Director, Finance and Administration

About the Organization

Since 2016, Across the Aisle™ — a nonpartisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization — has been providing young Americans (ages 14 to 35) with opportunities to learn, lead, and find bipartisan solutions to our country’s biggest challenges. 

We work with experts from both sides of the aisle to empower voters with reliable facts and a framework to make their own informed decisions. Our leadership programs identify and prepare students and early-career professionals from both parties for decision-making positions on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch, and in other public service roles. Our core policy areas include fiscal issues like the national debt and the federal budget, as well as entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Position Description

Reporting to the COO and a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Finance and Administration will be responsible for overseeing all finance operations and assisting with administrative matters. 

This role is heavily focused on financial operations. The Director will manage accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance to ensure the organization’s financial health and stability. The role also touches adjacent areas such as compensation and benefits planning, insurance renewals, fundraising, and contract financials. Working with the COO, the Director will also assist with administrative activities that facilitate the smooth running of office operations.   

The Director will work closely with the CEO, COO, Board of Directors, senior leadership, and other departments to support our mission while ensuring fiscal accountability and transparency. The ideal candidate should be able to hit the ground running in all core finance areas and expand into broader firm leadership responsibilities over time.

Core Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Oversee the preparation and accuracy of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to assist leadership in decision-making, budgeting, and strategic planning.
• Prepare financial reports for board meetings, donors, board committees, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure proper accounting procedures are followed for all financial activities.
• Review contracts and agreements for consistency, payment terms, risk management, etc. In conjunction with the COO, negotiate pricing options and contracts with outside vendors.

Accounting and Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations (conducted by an outside firm), including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and general ledger management.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and all regulatory requirements.
• Manage annual audit process (conducted by an outside partner), including timely completion and filing of Form 990.
• Manage tax and other nonprofit filings.
• Working with an outside compliance partner ensures the timely completion of state charity registrations and reporting requirements.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with program department heads and senior leadership.
• Develop and maintain long-term financial forecasts to support strategic planning.
• Monitor performance against budget and provide variance analysis to senior leadership.

Internal Controls and Process Improvement

• With the COO, establish and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard the organization's assets.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements in accounting systems, processes, and policies.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and procedures.

Cross-Functional Responsibilities

Human Resources

• Collaborate with COO to design and execute annual compensation planning (raises, promotions, bonus allocations).
• Analyze benefits and insurance renewals to guide the selection of optimal packages, ensuring the organization is appropriately safeguarded against risk and is carrying all required insurance coverages for its activities.
• Serve as backup to COO for preparation and submission of biweekly payroll.

Contracts

• Oversee financial and commercial terms in consultant and vendor contracts, ensuring alignment with organization objectives.
• Collaborate with leadership and external counsel, as needed. 

Facilities & Systems

• Create and execute a facilities plan aimed at optimizing working capital and supporting long-term sustainability.
• Evaluate and manage accounting software and systems. Spearhead necessary technology transformations to improve efficiency and transparency.

Development Activities

• ^Work with the President & CEO and COO to create annual and multi-year fundraising goals.
• Oversee grant and pledge tracking, reporting, and compliance to ensure (1) adherence to donor and regulatory requirements (federal, state, private), and (2) proper reflection in net assets, projections, and fund balances.
• Support development activities with financial data and reports.

Cash Flow Management

• Manage and oversee the preparation of cash flow projections to ensure liquidity and ongoing operations.
• Coordinate with the COO to develop strategies to optimize cash reserves and financing options.

Other

• Represent the organization to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors, foundation executives, auditors, public officials, etc.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance, preferably in a nonprofit 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) environment.
• Strong experience with nonprofit accounting principles (GAAP) and financial reporting.
• Proven experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and managing audits.
• Strong understanding of fund accounting, grant compliance, and grant/donor reporting.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. CPA or MBA in Finance preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong technical knowledge of accounting software (e.g., Sage Intacct, or similar).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other office software.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to stakeholders with varying degrees of experience and proficiency in financial and budgetary matters.
• Ability to create reports and analyze data in response to requests from C-level leadership and the Board of Directors.  

Personal Attributes:

• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Collaborative team player with a service-oriented mindset.
• Strong problem solving abilities. 
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Organized, able to multitask, and deliver high-quality products at all times while adhering to occasionally tight and structured deadlines.
• Proactive and able to work on own initiative.
• Able to travel, as needed.

For more information, visit our website at www.acrosstheaisle.org, find us on Instagram at @freefactsorg, and/or email our COO Camden Stuebe at Camden@freefacts.org.