Finance Operations & Compliance Specialist

Trust for Public Land; United States; Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Trust for Public Land is seeking a Finance Operations Specialist to support the organization's financial, administrative, data management, and compliance activities. This role collaborates across departments to maintain accurate records, strengthen internal controls, and ensure efficient processes.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree and at least three years in operations, data management, payroll support, or compliance administration, with advanced Excel skills and a keen eye for detail.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, information systems, operations management, or a related field.
• Minimum three years of experience in operations, financial administration, data management, payroll support, compliance administration, or a related field.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, pivot tables, lookups, data validation, and analysis of large datasets.
• Experience working with databases, data management systems, and recurring reporting processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Experience maintaining confidential records and handling sensitive financial or employee information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet recurring deadlines, and follow through on detailed administrative processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• A proactive approach to identifying discrepancies, improving workflows, and maintaining accurate documentation.
• Familiarity with 403(b) retirement plans and employee benefits administration.
• Experience supporting payroll and timesheet processes.
• Experience with HR information systems, financial software, and database or reporting platforms.
• Familiarity with internal controls, risk management, audit preparation, and compliance tracking.
• Familiarity with leave of absence and pay integration
• Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support administration of the organization's 403(b) retirement plan, including employee enrollment, contribution changes, payroll coordination, vendor communications, recordkeeping, and reconciliation. Monitor the accuracy and completeness of retirement plan administration.
• Coordinate with Finance, HR, and third party vendors to resolve discrepancies and maintain accurate records.
• Support financial reporting, reconciliations, audits, and documentation requests as needed.
• Maintain organized, confidential records and ensure financial and administrative processes follow established policies and procedures.
• Track deadlines, submissions, and documentation requirements associated with retirement plan administration.
• Complete Annual 1095-C health insurance filing via established filing software.
• Employee contact for leaves of absence and calculating pay integration with external insurance/state benefits.
• Maintain the accuracy, integrity, consistency, and security of organizational data across databases, spreadsheets, and business systems.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize complex Excel workbooks, including advanced formulas, pivot tables, lookups, data validation, and reporting tools.
• Identify data discrepancies, investigate root causes, and implement procedures to prevent recurring errors.
• Identify opportunities to automate routine reports, streamline data entry, and improve the reliability and efficiency of existing systems.
• Support data collection and reporting for audits, compliance reporting, organizational planning, and internal reviews.
• Maintain compliance calendars, tracking systems, and documentation for organizational policies, administrative requirements, and recurring deadlines.
• Monitor completion of required employee training, including discrimination and harassment prevention, and other mandatory workplace compliance training.
• Maintain audit-ready records and support internal and external audits, reviews, and compliance reporting.
• Assist in reviewing and documenting operational policies and procedures to promote consistency, accountability, and risk reduction.
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow established confidentiality, access, retention, and records-management requirements.
• Partner with HR to maintain accurate employee-related records and operational tracking systems within the scope of the role.
• Coordinate administrative processes that involve both Finance and HR, ensuring clear ownership, timely communication, and accurate records.
• Support in ensuring consistent procedures for employee data updates, benefits administration, and related operational workflows.
• Support process improvements that strengthen the coordination between Finance and HR while maintaining appropriate separation of responsibilities and access to confidential information.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, checklists, tracking tools, and process documentation.
• Establish reliable workflows and tracking mechanisms for recurring operational responsibilities.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual work, strengthen internal controls, and minimize errors.
• Collaborate across departments to clarify processes, improve information flow, and support consistent implementation of organizational policies.
• Provide timely, accurate information and operational support to leadership and colleagues as needed.
• Other HR and finance/payroll tasks as assigned.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Cross-department collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, information systems, operations management, or related field

Tools

Excel advanced formulas

HRIS systems

Payroll software

Databases

Job description

Trust for Public Land is seeking a Finance Operations Specialist to support the organization's financial, administrative, data management, and compliance activities. This role collaborates across departments to maintain accurate records, strengthen internal controls, and ensure efficient processes.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree and at least three years in operations, data management, payroll support, or compliance administration, with advanced Excel skills and a keen eye for detail.