Senior Director, Finance and Controller

Description

The Senior Director, Finance & Controller serves as the organization's senior accounting and financial operations leader and is responsible for the integrity, transparency, and stewardship of all financial activities for the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) and the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF).

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as a strategic thought partner to executive leadership, the Senior Director leads financial reporting, accounting operations, grants accounting, audit management, internal controls, compliance, cash management, and financial systems administration.

The Senior Director, Finance & Controller provides critical financial leadership to the executive team while ensuring compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and supporting organizational growth, sustainability, and mission impact.

This position leads and develops one direct report and fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. This position is hybrid, requiring working from the office in Washington, DC at least two times (2x) per week.

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is $165,000-$175,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated expertise.

LWVUS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid holidays, professional development opportunities, and a flexible hybrid work environment.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Leadership & Strategic Partnership (Priority Area)

• Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the COO and executive leadership team
• Support annual organizational planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial sustainability initiatives
• Develop financial models and scenario planning analyses to support strategic decision-making
• Provide recommendations regarding organizational financial health, reserves, and risk management

Treasury and Cash Management

• Lead cash flow forecasting and liquidity management
• Monitor organizational reserves and investment activity in partnership with COO
• Ensure sufficient operating cash to meet organizational obligations
• Recommend strategies to maximize financial sustainability and operational efficiency

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare and deliver accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Conduct budget-to-actual variance analysis and present key insights to leadership
• Maintain a strong financial reporting calendar and ensure timely close processes

Accounting Operations

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including: 
  • General ledger
  • Accounts payable and receivable
  • Cash flow monitoring
  • Payroll accounting
  • Fixed assets and depreciation
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with GAAP and nonprofit fund accounting standards

Compliance & Audit

• Lead the annual financial audit, including preparation of schedules, audit requests, and year-end close
• Oversee the preparation and review of Form 990 filings for LWVUS and LWVEF
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting regulations, state and federal reporting requirements, and organizational policies

Grant Management

• Partner with Development and Program leaders on proposal budgeting and financial grant compliance
• Ensure proper grant revenue recognition and indirect cost allocation methodologies

Internal Controls

• Serve as organizational lead for enterprise financial risk management
• Continuously evaluate and strengthen internal controls, segregation of duties, and financial governance practices
• Ensure audit-ready financial operations at all times
• Lead development and implementation of finance policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop finance and accounting staff
• Establish performance goals and professional development plans
• Build a high-performing, customer-service-oriented finance function
• Champion continuous improvement and accountability throughout the department
• Promote a culture of inclusion, transparency, and shared success

Requirements

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:

Education

Preferred:

• MBA, MPA, or Master's in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

Required:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

Experience

• 12-15+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience
• Minimum 5 years of senior finance leadership experience
• Significant nonprofit accounting experience required
• Experience managing annual audits and Form 990 preparation
• Experience with federal grant compliance strongly preferred
• Experience presenting financial information to executive leadership and governing boards
• Experience managing accounting teams through organizational growth and change

Certification

• CPA preferred but not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in nonprofit accounting systems such as QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, or similar ERP platforms.
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, complex formulas, data modeling).
• Strong understanding of GAAP, nonprofit fund accounting, and restricted fund management.

Competencies

• Strategic Financial Leadership - Uses financial expertise to support organizational strategy, sustainability, and mission impact
• Business Partnership - Builds trusted relationships with leaders across the organization and helps translate financial information into actionable decisions
• Change Leadership - Effectively leads organizational and departmental change while improving processes and strengthening      operational effectiveness
• Board & Executive Presence - Communicates confidently and effectively with executive leadership, auditors, and external stakeholders
• Leadership & Team Development – Builds trust, inspires accountability, and develops staff capabilities
• Communication – Communicates financial concepts clearly to non-financial audiences
• Organization & Prioritization – Manages competing timelines with strong attention to detail
• Analytical Thinking – Interprets data and provides insight to support decision-making
• Integrity & Stewardship – Demonstrates commitment to transparency and safeguarding resources
• Commitment to Equity – Supports a culture of inclusion, respect, and mission alignment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets and office machinery. Constantly operates a laptop/computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here represent those the employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is generally indoors and rarely exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate-to-low.

Occasional travel for trainings, meetings, or conferences.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The League of Women Voters of the United States is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace based on equal opportunity. The League is committed to hiring staff that reflects this country's full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic identity, a workplace where true diversity is fostered, and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged. We encourage women, minorities, and individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. 

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.