Director of Finance and Operations

Director of Finance and Operations

Organizational Background

Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded by Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to protect Tribal sacred sites and to promote Indigenous stewardship of lands within Amah Mutsun traditional territory and the adjacent Awaswas stewardship area through research, conservation, restoration, and education.

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band is comprised of the descendants of Indigenous people taken to Missions San Juan Bautista and Santa Cruz. Amah Mutsun's ancestors were forcibly removed from their lands and confined in missions during Spanish colonization. Today, the descendants of those few who survived Euro-American colonialism are working to revitalize their Indigenous culture and heal from the legacy of historic trauma. In pursuit of these goals, AMLT supports the Tribe’s work to renew their sacred obligation to care for Mother Earth and all beings; to reconnect Tribe members with Indigenous culture, history, and territory; and to teach non-Indigenous allies about and involve them in actively caring for our living world.

AMLT’s Core Programs and Approaches include:

• The Native Stewardship Corps, a work training, cultural relearning, and conservation fieldwork program for Tribal members.
• The Native Plant Program, in which Native stewards and volunteers work together to propagate native plants for land stewardship/restoration projects, Tribal cultural uses, and other purposes.
• The Cultural Burning Program is working to train a team of Tribal practitioners to renew and implement cultural burning land stewardship systems.
• The Coastal and Ocean Stewardship Program, which aims to connect with, monitor, protect, and enhance a diverse suite of coastal resources, such as shellfish and kelp forests.
• The Sacred Land Defense Program protects sacred sites from development and other impacts that could harm these places.
• Research and Education Programs that promote Indigenous perspectives in resource management, including the Coastal Stewardship Summer Camp for tribal youth.
• Land Ownership and Cultural Easements for protection and care in perpetuity.

AMLT has grown dramatically over the past several years, and we expect the number, breadth, and depth of these programs and supporting staff will continue to expand.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) will serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Executive Director and a vital member of the leadership team, helping to guide the Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT) through its next phase of growth and impact. Rooted in the mission to protect Tribal sacred sites and restore Indigenous stewardship practices, the DFO will ensure that the organization’s internal operations are as strong, sustainable, and values-aligned as its powerful external programs.

This role is ideal for a finance and operations leader who is not only deeply skilled in nonprofit management but also inspired by the opportunity to contribute to land justice, ecological healing, and Indigenous cultural revitalization. The DFO will lead and strengthen key internal functions—including finance, budgeting, human resources, administration, and IT—with a focus on building resilient systems that support AMLT’s dynamic and expanding portfolio of conservation, restoration, and education programs.

Working closely with the ED and senior staff, the DFO will help ensure that AMLT’s mission-driven work is supported by thoughtful planning, sound fiscal stewardship, and an organizational culture rooted in respect, accountability, and care. This is a hands-on leadership position with significant opportunity to shape the systems and infrastructure of a high-impact, values-driven organization at a pivotal moment of growth.

This is a full-time, exempt role with flexible remote work and occasional in-person travel to AMLT project sites and gatherings across Amah Mutsun and Awaswas territory.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Director (ED) on financial strategy, operational planning, and organizational development.
• Lead long-term financial planning, budgeting, cash flow management, and investment prioritization to ensure mission alignment and sustainability.
• Represent finance and operations at Board and committee meetings, particularly with the Audit and Finance Committees; prepare and present timely, transparent financial reports and analysis.
• Contribute to strategic decision-making and organizational planning that supports AMLT’s growth, impact, and alignment with Indigenous stewardship values.
• Represent AMLT with professionalism in external partnerships, including contract negotiations and financial institutions.

Financial Management & Oversight

• Provide hands-on leadership of all financial functions, including budgeting, accounting, grant reporting, audit preparation, and financial forecasting.
• Ensure timely, accurate monthly and annual financial reporting across all programs, grants, and donor segments; communicate financial performance and risks in clear, actionable ways.
• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with the ED and program leads; monitor performance against budget and support course corrections as needed.
• Oversee general ledger management, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, cash flow projections, credit card and banking systems, and investment accounts.
• Strengthen financial systems, policies, and controls, ensuring AMLT meets compliance standards and is prepared for audits and funding requirements.
• Manage and improve contract billing, receivables, and revenue recognition processes to support operational needs.
• Proactively identify financial risks and opportunities, recommending strategic solutions to safeguard the organization’s assets and mission.

Operational Excellence

• Strengthen and scale AMLT’s HR infrastructure, including talent acquisition, onboarding, benefits administration, performance evaluations, compensation, and compliance.
• Ensure consistent, inclusive, and equitable HR practices that support staff well-being and organizational growth.
• Oversee technology systems and partnerships, ensuring AMLT’s digital tools are secure, effective, and aligned with evolving needs.
• Guide administrative operations and facilities management to support organizational efficiency and a high-functioning remote/hybrid workplace.
• Develop and update operational policies and procedures that reflect AMLT’s values, promote accountability, and enable long-term sustainability.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and support a growing team across finance, operations, and administrative functions, fostering a culture of collaboration, integrity, learning, and excellence.
• Design and implement effective performance management systems, including clear roles, objectives, regular feedback, and professional development pathways.
• Promote a high-performance work environment rooted in AMLT’s values, ensuring staff are trained, supported, and positioned for success.
• Build leadership capacity across the team and support cross-departmental collaboration to advance organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including at least 6 years in nonprofit financial and operations leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing core finance functions—budgeting, financial reporting, audits, and grants management.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and compliance requirements.
• Experience overseeing or partnering closely with human resources functions.
• Proven ability to communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders across program and fundraising teams.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing and mentoring cross-functional teams.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans; comfortable moving between big-picture strategy and day-to-day execution.
• Excellent judgment, problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict resolution abilities.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; able to effectively interface with staff, board members, and external partners.
• Results-oriented, self-motivated, and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and alignment with the mission and values of AMLT.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree such as MBA, CPA, or related credential.
• Experience managing financial operations for land trusts, conservation organizations, or Indigenous-led nonprofits.
• Familiarity with land acquisition, stewardship, easements, or environmental funding streams.
• Hands-on experience building systems and infrastructure during periods of organizational growth.

Physical qualifications

• Regularly sit, talk, and hear
• Be able to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs
• Regularly use close and distance vision
• Work at a desk and a computer screen

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, permanent, exempt position that includes the following benefits:

• Option to enroll in employer-supported medical, dental, and vision insurance,
• 15 days personal time off (PTO)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Reimbursement for work-related travel using a personal vehicle at the federal rate.

The salary is $150,000 to $170,000 a year, depending on experience.

Work Location and Travel

This is a remote position, but you must be able to travel weekly throughout Amah Mutsun Land Trust’s stewardship area, encompassing southern Santa Clara County, northern San Benito County, southern San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, and northern Monterey County.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Amah Mutsun Land Trust is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against people of different genders, races, religions, or creeds. AMLT is a drug- and alcohol-free workplace that prohibits the use of drugs and alcohol on the job or at any of our work sites. Members of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

To Apply

Please complete the application, submit a resume, and a cover letter. AMLT actively seeks those with strong tribal connections, preferably with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band (AMTB) or another indigenous organization to fill this role. Please share your experience with the AMTB or other indigenous organizations, and how this connection will help you succeed in this role and why you are drawn to the mission of AMLT.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.