Vice President of Finance & Administration

Job Title: Vice President of Finance & Administration

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

FLSA Status: Full Time Exempt

Elevation Community Land Trust (ECLT) is a growing, innovative nonprofit with a mission of providing permanently affordable homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income families across Colorado. The Vice President of Finance & Administration (VP of F&A) is responsible for oversight and execution of financial accounting, internal control and compliance activities to support ECLT’s drive toward efficiency, scalability and rapid growth. The ideal candidate will be an experienced finance leader, preferably with a CPA designation, with deep expertise in people management, accounting, financial reporting, audit management, and compliance for local, state and federal grants.

PRIMARY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

The VP of F&A is both a leader and an executor who will work collaboratively throughout the organization, providing leadership in the areas of operations, compliance, internal controls, and nonprofit accounting in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the role is responsible for executing key day-to-day accounting functions of the organization. As a member of the leadership team, the VP of F&A will maintain a strong commitment to ECLT’s core values through their day-to-day work and their approach to people management. This position reports to the CFO and has three direct reports, the Operations Associate, the Staff Accountant and the part-time Senior Accountant. The position may also manage contract bookkeeping and other staff as applicable. Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

Accounting & Finance:

• Direct day-to-day accounting functions, overseeing the Staff Accountant and part-time Senior Accountant in the areas of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger management.
• Execute critical day-to-day accounting functions, including:
• Accounts Payable: prepare weekly electronic payments for C-suite approval.
• Accounts Receivable: complete bi-weekly routine and periodic non-routine deposits; prepare draws for various funding contracts; manage key AR account balances.
• General Ledger: prepare routine and special journal entries monthly; maintain chart of accounts.
• Financial Reporting: prepare accurate and timely periodic financial reports for the board, management, and to meet compliance requirements.
• Cashflow Management: monitor ECLT’s cash balances, initiating account transfers as required; and
• Banking Relationships: develop excellent working relationships with ECLT’s banking partners; respond to bank requests; identify new banking partners as needed.
• Lead the annual financial statement audit, single audit and 990 processes, acting as the main liaison with ECLT’s external auditors and external tax preparers.
• Digitize and automate accounting processes to enable efficiency and ECLT’s organizational goals.
• Manage ECLT’s existing debt portfolio, developing strong relationships with banking and lender contacts.
• Lead the development of accounting policy and procedures.

Internal Controls and Compliance:

• Develop and maintain covenant and financial compliance requirements for ECLT’s funding (debt, PRI, grant) agreements; ensure requirements are timely met; prepare and maintain supporting documentation.
• Develop, refine and digitize internal control policies and procedures to balance cost and efficiency, ensuring controls mitigate ECLT’s small staff size and support the annual financial statement and single audit processes.
• Enhance controls, policies, and procedures to comply with all applicable grant, contract, and legal requirements, and document and maintain financial compliance records.
• Monitor and document internal compliance with financial policies and procedures, including conducting periodic assessments and recommending improvements.
• Provide direction and assistance to other departments regarding accounting and budgeting policies, procedures, control and efficient utilization of financial resources.
• Prepare and submit periodic financial compliance reports to funding entities lenders, investors and others.
• In collaboration with legal & contracts staff, communicate critical compliance information to team members across the organization.

Operations & Human Resources:

• Manage the payroll process.
• Act as the primary liaison for ECLT’s co-employer, ADP Total Source, and respond to payroll and benefits inquiries from staff.
• Lead the annual benefits enrollment process.
• Oversee the efficient management of ECLT’s office operations, including liaising with building management, lease negotiation, and office space configuration.
• Lead the selection of and oversee the ongoing management of ECLT’s managed IT service provider, providing direction and support the Operations Associate as needed.
• Ensure ECLT’s Microsoft systems are effectively integrated with other organizational software, acting as a cross-departmental leader and convene to enhance efficiency and improve operational effectiveness.

People Management and Leadership:

• Supervise a team of three operations and accounting professionals, and any contract accounting staff.
• Provide strategic direction, guidance, and support to enable direct reports to successfully achieve organizational and individual goals in alignment with ECLT’s strategic priorities.
• As a member of the Leadership Team, participate in meetings and activities to collectively drive forward ECLT's organizational priorities.
• Champion and model ECLT’s people management framework, engaging with the organization’s structure and tools so that each team member is positioned to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the mission.
• Support team members with growth plans and development opportunities.
• Proactively identify opportunities and anticipate and solve roadblocks and challenges to goal achievement, and collaborate with the CFO on systemic, technology and other solutions.
• Implement best practices in employee supervision and motivation, including establishing clear expectations, facilitating regular check ins, supporting individual goal setting, and conducting interim and annual performance evaluations with appropriate documentation.

General:

• Demonstrate ECLT’s core values: Courage, Innovation, Authenticity, and Collective Power.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of the community land trust model.
• Provide support to the CFO and CEO in interactions with ECLT’s Finance Committee and Board.
• Assist in the development of the annual budget.
• Assist in the review of real estate proformas and cash flow assessments.
• Maintain an understanding of community issues that impact ECLT’s work.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of job responsibilities. The incumbent will be expected to complete other duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting; advanced degree preferred
• CPA strongly preferred

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive relevant experience in accounting, financial statement and single audit management and compliance at a nonprofit organization, with a focus on affordable housing and/or real estate a plus
• Demonstrated, successful leadership of individuals and teams

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting principles and practices, and local, state and federal grant requirements and compliance; internal control expertise.
• Strong track record of successful single audit management, including assessing organizational compliance with federal award requirements within the Uniform guidance framework.
• Exceptional Microsoft Excel skills required. Knowledge and comfort in working with various other technologies, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.)
• Expertise with financial accounting software, including experience digitizing accounting activities; experience with Sage Intacct a plus
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now and/or other PEO platforms a strong plus
• Exceptional leadership and people management abilities, including strong interpersonal communication and the ability to motivate and foster accountability with a coaching mindset
• Passion and commitment for affordable housing, homeownership, and ECLT’s mission
• Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow; demonstrated ability to work well in a supportive, team-focused environment
• A commitment to maintain strict confidentiality

Requirements

• Must pass a background check
• Must be reliable, punctual, and demonstrate a good work ethic
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for up 90% of scheduled work hours

ECLT DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION POLICY

Elevation Community Land Trust is committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the affordable housing industry, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all. Our diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

ABOUT THE CULTURE AT ECLT

ECLT is committed to creating a connected and supportive culture that celebrates success, inspires joy, practices radical generosity, and prioritizes balance in work and life for its staff, board, and community. Our core values of Courage, Authenticity, Innovation, and Collective Power drive our mission, our daily work, and our relationships with each other, our partners, and the people we serve.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS

Salary range: $110,000 - $125,000, commensurate with depth of experience and overall qualifications. ECLT also offers a generous benefit package that includes health/dental/vision coverage, life, 401k, and paid time off.

ECLT is based in Denver and offers a flexible, hybrid work environment. The ECLT office is closed on Fridays; all team members have the option to work a four-day week, or a five-day week with a dedicated meeting-free day on Friday.

TO APPLY

Apply via Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/job/vice-president-finance-administration-66178c6f8590dc09

Please note that applications are only being accepted through Indeed. In order to help our small but mighty team better manage our applicant flow, no phone calls or emails, please.

Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals are more likely to self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills necessary to succeed to apply for this role.