Director of Finance

Position Title:  Director of Finance

Reports to: Managing Director of Finance & Assets

Location: Preference for candidates based in Portland, OR; open to remote work from WA, OR, and AK with monthly travel to SE Portland office. 

Starting Salary: $98,000 to $109,000 → Starting salary will be based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The starting salary will not exceed this posted range.  

Full Annual Salary Range for Level: $87,000 to $131,000 

Posting Date: 4/7/25 

Application Deadline: Open until filled, with priority given to applications received by April 25, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: May 27, 2025 

Learn more about this position by listening to an info session about the position:
HERE 
Passcode: #1F=X0!J

Overview 

Who we are 

Ecotrust creates and accelerates triple-bottom-line innovations to benefit our region and inspire the world. On the farm, at the coast, in the forest, and across our cities, we work in partnership towards an equitable, prosperous, climate-smart future. Since 1991, we have created durable change and sparked ideas across the globe. Ecotrust holds a deep commitment to equity and diversity as core principles integral to the work we do. As we add new members across all levels of the organization, we seek diverse perspectives and lived experiences that we believe foster learning, creativity, innovation, and equity. Learn more at Ecotrust.org. 

Job Summary 

Ecotrust seeks a highly skilled Director of Finance (The Director) who will oversee all core aspects of financial management, accounting and reporting, protecting the Organization’s financial health during a period of organizational change. The role will include developing, implementing and overseeing new systems, policies and processes, as well as managing ongoing and annual financial operations that span from the budget through the financial audit.  They will develop and lead an integrated and dynamic Finance Team, currently 3 staff members, that is responsive to the changing needs of the organization, while working closely with internal colleagues across the Organization, as well as with a range of external finance contacts. The Director of Finance will ensure long-term financial and organizational health, impact, and sustainability at every level across the organization, and contribute to the development and implementation of the organization’s annual priorities.

They will report to the Managing Director of Finance & Assets, while working closely and cross-functionally with members of the Leadership Team; and a strategic partner on initiatives in the organization related to programmatic activities, and fund-development and partnerships.  The Director will be responsible for analyzing and helping us thoughtfully evolve our current finance infrastructure to best support financial opportunities through our tools, curriculum, and resources, while keeping the people who are most impacted—our partners and communities—at the center.

Who you are 

You are passionate about Ecotrust’s mission, and have a demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of community building.  You are deeply invested in having social purpose in your work with a work environment that values learning and collaboration, continuous improvement and accountability.  You have a passion for helping organizations evolve and manage increasingly sophisticated operations and finance functions.  You enjoy partnering with teams to support and equip them to do their best work.

You have a deep understanding of non-profit accounting and are skilled at developing and leading hard-working teams through periods of change, cultivating trust, collaboration, and accountability.  You are exceptional at building relationships, both internally and externally and enjoy working across teams and departments to establish shared goals aimed at achieving organization-wide impact.  You are a clear and effective communicator and are known for delivering high quality work among competing priorities.  You find value in making sophisticated knowledge easy to understand and accessible for all.  You are adept at seeking and using feedback to shape your work.  You are comfortable working with a diverse range of partners, people, and geographies.

Lastly, you have strong equity/justice competencies: 

• Builds systems and policies in support of restorative practices. Shifts power to impacted individuals and groups and leverages personal privileges to actively address oppression in systems, actions, and norms. 
• Promotes anti-oppressive and anti-racist outcomes and works to interrupt systemic injustices. Intentionally incorporates communication, beliefs, thoughts and values of various cultural, racial, ethnic background, religious, social, and other backgrounds into processes, systems, and policies.  
• Affirms and values the lived experiences of colleagues, partners, and impacted parties and provides space for sharing. Builds trust and gains commitment by consistently demonstrating empathy, active listening, and compassion through communications.
• Develops and uses tools and processes that provide for shared decisions and collaboration. Designs processes and approaches based on trauma-informed principles that create a space where all present feel like they are validated and safe to contribute.
• Navigates cross-cultural and inclusion-related dynamics, conflicts, opportunities, and tensions to foster and address barriers to inclusion. Acknowledges that the team, function, and/or organization are only one part of solving a broader problem and brings impacted parties together to solve problems through partnerships.
• Creates mechanisms for feedback, clarifies priorities, and provides options so that colleagues, partners, and impacted parties are not overburdened with requests to provide input. Deliberately ensures collaborators play a central role in the formative stages of projects, processes, and planning. 
• Consistently encourages colleagues, partners, and impacted parties to take informed risks aligned with shared values, supporting a culture of learning from mistakes regardless of role. Models trust-building and relationship-repair by authentically apologizing, learning about the impact, and visibly acting on learning.
• Provides transparency, consistency, and predictability in communications, decisions, and support. Follows up on and ensures systems are in place to follow-up on the well-being of colleagues, partners, and impacted parties. 

Primary Responsibilities
(The activities listed below represent the core functions of this position.)

