Director, Finance and Operations

About Agroecology Commons

Agroecology Commons (AC) is a cooperatively-led nonprofit dedicated to agroecology, food sovereignty, and collective liberation. We organize farmer to farmer training, land access, and resource redistribution to systemically marginalized farmers and co-steward a growing network that centers BIPOC and queer and trans-led farms, cooperatives, and food justice initiatives. We practice shared leadership, collective care, and transparency in how we govern and operate.

Position Overview

The Finance & Operations Director will steward AC’s financial systems, HR practices, and operational infrastructure so that our collective can thrive. This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on management of finances, compliance, and organizational systems. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and committed to racial, economic, and ecological justice.

AC currently has four staff members and works with an external firm for taxes, external bookkeeper, and a part time grants manager for financial reporting.

Our hope is that this role will be full-time and we recognize that talented candidates may only be able to devote part-time hours to this work. We are open to the role being part-time (24hrs/week) + benefits, or full-time (32hrs/week) + benefits.

Key Responsibilities

Finance (50%)

• Serve as the internal point person with AC’s external bookkeeper, ensuring accurate and timely entry of all transactions (QuickBooks Online).
• Provide documentation, coding, and support to the bookkeeper for reconciliations, payroll, and expense reporting.
• Review monthly reports prepared by the bookkeeper and present clear financial updates to staff and board.
• Oversee annual budget development, working budgets, and quarterly board reporting in collaboration with Co-Directors.
• Track grant budgets, contracts, and restricted funds, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
• Coordinate annual 990 tax completion and annual audit.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit financial best practices.
• Support long-term financial planning, reserves, and sustainability strategies.
• Supervise and provide strategic guidance to the Accounting Lead and Grants Manager and accounting staff, serving as back-up across functions as needed.

Operations & HR (50%)

• Oversee payroll on Quickbooks Online, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation.
• Maintain HR policies (hiring, onboarding, leave, evaluations, termination, etc.) consistent with AC’s collective handbook and CA labor law.
• In collaboration with Co-directors, help facilitate collective governance, staff meetings, retreats, and participatory decision-making.
• Support staff in accessing professional development, wellness, and leave benefits.
• Manage contracts, leases, and insurance.
• Contribute to building an inclusive, supportive, and equitable organizational culture.
• Oversee organizational compliance (state/federal nonprofit law, filings, insurance, licensing, etc.).
• Ensure smooth internal communications and recordkeeping systems (Google Drive, Asana, Slack).
• Support transparent reporting and radical accountability practices across programs.
• Provide oversight on HR and employee relations matters.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in nonprofit finance management involving federal or state grants, and 3+ years experience in operations and HR management.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP accounting, nonprofit compliance, and HR best practices in California.
• Experience with QuickBooks Online and budget management across multiple funding sources including federal and state grants.
• Experience working effectively with external accountants or bookkeepers, including providing documentation, reviewing reports, and ensuring timely reconciliations.
• Ability to design and manage organizational systems with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to translate financial/operational info to non-specialists.
• Commitment to food sovereignty, agroecology, racial justice, and collective liberation.
• Experience working in shared leadership or cooperative structures is a strong plus.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Working Conditions & Benefits

• Flexible hybrid schedule; some in-person meetings and events in the Bay Area required, at least once per week preferred.
• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare silver plan, wellness stipends, and professional development. Health insurance will start the first day following the first 30 days of employment.
• Paid time off:
  • For 24 hours a week: 9 days vacation, 12 holidays, 5 days sick/wellness leave and annual winter/summer week- long hibernation/office closure.
  • For 32 hours a week: 12 days vacation, 12 holidays, 6 days sick/wellness leave and annual winter/summer week-long hibernation/office closure.

Trial Period Overview

We intend for this to be a long-term position within our collective. To start, however, the role will begin as a six-month trial period.

We want to be transparent with candidates: continuing the role beyond the trial period will depend on the candidate being a good fit for the collective and AC meeting our fundraising goals. We feel optimistic about our trajectory, but as a nonprofit reliant on grants and donor support, we want to be as transparent as possible. We share this not to create worry, but because we value honesty and want anyone considering this role to make an informed decision with us.

During the trial period, we’ll check in monthly to make sure the role is working well for both you and the team, and we’ll communicate clearly and as early as possible about the path forward as the six months progress.

Location: Remote or Hybrid (Strong preference for local presence in the California Bay Area)

Reports to: Co-Executive Directors

Status: Option for part time (24hrs/wk) OR full time (32hrs/wk), salaried position with a 6-month trial period (see below).

Compensation: $67,500 annually for 24 hours/week + benefits or $90,000 annually for 32 hours/week + benefits.

To Apply

Please complete THIS FORM. Please include a cover letter explaining why you’d like to work for Agroecology Commons and explaining your experience in Finance & Operations. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please also state whether you would prefer a 24 hour/week or 32 hour/week position.

• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare silver plan, wellness stipends, and professional development. Health insurance will start the first day following the first 30 days of employment.
• Paid time off:
  • For 24 hours a week: 9 days vacation, 12 holidays, 5 days sick/wellness leave and annual winter/summer week- long hibernation/office closure.
  • For 32 hours a week: 12 days vacation, 12 holidays, 6 days sick/wellness leave and annual winter/summer week-long hibernation/office closure.

Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.