Director of Finance and Operations

Financial responsibilities include the development and management of annual budgets and quarterly/annual financial reports. The Director of Finance and Operations is responsible for board engagement in the financial management and financial sustainability of the chapter, including the presentation of financial information at meetings of the Board of Trustees, and serves as the staff liaison to the Board of Trustees’ Finance Committee. They are the primary resource for staff on financial matters and organizational policies and procedures, and work closely with the Executive Director, Director of Development and other members of the development team to generate budgets for funding proposals and to manage the allocation of awarded funds, consistent with donor intent and chapter needs.

The Director of Finance and Operations strives to enhance performance and efficiency for all TNC-GA staff by guiding human resources functions including capacity planning, recruiting and onboarding of staff, performance management and professional growth opportunities

They oversee centralized administrative processes including accounts payable, general purchasing requests, contract management, office lease negotiations, facility management, telecommunications and technological systems.

The Director of Finance and Operations manages a department that consists of five staff members: two direct reports – Operations Manager (HR) and Operations Coordinator (centralized administrative processes) and three dotted line reports – Grants Specialist, Conservation Data Analyst and Information and Technology Operations Manager, with oversight and accountability for all related work of the Georgia program.

Duties are confidential; require a comprehensive understanding of The Nature Conservancy’s policies and procedures and the ability to meet the highest ethical and professional standards. This position reports to the Executive Director of the Georgia program, is a member of Georgia’s senior management team and works in close collaboration with the functional support areas (Finance, Grants, Human Resources and Information Technology Systems) of the Southern US Division and the Worldwide Office (WO) of The Nature Conservancy.

Duties:

• Manage comprehensive finances for the Georgia program by guiding the development and execution of the business unit budget; forecasting; monitoring to ensure budget accountability; program planning; analyzing revenue and expense trends; and, reporting.
• Provide orientation and training in budgeting, accounting policies and procedures and financial analysis to program managers.
• Coordinate closely with development team on fundraising goals and the provision of budgets and financial reports to donors.
• Manage journal entries. Oversee accounts payable, funds received and receivable. Oversee year-end closing of general ledger, making final adjustments as needed.
• Provide high-level support on personnel matters, performance reviews and salary analyses, in coordination with divisional HR Manager.
• Serve as advisor to the Executive Director and senior management team.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Accountability for strategic goals related to functional area;
• Act independently, exercise independent judgment to identify and solve financial and operations complex problems;
• Decisions may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally;
• 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;
• Direct or participate in negotiations for complex or sensitive agreements;
• Ensure programmatic commitments, Conservancy policies and procedures, GAAP, and financial standards are met and managed for compliance.
• 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 items (including pledges) at month and year-end close;
• Provide financial expertise on land deals or other special projects;
• 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 private 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
• Ensure contracted vendors carry required insurance coverage and that appropriate documentation is obtained and maintained;
• Liaise and coordinate with WO treasury on funds transfers in accordance with the Financial Management Handbook and WO Treasury requirements.
• 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;
• Work long or flexible hours as needed;
• Liaise with WO HR Global Benefits team as necessary on locally-provided employee benefits.