Senior Director, Finance

Overview

Pacific Environment confronts our most urgent environmental issues by connecting local and global movements, catalyzing policy change and inspiring action for the benefit of people and our planet. Together, we promote a healthy climate, reduce pollution and conserve biodiversity for an equitable and thriving future. Learn more at www.pacificenvironment.org.

Pacific Environment envisions a just and healthy future for all communities and ecosystems. We value building power for systemic change, evidence-based solutions for the planet, collaborative relationships, coalition building and partnerships, and making transformative, long-term impacts. We conduct advocacy campaigns intended to curtail the use of fossil fuels in ocean-going vessels and reduce pollution at shipping ports around the Pacific Rim; permanently protect our ocean resources; limit the production of pollution from plastics; and safeguard the Arctic.

Job Summary

Pacific Environment is seeking a full-time Senior Director, Finance, to join our team and oversee all financial aspects of our organization. Our ideal candidate is connected to our mission, a strategic thinker and effective leader who is ready to make things happen. This role currently reports to the Executive Director. Our organization expanded rapidly over the last three years and will execute new processes put in place for an organization with an international team spread across the United States and Asian Pacific region.

To be successful in this role, the candidate should have experience managing finance and accounting teams and leading financial strategies. This includes tracking and reporting complex budgets against multiple grants and programs, working with the staff accountant on other team members to produce and cross-check monthly financial reports, and complying with best financial practices and GAAP, and insuring sound investments for organizational assets. This position requires both fluid management of overarching financial systems and strategies as well as consistent engagement with on-going financial operations and details.

Ultimately, the Senior Director, Finance will work with the Executive Director, leadership team and Board of Directors to help ensure Pacific Environment’s long-term financial success and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting and internal control operations
• Develop new business processes and accounting policies as needed to scale for growth and maintain and strengthen internal controls
• Ensure adherence to financial laws and guidelines across geographies
• Manage staff accountant
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable, including international wires and grants to partner organizations, often overseas
• Lead the organization’s annual budgeting process and the preparation of timely reports on financial performance on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis
• Oversee grant expense tracking, including grant financial reports for funders, and provide financial information for grant proposal budgets
• Oversee annual audit and ensure timely compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings
• Conduct financial analysis and reporting; recommend actions to organizational leadership as needed
• Oversee the company’s finance IT system
• Other tasks and duties as assigned

Key Qualifications

• Proven experience as Director of Finance or similar role, preferably at least some years in a nonprofit setting
• 7+ years of relevant combined Finance or Accounting experience; experience in nonprofit-accounting and detailed grant tracking and reporting a must; experience in rapidly growing organizations a plus
• 3+ years of management experience
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in improving finance processes, creating efficient systems, and institutionalizing knowledge
• Experience with Finance IT and PEOs; QuickBooks, Bill.com
• Hands-on experience with budgeting, financial statements, month-end and year-end close processes
• In-depth knowledge of finance and accounting principles, laws, and best practices
• Solid knowledge of financial analysis, reporting, and forecasting
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate transparency and open communication amongst staff regarding finances
• Extraordinary organizational skills, with high attention to detail and focus on accuracy and accountability
• Experience and expertise in environmental/climate issues a plus
• Commitment to Pacific Environment’s mission
• Enthusiasm for working in a multi-cultural and international organization
• Education in accounting, finance or relevant field; MSc/MA is a plus
• CPA or other relevant qualification is a plus

Relevant experience for this position can take many forms, and we strongly encourage applicants from a diversity of backgrounds and sectors.

Physical Requirements

The Senior Director, Finance’s work involves remaining in a stationary position and looking at a computer for long stretches of time, communicating with co-workers electronically, and occasional travel (including overnight travel), in-person meetings, or events. The ideal candidate must be able to complete all the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Location and Travel

Pacific Environment staff currently work from home. Greater San Francisco Bay Area local applicants and California residents are strongly preferred. However, we will consider highly qualified candidates residing elsewhere in the U.S. This position requires working West Coast Time Zone hours, and potentially an occasional evening or weekend. Some travel to the Bay Area may be required if the successful candidate is based outside the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The position may also involve some other travel in the US and internationally for meetings and retreats, often for several days.

Pacific Environment is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from communities harmed by environmental degradation and from backgrounds underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply. We welcome diversity to do our best work and believe that creating teams in which everyone can be their authentic self is key to the change we seek. 

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Pacific Environment. Please inform our HR team by emailing recruiting@pacificenvironment.org if you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application or interview process.

Pacific Environment participates in the E-Verify Program: https://www.e-verify.gov/employees

No phone calls, please.