Finance Operations Lead — Hybrid, 403(b) & Compliance

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

Job summary

The Trust for Public Land is seeking a Finance Operations Specialist to support financial, administrative, data management, and compliance operations. This role reports to the Director of Accounting and works across departments to ensure accuracy, internal controls, and reliable data systems.

Responsibilities include retirement plan administration, financial reporting, data integrity, and HR/payroll coordination, with a focus on efficiency and risk reduction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, information systems, operations management, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 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.
• Demonstrated 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.
• 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 the organization’s shared values to effectively work across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support administration of the organization’s 403(b) retirement plan, including enrollment, contribution changes, payroll coordination, vendor communications, recordkeeping, and reconciliation.
• Support financial reporting, reconciliations, audits, and documentation requests as needed.
• Maintain organized, confidential records and ensure financial and administrative processes follow policies and procedures.
• Track deadlines, submissions, and documentation requirements for 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 accuracy, integrity, and security of organizational data across databases and 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 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 policies and requirements.
• Monitor training compliance and maintain audit-ready records for reviews and audits.
• Assist in reviewing and documenting operational policies to promote consistency and risk reduction.
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow confidentiality and records-management requirements.
• Partner with HR to maintain accurate employee-related records and tracking systems.
• Coordinate admin processes across Finance and HR with clear ownership and timely communication.
• Support procedures for employee data updates, benefits administration, and related workflows.
• Support process improvements that strengthen Finance-HR coordination while maintaining separation of responsibilities.

Skills

Excel skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Cross-department collaboration

Communication skills

Multitasking

Confidential records handling

Payroll support

HRIS familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business/finance/IT/ops

Tools

HR information systems

Databases

Data management systems

Reporting platforms

Payroll software

Job description

The Trust for Public Land is seeking a Finance Operations Specialist to support financial, administrative, data management, and compliance operations. This role reports to the Director of Accounting and works across departments to ensure accuracy, internal controls, and reliable data systems.

Responsibilities include retirement plan administration, financial reporting, data integrity, and HR/payroll coordination, with a focus on efficiency and risk reduction.