Director of Finance & HR Operations

ABOUT BASTA

First-generation college students have what it takes to bring immense value to the workforce, but often face systemic barriers in professional knowledge, networks, and opportunity. More than half of recent grads are underemployed, with most projected to remain underemployed 10+ years after graduation. Basta is closing the employment gap for first-generation students, enabling them to secure great jobs, launch careers, and change the face of leadership in the workforce.

Since 2016, we have built innovative, data-driven solutions ensuring students convert their hard-earned degrees into a great first job. Through AI-enabled, personalized career preparation and partnerships with top employers, we are accelerating the professional journey of thousands of first-gen students at 300 campuses…and counting! Basta participants are now thriving in their first jobs at Bloomberg, Snap Inc., Citi, DonorsChoose, and over 100 other companies.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HR OPERATIONS ROLE

Basta is scaling quickly, and we need a leader who can steward our financial health and ensure our HR and operational infrastructure keeps pace with our growth. Reporting to the Senior Director of Business Operations (SDBO), the Director of Finance & HR Operations will serve as Basta’s financial leader while also holding responsibility for key HR compliance and organizational risk functions.

This is a highly cross-functional role, working with programs, revenue, and operations teams to steward Basta’s budget, maintain compliance, and build systems that scale. The Director will bring both rigor and flexibility—ensuring accuracy in the details while building processes that empower the team to do their best work.

Finance Leadership

• Lead annual and multi-year budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, and cash-flow analysis. Provide strategic financial recommendations to the CEO and SDBO, aligning resources with Basta’s goals.
• Oversee accounting and reporting functions: maintain financial records, and create monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Manage annual audit and IRS Form 990 preparation. Maintain internal controls and financial policies to safeguard assets and donor funds.
• Support revenue and program teams with grant and contract management, including budget creation, monitoring, and funder reporting.
• Identify and implement finance systems and process improvements to support scale (including integrations with current tools).
• Prepare financial updates for the Board of Directors

HR & Compliance Leadership

• Ensure accurate benefits administration and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Maintain and update HR policies and the employee handbook, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations (FLSA, FMLA, ACA, EEOC, ADA, etc.).
• Oversee leave and time-off compliance, including FMLA and state/local leave requirements.
• Ensure secure handling and proper documentation of sensitive employee data and employment records.
• Prepare and file required HR-related compliance reporting (EEO-1, ACA, state-mandated filings).
• Partner with the Operations Manager to ensure a consistent and compliant employee experience across onboarding, offboarding, and day-to-day processes.

Operations & Risk Management

• Oversee organizational insurance policies (general liability, D&O, cyber) and support risk management practices.
• Manage tax and org governance documents to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations
• Partner with the Operations team to strengthen data governance and system integrity across finance and HR functions.

The Director of Finance and HR Operations is likely to see themselves in the following examples which are designed to help you determine if this opportunity aligns with your own passion, purpose, skills, and experiences.

• You build multi-year budgets and HR compliance calendars that help Basta stay ahead of deadlines and surprises. For example, you map out when grant reports, audits, and state filings are due, ensuring that teams aren’t scrambling last-minute and that leadership can make proactive decisions with reliable information.
• You can quickly synthesize financial models, HR regulations, and operational risks to provide grounded recommendations. For instance, when a new revenue stream or benefit option is proposed, you present clear scenarios that balance cost, compliance, and organizational sustainability—helping the team move forward with confidence.
• You know that credibility is built on transparency. When presenting budget updates or explaining leave policies, you break down complex details into clear, actionable information that staff and board members can rely on. Colleagues see you as a steady, fair partner who ensures policies and finances are applied consistently across the organization.
• You thrive in a fast-changing environment where new funding models, technologies, or compliance needs can emerge quickly. You are eager to test and adopt better systems, learn from what doesn’t work, and iterate so that Basta’s financial infrastructure keeps pace with its growth.

SUCCESS IN DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND HR OPERATIONS ROLE LOOKS LIKE:

By the end of your first year, you’ve established yourself as a steady and trusted leader across finance, HR operations. You’ve:

• Delivered financial clarity by leading Basta’s multi-year budget and forecast cycle, equipping the executive team and Board with actionable insights that shape strategic decisions.
• Built confidence in compliance by successfully coordinating the annual audit and IRS Form 990, improving internal controls, and ensuring grant, funder, and donor restrictions are met.
• Reduced organizational risk by updating insurance policies, strengthening vendor and contract management, and ensuring HR and finance data is handled securely.
• Improved efficiency and transparency by introducing systems, tools or integrations that reduce administrative burden, improve reporting speed, and provide staff with user-friendly financial and HR tools.
• Strengthened trust and collaboration by translating complex financial and HR compliance topics into clear, accessible guidance that empowers staff to focus on mission-critical work.

YOU COULD BE OUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE IF YOU HAVE:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or a related field
• At least 7 years of progressive finance experience, ideally in a nonprofit, start-up, or social enterprise, with exposure to HR or compliance responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success managing budgets of $5–15 million and cross‑functional teams.
• Experience with grant accounting and funder reporting.
• Proficiency with accounting software (QuickBooks Online, Netsuite or similar) and advanced Excel/Google Sheets.
• Familiarity with low‑code databases (e.g., Airtable) and CRM integrations is a plus.
• Understanding of benefits administration and employment law compliance (FLSA, FMLA, ACA, EEOC, ADA, etc.).
• Proven ability to translate complex financial concepts for non‑finance staff.
• Strong interpersonal communication and a track record of building high‑trust relationships across departments.
• Commitment to Basta’s mission of supporting first‑generation college graduates and a passion for building equitable hiring pipelines.
• Lived experience of the Fellows we serve (Preferred)