Director of Finance and Operations

Director of Finance and Operations
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Newark NJ

Overview

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is in a season that demands both courage and discipline.

As the racial justice sector contracts nationally the conditions that gave rise to our work structural inequality attacks on democracy barriers to wealthjusticeand opportunity have only deepened.

In this moment durable progress will be shaped by institutions capable of building power telling the truth shaping narrative and advancing structural change at the state and local level.

It will be carried by institutions like the Institute that are strong enough to fight and build at the same time institutions capable of building power from the ground up while sustaining the infrastructure necessary for durable change.

The Institute has grown significantly in recent years in the size of our team budget influence and statewide impact. We are implementing the recommendations of the first-of-its-kind New Jersey Reparations Council advancing our racial justiceadvocacyand expanding our litigation capacity. We are deepening our presence in communities across New Jersey and helping shape a national conversation about the role of states in advancing racial justice.

To meet this moment we are seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to serve as a senior leader who will ensure that our internal systems financial stewardship and operational discipline are as strong as our advocacy.

Reporting to the President & CEO this person serves as the Institutes senior operational and financial leader. This roleis responsible fortranslating strategy into execution and ensuring the long-term sustainability of an institution built to endure.

Key Responsibilities

Finance

• Lead annual and multi-year budgeting forecasting and financial planning.

• Oversee cash flow managementreservesstrategy and long-term financial sustainability planning.

• Ensureaccurategrant accounting revenue tracking and expense allocation across all funding streams.

• Develop financial models and scenario analyses to guide strategic decision-making in a volatile funding environment.

• Present clear accessible financial reports and strategic insights to the President & CEO Board Treasurer and Board Committees.

• Oversee annual audit preparation tax filings and regulatory compliance in partnership with external auditors and accounting partners.

• Establish and strengthen internal controls financial policies and risk management systems to safeguard organizational assets.

Operations & Infrastructure

• Oversee the Institutes operational systems aligning staffing structure and administrative capacity with strategic priorities.

• Supervise core administrative functions including finance IT facilities procurement and vendor management.

• Ensure payroll benefits and reimbursement systemsoperatewith accuracy and accountability.

• Build operational systems capable of scaling with continued growth in staff programs and geographic reach.

• Support seniormanagementcoordination and disciplined execution of key initiatives.

• Ensure the Institutemaintainsa culture of accountability equity and collaboration by strengthening operational systems clarifying processes and supporting cross-department coordination fostering a high-performing work environment.

Organizational Planning & Execution

• Partner with the CEO and Senior Management Team to translate strategic priorities into operational plans budgets and measurable benchmarks.

• Oversee tracking and reporting on implementation of the Strategic Planidentifyingrisks or capacitygapsand recommending adjustments.

• Lead operational planning processes that align staffing budget and programmatic growth.

• Oversee RFP processes and consultant engagements ensuring clear scopes accountability and alignment with organizational priorities.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure Institute compliance with all financial legal and regulatory requirements including nonprofit tax filings and lobbying reporting.

• Partner with the CEO and Governance Committee tomaintainstrong governance practices and risk oversight.

• Coordinate with outside counsel on matters related to contracts compliance and risk management.

Board & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the CEO and the Board including attending Board and Board Committee meetings ensuringappropriate coordination gathering data preparation of materials andtimelyfollow-up on action items.

• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Boards Audit Finance and Investment Committees.

• Maintain Board records including attendance engagement and giving in coordination with the administrative director.

• Support CEO and the Chair of the Governance Committee in developing andmaintaininga pipeline of Prospective Trustees to ensure that the Institute has a list of potential new Board members with the skills and experience tobenefitthe Institute.

• CoordinateBoardself-assessments and governance processes working with the Governance Committee and external consultants.

Development

• Partner with the Development Team to align financial planning withfundraisingstrategy.

• Develop grant budgets and ensuretimely compliant financial reporting to funders.

• Provide revenue forecasting and scenario planning to support diversification of funding streams.

• Monitor progress toward annual and multi-year revenue targets in partnership with the CEO and Development leadership.

Attributes

• Deep commitment to the Institutes mission and vision with a demonstrated dedication to advancing racial justice and aligning decisions with organizational values.

• Strategic and systems thinker who can translate big-picture goals into clear actionable plans balancing long-term vision with day-to-day execution.

• Bias toward action and accountability with a proactive solutions-oriented approach and the ability tooperateeffectively in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift conditions change and adaptability is essential to delivering results.

Qualifications & Experience

• The ideal candidate willpossessaBachelorsdegree in Nonprofit Management Business Administration Public Administration Accounting or a related field; aMastersdegree is preferred but notrequired.

• A CPA or similar financial certification is preferred; however candidates with equivalent professional experience will be considered.

• 810 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit operations andfinancial management.

• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing budgets of $5M or more.

• Deepexpertisein nonprofit financial planning grant accounting compliance and audit management.

• Experience scaling systems and infrastructure in a growing organization.

• Experience working closely with an engaged Board of Trustees particularly Audit Finance and Investment Committees.

• A demonstrated commitment to racial justice and advancing mission-driven impact.

• Sound judgment steady leadership and the ability to build systems without building bureaucracy.

Compensation:
This is a full-time exempt position with a salary range of $150000$175000commensuratewith experience.

Benefits:

• Medical Dental and Vision Insurance Eligible from day one with 85% employer contribution.

• Employer-Paid Life Insurance.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Includes medical commuter and dependent care plans.

• Medical Reimbursement Plan.

• 401(k) Plan Eligible after90 daysof employment with a 3% safe harbor contribution.

• Generous Paid Time Off Vacationsick personal and holiday leave.

Application Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered pleasesubmita cover letterresumeand three professional references. Attach all required documentstothis job posting.

For inquiries please contact our recruitment team atemailprotected ensuring that you reference the specific position in your email.

About the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice:
Founded in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein the Institute builds reparative systems that create wealth transform justice and expand democratic power from the ground up.

The Institutes racial justice workdriven by a dynamic team and stellar Board of Trusteeshas become a national model for states as places to build community power.

Through an integrated strategy that weaves together community organizing research public education narrative change advocacy and litigation the Institute turnspeople powerinto durable change.

The Instituteadvocates forsystemic reform that is at once transformative achievable in the state and replicable in communities across the nation.