MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Company: The Solutions Project
Location: Chicago
Posted on: November 10, 2024
Job Description:
About The Solutions Project The Solutions Project believes that
the people most impacted by the climate crisis hold the keys to
mitigate and solve it. Founded in 2013, we accelerate the
effectiveness of climate action in the United States by centering
the solutions, voices, and power of frontline communities. Our work
ensures that these communities shape our collective response to
climate change, building a world where everyone has access to clean
air, water, energy, and land. The Solutions Project (TSP) funds,
amplifies and connects grassroots community organizations to
position them for maximum success in driving a just and equitable
clean energy transition. TSP has moved over $50M to more than 300
grassroots organizations, approximately 90% led by Black,
Indigenous, Immigrant, and people of color leaders, and by women.
In the past three years alone, TSP's grantees have supported more
than 1 million people with their climate solutions and benefited
over 100 million through their climate campaign and policy wins.
Our narrative and communications programs have contributed to a
seven fold increase in clean energy news featuring communities of
color. TSP and its CEO have won accolades and awards including the
2020 Fast Company Most Innovative Non-Profit Award, the 2023
inaugural TIME Magazine CO2 Earth Award, and the 2024 McNulty
Prize. TSP is at the forefront of Solidarity Philanthropy, which
builds on the foundation of trust-based Philanthropy with practices
defined by grassroots organizers and in racially-conscious movement
work. Position Overview The Managing Director (MD) of Finance and
Operations will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing The
Solutions Project's financial and operational strategies. Reporting
to the Chief Program and Operating Officer, the MD will ensure the
organization's financial stability while also leading key
operational initiatives. This role requires a leader who thrives in
a dynamic environment, where systems are still being developed and
processes need to be built or better optimized. With a strong
emphasis on financial leadership, the MD will manage the
organization's financial systems, including budgeting, cash flow,
compliance, and vendor management, while ensuring that all
financial processes are accurate and efficient. The MD will also be
responsible for streamlining internal workflows, including training
staff on Salesforce and other platforms, to improve reporting,
project management, and operational consistency across the
organization. In addition to financial oversight, the MD will play
a crucial role in driving the operational execution of TSP's newly
approved strategic plan through 2030. This will involve overseeing
cross-functional projects related to governance, program functions,
and internal operations. The MD will systematize key workflows and
lead the organization in developing smooth, scalable operations. In
the short term (3-12 months), the MD will focus on enhancing
financial and operational reporting, managing vendor relationships,
bringing more financial responsibilities in-house, and building
budgets for new funding proposals. The MD will also support the
early phases of strategic plan execution. In the long term (1.5-2
years), the MD will work to expand operational capacity, build
internal systems, and develop a cohesive, high-performing team.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys financial management and
operational execution and can bring structure to a growing and
ambitious organization. Key Responsibilities Financial
Management
- Lead the development of annual budgets in alignment with the
strategic plan.
- Manage monthly financial dashboards, variance analysis, and
forecasts, ensuring detailed accuracy and timeliness.
- Oversee the relationship with external finance vendors,
transitioning one vendor relationship to a new in-house hire and
managing an external accounting vendor. Overall, reduce reliance on
external vendors.
- Ensure accuracy in all budgeting and financial reporting
materials for internal leadership, the board of directors, and
external funders. Introduce monthly dashboards for internal
audiences.
- Manage cash flow and forecasting, and oversee all financial and
departmental accounting.
- Take ownership of project budgets and proposals for new grants
and funding opportunities.
- Manage the audit process with external auditors.
- Ensure compliance with government funding, particularly for
grant programs. Operational Management
- Partner with the grantmaking team to ensure the implementation
and development of robust grantmaking operations tools, processes,
and routines.
- Provide overall project management for the implementation of
TSP's new strategic plan.
- Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals,
assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities,
conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary
adjustments.
- Educate staff, streamline workflows, and enhance reporting
accuracy through tools including Salesforce and Airtable.
- Train staff and standardize the use of operational and project
management tools for improved efficiency and collaboration.
- Refine finance, HR, and IT systems and procedures, focusing on
improving organizational infrastructure.
- Support development and integration of operational strategies,
ensuring alignment with long-term financial goals. Finance and
Fundraising Integration
- Collaborate with development and executive leadership to build
and monitor revenue pipelines.
- Provide detailed financial forecasts and projections for the
short and long term, ensuring alignment with fundraising
efforts.
- Assist in identifying and outreaching to funding sources and
diversifying revenue.
- Lead on budgets and financial reporting for donors. Team
Leadership and Development
- Manage and mentor finance staff, including future finance
analyst role, and potential compliance role, ensuring they are
well-trained and effective in their roles.
- Collaborate with other senior managers to support
organization-wide initiatives and share strategic insights.
- Foster an inclusive work environment that advances equity and
supports diversity org-wide.
- Collaborate with and support the work of the Operations
Manager/Executive Assistant, supporting their hybrid HR and finance
roles.
- Recommend and support priority cross organizational training
needs
- Foster TSP's efforts to build an inclusive culture and advance
equitable internal policies and external outcomes. Qualifications
Required Experience:
- At least 8-10 years of professional experience, including
leadership of finance functions, with a strong track record of
success.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a
related field.
- Robust knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
(GAAP)
- Demonstrated experience in budget creation and management,
including working with restricted funds.
- Familiarity with accrual-based accounting and cash flow
management systems including use of tools including QuickBooks,
Bill.com and Tallie.
- Experience in facilitating organizational change and
streamlining operational processes in growing organizations.
- Experience with financial and operational management tools,
including proficiency in Salesforce and Airtable for data
management, reporting, and project tracking.
- Strong people management, communication and collaboration
skills.
- Experience managing external finance vendors, audits, and
compliance requirements. Preferred Experience:
- CPA or equivalent certification.
- Knowledge of government funding compliance and management,
including restricted funds.
- Experience in managing HR, operations, and IT functions.
- Experience in presenting financials to a board of directors and
being the primary finance lead with the finance committee.
- Familiarity with intermediary funding and philanthropic
finance. Key Attributes:
- Strong attention to detail, coupled with a commitment to
transparency and collaboration.
- Understanding of and ability to hold issues of
confidentiality
- Ability to work across functional areas and manage both
strategic and operational elements.
- Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic and evolving
environment.
- Demonstrates the ability to navigate and operate effectively in
situations of ambiguity.
- Solutions oriented and self-reflective with strong
accountability and reliability
- Commitment to the mission of climate justice and a deep
understanding of grassroots organizations. Compensation and
Benefits
- The salary range for this position is $160,000 - 180,000
- Full time employees receive:
- TriNet medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are fully
covered for employees, spouses, and dependents
- 13 paid holidays, 120 hours of flexible PTO, and 10 days of
paid sick leave annually with increasing PTO allowance for tenured
employees
- Eight weeks of paid parental leave, with up to six months of
total leave
- a fully paid, 2-month sabbatical after five years of
continuous, full time employment
- After successful completion of the probationary period (nine
months of employment), employees have access to a $5,000 annual
life-long learning fund that can be used for on-the-job skilling
up, career development and leadership activities, and non-work
related lifelong learning activities
- Fully remote, with occasional need for travel To Apply The
Solutions Project is partnering with She Rose Solutions to find our
Managing Director of Finance & Operations. Please use this link to
submit your application and direct all questions to Liz Peinado at
liz@sherosesolutions.com. The She Rose Solutions team will review
all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine
the next steps.
Keywords: The Solutions Project, Skokie , MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS, Executive , Chicago, Illinois
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