Seattle Pacific Foundation, Director of Finance and Treasurer

Job Description: Who We Are Seattle Pacific University is a Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community. The Seattle Pacific Foundation supports the mission and long-term sustainability of Seattle Pacific University through faithful stewardship of charitable assets, endowments, trusts, and donor-directed resources. Working closely with university leadership, the Foundation Board, and financial partners, the Foundation helps ensure resources are managed with integrity, accountability, and care in support of students, programs, and institutional priorities. What We Need Seattle Pacific University is seeking a Foundation Director of Finance and Treasurer to provide financial leadership, stewardship, and oversight for the Seattle Pacific Foundation’s accounting, treasury, investment, trust, and financial reporting activities. This is an on-campus position based in Seattle, WA. Reporting to the Vice President for Business and Finance, this role is responsible for maintaining the integrity of Foundation financial operations through strong accounting practices, internal controls, audit coordination, investment and trust accounting, regulatory compliance, and governance reporting. The Director serves as an important partner to Foundation leadership, the Foundation Board and its committees, University Advancement, and SPU’s Business & Finance division to ensure Foundation assets are managed responsibly and financial reporting remains accurate, transparent, and compliant. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail. This role requires an individual who can understand both financial detail and broader institutional priorities, work independently, supervise Foundation accounting operations, and communicate effectively with trustees, auditors, staff, and university leaders. The Foundation Director of Finance and Treasurer position supports Seattle Pacific University’s mission by contributing to a Christ‑centered learning and working community committed to academic excellence, service, and engagement with the world. In this role, the employee brings their skills, gifts, and professional expertise to work that matters—serving students, colleagues, and the broader University community in ways that reflect SPU’s values and purpose. To that end, all University employees are required to be aligned with and supportive of SPU's Statement of Faith and its derivative policies and lifestyle expectations. What You’ll Do Foundation Financial Leadership & Stewardship Provide financial leadership and oversight for Seattle Pacific Foundation accounting, treasury, trust, and investment-related operations Maintain the integrity of Foundation financial records, transactions, and reporting systems Monitor and strengthen financial controls, processes, and procedures to safeguard Foundation assets and ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulations Coordinate with university financial leadership to ensure consistency in Foundation and University financial reporting, reconciliations, and related accounting activity Financial Reporting, Audit & Compliance Supervise preparation of Foundation financial statements, related schedules, and financial reporting materials Coordinate and oversee annual Foundation financial statement audits and related audit activity, serving as liaison with independent auditors Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Foundation policies, and applicable regulatory requirements Oversee preparation and filing of required financial and trust-related reports and tax filings, including Forms 990, 1099, 5227, and related reporting obligations Routinely analyze and interpret accounting guidance related to investments, charitable trusts, and nonprofit accounting practices Investment, Endowment & Trust Accounting Coordinate with investment managers to ensure accurate accounting and reporting of investment and trust activity Oversee accounting for Foundation investment pools, endowment funds, trusts, and related financial activity, including market gains/losses, distributions, and unitized pool accounting procedures Monitor endowment-related transactions and spending allocations to ensure appropriate accounting treatment and financial stewardship Support trustor relationships by assisting with financial reporting, distributions, and trust-related communication as needed Board & Governance Support Prepare and present financial reports, analysis, and supporting materials for the Foundation Board and Board committees Support financial reporting needs for University leadership, the Board of Trustees, and related governance groups as requested Maintain appropriate financial records and documentation supporting Foundation governance and fiduciary responsibilities Operations, Systems & Staff Supervision Provide oversight and supervision for Foundation accounting operations and staff Supervise, coach, and support the Foundation Staff Accountant through training, communication, performance feedback, and professional development Support budget monitoring, disbursement systems, approvals, and financial controls related to Foundation transactions Coordinate with university partners on accounting system improvements and financial reporting enhancements What You Bring Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or closely related field Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible accounting or finance experience, including supervisory experience Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, internal controls, and audit practices Experience with investment accounting, charitable trusts, endowment accounting, or similar financial structures Familiarity with nonprofit, foundation, fund accounting, or higher education accounting environments Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret accounting guidance, professional literature, regulations, and financial information High level of proficiency with Excel, spreadsheet design, financial systems, and reporting tools Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion Ability to work independently while understanding both detailed financial activity and broader institutional priorities Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy and stewardship Mission Alignment: A personal commitment to Christian faith; enthusiasm for supporting SPU’s mission; alignment with the University’s Statement of Faith; and willingness to uphold the lifestyle standards of our Christian community Preferred Qualifications CPA licensure Experience in higher education, nonprofit, foundation, or endowment accounting environments Experience supporting financial reporting to Boards, trustees, committees, or governance groups Experience supervising audits and complex financial reporting processes Master’s degree or additional advanced accounting or finance coursework Compensation & Position Details Salary: Starting at $140,000 annually, commensurate with experience Status: Full-time, exempt Department: Seattle Pacific Foundation Reports To: Vice President for Business and Finance Location: On-campus in Seattle, WA (not eligible for remote work) Benefits: SPU pays employee premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance; provides HSA/HRA contributions; contributes 7% to a retirement account with immediate vesting (as eligible); and offers a tuition discount program for employees and qualified dependents. Additional Information: How to Apply Please complete the online application through Workday and be prepared to submit the following materials: Resume Cover Letter We look forward to hearing how your unique talents and giftings make you a great fit for this role and how you can contribute to the mission of SPU! Founded in 1891, Seattle Pacific University has a long and distinguished history in Christian higher education. Located just minutes from downtown Seattle, SPU seeks to be a premier Christian University fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community. Seattle Pacific University seeks applicants committed to its Christian mission. As part of our mission of cultural engagement, SPU is committed to building an excellent staff and faculty that reflects a broad range of talents, experiences and perspectives. Valuing the full array of God's created humanity is an ethos that is inseparable from our Christian faith. At SPU, we recognize this full human array as a basic feature of God's creation and a core theme of the gospel. At the heart of our mission-centered commitment is a desire to represent the breadth of God's kingdom more fully. We strive to become a workplace to recruit, develop, and retain faculty and staff who can embrace, value, and engage differences with humility and care. We invite you to join us on our journey by starting a career at SPU! Seattle Pacific University provides reasonable accommodation to applicants. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the application or hiring process please contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io, or email View email address on click.appcast.io. Notification must be given at least five (5) working days before the accommodation is needed. This small volume, SPU: Who We Are, gathers key documents that articulate the identity and guiding principles of Seattle Pacific — our statement of faith, our enduring commitments, and our expectations for life together in a diverse, academic community. These statements are more than policies; they form the shared framework within which we pursue our mission as educators, scholars, staff, and colleagues. SPU is committed to helping all members of the SPU community provide for their own safety and security. Each year, in compliance with federal law, SPU publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This compliance document is available on the SPU website. A print version of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at the Office of Safety and Security at 601 West Emerson Street, Seattle, WA 98119, or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io. SPU’s report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as crime prevention, fire safety, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus. The report also contains information about reported crimes for the three previous calendar years that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SPU; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus In addition, the report contains information about fires occurring in on-campus student housing facilities during the three preceding calendar years. This information is required by law and is provided by the Seattle Pacific University Office of Safety and Security.