Director of Finance & Administration

Job Title: Director of Finance & Administration

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Downtown San Jose, CA

Position Status: Full-Time Exempt

Posting Date: 4/21/2026

The Opportunity

The San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) is a suite of four nonprofit organizations and Property and Business Improvement Districts (PBID & BID) dedicated to making Downtown San Jose a vibrant, safe, clean, and economically thriving destination for residents, businesses, workers, and visitors. As stewards of one of the most dynamic urban cores in the Bay Area, SJDA manages public realm programs, business advocacy, marketing, events, and community partnerships that drive the continued vitality of Downtown.

We seek mission-driven professionals who are energized by the complexity and impact of urban district management and who want to build something lasting in an organization at an inflection point of growth and modernization.

The Director of Finance & Administration is a senior leadership role responsible for building and managing the financial, human resources, and information technology infrastructure of the San Jose Downtown Association and its family of organizations. This is a transformational role: SJDA is a legacy organization committed to evolving its internal systems, controls, and operations to meet modern standards of nonprofit governance and operational excellence.

The Director of Finance & Administration oversees all accounting, financial reporting, treasury, compliance, payroll, human resources, and information technology functions either directly or through oversight of external contractors and service providers. The incumbent will be a hands-on leader who brings both the technical expertise and the management skills to design, implement, and institutionalize best practices across all functional areas under their oversight. This role serves as a key strategic partner to the CEO and works closely with Officers of the Board of Directors in ensuring SJDA’s financial health, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness.

First-Year Priorities

Working with the CEO, the Director of Finance & Administration will be expected to lead the following initiatives in their first 12 months:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of existing financial, HR, and IT systems, policies, and internal controls.
• Design and implement updated financial policies, procedures, and internal controls aligned with GAAP and nonprofit best practices.
• With CEO, evaluate existing external service providers across accounting/bookkeeping, HR, and IT; implement optimization or restructuring recommendations, including determining which functions to bring in-house versus maintain externally.
• Establish or strengthen annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, and grant/sponsorship tracking processes to serve both staff and board decision-making.
• Work in partnership with contracted Professional Employer Organization to build scalable, documented HR processes including onboarding, benefits administration, performance management frameworks, and employee handbook updates.
• Work with contracted IT services to modernize IT infrastructure oversight, including cybersecurity practices, hardware and software systems, and business continuity planning.
• Develop a compliance calendar and system to ensure timely filing of all tax, PBID, and grantor reporting obligations.
• Evaluate and implement financial systems and software upgrades that improve efficiency, accuracy, and reporting capability.

Essential Responsibilities

Finance & Accounting (45%)

• Oversee external management and/or future internal staff oversight of all accounts, ledgers, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, investments, and financial reporting systems, ensuring compliance with GAAP, IRS regulations, and applicable state and local requirements.
• Lead preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; present findings clearly to the CEO, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.
• Manage and improve the annual budgeting and forecasting process in collaboration with the CEO and program leads; develop multi-year financial planning tools.
• Establish and maintain a revenue processing system that supports timely and accurate draw-down and reimbursement requests from government and private grantors that span multiple calendar and fiscal years.
• Manage banking relationships, monitor cash flow, and recommend investment strategies appropriate to a nonprofit organization.

Compliance & Risk Management (25%)

• Design, document, implement, and oversee a comprehensive system of internal policies and controls to protect organizational assets and ensure financial accuracy.
• Oversee preparation and management of the annual independent financial statement review or audit.
• Oversee preparation and filing of Form 990, all applicable tax returns, and grantor compliance reports with contactor support.
• Ensure compliance with PBID/BID assessment district financial requirements, including coordination internal staff with the City of San Jose on annual reporting and contract obligations.
• Maintain a compliance calendar covering all regulatory deadlines across finance, HR, and operations.
• Ensure organizational compliance with California non-profit law, employment law, and data privacy regulations.
• Oversee and maintain commercial insurance policy coverages.

