Director of Finance and Operations

About UnCommon LawUnCommon Law fights to ensure that all people incarcerated for violent crime have access to effective legal representation and opportunities for healing. Through our unique, trauma-informed model of advocacy, we provide the space currently missing in the system for healing, accountability, and safe pathways home from prison. In developing new self-narratives, the people we serve are able to more effectively disrupt violence inside and outside prison and become leaders who change negative societal narratives about those incarcerated for violent crime. Our groundbreaking approach is changing policy and outcomes, driven by the voices and experiences of system-impacted communities.About the RoleThe Director of Finance and Operations leads UnCommon Law’s financial and operational infrastructure in service of the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability. This role is both strategic and hands-on: the ideal candidate can develop long-range financial scenarios and planning models while also engaging deeply in the day-to-day details of nonprofit financial management, including coding accuracy, restricted funding tracking, and financial reporting. This position partners closely with organizational leadership and external accountants to support thoughtful decision-making around growth, staffing, program expansion, and funding strategy. The Director of Finance and Operations oversees key operational functions (including facilities management), guides organizational systems and processes, and supervises the Finance & Operations team.This exempt position reports directly to the Deputy Director and offers an annual salary range of $126,400 to $154,050. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our values. New hires are typically placed between the minimum and midpoint range. Final salary offers are determined based on the candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as assessed during the interview process and aligned with our structured salary schedule.Our office is based in Oakland, CA, and we offer a team-dependent hybrid work model to our employees. This role includes responsibility for office operations and will therefore involve a more consistent on-site presence than most positions. Applicants who submit cover letters that are not tailored to the position or the organization will not be considered.Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesStrategic Financial Leadership (30%)Lead organizational financial planning and sustainability analysis, including scenario modeling related to staffing, program growth, and restricted fundingSupport organizational leadership in assessing financial risks, opportunities, and long-term sustainability under changing funding conditionsPartner closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Team Leaders to support strategic decision-making through financial analysis and reportingLead the annual organizational budgeting process in collaboration with Team Leaders and organizational leadershipOversee review of financial reports, projections, and analyses with the Board Finance Committee and other leadership stakeholders, leveraging monthly and quarterly materials from accountantsCollaborate closely with the Development team to align fundraising strategy, grant planning, and organizational financial forecastingReview budget-to-actual reporting with Team Leaders and support thoughtful interpretation of financial trends and variancesWith support from external accounting firm, lead the annual audit process and serve as primary liaison with external auditorsFinancial Operations & Compliance (25%)Oversee financial operations systems and workflows, including QuickBooks, Bill.com, Divvy, payroll, accounts payable processes, and related reporting and reconciliation systemsMaintain compensation schedules and support the Executive Director in compensation updatesReview financial reports, coding practices, reconciliations, and budget-to-actual trends to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with organizational and grant requirementsMaintain and strengthen financial systems, internal controls, and fiscal policies and procedures Identify opportunities to improve financial workflows, reporting systems, and operational efficiencyGrant Management & Reporting (15%)Lead budgeting for new and existing grantsLead financial tracking and reporting for restricted funds to ensure appropriate allocationCoordinate invoicing for restricted funding as needed with accountantsOperations (20%)Oversee major organizational operations functions, including facilities, office infrastructure, equipment, and vendor relationships, in partnership with the Operations teamProvide leadership and oversight for organizational technology systems and major IT initiatives in collaboration with UnCommon Law’s external IT provider and Finance & Operations CoordinatorManage the IT and operations-related budgets, contracts, and long-term planningSupport the development and maintenance of operational systems, policies, and documentation to ensure organizational effectiveness and accessibilityEnsure operational practices reflect organizational values and support a values-driven, collaborative, and functional work environmentSupervision and Team Leadership (10%)Supervise and support the two-person Finance & Operations team, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and sustainable work environmentProvide strategic guidance, prioritization support, and professional development to team members while empowering independent ownership of workstreamsEnsure strong coordination and communication across finance, operations, and organizational leadershipExperience4-7+ years experience working as a Controller and operations leader within the nonprofit sector, working independently at a director-level role4+ years experience as a people manager with the knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other staff membersExperience with nonprofit financial systems, accounting software, accounts payable platforms, and expense management toolsA strong track record in restricted funding managementSolid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investmentsExperience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of personalities and roles - staff, participants, local agencies, vendors, volunteers, etc.Abilities and AttributesStrong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to executives, board or other outside partnersAbility and desire to translate complex financial concepts for individuals at all levels, including finance and non-finance managersAbility to interpret and adapt to competing priorities and conflicting deadlinesExcellent written and verbal skillsHighly organized with attention to detail; patience; ability to work independently and coordinate multiple, diverse projects, set realistic deadlines, and manage a timelinePersonal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to the organization’s missionWillingness to learn and grow with the organizationAbility to create and promote a positive and supportive work environmentBenefits and SupportCurrently, UnCommon Law offers 100% paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and covers 75% for dependents. To support our team’s mental well-being, we also provide a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) of $200/month in reimbursable funds for therapeutic expenses. We have a flexible time off policy and a full organizational closure for two weeks from late December to early January each year. We offer a generous family leave policy, flexible hours, FSA and Retirement plans, regular access to training and clinical support, and generous sick leave. In addition to the formal benefits, we are committed to building and maintaining an equitable culture that is sustainable and joyful, and where each team member can thrive. You’ll see this in the acknowledgements in weekly staff meetings, in-office lunches, and community gatherings.Application InstructionsPlease submit a resume and a cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience for the role, along with contact information for two professional, academic or other relevant references to our hiring portal ( Applicants who submit cover letters that are not tailored to the position or the organization will not be considered.Please note that all correspondence in the hiring process will be through the BambooHR portal. Following the submission of your application, you should receive an automatic response (via email) thanking you for your application. If you do not receive this, please check your spam folder.As part of our hiring process, we may request references. UnCommon Law staff will let a candidate know when to provide references, and we will reach out to references ourselves. While we appreciate the wonderful support many of our community members wish to provide for one another during the hiring process, unsolicited references via social media or other unofficial channels will not be considered in a candidate's application.UCL is committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. UCL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or prior contact with the criminal justice system. We strongly encourage applications from people impacted by incarceration as well as from traditionally underrepresented communities.DepartmentFinanceEmployment TypeFull-TimeMinimum ExperienceSenior Manager/Supervisor