Organizational Leadership & Culture

• Advise Ecotrust’s leadership on the organization’s financial performance and short/ long-term financial planning, including providing counsel on the investment strategy and reserves
• Work collaboratively with the Executive and Leadership Teams to provide strategic and operational leadership across essential functions of the organization, advised by thorough financial analyses, risk assessments, forward-thinking scenario modeling, and due diligence

• Report financial information and trends to the Board and manage relationships with the Board’s Finance & Audit Committee
• Shape an organization-wide culture of financial literacy and budget accountability, empowering leaders at every level to take ownership of and responsibility for their team’s budgeting and financial needs
• Transparently share information with staff, sharing their knowledge, talent, and perspectives in helping lead and advance essential functions of the organization; serve as a steward of the organizational culture

Strategic Financial Management and Planning

• Be responsible for the overall financial health by ensuring the long-term stability and growth of the organization, balancing operational cash flow management with the strategic use of balance sheet assets
• Support the annual budget process, providing guidance and insights, while collaborating with the Executive and Leadership Teams to think strategically about developing long-term financial plans that stabilize operations, optimize resource allocation and support sustainable growth over the coming years
• Manage and establish relationships with and guide activities of any outsourced firms supporting the organization with accounting, audit, tax (including New Market Tax Credits), banking and investments, creditors, and other financial entities
• Monitor investment performance in collaboration with the Director of Transactions and Asset Management, with consistent tracking, and prepare detailed and summary reports

Finance, Accounting, Contract Compliance, and Organizational Risk Management

• Lead and manage financial management and reporting for Ecotrust and its subsidiaries, including board reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue recognition, grant management, cost management, cash management, month-end closing processes, financial statement preparation, financial reporting, and project-level and enterprise-level budgeting, payroll, credit card management, annual audit, relevant tax filings, and maintaining of business licenses
• Lead contract & legal document review for the organization
• Manage the organization’s insurance policies   
• Support staff as the team develops and manages dynamic financial and business planning models, along with performance measurements, which drive the development of monthly and quarterly reports and the annual budgeting process
• Lead annual audit(s) and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing compliance and taking action
• Collaborate with People and Culture on the maintenance of payroll systems, and ensure policies, procedures and payroll controls are in place 
• Ensure clear and strong financial accountability, planning, and controls through active management and anticipation of future needs
• Use an equity lens, creative problem solving and analytical skills to create options and resolutions to various financial and accounting challenges

Team Management and Capacity Development

• Lead a finance team of three and collaborate with staff outside of the finance department whose work aligns and/or intersects with finance.
• Communicate a compelling vision and strategy for the finance function as well as the team and individual goals to drive successful execution of that strategy
• Manage, coach and mentor a highly effective and diverse team to achieve ambitious results, supporting a high standard of excellence and accountability
• Build a team culture of excellence, transparency, and adaptability
• Demonstrate commitment to grow and develop an equitable and inclusive team culture
• Foster a culture that encourages both learning, growth and innovation
• Model the organization’s values and encourage collaborative, transparent communication across the organization

Responsibilities and tasks outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the organization or employee.

Key Qualifications and Transferable Skills
Transferable skills may be gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for positions where they do not meet 100% of the listed skills and qualifications. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements described, if you believe you are a good fit for the position, we encourage you to apply. A candidate will be assessed on their ability to successfully fulfill or quickly learn these functions.

Qualifications and Experience: 
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Nonprofit Management or equivalent is preferred. A minimum of 5 years of senior-level financial management, with experience and understanding of both nonprofit and for-profit accounting, is expected. Candidates must be a clear communicator and team player, have significant organizational skills, and adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Candidate should bring:

• Demonstrated excellence in managing finance, accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting
• Five-plus years of supervisory experience with a demonstrated ability to coach and collaborate with staff using a hands-on, integrity-driven management style 
• Experience managing financials across different entities (Ecotrust has both for profit and nonprofit operations, and a diverse mix of public and private funding) 
• Skill in examining, developing and reengineering financial, HR, and technology policies and procedures
• Strong familiarity with nonprofit finance and accounting regulations
• Proficiency with accounting/general ledger/HRIS systems with a preference towards Sage (Intacct) and Rippling
• A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality, learning orientation and team approach
• Effective communication abilities, with strong oral and written skills
• Proven record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development 
• Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills including negotiation and conflict-resolution skills
• Deep commitment to Ecotrust’s mission and values, including a demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, with a history of grounding those principles in everyday work.

Additional Information 

This is a full-time, exempt position. 

Please be aware that applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

We believe great benefits make work better: Ecotrust offers equity-centered benefits that strive to recognize employees as whole people and prioritize their overall wellbeing. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee contributions scaled to income, tax-deferred and Roth retirement plans with employer base contributions, term life insurance, and disability coverage. Ecotrust invests in employees' professional development and personal growth. We also offer plentiful paid time off, retreats, and summer fun days.

Working conditions: 

• Occasional travel within our bioregion (OR, WA, CA, and AK) and evening work to attend site visits, events, or other external engagements. 
• At least quarterly travel to Ecotrust office in SE Portland. 
• Long periods of time spent at a computer.
• Engage in regular communication through electronic channels and in person.
• Flexible hybrid schedule available: remote (from home or suitable work space) and/or in-office in SE Portland (open cubicles). 

Ecotrust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a diverse staff of qualified, highly-skilled, and creative individuals is necessary to achieve the vision and mission of the organization. Individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, or other People of Color, people who are queer, trans, non-binary, people with disabilities, people who are immigrants, veterans, people from poor and working class backgrounds, and people who are/have been system-impacted are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here to learn more about equity at Ecotrust. 

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to [email protected]  in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply: Apply via our careers page on JazzHR. Your cover letter should clearly explain how your skills, experience, and interests fit this position. Please limit your cover letter to 1-page maximum. 

The Selection Process: In an effort to be as transparent as possible in our selection process as well as to help expedite bringing new staff on board, below is a timeline of key events:

• Review of Resumes: begins April 25
• First Round Interviews: April 30 - May 2
• Second Round Interviews: May 6 - 8
• Reference checks: May 12
• Extend offer: May 14

While we will proactively communicate these dates and any changes to you throughout the process, please consider placing tentative holds on your calendars for the initial screening and face-to-face interviews.

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To mitigate privileged access to information about the position, our policy is that hiring team members may not meet with candidates who are considering applying for that role. Instead, we offer the information session as a way to equalize access to information about the role for all candidates.