Director, Finance & Operations

Deadline to apply: Monday, December 12 at 5:00 pm PT (see further instructions below)

Organization 

Climate Resolve builds collaborations to champion equitable climate solutions. We connect communities, organizations, and policymakers to address a global problem with local action. We inclusively develop practical initiatives that reduce climate pollution and prepare for climate impacts. Using our collective power to tackle climate change, we are creating a thriving California and inspiring others to act. Our purpose is a just and resilient future.

Climate Resolve staff members share one important characteristic in common: a culture of praxis. We’re doers. While idealistic in nature, we are pragmatic in our approach to climate solutions. Climate Resolve recognizes the gravity of the climate crisis and that its effects are profound. We work to avert its impacts, but we also see the opportunity for the climate crisis to inspire profound changes in society that will improve life in our cities and our world.

Climate Resolve has prioritized working with communities that are most affected by climate change impacts. The residents of these communities are predominantly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Our work includes advocating in partnership with grassroots groups, assisting communities to obtain funding for climate solutions, and ensuring equitable implementation of climate legislation. By joining the Climate Resolve team, one is making a commitment to elevate racial, social, and environmental equity.

Position Description

Climate Resolve is seeking a seasoned and strategic leadership and operations specialist to join our dynamic and growing team. The Director, Finance & Operations (DFO) reports to the Executive Director (ED). As a member of the executive team at Climate Resolve, the DFO is responsible for directing “back-end” organizational operations and resolving day-to-day operational issues before they reach the ED. This position helps guide the internal organizational strategy as a thought-partner to the ED, and is responsible for fiscal operations, administration, recruitment, hiring, and onboarding, HR, and IT, with some additional oversight of communications, development, and personnel management.

The right candidate will be mission-focused, values-driven, and passionate about fostering an exceptional performance environment at our organization as we collectively drive forward equitable solutions to the climate crisis. They will be adept at fostering trusting relationships amongst staff and board members and maintaining an inspiring organizational culture with a grounded, respectful, and joyful approach. The DFO will lead from a foundation of equity, collaboration, and continuous improvement amongst a group of diverse, talented individuals.

The DFO should have ample fiscal stewardship experience to advance the strategic vision at Climate Resolve. Pairing quantitative and qualitative skill sets, the right candidate will have a demonstrated balance of people and project management experience. Ultimately, the DFO will ensure that Climate Resolve continues to grow sustainably to meet the needs of the climate crisis through our programs and advocacy, while upholding outstanding organizational operations.

The DFO supervises the Administrative & Operations Manager and Financial Analyst as direct reports, as well as a number of consultants across finance, people operations, and IT, and provides support to team members in Grants & Proposals, Development, Communications, and Programs. The DFO also assists the ED with Board relations and governance best practices.

In order to ensure an effective culture of practice, the Director, Finance & Operations must be based in the Los Angeles region. Climate Resolve plans to initiate a hybrid return-to-office policy in the new year, with 2 days of work onsite per week. If you are looking for an exciting place to work, please take a look at the list of responsibilities and qualifications below:

Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Support the Executive Director to realize Climate Resolve’s mission by overseeing team operations and administration, while ensuring that the organization regularly plans for the future
• Ensure excellence in internal operations standards, including responsible, supportive management of key staff, as well as policy and procedure development and implementation
• Protect and enhance Climate Resolve’s strength as an organization by supporting and guiding its staff in the following ways: 
  • Lead streamlined hiring, onboarding, and departure procedures; 
  • Manage the process of annual review implementation;
  • Lead recurring meetings with all staff to monitor and advise on their monthly allocation of hours across internal and external projects in order to promote efficient use of time and wellbeing
• Provide direct oversight of administrative, development, and outreach staff, while contributing to the management of communications staff; 
• Serve as a resource for best practices in progressive leadership for all team members with direct reports
• Provide oversight and recommendations for organizational project management tools and processes
• Survey nonprofit literature on management, culture, equity, and industry trends to ensure that Climate Resolve’s practices are “best in class”, and strive to achieve enhanced recognition by nonprofit industry standards for the organization, e.g. GuideStar
• Sustain an inclusive workplace that fosters transparency and trust, and facilitates cooperation and teamwork across Climate Resolve’s hybrid working environment
• Organize periodic staff trainings, retreats, and events, coordinating agenda setting, content, and logistics amongst relevant staff

Fiscal Operations

• Ensure a strong system of internal controls, fiscal policies and procedures to support compliant and supportive accounting and finance systems
• With select senior staff, lead the annual budgeting recommendation and formation process and assist the ED with presenting the budget to the Board of Directors, ensuring that projections are in-line with annual organizational goals
• Oversee the annual audit and tax reporting processes for the organization and its subsidiary
• Ensure the overall efficiency and accuracy of all accounting functions and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and nonprofit best practices in partnership with the organization’s external accounting firm, Administrative & Operations Manager (AOM), and Financial Analyst
• Lead the process, and work with the Executive Director and Grants & Proposals department to monitor and maintain an ongoing “pipeline” database of organizational funding opportunities
• Set the standard for the budgeting process for grant applications and responses to request for proposals, providing oversight of financial submissions
• Provide high level oversight of the accounting and financial reporting for all grants, contracts, and other donations 
• Disseminate quarterly financial reports and projections to the Board of Directors and its Finance Committee, advising on any significant financial issues
• Oversee the organization’s bank accounts and investments, serving as the primary liaison with fiscal partners
• Review and authorize payroll
• Review and approve payment of all invoices and staff expenses, ensuring expenses are in- line with the budget and organizational policies
• Oversee workers compensation, retirement planning, health, and other benefits
• Serve as the de facto Chief Financial Officer, reporting to the Board of Directors

