Director of Finance & Operations

*DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND OPERATIONS* *About Us:* Joyful Jobs is recruiting on behalf of Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S), a non-profit dedicated to conserving agrobiodiversity by finding, protecting and preserving seeds.
The NS/S seed bank, one of the first and only seed conservation organizations in the region, preserves 1,800 varieties of crops adapted to arid landscapes that represent the cultural heritage and farming knowledge of over 50 Indigenous communities of the southwestern U.
S.
and Mexico.
For 40 years, NS/S has maintained and increased these seeds and distributed them to food producers and communities connected to the seeds.
*Job Overview:* The Director of Finance and Operations is responsible for all areas of finance and business operations including information technology, procurement, risk management, and grant monitoring and reporting for Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S).
Responsible for development of the business plan to carry out the long-term strategic goals set by the Board of Directors.
This position is responsible for ensuring that (NS/S) is maximizing revenue opportunities for retail operations while meeting its mission of seed conservation and distribution.
This position works to ensure that NS/S operates efficiently, and effectively to build and maintain financial health in both the long and short term by overseeing financial and administrative operations and examining business practices.
*KEY RESPONSIBILITIES* *Business Operations* * Works closely in support of and in partnership with the Executive Director in creating, executing, and continuously evaluating for effectiveness the strategies to achieve the mission of NS/S.
This includes ensuring that NS/S is financially sound and meeting its role in seed conservation, seed sharing and as a seed saving resource for the region.
* Develops, updates and educates on financial, operational and procurement policies and guidelines.
* Maintains continuous lines of communication, keeping the Executive Director informed of all critical issues and operates as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker.
* Anticipate changing needs with vision and imagination, facilitating the integration of the board’s strategic plan with operational planning and budget development.
* Promotes a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
*Finance* * Provide leadership in the development for the continuous evaluation of short term and long term strategic financial objectives.
* Ensure financial accountability and transparency by providing timely and accurate analysis of budget, financial trends and forecasts to Managers, the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
* Direct and oversee all aspects of Finance and Accounting functions for the organization, including financial development of budgets for grant proposals, financial management and tracking for active grants and financial grant reporting.
* Ensure reporting is consistent across platforms, including Shopify, Neon, and Quickbooks, and quickly and clearly identify discrepancies.
* Evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulator/contractual changes.
* Provide recommendations to strategically enhance financial performance and business opportunities.
* Ensure that internal controls are in place and ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state, and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting.
* Serve as the main liaison with Insperity, co-employment company, and accountants, Beach Fleischman.
* Supervise two finance staff members and work closely in collaboration with Development Director, E-Commerce Manager, and leadership in other departments.
*Operations Management* * Stay abreast of trends and developments in information technology, cybersecurity, and PCI compliance, ensuring the organization is meeting all legal requirements for security and risk is minimized and backup plans are in place and tested.
* Oversees ongoing Operations related contracts ensuring competitive processive and best value, including IT, insurance, co-employment company, accounting, phone, air-conditioning, pest management, repairs and maintenance, and all other facilities-related vendors.
* Develop and implement organizational procurement and staff reimbursement policies and guidelines.
*Audit Functions* * Oversee and coordinate the external audit function for all external financial audits.
* During the on-site portion of the audit, work with external auditors to secure documents and materials and explain accounting activity in an efficient manner so as to complete the audit within the scheduled timeframes.
* On all occasions during the year ensure that staff maintain records and record entries in a manner that follows Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures and that will result in a clean audit opinion.
* Oversee corrective action on any items reported in the audit management letter.
* Where necessary act as the Internal Auditor by ensuring compliance with all accounting policies and procedures and by improving internal controls where necessary.
*Human Resources & Risk Management* * Update and maintain risk management policy and ensure that a process is in place to analyze and rank risks for the organization, and a plan is implemented including strategies such as insurance and staff training and followed to minimize those risks.
* Annually, present the risk management policy to the Board of Directors and ensure staff is aware and trained to carry out items in the policy.
Have an internal audit of the policy performed periodically to ensure compliance.
* Ensures compliance with HR best practices, including correct documentation and retention of HR files, outlining interviewing and recruitment standards, addressing and educating on conflict of interests and working with HR specialists to increase education, knowledge and best practices in HR.
* Supports the ED in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
*QUALIFICATIONS* * Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance and a minimum 5 years relevant experience in progressively responsible leadership roles.
* MBA and/or CPA highly desirable and/or experience working for a conservation or natural resources management organization.
* Strong understanding of nonprofit finance and accounting regulations.
* Experience with grants, to include financial development of budgets for grant proposals, financial management and tracking for active grants, and financial grant monitoring and reporting.
* Strongly preferred: fluent in Spanish.
* Strong proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook and accounting programs.
* Ability to secure and determine facts through audit investigations.
* Ability to plan months to years ahead, anticipate program opportunities and potential challenges and develop strategies to solve them.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills and experience developing comprehensive well-written reports, proposals and communications.
* Demonstrated critical analysis, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision making, leadership, team building, time management, and motivational skills.
* Experience working to promote a diverse and inclusive work environment, and a cultural sensitivity to Indigenous communities and their agriculture.
* Demonstrated ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and to respect and observe organizational protocol.
*COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS* * Annual salary of $70,000-80,000, depending on experience.
* Health insurance, dental, vision, life, PTO, 401k, and parental/care-taking leave (subject to company policies).
* Flexibility for a hybrid work environment with 1-2 days/week remote if preferred, after training period has been successfully completed.
* Opportunity to join a growing organization and be involved in the creation and implementation of new structure and policies.
_NS/S is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws for fair and lawful hiring.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.
_ Job Type: Full-time Pay: $70,000.
00 - $80,000.
00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid time off * Parental leave * Vision insurance Physical setting: * Office Schedule: * 8 hour shift * Day shift * Monday to Friday Ability to commute/relocate: * Tucson, AZ 85718: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) Experience: * nonprofit finance/accounting: 3 years (Required) Language: * Spanish (Preferred) License/Certification: * CPA (Preferred) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Tucson, AZ 85718