Senior Associate, Finance Operations

POSITION LEVEL: Sr. Manager

SUPERVISOR: Senior Executive of Operations

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION: Advocates for Youth (Advocates) partners with young people and their adult allies to champion youth rights to bodily autonomy and build power to transform policies, programs and systems to secure sexual health and equity for all youth. Advocates for Youth envisions a society in which all young people are valued, respected, and treated with dignity; sexuality is accepted as a healthy part of being human; and youth sexual development is normalized and embraced. In such a world, all youth and young adults are celebrated for who they are and afforded honest, affirming, inclusive sex education; access to confidential, universal sexual health services; and the economic, educational, and social power to exercise their bodily autonomy and make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being. The organization has a youth activist network 100,000+ strong and is active on 1,200 college campuses and in hundreds of communities across the U.S.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Senior Associate, Finance Operations plays a key role in supporting Advocates for Youth’s financial stewardship and operational effectiveness. This position brings together financial planning and analysis, grants management, and core accounting functions to ensure accurate and timely reporting, strong compliance, and informed decision-making across the organization. This role meets regularly with Development team and serves as a key liaison between Finance and Development, fostering strong communication, alignment, and shared understanding of funding and financial priorities

This role is well-suited for someone who is detail-oriented, collaborative, and comfortable navigating multiple priorities in a mission-driven environment. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to supporting financial practices that align with Advocates for Youth’s values.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Planning & Analysis:

• In partnership with the Comptroller and Senior Executive of Operations (SEO), support the development and ongoing management of the organization’s annual budget, including forecasting and reforecasts. Collaborate closely with budget managers across the organization to develop, refine, and maintain department-level budgets.
• Monitor revenue and expenses, analyze budget-to-actual performance, and partner regularly with budget managers to review financial performance, support informed decision-making, and ensure alignment with organizational priorities.
• Work closely with the Development team to ensure revenue projections are updated on a monthly basis. In addition, work with budget managers to update budgets as necessary. Keep track of budget revisions and update SEO of any flags.
• Assist the SEO in preparing cash flow projections and forecasts

Grant Management:

• Lead financial tracking and oversight for grants and other funding sources, ensuring alignment with funder requirements and organizational priorities
• Maintain working knowledge of diverse funding streams including private foundations, corporate donors, individual donors, and government (state and federal) grants and contracts and apply that knowledge to financial management and compliance
• Partner closely with program staff to support accurate, timely financial reporting and ensure alignment with grant agreements and funding restrictions and requirements
• Lead the development of program budgets in support of foundation and government grant proposals, and prepare financial reports and documentation related to funded activities, including required compliance materials
• Collaborate with the Development team to support funding pipeline planning, including providing financial insight on proposals, revenue projections, and funding strategies

Accounting & Finance Operations:

• Work closely with the Comptroller to support month-end and year-end close processes, including reconciliations, journal entries, and preparation of financial statements. This includes coordination of key accounting activities such as bank reconciliations, cash receipts and disbursements, payroll, receivables, payables, journal entries, and net asset tracking
• Partner with the Finance and IT Coordinator to support accounts payable and receivable processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and appropriate review and approval of invoices and outgoing payments
• Maintain the integrity of financial data and support compliance with nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP), including consistent documentation and strong audit trails
• Contribute to the audit and tax preparation processes, including preparing schedules and documentation for the annual audit and Form 990, and coordinating with external auditors
• Partner with the Finance team to strengthen systems and internal controls, streamline processes, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations through innovation and systematization
• Assist the Senior Executive of Operations (SEO) in the preparation and submission of fringe and indirect cost rate proposals, as applicable
• Review and approve company credit card reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with organizational policies
• Support day-to-day financial operations as needed, including activities such as bank deposits, wire transfers, and other administrative financial tasks

Financial Management & Organizational Partnership:

• Partner with staff across the organization to support budget management, strengthen financial literacy/clarity, and promote shared accountability
• Assist in the development and maintenance of financial policies, procedures, and documentation to ensure compliance and alignment with best practices
• Serve as a resource to colleagues, fostering a collaborative and supportive approach to financial management and building financial understanding across team

Other Operations duties as assigned (Examples below)

• Assist with reviewing contracts when necessary and other general business/compliance needs like insurance policies, registrations, taxes and similar matters.
• Assists in managing office administration efforts

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 4–6 years of experience in nonprofit finance, accounting, or financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, and grants management; experience in a mission-driven organization preferred
• Experience supporting organizational budgeting and financial planning (FP&A), including tracking revenue and expenses and contributing to financial analysis
• Experience managing or supporting grant financial processes, including tracking, budget development, reporting, and compliance with funder requirements
• Working knowledge of core accounting functions, including month-end close, reconciliations, and accounts payable/receivable processes; familiarity with GAAP and fund accounting principles
• Experience supporting audit/990 preparation and working with external auditors preferred
• Experience with financial systems; advanced experience with Sage Intacct and Bill.com strongly preferred
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across teams, including program and development staff
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to improve or streamline financial processes and systems
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights
• Experience working in a hybrid or remote work environment preferred
• Commitment to Advocates for Youth’s mission and goals.