Senior Director of Finance

Role Description

The Savanna Institute invites applications for a Senior Director of Finance, the Institute’s top finance role, reporting directly to the Executive Director. Responsibilities include all financial operations (internal and contracted) and planning.

We welcome applicants from both nonprofit and for-profit finance backgrounds. Candidates with strong financial leadership experience in the private sector who have meaningfully engaged with nonprofit organizations — for example, through board or finance committee service — are encouraged to apply. Familiarity with fund accounting principles is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressive finance experience in a senior leadership role, in the nonprofit sector or in the private sector with substantial nonprofit engagement (e.g., board or finance committee service)
• Minimum 3 years of direct supervisory or management experience, including responsibility for hiring, performance management, and team development; experience managing outside vendors or contracted service providers is a plus
• Solid working knowledge of fund accounting principles and nonprofit financial reporting
• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
• Experience with cloud-based financial management systems; proficiency in Sage Intacct or comparable software (e.g., NetSuite, Blackbaud Financial Edge) is required
• Experience implementing or managing financial systems and designing financial processes
• Experience supporting board and executive leadership with financial reporting and analysis
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial information for non-financial audiences
• Commitment to participating in an open and collaborative environment
• Willingness to work independently with strong self-direction

Requirements

• CPA or equivalent advanced credential (preferred)
• Direct experience in nonprofit finance, including grants management (preferred)
• Experience managing audits and contracted finance services (preferred)
• Experience with subsidiary or multi-entity financial oversight (preferred)
• Familiarity with agricultural, conservation, or environmental organizations (preferred)
• Public speaking and board presentation experience (preferred)

Benefits

• 160 hours (20 days) of paid time off annually plus 11 civic holidays
• 480 hours (12 weeks) of parental/disability leave annually
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Monthly home office stipend
• Cafeteria-style benefits plan that includes options for:
• Monthly stipend for reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan
• Dependent care pre-tax account
• Flex spending account
• Health savings account