Financial Director

Job Description

The Director of Finance provides financial leadership across an organization that includes mission-based programs, retail social enterprise operations, and multiple locations.

This position is responsible for financial reporting and analysis, budgeting and forecasting, audit and regulatory compliance, internal controls, cash-flow management, financial risk management, and finance staff leadership. More than reporting the numbers, the Director will help organizational leaders understand what the numbers mean and what actions should follow.

The Director works closely with department leaders, Executive Leadership, the Finance Committee, and Board Treasurer to provide accurate financial information, identify trends and risks, improve cost efficiency, and support sound strategic and operational decision-making. 

Key Responsibilities 

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• Lead the annual budgeting process, financial forecasting, and long-range financial projections. 
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• Establish and monitor financial and operational performance measures, including benchmarks for retail social enterprise operations. 
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• Prepare financial statements, budget updates, forecasts, variance analyses, and performance reports for leadership and the Finance Committee. 
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• Translate financial results into clear insights, risks, and actionable recommendations. 
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• Partner with department leaders to review budget-to-actual performance, understand variances, and develop appropriate corrective actions. 
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• Maintain effective financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and promote accountability. 
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• Lead and coordinate the annual external audit and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors. 
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• Ensure timely completion of required state and federal financial and regulatory filings. 
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• Monitor organizational cash flow and liquidity and support the appropriate management of surplus funds. 
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• Review contracts and financial commitments for compliance, financial implications, and potential risk. 
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• Partner with leadership to identify financial risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies. 
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• Lead, mentor, and develop finance team members while fostering a collaborative and accountable team culture. 
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• Coordinate required annual financial reporting to the National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. 
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• Provide financial education, guidance, and compliance support to local St. Vincent de Paul Conferences. 
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• Collaborate with leadership in developing meaningful financial information for the organization's Annual Report to the community.
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Qualifications

Required: 

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• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field. 
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• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial management, and financial reporting, with demonstrated career growth and increasing responsibility. 
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• At least two years of supervisory or management experience with demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and support staff. 
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• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and audit requirements. 
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• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial information, identify trends and risks, and provide practical recommendations. 
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• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain financial information to individuals with varying levels of financial knowledge. 
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• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills. 
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• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and financial management software. 
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• Ability to learn and effectively utilize new financial systems and technologies. 
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Preferred/Highly Valued: 

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• Knowledge of nonprofit finance and accounting. 
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• Experience supporting retail operations, a social enterprise, or a multi-location organization. 
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• Experience with QuickBooks, Paycom, or similar accounting, payroll, budgeting, and financial reporting systems. 
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• Experience communicating financial information to executive leadership, Finance Committees, or Boards. 
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Who Will Be Successful in This Role? 

The successful candidate will be a financial leader who combines strong technical expertise with sound judgment and an ability to build relationships throughout an organization. 

You should be comfortable digging into the details when necessary while also being able to step back and see the larger financial and operational picture. 

You will be successful if you: 

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• See Finance as a strategic and collaborative partner to operations. 
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• Ask thoughtful questions and look beyond the numbers to understand underlying causes. 
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• Identify emerging financial issues before they become larger problems. 
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• Communicate complex financial information clearly and confidently. 
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• Can respectfully raise concerns and provide recommendations, even when the message may be difficult. 
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• Balance strong financial controls with practical operational needs. 
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• Lead through collaboration, accountability, coaching, and professional development. 
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• Believe responsible financial stewardship is essential to sustaining an organization's mission. 
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Benefits: 

Benefits Include: 

Paid Time Off (PTO), additional Personal Time, and paid holiday benefits 

Health insurance options with employer contributions toward premiums 

Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage 

401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match 

Employee discount at our thrift stores 

About St. Vincent de Paul Waukesha County 

St. Vincent de Paul Waukesha County is a mission-driven organization committed to serving people in need with dignity, compassion, and respect. 

Our mission programs, Conferences, retail operations, employees, volunteers, and community partners work together to serve our neighbors throughout Waukesha County. 

The Director of Finance plays an important role in ensuring our financial resources are responsibly stewarded so that our organization can continue fulfilling its mission now and into the future.