Head of Finance

Head of Finance

Location: San Francisco, CA (Hybrid – at least two in-office days/week)

Reports to: Executive Director

Are you a mission-driven financial and strategic leader who thrives as a thought partner and trusted advisor? Do you bring a big-picture mindset, strong financial acumen, and a passion for strengthening nonprofit organizations from the inside out? Are you energized by the opportunity to work closely with a dynamic Board of Directors and Executive Director to shape long-term financial strategy, ensure operational excellence, and drive impact? If so, we invite you to bring your vision and collaborative spirit to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) as our next Head of Finance.

Who We Are:

The ILRC is a nationally recognized nonprofit headquartered in San Francisco with staff in Washington, D.C., Texas, Southern California, the Central Valley, and Washington State. Since 1979, our mission has been to educate, support, and empower immigrants, community organizations, and legal practitioners to build a more just, inclusive, and democratic society. Our team is passionate, collaborative, and committed to equity and innovation in all we do.

The Opportunity:

The Head of Finance plays a pivotal leadership role at the ILRC. This position blends strategic finance, operational leadership, and cross-functional advising to guide the organization's growth and long-term sustainability. Reporting directly to the Executive Director and serving on the senior leadership team, this executive-level leader is responsible for financial stewardship, organization-wide financial strategy development, and operational alignment.

This role will provide high-level counsel to the Executive Director, collaborate deeply with senior leaders and other staff across departments, and act as the primary staff liaison to the Finance and Audit Committees of the Board. This is more than a finance role; it is a core leadership & strategic position driving ILRC’s effectiveness, equity, and resilience into the future.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic and Financial Leadership

• Serve as a core member of the senior leadership team (internally known as Operations Team), contributing to organization-wide strategic planning and decision-making.
• Partner with the Executive Director to develop annual and multi-year budgets that reflect ILRC’s goals, sustainability, and growth strategies.
• Lead ongoing financial planning and analysis, providing actionable insights and scenario modeling to inform key decisions.
• Develop clear, compelling presentations and reports for the Board of Directors, enabling informed governance and strategic oversight.
• Work cross-functionally to use financial and programmatic data to help inform where and how the organization directs its resources.

Board Engagement & Governance

• Serve as the staff lead/liaison for the Finance and Audit Committees of the Board; prepare and present financial reports and forecasts with transparency and clarity 4–5 times per year.
• Translate financial data and strategic insights into clear, compelling narratives that support informed Staff and Board decision-making.
• Foster strong working relationships with Board members, providing the financial insight and data they need to fulfill their fiduciary duties.
• In partnership with the Office Manager/EA, coordinate Board materials and ensure timely, effective communication.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all aspects of financial management for a $20M+ organization, including accounting, payroll, payables, receivables, and investments.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with all regulatory and reporting requirements, including annual audits and tax filings.
• Provide financial modeling and support for grant proposals, re-granting, and funder reporting.
• Manage the Controller and provide mentorship to a team of three other finance professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and excellence.
• Supervise the organization’s insurance portfolio and support benefits and retirement plan administration.
• Maintain and deepen understanding of the organization’s collective bargaining agreement to effectively support union-represented employees.

Who You Are:

• A strategic and seasoned finance leader with 15+ years of progressive experience providing strategic financial leadership, mentoring high-performing teams, and overseeing financial operations in both nonprofit and for-profit environments.
• Adept at building strong, trust-based relationships with the Executive Director, senior peers, Board of Directors, and other staff members.
• A strategic thinker who can see the big picture while managing the details with precision.
• An exceptional communicator who can translate financial data into accessible, compelling stories for diverse audiences.
• Experienced in budgeting, forecasting, and managing financial systems - Sage Intacct, PowerPoint, and Excel mastery are a must.
• Known for your integrity, curiosity, and calm under pressure.
• A steady, values-aligned leader who models honesty, integrity, transparency, and inclusion in all aspects of their work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA and/or MBA
• Experience working in union-represented environments
• Experience in strategic planning, organizational development, and enterprise-level risk management
• Strong project management skills and cross-functional leadership experience

Why Join ILRC?

At ILRC, you’ll join a passionate, mission-aligned team working to advance justice for immigrant communities across the country. We are committed to collaboration, shared leadership, and creating a workplace rooted in respect, innovation, and equity. As Head of Finance, your expertise will fuel our impact—and your voice will help shape our future.

Compensation/Benefits:

Pay is commensurate with experience, with a range between $201,000 - $221,000 per year. The ILRC offers excellent benefits, medical/dental/vision insurance, EAP sessions, a flexible spending account for medical and dependent care, vacation, and sick leave. The ILRC also sponsors a retirement plan contribution upon fulfillment of eligibility. Additionally, we offer an annual professional development stipend of $2,500 and, from 2024 – 2027, an annual wellness stipend of $2,500. ILRC also offers a sabbatical program: employees are eligible to apply for an 8-week sabbatical after five years of service and a 12-week sabbatical after ten years of service.

Applications:

To ensure consideration of your application, please submit a cover letter explaining your qualifications, salary requirements, and a current resume.

No phone calls, please.

As a condition of employment at the ILRC, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination and at least two booster shots against COVID-19.*

The ILRC is an equal opportunity employer and does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious beliefs, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and other similar state laws and local ordinances, ILRC will also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records.

• The ILRC provides reasonable accommodations as required by law. Employees may request an exception from vaccination requirements (if applicable), if the vaccine is medically contraindicated for them or medical necessity requires a delay in vaccination. Employees also may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if they cannot be vaccinated because of a disability, or if receiving a COVID-19 vaccination conflicts with a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. There may be other recognized exceptions under applicable state and/or local laws.