Director, Finance and Operations

ROLE: Director, Finance & Operations

LOCATION:​ Remote

POSITION TYPE: Exempt, Full-time

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: 5%

START DATE: ASAP

REPORTS TO: Chief of Staff and Strategy

ROLE OVERVIEW

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to direct and oversee the integrated management of all organizational aspects related to the operational infrastructure, finance and accounting, and human resources functions for our multi-entity organization, which includes a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Political Action Committee (PAC). This includes direct responsibility for accounting, finance, cash flow, budgeting, internal and external audits, and legal and management reporting. ​​This role  is a key strategic partner to the executive team, providing the financial insight necessary to advance the organization's mission. You will:

• Lead efforts to manage the organization's financial resources, supporting its commitment to advancing its mission through strategic fiscal planning, strong financial reporting and analysis.
• Sustain robust financial systems and internal controls to safeguard assets, ensure compliance, and provide accurate and timely financial data to support strategic decision-making.
• Provide strategic financial guidance and support to the executive leadership team, department heads, and program staff on budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal management.
• Lead the annual audit and 990 preparation process, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Sustain organizational operations, including IT hardware and technology tools, along with contract management.
• Lead all aspects of human resources, including benefits, compensation strategy, recruitment, hiring, onboarding, offboarding, investigations, maintaining and implementing policies.
• Manage a team of staff and consultants: FT staff accountant (1), PT HR Director (1), PT HR Manager (1), along with various consultants (example: external auditors, IT consultant).

WHO WE ARE 

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is a national political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America’s students and confront those that do not. We prioritize students and families, especially low-income students and students of color who should be better served by our country’s public education system. 

DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy (ERNA) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures through empowering community leaders to support our legislative and political advocacy work. ERNA keeps constant pressure on legislators to champion high-quality public education. 

DFER partner Education Reform Now (ERN) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-12 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. 

WHAT WE DO 

1. Support for Forward-Thinking Education Leaders — In an approach that is markedly different from our peers and partners in the field, DFER engages directly with candidates and elected officials to empower them to advocate for education policies that focus foremost on serving students. Our partner organization, Education Reform Now, does work that involves policy research, analysis and education that helps policy makers at all levels understand complex education issues and make informed decisions. 

2. Informing the Education Debate — Our coalition work reflects the breadth of our policy priorities. We work collaboratively with organizations and our community networks to create an education system that serves and is held accountable to all students and families.

3. Targeted Interventions and Rapid Response — DFER’s reach, from the most local district relationships to state and federal policymakers, enables us to respond quickly to the changing landscape and policy trends. Activities vary significantly from project to project and may include training, policy analysis, public engagement, electoral and issue advocacy, and policy guidance for elected officials and local advocates.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Partnership

• Act as a strategic partner by developing and delivering forward-thinking, usable financial reporting and dashboards that translate complex data into actionable insights for program, development, and advocacy staff.
• Continuously evaluate the status of short and long-term strategic financial objectives and provide advice on the financial implications of business activities.
• Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and forecasts.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior executives so as to identify their needs and provide responsive reporting and financial strategies.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting; optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.

Multi-Entity Financial Management, Accounting, and Controls

• Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and ensure a safeguarding of assets, compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting.
• Maintain a cost sharing allocation model to accurately distribute costs across the entities; ensure proper implementation of cost share and grant agreements; establish processes to monitor the program activity for compliance with grant agreements.
• Maintain separate financial records for each entity while producing consolidated financial statements for organizational leadership and the Board.
• Manage intercompany transactions, allocations, cash settlements and transfers, ensuring they are properly documented and comply with all legal restrictions.
• Ensure the timely and accurate processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and support the Development team with grants administration.
• Ensure cash flow is appropriate for the organization’s operations for national, the states and projects (including fiscal sponsors).
• Partner with external auditors to execute the annual audit process and prepare and file all required regulatory reports, including Form 990, Form 990-T, Form 1120-POL, and state charity and PAC reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Evaluate, implement, and manage financial systems and software (such as Netsuite) to enhance operational efficiency.

Multi-Entity Budget & Management Reporting

• Manage processes for financial forecasting, reporting, including leading the annual organization budgeting and planning process 
• Prepare monthly financial statements, financial packages, and other informational reports/analysis.
• Monitor financial performance against budget, analyze variances, and provide actionable insights to support national departments, state chapters, and special projects.
• Provide financial data and analysis to support grant proposals and donor reports for the Development team and to ensure programmatic compliance.

Business Operations Management

• Oversee the organization's IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and cloud-based technology tools. 
• Manage business insurance, contracts, and other operational compliance requirements (office leases, co-working agreements, vendor contracts). 
• Ensure cross-functional collaboration by partnering closely with other departments to streamline processes, implement organization-wide best practices, and ensure operational support for mission delivery.

Human Resources

• Lead all aspects of recruitment, hiring, onboarding, professional development, and offboarding processes.
• Administer and continuously evaluate the employee benefits program, including its compensation strategy.
• Maintain, update, and implement the Employee Handbook and all HR policies. Ensure policies are communicated effectively and applied consistently.
• Serve as a trusted resource for staff and managers. Conduct confidential investigations when necessary and provide guidance on performance management and conflict resolution.
• Ensure HR practices comply with all federal, state, and local employment laws.

Requirements

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, CPA certification desirable.
• 7+ years of progressive financial and operations leadership roles, with at least 3-5 years in a multi-entity nonprofit environment, managing budgets over $10 million, and extensive experience with intercompany transactions.
• Must have direct, hands-on experience managing both HR functions (benefits, compensation, employee relations, compliance) and IT/operations (technology infrastructure, vendor management, facilities).
• An experienced people manager
• Proven experience leading annual audits.
• Proficiency with NetSuite accounting software.
• Proficiency with Paylocity HCM software.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to translate complex financial information for all levels of comprehension.
• Commitment to Equity: A demonstrated commitment to advancing educational equity and excellence for all students.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Democrats for Education Reform welcomes applications from all, and strongly encourages women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees & LGBTQ people to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of the students we serve. 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States and will be required to submit proof of eligibility. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Benefits

COMPENSATION

The base salary range for this position is $165,000 - $185,000.  DFER is proud to offer excellent benefits: health, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan; life insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; 401K plan with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; paid family leave; paid time off (vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and all National holidays).