Finance Director (Hybrid - DC Metro Area)

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Finance & Planning
• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with organizational goals and mission impact.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial planning processes.
• Conduct scenario planning, cash flow forecasting, and KPI monitoring to support decision-making.
• Provide regular financial insights and dashboards to the Executive Director, Finance Committee, and Board.
• Financial Operations & Compliance
• Oversee day-to-day financial management, including accounting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Ensure timely preparation of financial statements, grant reports, and regulatory filings.
• Manage restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring compliance with nonprofit fund accounting standards.
• Collaborate with program and development teams to align budgets and grant funding with program needs.
• Partner with external HR and accounting consultants to support compensation analysis and compliance
• Grant Management & Oversight
• Manage the full lifecycle of grant funding, including acceptance, tracking, and compliance for grants received from foundations, government agencies, and other funders.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of grant reports, financial statements, and deliverables to maintain funder relationships and compliance.
• Oversee financial tracking and reporting for grants disbursed by CLF, ensuring proper documentation and accountability.
• Monitor grant expenditures against approved budgets and work with program teams to address variances or required modifications.
• Maintain comprehensive grant databases and documentation to support audits and organizational transparency.
• Audit, Risk & Investment Oversight
• Lead annual audits and serve as liaison with external auditors (including international subsidiaries, if applicable).
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and international regulatory requirements.
• Oversee organizational risk management, including insurance coverage and renewals.
• Collaborate with investment consultants to monitor endowment performance and ensure alignment with investment policies.
• Cross-Organizational Leadership
• Partner with program, operations, and development teams to provide financial guidance and strengthen cross-functional decision-making.
• Present clear, actionable financial information to leadership, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors.
• Supervise, mentor, and support finance staff and / or contractors, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage third-party vendors, RFP processes, and financial operations consultants to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with organizational values.
• Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field required. CPA or CMA strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive financial leadership experience, ideally in a nonprofit environment.
• Experience with international operations, grants management and government audits is strongly desired.
• Must have a strong knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, and fund accounting along with proficiency with financial management systems (e.g. Sage Intacct, Blackbaud, QuickBooks Nonprofit) and the ability to leverage data visualization / dashboards.
• Must have a proven ability to translate complex financial information into accessible insights for non-finance colleagues and to deliver clear presentations to senior leadership and boards.
• Required Competencies and Attributes
• Leadership & Collaboration : Relationship builder with excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Emotional Intelligence : Demonstrates diplomacy, professionalism, and composure in complex situations.
• Strategic Thinker : Balances detail orientation with big-picture perspective.
• Self-Direction : Works independently with minimal supervision while maintaining accountability and meeting deadlines.
• Integrity : Unquestionable ethics and sound judgment.
• Commitment to an Inclusive Culture : Values diversity of thought, background, and perspective.
• Mission-Driven : Passionate about advancing the organization’s mission.

Compensation & Benefits

Equal Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences.

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