Senior Director of Finance & Administration

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is a state-wide nonprofit land conservation organization protecting and caring for Maine’s iconic coast and guiding state and national conservation movements. Maine Coast Heritage Trust advances the conservation of lands and waters to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. We work to ensure a future Maine with coastlines, waters, and woods full of life; where all people and communities are engaged in the outdoors and actively protect and care for the lands and waters that sustain us; and where functioning natural systems support vibrant communities and economies.

We are seeking a dynamic and results-focused Senior Director of Finance & Administration to oversee all the financial, information technology, and human resources activities at Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT). As a key member of MCHT’s leadership team they will work closely with the President & CEO and the Board of Directors. They will help shape the strategic direction and vision for the organization, sustaining MCHT’s overall organizational health and ensuring its management, operations, strategy, and culture are aligned.

We are searching for someone with a deep well of strategic financial management experience who can oversee MCHT’s investments and operating and capital budgets in support of strategic plan goals, and the development, management, and oversight of strategies, practices, and policies related to insurance, database and information systems, and human resources practices and policies.

We’re looking for someone who embodies a genuine passion for our mission at MCHT – conserving lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. Your enthusiasm for our cause should be infectious, extending not only to our mission but also to the core values that define us as an organization.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact, join us in our mission as we work towards a vibrant and healthy future for Maine.

Essential Job Functions

Organizational Leadership & Management:

• Shapes the strategic direction and vision for the organization, in collaboration with the President & CEO and the other members of the leadership team
• Ensures the strategic investment and deployment of MCHT resources to advance strategic plan goals and objectives
• Works closely with the President & CEO and other members of the MCHT leadership team to define organizational priorities, develop the organization’s annual workplan and budget proposal for Board review and approval, and ensure collaboration and coordination across departments
• Oversees and manages Finance & Administration team members across all office locations, setting and communicating clear goals and objectives, actively partnering with staff to identify and address challenges, and ensuring responsibilities are carried out in an effective and timely manner
• Develops Board agendas and presentations in collaboration with the President & CEO and other members of the leadership team, communicating regularly with the Board regarding investments, capital and operating budgets, audit activity, IT initiatives, and HR efforts.
• Leads and manages the Finance & Administration department, providing coaching, directing work, evaluating employee and team performance, and facilitating teambuilding and professional development opportunities
• Staffs the Board Investment Committee and the Board Finance Committee and works in collaboration with the President & CEO and the Investment and Finance Committee Chairs to set agendas and organize and manage efforts to recruit, onboard, engage, and strengthen relationships with Investment and Finance Committee members
• Acts as a role model and ambassador for MCHT, demonstrating its values internally and externally and leading by example
• Takes on special projects and other duties as required or assigned by the President & CEO

Departmental Leadership & Management:

• Acts as chief strategist for all department activities, establishing direction and high-level expectations, overseeing planning and implementation of related efforts, tracking impact, and ensuring coordination and collaboration with relevant Board committees, external stakeholders, the MCHT leadership team, and other departments.
• Develops and monitors the department’s annual workplans and budget in collaboration with department managers and staff
• Oversees and directs all accounting functions for the organization, including financial reporting, organizational cash flow and financial forecasting, and the annual operating budget, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations
• Oversees external fund managers and works closely with the organization’s Investment Committee to monitor and ensure sound investment management of the organization’s invested funds
• Manages the annual audit of the organization’s consolidated financial statements, A133 Federal and State grant audit, and the preparation of the annual Form 990 tax return, convening the audit committee on an annual basis to review results and address policies and procedures as deemed necessary
• Ensures MCHT’s financial reporting system is current and within Financial Accounting Standards Boards (FASB) principles and procedures
• Oversees and monitors the operating budget throughout the year, monitors revenue and expenses on an ongoing basis, and applies adjustments as needed to meet program priorities, in collaboration with the President & CEO and the leadership team
• Oversees and directs the human resources function for the organization including compensation policies, benefits, performance management processes, hiring, professional development, and fair and equitable policies and protocols, ensuring that all systems, policies and procedures are within required state and federal regulations
• Oversees the development and implementation of all IT-related activities, ensuring database management, connectivity, telephony, and software and hardware needs are addressed and designed to support efficiency and accuracy
• Responsible for development and oversight of the organization’s risk management plan including all aspects of insurance, leases, and safety
• Oversees and ensures effective management of the organization’s administrative facilities and property management functions, including leases and preventative maintenance

Supervisory Responsibility

The Senior Director of Finance & Administration is responsible for setting the tone for the Finance & Administration department, fostering an environment that supports new ideas, encourages learning, embraces productive debate, and invests in the evolution and health of the organization and its people. Direct reports include the Associate Director of Finance, Associate Director of HR, Director of IT, and an Executive Assistant. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing and hiring, onboarding, training and development, performance management, and teambuilding.

Education & Experience

Degree in Accountancy or a related field with a minimum of 12 years of experience in financial and organizational management or the equivalent in work experience. Prior nonprofit accounting experience CPA preferred. Past success working and collaborating with a board of directors is a plus.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
• Proven experience leading and managing information technology, human resources, and facilities management for a multi-site organization
• Excellent analytical and presentation skills as well as highly developed planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communications skills
• High emotional intelligence with a proven ability to supervise, mentor, inspire, and empower staff
• Holds high ethical standards with an ability to make tough decisions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency with computers, databases, and office software systems

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a normal office environment not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc. Operates computer, printer, and other office equipment. Work requires extended sitting and repetitive motion in the use of computers, keyboard, and mouse. Regular attendance at the workplace is required. Attendance may be required for periodic evening and weekend events throughout the year.

MCHT has offices in Topsham, Rockport, MDI and Whiting and the location of this position is flexible and could be in any of our offices. We have a hybrid work model with 20 office days and 3 home days.

This is a permanent, full-time position with a benefits package including insurance, generous vacation and sick time, and a retirement plan. The annual starting salary range for this role is $140,000 to $175,000 and will depend upon experience.

To Apply: Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and passion for our mission to search@mcht.org by May 30, 2025.  Please use “Senior Dir of Finance & Admin” in the subject line.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate, and administer all personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sex stereotyping, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.