Director of Finance, Silver Spring, MD

Korn Ferry Group; Silver Spring (MD); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation seeks a Director of Finance to lead the finance function during a pivotal period of growth. This role oversees accounting, reporting, grants management, payroll, and internal controls.

The director partners with the CFO and program teams to ensure accurate financial data and disciplined stewardship across restricted and unrestricted funds. The ideal candidate has strong nonprofit accounting expertise, experience with federal awards, and hands-on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience.
• Experience supervising staff and fostering a high-performing team.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting.
• Experience with federal grants and Uniform Guidance.
• Advanced Excel skills and ERP experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day accounting and maintain the general ledger.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, journal entries.
• Prepare financial statements and management reports.
• Monitor revenue, expenditures, and grant activities.
• Oversee payroll accounting and HR-system coordination.
• Supervise Finance Department staff and foster professional growth.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure compliance.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Nonprofit accounting

Financial reporting

Audit support

Payroll oversight

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s in Accounting/Finance/Business Admin

CPA designation preferred

Tools

Sage Intacct

Cloud ERP systems

Job description

The Organization

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is the official non‑profit partner of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, supporting its system of 18 marine environments from Massachusetts to American Samoa and the Great Lakes to the Florida Keys. We protect these iconic places, care for marine wildlife and habitats, honor our nation’s maritime history and cultural traditions, and promote the enjoyment of these public waters through a combination of coalition‑building, private fundraising and federal support.

In a quarter of a century, the foundation has expanded and deepened people’s connections and access to our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes, and built partnerships with coastal communities and businesses alongside the over 629,000 square miles of public waters that belong to all Americans. The Foundation advances the conservation and understanding of America’s ocean and Great Lakes treasures, connecting people to the places and resources that sustain our communities, our economy, and our natural world. The Foundation’s work depends on strong financial stewardship, sound operational practices, and the effective management of resources that support its mission.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation ("Foundation") is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. They increase awareness of and support for national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments and their vital role in ensuring a healthy ocean. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on‑the‑water conservation projects, education and public outreach activities, and support for research. Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home and support coastal communities and economies.

Founded in 2000, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, is the national nonprofit partner to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS). Together, we work to protect America’s most treasured ocean and Great Lakes areas — places of extraordinary biodiversity, maritime heritage, and community value. Guided by our commitment to Waters for All, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation connects people to the ocean and Great Lakes through education, conservation, and community engagement.

Through public fundraising and partnerships, the Foundation invests in community stewardship and engagement, on‑the‑water conservation and restoration, education and outreach in visitor centers and gateway communities, and cutting‑edge scientific exploration. For more than 25 years, they have strengthened people’s connections to our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes—our shared history, culture, and maritime heritage—and built partnerships with coastal communities and businesses tied to over 629,000 square miles of public waters that belong to all Americans

The Opportunity

Position

Director of Finance

Location:

Headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, the organization offers a remote work environment; however, the ideal candidate will reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Purpose of the Position

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation seeks an experienced Director of Finance to join the organization during a pivotal period marked by an ambitious strategic plan. As the Foundation continues to grow its overall impact and reach, the Director of Finance will play a critical role in leading the day‑to‑day financial operations, ensuring the financial integrity, accountability, and operational effectiveness of the organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Director will serve as the Foundation’s senior operational leader for all accounting and financial management, overseeing core financial functions and helping ensure that resources are managed responsibly, accurately, and in compliance with applicable requirements.

Working in close partnership with the CFO, the Director will oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, audit preparation, grant and federal award financial management, payroll oversight, and regulatory compliance. With the support of a highly experienced team, the Director will also collaborate across the organization—including with Human Resources, Grants Management, Development, and Program Operations—to strengthen financial processes, support effective resource allocation, and ensure that the Foundation’s financial practices advance its mission.

The Director of Finance will be expected to actively engage in the work of the Finance Department balancing overarching financial strategy with day‑to‑day execution. Since this is a hands‑on leadership position, the successful candidate will possess strong technical accounting expertise, analytical ability, professional judgment, and the willingness and capability to work directly with financial data, accounting systems, reconciliations, reports, forecasts, grants, and supporting documentation. The Director will be actively engaged in the work of the department—from reviewing financial data and reconciliations to preparing reports, monitoring budgets, and strengthening accounting processes.

The ideal candidate will bring a proactive, solutions‑oriented approach to the role, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability, and build scalable processes as the Foundation carries out its work. This individual will be a trusted partner to colleagues across the organization and an engaged leader who combines technical precision with a collaborative, service‑oriented mindset. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable solving complex accounting issues, improving systems and controls, and leading a team to deliver accurate, timely, and decision‑ready financial information.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations and Financial Reporting

• Lead the day‑to‑day accounting function, ensuring accurate, complete, and timely recording of financial transactions and maintenance of the general ledger.
• Oversee month‑end and year‑end close processes, account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, account analyses, and other financial information to support organizational decision‑making.
• Monitor revenue, expenditures, receivables, payables, and other financial activity, identifying discrepancies, trends, and issues requiring attention.
• Maintain the integrity of accounting records and ensure consistent application of accounting policies and procedures.

