Senior Director, Operations and Finance

WISPA is looking for a responsible, professional, and Senior Director, Operations and Finance to oversee the organization’s finance, information technology, compliance, and operations functions (with a total annual budget of about US $5 million). Reporting to the President & CEO, in a role with periodic interactions with members of the Board of Directors of the WISPA Entities, the successful candidate will be a capable multitasker with excellent organizational and communication skills and a positive attitude.  Duties include being able to:

• provide support as directed by the President & CEO, enabling the President & CEO to better lead our external-facing work and strategic initiatives,
• participate actively in organization-level planning and decision-making,
• manage and coordinate with key vendors, including outsourced information technology and accounting support,
• implement efficient operations practices and systems to meet current and future needs.

This is a hybrid position, with an expectation of averaging three days per week or more in-office.

Responsibilities

Financial Management & Compliance

• Oversee accountants; ensure that financial reporting is accurate and reflects GAAP; work with accountants and staff to ensure books are closed on a quarterly basis.
• Review organization and project budgets vs. actuals on a quarterly basis and discuss variances with staff and other stakeholders.
• Review expenses (and timesheets for part-time employees), ensuring coding is accurate.
• Oversee the annual revenue and expense budget process under the leadership of the President & CEO. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of external economic conditions.
• Formulate and recommend sound fiscal policies, systems, procedures, tools, and controls, including adjustments to the financial management manual.  Oversees the development of and adherence to internal control policies.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of required tax reports to external sources such as the IRS.  Ensure operations follow applicable rules and regulations for government compliance (e.g., DC non-profit reporting, 990 filings, etc.).
• Ensure maintenance of appropriate internal controls, financial systems and financial procedures.
• As assigned by the President & CEO, maintain relationships with vendors and banks, monitor organization insurance coverage, administer contracts, evaluate credit card and expense report processing options.

Human Resources

• Maintain and update Employee Handbook and compliance with appropriate human resource and employment practice standards, and oversee annual employee evaluation process.
• As assigned by the President & CEO, manage HR and payroll functions currently managed under a PEO, ensure effective delivery of HR functions (e.g., compensation and benefits), onboard and offboard all employees and interns.

IT Administration

• Oversee the assessment, development and direction of IT and cyber security needs including but not limited to vendor selection, implementing, and maintaining hardware and software systems.

Leadership, Management, and Organizational Strategy

• Work with the President & CEO to implement strategic, fiscal, and organizational planning objectives.
• Lead strategic cross-functional initiatives to completion and ensure clear ownership, efficiency, effectiveness, and values alignment.
• Identify, recommend, and implement new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform other tasks as requested by the President & CEO.

Job Specifications/Requirements

Physical demands: the work environment is typical of professional office settings, including noise levels. The ability to move items weighing 50 pounds or less, including documents, meeting materials, office technology and other materials for Board meetings and retreats with or without assistance, is required.

In addition to demonstrating functional proficiencies integral to “Responsibilities” as set forth above, the successful candidate will possess these qualifications:

• Education, Experience, and Background Verification

1. 1. A bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field is required (MBA or CPA a plus), with 7-10 years of relevant, progressive work experience in operations and finance, preferably in non-profit, foundation or association roles.
   2. Experience in financial management/accounting, compliance, contracts, budget development, and overseeing outsourced human resources and IT functions preferred.
   3. Suitability to be underwritten for surety bonding, if required at any time by WISPA (WISPA-paid). Note: employment contingent upon successful completion of WISPA-commissioned third-party background checks with clear findings.

• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

1. 1. Excellence in organizational, analytical, interpersonal and communication (oral, written and proofreading) skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Ability to develop and implement organizational systems and processes. Ability to gather, analyze, and summarize data (especially financial) for reports and find solutions to business challenges.
   2. Critical thinking skills, to:  i) solve problems quickly and to take appropriate action, ii) determine, organize, and manage multiple simultaneous priorities, and iii) meet established deadlines with speed and accuracy.
   3. Sound judgment in the performance of assigned tasks, demonstrated by the exercise of discretion, tact, initiative, confidentiality, and decorum.
   4. Team orientation, evidenced by willingness to help, ability to take initiative and follow-through.

• Physical Demands/Work Environment

1. 1. Handling office tasks, such as: i) filing, generating reports and presentations, hosting and attending meetings.
   2. Using computers to generate reports, create presentations, and conduct research; including proficiency in desktop/laptop/tablet hardware and software applications (Microsoft Office 365 – Word, Excel, PowerPoint – Adobe Acrobat, etc.)
   3. Maintaining professional demeanor (polite composure when communicating interpersonally and via phone, e-mail, and mail); anticipating the needs of others to ensure their seamless and positive experience.
   4. Additional requirements include the ability to: i) travel occasionally for scheduled meetings, conferences, and training, ii) work outside of the regularly scheduled workday periodically (e.g., weekend Board meetings and other events), iii) sit and work at a desk/computer for extended periods of time, and iv) be self-motivated.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Management experience required, as this position will be accountable for internal and/or external human resources as directed by the CEO.

Residency, Compensation, Benefits

This position is based, and open to candidates residing, in the Washington, DC area, with an expectation that the successful candidate will serve at least three days per week in-office (remaining days can be remote). No relocation assistance will be provided. Compensation for this exempt position will be commensurate with experience. WISPA offers comprehensive employee benefits including PTO, 401(k) with company match, and group health, dental/vision, and short- and long-term disability insurance plans. WISPA is an equal opportunity employer.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work but is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all required duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.