Join the OPAL Team – Seeking a Finance Director

Position Description

The Finance Director oversees accounting activities for OPAL and its subsidiaries; develops reports and analysis for financial decision-making; coordinates, produces and monitors budgets; and manages compliance with grantors and regulators.

The position is year-round part-time. The job requires a minimum of 16 hours per week and could be up to 32 hours per week. The work schedule is flexible, although an agreed-upon schedule and deadlines will determine the workflow. Compensation is commensurate with experience (starting range of $32 – $35 per hour) plus benefits. This is an at-will position hired, supervised and evaluated by OPAL’s Executive Director.

Responsibilities

Accounting Management

1. Supervise staff members who handle bookkeeping and accounting functions for payroll, payables and receivables.
2. Assure accurate and timely entries into the accounting system.
3. Assure electronic and paper files are complete and kept up to date.
4. In the first year, conduct needs assessment, evaluate, and if cost effective, implement process improvements to increase efficiency of accounting workflow.
5. For Island Loan Fund and loan pools, monitor investor payment schedules and borrower repayments and benchmarks for performance.
6. Oversee preparation for the annual audit or financial review. 

Financial Management

1. Direct and coordinate financial planning and budget management functions including working with staff to develop budgets, budget-to-actual projections, cashflow projections and projections for loan repayments.
2. Prepare quarterly reports for the board of trustees and annual reports for OPAL supporters with data gleaned from MIP and Salesforce.
3. Recommend and monitor benchmarks for measuring the financial and operating performance including cash reserve, contingency funds, and earned income.
4. Direct and coordinate debt financing and debt service payments.
5. Prepare financial analysis for contract negotiations, employee benefits packages, and investment decisions.
6. Establish and implement short- and long-range financial goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.

Grants and Funder Compliance

1. Review all grant contracts prior to signature to assure terms are acceptable to OPAL, including advising the Executive Director of any extraordinary compliance requirements that may require additional help from other staff.
2. Complete reports and submit documents required to draw down funds from grantors.
3. Comply with local, state, and federal reporting requirements for grantors and regulatory agencies.

Organizational Support

1. Work with the Executive Director to select and implement a new online Loan Management Servicing system.
2. Provide support to staff members for cloud applications and product selection.

Experience

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
2. Ability to work well with diverse individuals and balance a variety of needs;
3. A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently;
4. High energy and collaborative work style that draws out the best in each member of a team including staff, Board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and supporters;
5. Maturity and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels;
6. Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives;
7. Excellent computer and cloud computing skills. Regular use of Word, Excel, SalesForce, Word Press, Facebook. Preference for familiarity with Photoshop or design and layout software (such as InDesign); and
8. Interest in and commitment to affordable housing, sustainable economic development and a healthy island community.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

1. Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles. C.P.A. a plus, but not required.
2. Knowledge of accounting reporting systems.  Experience with MIP preferred, but not required.
3. Excellent computer and cloud computing skills. Regular use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Salesforce and MIP. 
4. Ability to research and interpret Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and federal and state financial regulations.
5. Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and projections. Working knowledge of short- and long-term budgeting and forecasting.
6. Professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills required.
7. Minimum fifteen years of professional work experience in related fields required.  
8. Interest in and commitment to affordable housing, sustainable economic development and a healthy island community.

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.

To Apply for the Position

Send or deliver a cover letter and resume to Lisa Byers, Executive Director, OPAL Community Land Trust. Email preferred to opalclt@opalclt.org. 

Position is open until filled. The initial deadline for applications is Monday, October 25, 2021 by email or at the office of OPAL Community Land Trust, (Physical location: 286 Enchanted Forest Road, #B101, Eastsound).  Mailing address:  PO Box 1133, Eastsound, WA 98245.