Human Resources Oversight (10%)

• Provide strategic oversight of external HR PEO relationship.
• Manage payroll processing systems with PEO, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all applicable wage and labor laws.
• Partner with the CEO on compensation benchmarking, workforce planning, and performance evaluations.
• Serve as an internal resource on HR compliance matters; escalate issues to PEO and legal counsel as appropriate.

Information Technology Oversight (10%)

• Provide strategic oversight of all IT functions through management of external IT service providers and vendors.
• Evaluate the current IT infrastructure and lead an assessment of hardware, software, and cybersecurity; develop a prioritized modernization roadmap and oversee implementation.
• Oversee cybersecurity policies, data protection protocols, and staff training to safeguard organizational assets and sensitive data.
• Manage technology vendor relationships and contracts; negotiate and optimize costs and service levels.
• Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery protocols are documented and tested.

Executive & Board Support (10%)

• Serve as a key financial advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team; provide data-driven analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Prepare and present accessible financial reports, dashboards, and analyses for the Board of Directors and Finance Committee on a regular basis.
• Participate in strategic planning processes; develop financial models and scenario analyses to support organizational goals.
• Support the CEO and in the financial management of grant awards, including budget development, interim reporting, and close-out.
• Represent SJDA with external stakeholders including auditors, banks, government agencies, and professional associations as needed.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated experience in mission-driven nonprofit financial management and/or leadership role, including familiarity with fund accounting, Form 990 preparation, and grant compliance.
• Prior experience building or significantly rebuilding financial systems, internal controls, or organizational policies in a legacy or transitional environment strongly preferred.
• Experience managing or overseeing HR and/or IT functions, either directly or through vendors and contractors.
• Experience government-contracted nonprofits and/or assessment districts is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and federal/state regulatory requirements applicable to nonprofits.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, audit preparation, and risk management frameworks.
• Proven ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial audiences including boards.
• Demonstrated change management skills: ability to assess legacy practices, build consensus for change, and implement new systems and procedures effectively.
• Experience with accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, or similar platforms and payment processing platforms like Bill.com; willingness to evaluate and implement new systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office; Excel modeling skills required.
• Working knowledge of IT infrastructure and cybersecurity fundamentals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to boards, government partners, and community stakeholders.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills across finance, HR, and IT service providers.
• High degree of integrity, professional judgment, and ability to maintain confidentiality across all functional areas.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small-team environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate in written and verbal form with key staff and stakeholders regarding project schedules, milestones, progression towards goals, budget, and other opportunities
• Exemplary relationship-building skills to foster trust and collaborate with community members, public entities, private organizations
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and multi-disciplinary team setting.
• Experience with data visualization and reporting dashboard tools/systems is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

SJDA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Annual salary range of $130,000 to $145,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, parking, and supplemental benefits including paid parking, technology stipend, and 401k retirement plan with 4% employer match.
• Unlimited PTO policy.
• Professional development support, including membership in relevant professional associations.

Working Conditions

This is a full-time salaried position, operating Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend availability required for board meetings, community events, or urgent operational matters. The position operates at SJDA’s office in Downtown San Jose. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, site visits, or conferences.

SJDA strives to have a fun and flexible culture; our small and mighty team works hard in a fast-paced environment and has a good time improving Downtown San Jose. Our organization provides opportunities to develop things that matter in our city - you’ll have exposure to exciting events, projects, and developments that make a lasting impact in San Jose and can drive innovative projects of your own.

Physical requirements include the ability to work at a computer workstation for extended periods, attend in-person meetings, and occasionally lift materials up to 45 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The San Jose Downtown Association is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplace. SJDA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully.

Candidates who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process are encouraged to submit their request at the time of application.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF document including a brief cover letter describing their relevant experience and interest in this role and a resume to hr@sjdowntown.comwith the subject line Finance Director. Submissions are requested before May 15, 2026; Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews will begin immediately. Position is open until filled. No phone calls, please.

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, parking, and supplemental benefits including paid parking, technology stipend, and 401k retirement plan with 4% employer match.

Unlimited PTO policy.

Professional development support, including membership in relevant professional associations.