OPAL is Hiring!

SUMMARY:

The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) is responsible for overseeing the business operations of OPAL Community Land Trust. The DFO manages Finance (processes, controls and reporting), and Operations (internal procedures, information technology, human resources, and compliance with grantors). The DFO oversees performance of financial analysis, budgeting, reporting, makes improvements to mitigate risk, determines the most effective blend of out-sourced services with in-house staff and develops cross-trained staff.

This position is year-round full-time based in the Eastsound, WA office. The work schedule is flexible based on maximizing the Finance Team’s productivity and could include the option of up to two days per week work from home. The position is at-will, supervised by the Executive Director (ED). The DFO communicates with OPAL’s bankers, vendors, customers, insurance agents, and auditors, and is, initially, co-staff liaison with the Executive Director to the Board Finance Committee. 

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

OPAL Community Land Trust helps to sustain Orcas Island as a healthy, economically diverse community by providing permanently affordable homes and related education and support for islanders—families, seniors and singles—whose housing needs are not met by the traditional market.

To accomplish its mission OPAL: (1) acquires land and buildings; (2) develops land in an environmentally and socially responsible manner; (3) constructs or renovates buildings to be healthy, durable and energy efficient; (4) educates and counsels homebuyers and rental tenants; (5) facilitates financing for mortgages and home repairs, and (6) stewards what it creates for current and future generations.

As of April 2026, OPAL stewards 120 ownership homes, 104 rental homes, four commercial spaces and more than 100 acres of land. There are eleven employees working 9.2 FTE and regularly contracted professional services for I.T. management, payroll processing, accounting system management, website hosting and graphic design. In addition, OPAL has relationships with an H.R. consultant and attorneys for different needs.   

RESPONSIBILITIES:

FINANCE:

Accounting Management

1. Supervise staff and contractors who perform accounting functions of receivables, payables, payroll, analysis, and grant draw request submittals.
2. Ensure accurate and timely entries into the accounting software system in accordance with GAAP standards.
3. Ensure timely and accurate payments to all vendors.
4. Ensure timely and accurate accounting for all receipts including grant reimbursements, donor contributions, donor pledges and loan receivables, in conjunction with the Housing Director.
5. Ensure electronic and paper-based files are complete and kept up to date, in particular documents establishing OPAL’s interest in property such as deeds, covenants, title papers, leases, promissory notes, deeds of trust, and grant agreements, in conjunction with program staff.
6. Design and implement process improvements, adopting best practices to increase efficiency and productivity.
7. Produce monthly and quarterly financial statements for managers, neighborhood treasurers, and the board of trustees.
8. Create and evolve a finance team culture of continuous improvement.
9. Oversee annual audit preparations with the goal of having a clean audit with no findings.

Financial Management

1. Develop budgets and projections including budget-to-actual, cashflow, and loan repayments.
2. Prepare quarterly financial reports for the Board of Trustees, and annual financial statements for the Annual Report.
3. Establish key benchmarks to measure financial and operating performance including Net Income, Retained Earnings/Equity, cash reserve, and contingency funds.
4. Review and monitor OPAL’s risk management practices and insurance coverage.
5. With the Executive Director, serve as co-staff liaison to the Board Finance Committee.
6. Recommend short- and long-range financial goals and objectives for the board of trustees.
7. Monitor investment portfolio and report to Finance Committee on portfolio performance.
8. Oversee debt financing and debt service payments, including internal loans.
9. Monitor cash and prepare cash flow projections with sufficient forecasting to enable corrective action.

OPERATIONS:

Internal Procedures

1. Develop, monitor, evaluate and revise as needed internal procedures to operationalize and implement board adopted policies for accounting, finance, H.R., and I.T.
2. Maintain a filing system for executive director approved procedures accessible to appropriate staff members and organized into subject areas based on spheres of responsibilities.
3. Work with staff and the Executive Director to monitor, evaluate and recommend changes to policies adopted by the Board of Trustees.

Human Resources (HR) Management

1. Oversee the processes of recruitment, new employee on-boarding, employee benefits education, monitoring the timely completion of evaluations by supervisors, and guiding the employee separation process.  
2. Coordinate the periodic evaluation of employee wages and benefits packages to keep OPAL’s compensation package competitive and make recommendations to the executive director.  
3. Ensure that all staff have performance evaluations completed in accordance with board policies.
4. Work with consultants on automating HR and Payroll procedures and practices, for maximizing efficiency, maintaining cost-center-based time-keeping, and staying 100% compliant with current laws and regulations.

Information Technology (IT)

1. Work with consultants to ensure OPAL’s staff have access to the equipment necessary to do their work effectively and efficiently.
2. Work with consultants to manage cloud-based applications and systems, including MS 365, Salesforce, HomeKeeper, Public House, Byte, Adobe, Mail Chimp, web-hosting and security, and other operating systems.

Compliance with Grants and Funders:

1. Review grant contracts’ terms prior to Executive Director signature and with the ED, identify which staff will be responsible for which functions under the grant’s specifications.
   1. Oversee the completion of financial reports and submittal of documents necessary to draw down funds from grantors, through existing staff or by utilizing outsourced professionals.
   1. Support program staff with filing annual compliance reports to funding agencies by providing budgets and cost reports as required.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

1. Minimum ten years of successful professional experience in nonprofit finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles. C.P.A. a plus but not required.
2. Experience with dual-entry accounting enterprise systems required. Experience with MIP preferred but not required.
3. Excellent cloud computing skills with MS365, Teams, Sharepoint, Word, Excel, and  PowerPoint.
4. Experience with database management required. Salesforce preferred but not required.
5. Ability to research, interpret, and apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and federal and state financial regulations.
6. Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections.
7. Experience in leading short- and long-term budgeting and forecasting.
8. General knowledge of Human Resources practices and procedures (to be supported by consultants with current HR expertise).
9. Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills required.
10. Interest in and commitment to affordable housing, sustainable economic development and a healthy island community.

LOCATION: The DFO will ideally reside on Orcas Island. The place of work is OPAL’s office in Eastsound, with the option for regular remote work.

WORK CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Work is performed indoors.  Sitting for one or more hours at a time.  Occasional standing and walking on level surfaces.  Occasional lifting and carrying of 10 pounds maximum.  Seeing, reaching, handling and fingering to use PC, printer/copier/scanner and calculator, and file documents. Hearing and talking to use telephone and for electronic meetings.

SALARY and BENEFITS: Annual Salary is $125,000 – $135,000 depending on experience. Benefits include health insurance, retirement matching, holidays, PTO, sabbatical and other leave options.