HR / People Operations

• Serve as the primary liaison to the organization’s HR consulting group, Expert Effect, ensuring that staff are aware of and have access to this resource and that the organization is in compliance with state-mandated nonprofit standards 
• Maintain and update the Employee Handbook and all other Policy & Procedure Manuals in partnership with the AOM and other key staff
• Implement and uphold policies that respect and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion, are compliant with relevant laws, and lead to a positive and productive work environment
• Manage the hiring, onboarding, and offboarding process to maintain a diverse, highly qualified staff, including:
  • Work with the ED to identify & develop new job descriptions (in partnership w/ key staff)
  • Ensure recruitment process is fair and equitable 
  • Collaborate with hiring managers to screen applicants and interview candidates
  • Work with the AOM to craft job offers
  • Ensure offboarding procedures are implemented in a streamlined manner
• Oversee employee benefits such as healthcare, dental/vision stipend, professional development, and commuter benefit. Regularly review benefits to ensure they meet the needs of staff and drive retention 
• Manage Climate Resolve’s performance evaluation and compensation process, refining the guideline documents as needed and identifying annual allocations for raises to provide cost-of-living and merit increases
• Lead the prompt and effective resolution of all personnel issues, and maintain personnel files

Administration

• Serve as primary admin and liaison for most major vendor contracts across the organization, such as Gusto (HRIS), Harvest (time management / invoicing), T.Rowe Price (retirement), Fantastic IT (information technology), and others — implementing updates for use in partnership with the AOM
• Ensure time tracking is completed on a bimonthly basis in keeping with organizational standards; Review and approve hours on a weekly basis, sending updates to staff as needed
• Oversee the implementation and contract for the organization’s internal client relationship management (CRM) system; 
  • In collaboration with the AOM, implement and ensure protocols for record-keeping so that crucial information is freely accessible throughout the organization
  • Advise the administrative team to ensure the overall quality of the data is upheld in the CRM
• Ensure that the Climate Resolve office is inviting, clean, and attractive, providing a pleasant and hospitable environment for all team members. Likewise, ensure that staff are supported with work-from-home equipment that creates a comfortable and motivating home office environment.

Development & Communications

• Provide strategic oversight of organizational communications and development campaigns and events
• Advise on best practices for sustainable and high-impact events that strive to delight attendees and drive fundraising for the organization
• In collaboration with communications and development staff, direct the production of donor solicitation materials, develop public giving opportunities via email solicitations and other means, and edit/approve development-related copy for CR newsletter, website, and other external communications

Qualifications

The Director, Finance & Operations will be thoroughly committed to Climate Resolve’s mission. All candidates should have proven leadership and relationship management experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Commitment to, and embodiment of, equity and inclusion principles
• 5+ years experience in key nonprofit management activities such as fiscal management, staff supervision and development, human resources, project management, IT, and leading key internal strategic initiatives
• Demonstrated success managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team including setting objectives and managing performance. 
• Strong leadership qualities, a professional reputation, relationship-building skills, and the ability to create synergies on a team
• Proven track record of earning trust and respect through honesty and professionalism in all interactions. 
• Tactful problem solving-skills, including strong listening capabilities and experience with conflict resolution 
• Financial, tax and accounting experience including experience developing and administering a budget of at least $3.5M; Experience generating financial reports, projections and analyzing and interpreting data
• Experience with the administration and management of information technology and resources. 
• Experience working with nonprofit boards, including demonstrated knowledge of governance best practices
• Multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience desired, or experience with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to juggle shifting priorities, meet deadlines, and follow projects through to completion
• Comfort and proficiency in Google Apps, Microsoft Office products, and project management tracking systems
• Passion for and strong understanding of Climate Resolve’s mission
• Personable demeanor and a sense of humor!

Preferred

• An MBA or 7+ years in operations, team management, and financial analysis
• Understanding of political and environmental landscape of Los Angeles and California
• Working knowledge of project management tools such as Asana and Blackbaud CRM products

This is a Full-Time position (40 hrs/wk) with a matching 401K contribution between 3-7% based on time at organization, medical benefits, dental/vision stipend, professional development stipend, and commuter benefit. Salary offered is $87,000-$92,000 DOE.

A hybrid working arrangement is currently supported with two days a week in-person, an in-office station available, and the ability to work from home. Specific schedule will be determined with your manager.

How To Apply

Submit your cover letter and resume to Natalie Hernandez at nhernandez@climateresolve.org with the subject line “Full Name_Director, Finance & Operations” no later than Monday, December 12 at 5:00 pm PT. Complete applications will be considered on a rolling basis up until the stated deadline, with interviews starting as early as December. We’re looking to hire ASAP in order to have someone on board mid-January.

We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about you! Thank you for your interest in Climate Resolve.

Equal Opportunity Policy

Climate Resolve is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or characteristics or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.  Therefore, we encourage all individuals to apply and are committed to a diverse workplace. Climate Resolve will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring. All duties and responsibilities listed in this job posting are essential functions, and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.