Michigan Director of Finance

USA The Nature Conservancy; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in Michigan seeks a Director of Finance to provide overall direction for finance in the Michigan BU and support the Midwest Division. You will lead financial analysis, budgeting, grants management, and ensure compliance with GAAP and donor intent while collaborating with leadership and the BOT.

The role emphasizes strategic and tactical financial leadership, coordinating with operations and conservation teams, and managing complex agreements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration and 5 years’ related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience with accounting principles, practices, and regulations.
• Experience with GAAP.
• Technical experience with grants award accounting issues.
• Experience using accounting and financial reporting systems.
• Experience with U.S. Federal Uniform Guidance, state and local regulations, multilateral and international regulations, and standard contract clauses.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate tactics for approved plans, completing and overseeing day-to-day tasks.
• Communicate information to BU and program leaders as well as to the Board of Trustees to facilitate good management decisions.
• Advise on budgeting, gift allocation, tracking fundraising as compared to budget, and ensure financial controls reflect donor intent.
• Manage private funding lifecycles with grants management specialists and collaborate on budgets and reports.
• Ensure day-to-day financial activities such as purchasing, processing invoices, and contracting with vendors are compliant.
• Travel and work long or flexible hours as needed.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Grant accounting

Budget management

Financial reporting

Data management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration

Tools

Accounting software systems

Excel

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together

The Director of Finance provides overall direction and leadership for finance within the Michigan Business Unit (BU) and assists with special projects within the Midwest Division and the Midwest Division Finance Cabinet while proactively offering perspective, advice and collaboration. The Director is particularly responsible for all Finance and Accounting activities as well as proactively providing strategic and tactical support for the staff and operational functions of the Michigan Chapter and other program(s) as agreed upon by the Director and their supervisor. They report to the Director of Operations currently. The Midwest Division will be implementing a new finance structure with a Division Finance Director (DFD) over the next 8-10 months for more financial strategic collaboration across the division. The Director of Finance will report to the DFD, assigned to the financial responsibility of the Michigan BU. The Director of Finance contributes to achieving the Michigan Chapter's strategic priorities through effective management, maintenance and reporting of financial data. The Director is the subject matter expert on the Michigan Chapter's and related program(s) fiscal positions, long-term sustainability, and communicates this information effectively to Chapter and program leaders as well as to the Board of Trustees to facilitate good management decisions. They monitor use of management controls and processes to ensure compliance with TNC policies and procedures, relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, GAAP, and financial/management best practice. They provide specialized services in one or more of the following functions: financial analysis and reporting; forecasting; manage multi-year funding streams; financial management; accounting; cash receipting, auditing; execute fiscal year-end processes; grants administration, spend rate analysis; private award management; contract review and approval, management controls and reporting. Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, or Detroit surrounding areas preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Works toward meeting the strategic priorities of the program by developing and coordinating tactics for approved plans, completing and/or overseeing day-to-day tasks.
• They communicate information effectively to the BU and program leaders as well as to the Board of Trustees (BOT) to facilitate good management decisions and recommendations to action.
• An essential role as a member of the Management Team, and advisor to the State Director, BOT, and Development team in collaborating on budgeting, gift allocation, tracking fundraising as compared to budget, assist in ensuring financial controls to reflect donor intent, and overall financial health of the BU.
• Manage private funding lifecycles with grants management specialists: collaborate with Development and Conservation to construct budgets, complete timely and accurate reports for funders, and ensure tasks related to privately funded awards are completed in the appropriate management software.
• Implements and manages new initiatives and multiple projects.
• Ensures the programmatic work is collaborative and well-integrated across organization.
• Develops the annual collaborative $10M budget process with budget managers.
• Work with the Operations Team as well as the Conservation Operations team to ensure day to day financial activities such as purchasing, processing invoices, negotiating and contracting with vendors are managed for compliance.
• May supervise one or more administrative or professional staff.
• Engage in considerable collaboration with Midwest finance professionals in the Midwest Division.
• This individual will also serve on the Midwest Finance Cabinet where it may include special finance projects for the division.
• May negotiate complex agreements and contracting with vendors and partners.
• Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
• Reinforces consistency in the organization's policies and procedures and provides support related to relevant field.
• Reports to leadership on financial activities, forecasts, and long-term sustainability.
• Travel and work long or flexible hours as needed.

We’re Looking for You

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone with strong experience in leading a varied, multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience in management of data and personnel. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration and 5 years’ related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience with accounting principles, practices, and regulations.
• Experience with GAAP.
• Technical experience with grants award accounting issues.
• Experience using accounting and financial reporting systems.
• Experience, coursework or other training with U.S. Federal Uniform Guidance, state and local regulations, multilateral and international regulations, and standard contract clauses, as applicable.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated.
• Technical expert on complex accounting/financial issues.
• Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience monitoring for and ensuring compliance with organizational policy, applicable law and regulation, and finance/accounting/management best practice.
• Experience analyzing a regulatory framework and applying it to the situation at hand.
• Expert knowledge of GAAP and/or relevant regulatory framework.
• Experience evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of management controls; interpreting guidelines and analyzing factual information to adapt or modify processes as needed.
• Ability to resolve complex issues independently within program area.
• Experience acting as a resource to others to solve problems.
• MBA, CPA or CIA may be preferred.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $100,000-$105,000. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor. One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience.

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

The recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.