Wisconsin Director of Finance and Operations

The Director of Finance and Operations will work towards meeting the strategic priorities of the Wisconsin program by developing and coordinating financial and operative plans, and overseeing day-to-day tasks. They supervise a small team responsible for managing central administrative functions, facility management, telecommunications, mailroom operations, central filing, telephone/public reception, maintaining office supplies and equipment, and processing purchasing requests. They are responsible for development and implementation of annual budgets and will participate on the Wisconsin staff leadership team to help develop and implement annual and long-term strategic plans. They will also manage administrative tasks related to Human Resources, Information Systems, and Finance, including processing forms and preparing financial reports and forecasts. They will be responsible for Board of Trustees and Business Unit (BU)/Chapter Director engagement in the financial management and financial sustainability of the Program, including the presentation of financial information at Business Unit/Chapter Director and board meetings. They work with the development team in ensuring requests for funding are accurate and can be administered. They will contribute to the development of new guidelines and report to senior leadership on functional activities. The DFO will work in close cooperation with any or all of the following: Conservancy staff, donors, trustees, vendors, public agencies, financial institutions, and legal and accounting professionals. They will adhere to and advise on the organization's policies and procedures. They will provide advice, recommendations, and broad training related to operations and finance. The DFO will maintain expert knowledge of the systems and resources utilized by the team and apply knowledge to managing support and planning communications related to the resources. They will manage documentation, initiate complex processes, and serve as key team member for the enhancement of systems and tools. They will lead diverse activities, analyze situations, evaluate alternatives, project outcomes, and implement solutions to improve effectiveness.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE 

• Act independently, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve financial and operations complex problems;
• Design and manage multiple projects, directing work of staff, setting deadlines, and ensuring accountability;
• Design and plan new initiatives that will ensure department and organization-wide goals and strategies are achieved;
• Ensure programmatic commitments, Conservancy policies and procedures, GAAP, and financial standards are met and managed for compliance. Decisions may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally;
• Provide timely and accurate financial reports and analysis to board members, project managers and BU Directors;
• Develop and monitor budget, forecast, sustainability, and strategic financial plans;
• Perform general accounting duties, to include: basic journal entries for transfers, loans, land transactions, accruals, deferred revenue and expense corrections;
• Review and monitor income statement and balance sheet (including pledges) items at month and year-end close;
• Ensure revenue, expenses and net assets are managed to reflect donor intent including working with cross-functional teams to perform revenue allocation;
• Develop quarterly certifications related to lands, depreciation of assets, and others
• Manage privately funded awards;
• Collaborate with Grants Specialists on managing public awards;
• Oversee day-to-day financial activities such as purchasing, processing invoices, negotiating, and contracting with vendors
• Maintain confidentiality of frequently sensitive and emotionally-charged information;
• Manage team accountability for strategic goals related to functional area;
• Supervise administrative or professional staff, including training and professional development;