Director of Finance & Grants

Job Description

Job Description

Reporting to the VP of Finance and working closely with the leadership team, the Director of Finance and Grants will ensure strong financial stewardship across the organization and provide clear financial insights to support decision-making and program success.

This leader will oversee program budgeting, financial reporting, audit management, and grant financial compliance while leading and developing a team of finance professionals. The role requires someone who enjoys balancing strategic thinking, operational execution, and team leadership in a mission-driven environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strengthening Financial Planning and Visibility

• The manager will help strengthen financial planning processes and ensure leadership and programming teams have clear insight into financial performance and funding sustainability. Lead the organization’s financial planning and budgeting processes while helping leadership translate strategy into sustainable financial plans. Lead the annual budgeting process and long-range financial planning
• Partner with program leaders to develop grant and program budgets
• Monitor financial performance and key financial KPIs
• Support strategic planning and long-term financial sustainability

Supporting Complex Grant-Funded Programs

• A large portion of Akin’s funding comes from government and grant sources. The Finance & Grants Manager will ensure strong financial oversight, reporting, and compliance with funding requirements.

Financial Operations & Reporting

• Ensure the organization’s financial operations run smoothly and provide clear, actionable insight to leadership.
• Oversee monthly close Journal entries, financial reporting, and budget-to-actual analysis
• Develop dashboards and financial reports for leadership and the board
• Strengthening financial systems, reporting processes, and financial transparency
• Translate financial data into insights for program and executive leaders

Finance Team Leadership & Systems Improvement

• Lead, develop, and mentor the finance team while continuously improving systems and processes.
• Supervise Financial Analyst(s) and support a team of accounting professionals
• Foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement
• Identify opportunities to improve financial systems, workflows, and technology
• Support financial literacy across the organization

Grant Compliance and Grant Proposals

• Support the organization’s large portfolio of locally and federally funded programs through strong financial oversight and compliance.
• Oversee financial management of federal and state grants
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, federal grant requirements, and regulatory reporting
• Manage annual financial and federal audits and serve as primary liaison with auditors
• Maintain cost allocation methodologies and indirect cost structures
• Collaborate with program, development, and operations teams on grant proposals
• Maintain relationships with financial institutions, grantors, and external partners

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong knowledge of nonprofit financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and long-range financial planning
• Knowledge and understanding of GAAP, federal grant regulations, Uniform Guidance, and financial compliance requirements
• Demonstrated experience managing federal, state, and grant-funded programs, including financial oversight, reporting, and compliance monitoring
• Strong understanding of audit processes, internal controls, cost allocation methodologies, and indirect cost structures
• Ability to lead the annual budgeting process and develop sustainable financial plans aligned with organizational strategy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial and operational data and translate findings into actionable insights
• Ability to monitor financial performance, analyze budget-to-actual variances, and track organizational financial KPIs
• Demonstrated effectiveness in communication, including the ability to extract and articulate key business and financial issues in a manner meaningful to a variety of audiences
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate financial concepts clearly to non-finance leaders
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively across cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, development, and program leadership
• Demonstrated knowledge of business principles, theories, and concepts, including operational and strategic planning within nonprofit or healthcare environments
• Strong leadership and team development skills, including experience supervising, mentoring, and developing finance and accounting staff
• Ability to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, learning, and continuous improvement
• Ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, timelines, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills with a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of discretion, confidentiality, and dependability
• Proactive in identifying opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting processes, workflows, and operational efficiencies
• Experience developing dashboards, financial reports, and executive-level reporting tools to support decision-making and financial transparency
• Proficient in MS Windows, MS Office Suite, and MS Outlook, with advanced Microsoft Excel skills required
• Experience with financial management systems, budgeting software, and reporting tools such as MIP, Adaptive, Power BI, or similar systems preferred
• Curious and growth-oriented mindset, with the ability to adapt to change and lead continuous improvement initiatives with minimal supervision
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with auditors, financial institutions, grantors, regulatory agencies, and external partners
• Familiarity with or interest in the principles of accessibility, inclusion, and belonging; and experience working successfully with colleagues, clients, or communities from a variety of backgrounds
• Demonstrated openness to learning and contributing to an inclusive workplace environment

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

This job is performed in a professional office environment. The following list is representative of the work environment employees encounter while performing the essential functions of this job:

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, printers, phones)
• Typical office lighting and temperatures
• Moderate interruptions
• Ability to work in a confined area
• Ability to sit at a computer for an extended period

HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS:

Hybrid work is a benefit of Akin’s flexible workplace but cannot be offered for all positions. Some positions require daily presence in the office. Hybrid work arrangements may be adjusted or rescinded based upon business needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; occasionally to reach, stoop and kneel
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Regular, predictable attendance is required
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5–7+ years of progressive nonprofit financial management experience
• Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff
• Direct experience managing federal or government grant funding, including leading fiscal audits
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial compliance
• Experience in creating and managing an annual operating budget 10M+
• Strong communications skills and ability to work across functional teams
• Ability to communicate financial concepts clearly to non-finance leaders

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• CPA or MBA, other related master's degree
• Experience in behavioral health or healthcare system settings
• Experience with specific systems (MIP, Adaptive, Power BI. etc.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position.

The target starting pay for this position is $110,718 - $138,403 per year, typically within the first half of the range. Actual offers will be based on individual qualifications relevant to the role and will not take an applicant’s pay history into account.

The range above allows our employees room for growth during their tenure in the position.