget for growth. Generate insight into surpluses and deficits. Identify and evaluate trends and options. Use data to drive decision-making/examine the gap between strategy and operational decision-making with analytics.
• Proactively call out areas of organizational risk/exposure, identify real and potential issues, and in consultation with executive leadership, choose a course of action and evaluate outcomes.
• Define and implement key performance indicators and strategic objectives for business services and, as appropriate, the entire organization; facilitate measurement of those objectives, and report results to executive leadership and SEI’s Board. 

Business Services 

• Oversee People Resources leading the continuity and successful delivery of functional, efficient services to users throughout SEI, and a competitive and cost-effective compensation and benefits package. 
• Ensure SEI is protected from liability and risk, stays abreast of, and follows federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and is in full compliance at all times. 
• Oversee administrative operations, including, pro-bono legal services and insurance services. 
• With the Contracts Manager and program staff, ensure appropriate contracts administration for programmatic and organizational engagements.

Requirements

• Degree in accounting, finance, or related field, and an extensive understanding of accounting and finance regulations and best practices for financial management in a nonprofit setting. 
• Experience working with and integrating various financial systems and software programs, and ensuring an organization’s finances are managed effectively and efficiently.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. The ability to break down complex data to inform wider action-planning is essential. The ability to think long-term, anticipate future trends, develop strategic plans, and provide sound and ethical counsel. 
• Excellent communication skills. The ability to communicate clearly, with various stakeholders, is essential. Must be able to distill complex financial information and present it in a way that is easy to understand.
• Demonstrates participative leadership and works collaboratively. Is skilled at structuring and managing well-functioning cohesive teams. Demonstrates the ability to coach, mentor, and motivate others, conveys direction in a positive, constructive, and succinct manner.
• Committed to being part of creating, maintaining, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

We seek candidates that share SEI’s commitment to equity and environmental justice, and who share a commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices.