Director of Finance & Operations

Director of Finance & Operations

Empower the Next Generation to End Factory Farming

What would it mean to dedicate your time, talent, and energy to creating a more just and sustainable food system?

New Roots Institute is a growing nonprofit dedicated to ending factory farming by empowering the next generation of advocates. Our fellowship programs train students to lead real-world campaigns that create structural and behavioral change in their communities. 

We’re seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Finance & Operations to join our team and help us deepen our impact. 

Is New Roots Institute the right place for you? Here’s what you should know:

• Ending factory farming is not merely our employment. We prioritize our lives around it and are looking for people who bring that same commitment, along with the self-awareness and discipline to sustain it.

• We continuously question our own biases and assumptions and adapt when we recognize we’re wrong. We’re looking for people who can see their ego and know how to put it aside to achieve shared goals.

• We're results-oriented, strive for excellence, and are looking for people who can say they never miss deadlines.

• Giving and receiving honest and direct feedback is foundational to our culture and a performance requirement for all of us. We're looking for people who are eager to use constructive feedback to grow and help others to grow, both personally and professionally.

• Because we work remotely, proactive communication and quick responses are key to building trust and working effectively together. We’re looking for people who excel at keeping everyone updated. If you don’t always respond within a few hours, New Roots won’t be the place for you. 

• We genuinely enjoy working together and look for ways to have fun, despite the tragic nature of what we are up against.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Financial Management

• Lead all financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, accounts payable/receivable, and month-end close processes.

• Drive the annual organizational budget process in collaboration with program and department leads; monitor performance against budget throughout the year.

• Build and maintain multi-year financial models to support scenario planning and strategic decision-making.

Reporting and Compliance

• Develop and present timely, accurate financial reports to the senior management team and Board of Directors, including dashboards that translate financial data into strategic insight.

• Oversee the annual audit and Form 990 preparation; serve as primary liaison with external auditors and the finance committee of the Board.

• Manage restricted grant funds, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and accurate tracking of expenditures by grant.

• Develop and implement internal controls, financial policies, and risk management frameworks.

People Operations and HR

• Interface with Rippling PEO on payroll processing, benefits administration, workers' comp, unemployment claims, HR compliance, and employment tax filings, and ensure that New Roots meets its obligations as the worksite employer.

• Partner with senior management on compensation philosophy, job classification, and total rewards strategy.

Organizational Operations

• Design and continuously improve operational systems, policies, and processes that support a remote-first, growing organization.

Strategic Partnership

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Managing Director and a collaborative, solutions-oriented member of the senior management team.

• Support strategic planning processes by providing operational and financial analysis to inform organizational priorities.

• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support decisions around program expansion, staffing, and organizational growth.

• Support the Development team with grant budgets, financial reporting to funders, and financial components of proposals.

What We’re Looking For

Required Skills & Experience

People Leadership

• 3+ years of direct supervisory experience.

• Experience coaching and developing staff.

• You've navigated difficult people decisions: performance management, role transitions, team restructuring, or separations.

Knowledge and Technical Skills

• 5+ years of progressive financial management experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or director-level role in a nonprofit organization.

• Demonstrated experience managing audits, preparing or overseeing Form 990 preparation, and working with external auditors.

• Deep knowledge of nonprofit accounting (GAAP), fund accounting, and grant compliance.

• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online and strong Google Sheets skills.

Communication and Leadership

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior leadership and board members.

• Exceptional analytical skills and the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, accessible formats.

Work Style

• Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a remote work environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• CPA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credential.

• Experience with organizational technology infrastructure, including software licensing, project management tools, and data security practices.

Other Requirements

• Shared vegan and anti-speciesist values. No one on our team consumes animals or animal products or believes that non-human animals can ethically be treated as resources for human use.

• Ability to commit to attending the annual in-person team meeting, which typically takes place during the first full week of June (Monday through Friday).

Compensation and Benefits 

This is a full-time, remote position with a salary of $103,000 per year, plus a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, and unlimited PTO. 

Please note, we have a no-negotiation salary policy to ensure transparency and equity across the team.

View more of our benefits on our Join Our Team page.

Hiring Process

If a candidate is moved forward, the hiring process will include a skills task, screening interview, competencies interview, work history interview, and reference checks. See our Join Our Team page for more details.

Ready to Make a Difference?

• To Apply: Please click the “Apply for this position” link to tell us why you are interested in New Roots Institute and to submit your resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We hope to fill this position as soon as possible.

• We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and people from the global majority. 

• By submitting your application, you are indicating that you have read our Privacy Policy and accept its terms.

• Please note that we are only considering applicants based in North America at this time.