Director of Finance

Empowering Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

At Lauren's Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.), we believe in empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through education, support, and compassion.

Why You'll Love Working at L.I.F.E.:

Salary: $80,000 - $100,000 annually

Monday through Friday

Great Benefits:

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Spring, Fall and Winter Paid breaks
• 12 Paid Holidays
• PTO that grows with you: 2 weeks (3 after 2 years)
• Wellness Program: earn rewards + insurance discounts
• 401K + Roth plans with company match
• Partial Paid FMLA
• This equates to an added 20 - 25% in potential benefits for total compensation.

Awesome Perks:

• 5 free L.I.F.E. shirts to start, with seasonal restocks
• Monthly cupcakes, football treats, and staff celebrations
• Employee of the Month gift + parking spot
• Birthday gifts + recognition for service milestones
• Department budgets for staff-requested items
• Discounted degree options + in-house trainings
• Eligible for federal student loan forgiveness (L.I.F.E. is a 501(c)(3))
• 10-acre facility with a thoughtfully designed and beautiful outdoor environment

Key Responsibilities:

• Represents the organization's philosophy, values, and mission statement.
• Collaborates with the L.I.F.E. Leadership Team to ensure Organizational needs are met.
• Acts as departmental liaison to be able to effectively communicate their individual teams' needs while representing Top Management's direction.
• Prepares for and attends meetings.
• Represents the organization at industry-related events, fundraisers, and community outreach opportunities.
• Assists with the organization of community events/open houses/special programming.
• Maintains availability for the needs of the organization as needed.
• Adheres to and helps maintain the code of ethics and employee handbook.
• Ensures positive team morale.
• Ensures employees meet departmental expectations and organizational policies and procedures.
• Meets with staff/parents/consumers to resolve grievances and other matters as needed.
• Ensures open and effective communication with consumers and their families.
• Ensures appropriate response time to all communications.
• Conducts business analysis of current operations/new ventures.
• Conducts visits to associated community partners as needed.
• Seeks out and attends professional development at least annually.
• Ensures organizational financial well-being and budget compliance.
• Maintains contact with funding sources as needed.
• Policy/procedure development.
• Oversees and ensures compliance with Safety Protocols.
• Research and develop new programming to stay current on how to best serve the consumer's needs.
• Assists with the development and implementation of marketing strategies.
• Research and implement effective strategies and technologies.
• Oversee daily financial operations, including accounting, billing, payroll coordination, and financial record management.
• Supervise finance team members and ensure completion of assigned duties in alignment with organizational standards.
• Maintain accurate financial records and ensure proper documentation and audit trails across all transactions.
• Oversee billing processes for client services, including submissions to applicable funding sources (e.g., state and payer systems).
• Ensure timely and accurate revenue cycle management and reconciliation.
• Prepare, review, and present financial statements, reports, and analyses to leadership, board members, and other stakeholders.
• Provide regular insights into financial performance, trends, and risks to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Support the development, monitoring, and management of organizational budgets.
• Ensure alignment between financial planning and operational goals.
• Establish and maintain internal controls, financial policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory, audit, and organizational requirements.
• Oversee preparation for external audits and support internal audit processes as needed.
• Ensure proper handling of restricted funds, donations, and grant-related financial tracking.
• Evaluate, implement, and enhance financial systems, controls, and workflows to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Recommend changes to financial strategies, policies, and procedures to strengthen organizational performance.
• Maintain relationships with financial institutions, auditors, vendors, and other external partners.
• Collaborate with internal departments to support financial needs and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Generate and provide financial and operational reports as requested by executive leadership.
• Support leadership with financial presentations and ad hoc analysis.
• Assist with vendor and subcontractor financial oversight and documentation.
• Support communication across departments and with external stakeholders as needed.
• Perform other duties consistent with the role and organizational needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Prior experience or bachelor's degree in related field required.
• Strong Computer Skills & Literacy
• Accounting Skills
• Budgeting Skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Oral and Written Communication Skills
• Customer Service Skills
• Diplomacy
• Math Aptitude
• Organization
• Professionalism
• Time Management and Ability to Multi-task

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, or human services financial management
• Familiarity with Arizona funding sources, including DDD, AHCCCS, grants, and other state or insurance-based reimbursement models
• Experience with financial audits, including preparation for and coordination of external and internal audits
• Knowledge of compliance requirements related to regulated funding sources and financial reporting
• Experience with accounting and financial management systems (e.g., general ledger, payroll, billing platforms)
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, reporting, and data analysis
• Demonstrated experience developing or improving financial processes, controls, and reporting structures
• Experience managing or supervising finance or accounting staff
• Strong ability to support leadership with financial strategy, forecasting, and decision-making

Physical Demands:

This position requires a combination of routine administrative activity and occasional physical tasks. Employees must be able to:

• Sit, communicate, and remain attentive to surroundings for extended periods
• Occasionally stand, walk, bend, kneel, or reach as part of daily responsibilities
• Lift and move up to 50 pounds when assisting consumers with mobility, transfers, equipment, or program materials
• Push or move items up to 50 pounds, such as wheelchairs, furniture, or supplies
• Maintain adequate vision (close, distance, and peripheral) to complete job-related tasks safely and effectively