Director of Finance and Administration

Illinois Restaurant Association; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Restaurant Association seeks a Director of Finance and Administration to lead the organization's financial health and administrative operations, including accounting, budgeting, reporting, payroll, audits, HR, and facilities.

You will partner with the executive team and board to ensure fiscal discipline, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency in service to members and mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field; CPA/MBA preferred.
• 7–10 years in finance/operations with management responsibility.
• Experience in membership/nonprofit organizations preferred.
• Proficient in budgeting, reporting, internal controls, payroll, and audits.
• Ability to communicate financial information to non-financial audiences.

Responsibilities

• Direct all accounting and finance functions including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll oversight, monthly close, and financial reporting.
• Develop and manage the annual budget, forecasts, and cash flow projections; monitor performance against budget and recommend corrective action when needed.
• Prepare accurate monthly and annual financial statements for executive leadership and the Finance Committee.
• Coordinate the annual audit and tax filings; liaise with external auditors, bankers, and other financial partners.
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and procedures to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with laws and reporting requirements.
• Support strategic planning and decision-making by providing financial analysis and operational recommendations.
• Oversee administrative functions, including HR administration, benefits coordination, office operations, facilities, insurance, records management, and vendor contracts.
• Supervise finance staff; provide leadership, coaching, and performance management.
• Collaborate across departments to improve systems, workflows, and reporting for members and organizational effectiveness.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Audit coordination

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

CPA or MBA preferred

Tools

Sage 50

Microsoft Excel

Accounting software

Job description

The Director of Finance and Administration is a key member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for overseeing the financial health and administrative operations of the organization. This role leads accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, audit coordination, human resources administration, office operations, and internal controls. The Director partners with the executive team and board leadership to ensure sound fiscal management, operational efficiency, and compliance in support of the organizations mission and service to members.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance and Administration is a key member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for overseeing the financial health and administrative operations of the organization. This role leads accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, audit coordination, human resources administration, office operations, and internal controls. The Director partners with the executive team and board leadership to ensure sound fiscal management, operational efficiency, and compliance in support of the organizations mission and service to members.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all accounting and finance functions, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll oversight, monthly close, and financial reporting.
• Develop and manage the annual budget, forecasts, and cash flow projections; monitor performance against budget and recommend corrective action when needed.
• Prepare accurate monthly and annual financial statements for executive leadership and the Finance Committee.
• Coordinate the annual audit and tax filings; serve as primary liaison to external auditors, bankers, and other financial partners.
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and procedures to safeguard organizational assets and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Support strategic planning and decision-making by providing financial analysis, business modeling, and operational recommendations.
• Oversee administrative functions, which may include human resources administration, employee benefits coordination, office operations, facilities, insurance, records management, and vendor contracts.
• Supervise finance staff; provide leadership, coaching, and performance management.
• Collaborate across departments to improve systems, workflows, and reporting processes that enhance service to members and organizational effectiveness.
• Serve as the organizations primary liaison with its outside information technology consulting firm, coordinating technical support, system upgrades, cybersecurity needs, and technology-related projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field required; CPA, MBA, or other relevant advanced credential preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in finance and operations, including management responsibility.
• Experience in a membership association, trade association, nonprofit, or similarly mission-driven organization preferred.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, payroll, audit preparation, and compliance. Experience working with Microsoft Office applications, accounting software, spreadsheets, and financial reporting systems; familiarity with association management systems and Sage 50 are a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Leadership and staff development
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Integrity, discretion, and sound judgment
• Commitment to service, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Preferred Attributes

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, solutions-oriented, self-starter who can balance strategic oversight with day-to-day execution. They are comfortable working in a member-focused environment, managing multiple priorities, and building effective relationships with staff and external partners.