Grant and Federal Award Financial Management

• Oversee the financial administration of grants, contracts, and federal awards, ensuring compliance with award terms, organizational policies, and applicable federal requirements.
• Monitor grant expenditures, budgets, allowable costs, reporting deadlines, and reimbursement requests in partnership with Grants Management and program colleagues.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial reports and supporting documentation required by funders and government agencies.
• Support preparation for single audits and other grant‑related reviews, coordinating the timely resolution of audit requests and findings.
• Strengthen processes that promote accountability, transparency, and effective stewardship of restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Partner with program and grants management teams to proactively identify and address potential compliance, spending, documentation, and funding issues.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal award requirements, including 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and award‑specific terms and conditions.
• Assist the CFO with indirect cost rate development, cost allocation methodologies, and related federal compliance requirements.

Internal Controls, Audit, and Compliance

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, financial procedures, and documentation standards to safeguard organizational assets and reduce risk.
• Coordinate internal and external audit activities, prepare schedules and supporting materials, and serve as a key point of contact for financial audit requests.
• Monitor compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax and reporting requirements, grant provisions, and other relevant regulations.
• Identify control gaps, recommend corrective actions, and implement improvements that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
• Promote a culture of financial integrity, sound judgment, and continuous improvement throughout the Finance Department and organization.

Budgeting, Analysis, and Financial Planning Support

• Partner with the CFO and program leaders to support annual budgeting, periodic forecasting, and ongoing monitoring of financial performance.
• Analyze actual results against budgets and forecasts, investigate variances, and communicate findings and potential implications.
• Provide financial analysis to help program and operational leaders understand expenditures, available resources, grant restrictions, and financial commitments.
• Support cash flow monitoring, revenue and expense projections, and other financial analyses under the CFO’s leadership.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools that provide reliable, actionable information to support resource allocation and operational decisions.

Payroll and Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Oversee payroll accounting, reconciliations, related reporting, and coordination with Human Resources and external service providers, as applicable.
• Partner with IT and other colleagues to maintain effective financial systems, data integrity, access controls, and reliable reporting processes.
• Collaborate with Development, Grants Management, and Program Operations to ensure accurate financial tracking, timely revenue recognition, and appropriate expense allocation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve system utilization, strengthen documentation, and reduce manual processes.
• Provide responsive, practical financial guidance to colleagues, helping ensure that financial policies and procedures are understood and consistently followed.

Team Leadership and Departmental Effectiveness

• Supervise, develop, and support Finance Department staff, establishing clear expectations, priorities, and accountability for high‑quality work.
• Remain directly engaged in core accounting and financial management activities, providing technical guidance and hands‑on problem‑solving when needed.
• Review work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance while developing staff capabilities and promoting professional growth.
• Establish effective workflows, reporting calendars, and quality‑control practices that support timely and dependable departmental performance.
• Foster a collaborative, service‑oriented environment that balances strong financial controls with the needs of a mission‑driven organization.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of strong technical accounting expertise, hands‑on financial management experience, sound judgment, and collaborative leadership. They will be comfortable working at both the detailed transaction level and the broader financial management level, with the ability to translate complex financial information into practical insights.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience, including substantial hands‑on accounting responsibilities.
• Experience supervising or mentoring staff and fostering a collaborative, high‑performing team.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles along with experience managing month‑end and year‑end close processes, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, financial statement preparation, and audit support.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to independently investigate financial issues, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and recommend solutions.
• Experience managing the financial requirements of federal grants and awards, including familiarity with Uniform Guidance and single‑audit requirements.
• Experience with grant accounting, restricted funds, indirect cost allocation, reimbursement requests, and funder reporting.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with sophisticated accounting and financial management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work directly with financial data, accounting systems, spreadsheets, reports, and reconciliations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain high standards of quality and accountability.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy, documentation, internal controls, and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial concepts clearly to nonfinancial stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment.
• Demonstrated integrity and commitment to high professional and ethical standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation or progress toward CPA certification strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Sage Intacct or a comparable cloud‑based ERP or accounting system.
• Experience managing the financial administration of federal grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and subawards.
• Knowledge of 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and federal award compliance requirements.
• Understanding of federal payment and reimbursement systems, including ASAP or comparable platforms.
• Experience developing and applying cost allocation methodologies and indirect cost rates.
• Experience implementing or enhancing accounting systems, automated workflows, financial dashboards, and internal controls.
• Experience responsibly leveraging automation, data analytics, and AI‑enabled tools to improve financial operations, reporting, and decision‑making.

Compensation & Benefits

The targeted salary range for this role is $150-175k and will be commensurate with experience.

• competitive benefits package

Additional Information

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.