The posting
ArchCity Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. ACD’s foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.
ACD envisions a society liberated from systems of oppression where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized; communities where our approach to public safety prioritizes investment in well-being, health, and transformation without relying on criminalization and incarceration; and people living freely in their communities, thriving regardless of their race or income.
ACD and its partners in the organizing and advocacy community are at the center of efforts in the St. Louis region to:
- Re-envision public safety, promote community well-being through policy change, and hold public actors and institutions accountable for misconduct through litigation and zealous holistic representation.
- Challenge a system of policing, courts, and jails designed to meet municipal financial needs rather than the needs of those they purport to serve. Such practices attracted national spotlight during the 2014 Ferguson Uprising and remain widespread throughout our region.
- Engage in litigation and collaborative advocacy designed to bring abusive practices to an end and empower those communities that have been targeted by such practices.
ACD seeks a diligent and team-first individual with a strong commitment to social justice to join our dynamic and diverse staff of attorneys, paralegals, social workers, community organizers, and media and communication advocates who collaborate to provide holistic advocacy to address the causes and consequences of poverty and involvement with the legal system.
The Director of Finance & Operations is primarily responsible for three aspects of ACD - Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, and Operations. The Director of Finance and Operations will report to and partner with the Executive Director on internal practices and board management while also working closely with the operations team on office and vendor management. This position will require diverse backgrounds including strong finance and accounting experience, knowledge of human resources and overall operational and office administration skills. The Director of Finance and Operations will hold supervisory responsibility for an operations team that currently includes two full-time staff members. As appropriate when opportunities arise, this role may lend technical expertise when supporting external partners in an operational capacity thereby strengthening relationships and efficiencies. Specific responsibilities include:
Financial Management & Systems Support
- In collaboration with Executive Director, oversee financial operations including execution of financial strategies and processes including annual operating budget, annual audits, 990 tax preparation, and update monthly cash flow projections based on approved budget.
- Prepare monthly financial reports and develop and provide appropriate analysis and updates to the Executive Director and Board of Directors to ensure the financial stability and growth of ACD.
- Make sound investment decisions to increase a company’s portfolio and analyze trends to reduce financial risks associated with making investment or spending decisions.
- Establish quantitative and qualitative metrics, guidelines, and standards by which the company’s efficiency and effectiveness can be evaluated; identify opportunities for improvement.
- Coordinate financial functions, including banking, investments and investment strategies, review financial controls and recommend improvements when needed, and preparation of monthly financial reports in accordance with General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Manage the organization’s accounting procedures.
Operations & Human Resources Support
- Oversee and coordinate the scopes of work and payment for external payroll & benefits, accounting, IT, legal, and facility vendors. Working with ACD’s benefits vendor, coordinate annual benefits package and enrollment.
- Partner with the Executive Director to identify and organize resources, opportunities, and experiences for team and individual development and learning.
- Research best and emerging practices for people policies that support a productive environment for retaining high-capacity team members. Oversee the management and maintenance of employee policies and procedures handbook.
- Oversee payroll and employee benefits, including PTO, health plan, insurance, retirement funding, and other benefits as appropriate.
- Organize and manage timelines, processes, and documentation for bi-annual compensation analysis and salary adjustments.
- Support employee recruitment and onboarding processes with staff and contractors as appropriate.
Strategic Leadership, Compliance, and Reporting
- Serve on the Senior Leadership Team guiding management and oversight for office operations, policy development and implementation.
- Oversee the management of third-party contracts for organizational propriety.
- Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop and implement appropriate operational reporting processes and insights.
- Provide support to the organization’s Board of Directors, including support to the Finance Committee and Board Treasurer, as well as support for full board and committee meetings.
- Oversee management and maintenance of office space, equipment, computer technology, inventory and supplies.
- Ensure compliance with all required agencies and groups.
- Oversee completion of local, state, and federal corporate reporting, including procuring and coordinating professional services to support completion of reporting as needed.
- Maintain calendar and deliverable timelines for all local, state, and federal corporate reporting.
- Periodically review vendor contracts, scopes, and performance and assess continuation, amendments, and termination of contracts as needed.
- Provide timely communication, information, and access as required to support vendors successfully fulfilling scopes of work.
Essential skills and experience include the following:
- Relevant advanced credentials, including an MBA, CPA or commensurate experience.
- Significant experience in financial management and stewardship. Other operational, administrative, or nonprofit management experience is a plus.
- Proven ability to build and nurture a diverse, respectful, and positive working environment and to coach direct reports.
- Clear, concise, efficient written and verbal communication style when relaying policies, processes, and solutions.
- Fluency in configuring and integrating finance and accounting platforms.
- Ability to analyze and integrate complex data inputs across systems to provide strategic operational and financial guidance.
- Generative mindset for troubleshooting problems and general nimbleness when exploring and navigating solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage simultaneous tasks, and adjust strategy to changing demands.
- Strong understanding of accounting and office operations and procedures, including human resources, payroll, bookkeeping, contract management, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and laws related to nonprofit corporations.
- Demonstrated ability to work with financial management, budgeting, and administrative systems, annual audits, Form 990 processes, and other nonprofit financial processes and requirements.
- Attention to detail and strong time and project management skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines and to work independently and as part of a team.
- Willingness to engage in critical reflection and create a team dynamic of feedback and learning.
- Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.
- Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development and organizational practices and processes.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity within the office and using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and socio-economic circumstance.
This is a full-time position with benefits. The starting salary for this position is $120,000 annually per ACD’s transparent salary structure, with annual cost-of-living adjustment and salary reviews in alternating years. ACD offers a robust benefits package which includes health/dental/vision coverage, 401(k) match, 26 days PTO annually, paid gym membership, work cell phone, and paid continuing education opportunities. New hires are eligible for benefits on their first day of employment.
ArchCity Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA+, and gender non-conforming applicants.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
