Senior Director, Finance

Organization Overview:

Liberty Hill Foundation is at the forefront of advancing justice and equity in Los Angeles County, working to build power in communities most affected by systemic oppression. Guided by our bold new Strategic Plan and innovative operating model, we empower those closest to the challenges with the tools, resources, and leadership to create meaningful change.

At the foundation of our work is an unwavering commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), which shapes every aspect of our culture and decision-making. This is complemented by a results-oriented approach, anchored in a leadership framework that prioritizes authority, accountability, collaboration, and adaptability at every level. These values ensure that Liberty Hill not only reflects the transformative change we seek in the world but also delivers meaningful, measurable impact.

With a renewed focus on our infrastructure, Liberty Hill is embracing an exciting period of growth and transformation. We are aligning our programs, grantmaking, and advocacy to amplify impact, strengthen partnerships, and move us closer to a more equitable future.

This is a pivotal moment in Liberty Hill's evolution, offering new opportunities to shape the future of social justice in Los Angeles County and beyond.

Position Overview:

Liberty Hill Foundation (LHF) is a progressive community foundation with a $30M annual budget and a growing portfolio of government contracts, donor advised funds, and community initiatives. The Senior Director, Finance & Accounting will play a critical leadership role in strengthening LHF's financial infrastructure, ensuring compliance with GAAP, OMB Uniform Guidance, and funder requirements, while building systems that support a nimble and people-centered organization.

Leadership & Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight of accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, grant invoicing, and general ledger management.
• Supervise, mentor, and support the accounting team (Junior Staff Accountant, Accounts Payable Specialist, Grant Accountant).
• Collaborate cross departmentally to ensure accounting practices align with organizational priorities and funder requirements.
• Lead process improvement initiatives to strengthen efficiency, compliance, and integration of systems.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Design and enforce strong internal controls, ensuring appropriate segregation of duties, fraud risk mitigation, and transparent approval processes.
• Oversee financial compliance with generally accepted accounting procedures particularly as relates to contributions, program revenue, accounts receivables, pledges receivables, including training, and monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with OMB Uniform Guidance, federal, state, and local funder requirements.
• Maintain policies and procedures that reflect best practices in nonprofit finance and accounting.
• Partner with the Director of Government Contract Administration & Compliance to ensure accurate recording of government contract revenue and related receivables, while that team retains responsibility for funder compliance monitoring.

Financial Reporting, Audit & Taxes

• Develop mastery of LHF's monthly close process, reconciliations, and GAAP reporting, with the expectation of assuming full responsibility for financial statement preparation.
• Partner with the retiring Controller to lead the transition of annual audit responsibilities, including preparation of audit schedules, financial statements, and footnotes and similarly with the Form 990.
• Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors within the first year.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Partner with the CFO and senior leadership to develop the annual budget.
• Lead bi-annual reforecasting processes, ensuring accountability for variances and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Partner with the CFO to provide financial analysis and modeling to support planning, cash flow management, and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee reporting, budgeting, and planning for compliance/grants reporting.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Oversee implementation and optimization of accounting, payroll, and reporting systems to enhance efficiency and integration.
• Ensure accurate coding, reconciliations, and timely month-end close.
• Ensure consistent reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure timely payments to vendors.
• Develop and maintain policies, standard operating procedures, and training materials for accounting processes.
• Establish and report on KPIs for accounting operations (e.g., close cycle time, invoice turnaround, error rates, reconciliation timeliness

Requirements:

What you will have:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field or equivalent lived/work experience. CPA or Master's preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years progressive nonprofit accounting experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in fund accounting, management of multi-year grants, budgeting and planning.
• Proven experience leading audits, preparing GAAP-compliant financial statements, and managing budgets in a complex nonprofit environment.
• Experience implementing or upgrading accounting systems or other third party procurement and accounts payable software programs.

Skills & Abilities

• Commitment to equity, transparency, and operationalizing LHF's values in finance and accounting.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and team-building skills, with the ability to grow into senior leadership.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial data clearly to diverse audiences.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting systems; knowledge of Blackbaud Financial Edge, Paylocity, , or similar platforms a plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Physical Asks

• Ability to engage in a hybrid remote work environment in our shared downtown co-working space or working remotely.
• Ability to travel for in-person co-working, meetings, events and live in Los Angeles County.

Benefits

• Comprehensive coverage for employee healthcare, vision, and dental at 100%.
• Employer contribution and match for 403b retirement savings.
• Stipend to support remote work.
• 10 Days of paid vacation time the first year, and 58 hours of sick time.
• Generous benefit of 30 paid holidays.
• 2 dedicated Volunteer Days.
• Fridays off throughout August.
• Summer Break is the first week in July, and Winter Break is the last two weeks of December.