Vice President of Finance

The Vice President of Finance serves as the senior leader of Food Lifeline’s Finance and Accounting function and is responsible for ensuring the organization’s financial integrity, compliance, and sustainability.

As a member of the Executive Team, this role provides strategic financial leadership while maintaining deep oversight of accounting operations, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and financial reporting. The Vice President ensures that Food Lifeline operates with strong internal controls, accurate and timely financial information, and full compliance with all federal, state, and grant-related requirements. This role is both a strategic partner and a hands-on leader of a complex nonprofit finance function, overseeing all aspects of accounting, audit, compliance, and financial operations in a highly regulated and publicly funded environment.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

Leadership & Cross-Organization Partnership

• Serve as a member of the Executive Team, contributing to organizational strategy, decision-making, and long-term planning.
• Provide data-driven financial insight to support priorities, tradeoffs, and resource allocation.
• Partner with the CAO, CEO, and executive leadership to align financial strategy with organizational capacity and goals.
• Model collaborative, values-driven leadership that fosters trust, accountability, and high performance.
• Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing finance and accounting team, ensuring appropriate structure, capacity, and accountability to support organizational needs.
• Ensure strong coordination between finance and other departments to support operational, programmatic, and funding requirements. Accounting, Financial Operations & Internal Controls
• Lead all aspects of finance and accounting, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll, financial reporting, and month-end/year-end close.
• Ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of financial records in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and systems that safeguard assets and ensure compliance.
• Continuously improve financial processes and reporting capabilities to support organizational scale and complexity.

Audit, Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Lead the annual financial audit, including preparation of audited financial statements and related disclosures.
• Ensure readiness for and successful execution of all required audits, including Single Audit and multiple state, federal, and grant-related audits.
• Oversee preparation and filing of IRS Form 990 and ensure compliance with all tax and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and mitigate financial and compliance risks, implementing improvements based on audit findings and regulatory changes.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process and long-term financial planning, including forecasting, scenario modeling, and cash flow management.
• Partner with executive leadership to align financial plans with strategic priorities.
• Monitor financial performance and provide clear, actionable analysis to support decision-making.

Grant & Fund Accounting

• Ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and compliance for restricted funding, including government grants, contracts, and foundation funding.
• Oversee funder reporting and ensure alignment between funding requirements, program delivery, and financial systems.

Financial Reporting & Board Engagement

• Provide timely, accurate financial reporting and analysis to the Executive Team, CEO, and Board of Directors.
• Prepare and present materials for board and committee meetings, including key insights, risks, and trends.
• Ensure transparency, clarity, and accountability in all financial communications.

Financial Partnerships, Risk & Fiduciary Oversight

• Manage relationships with external financial partners, including auditors, banks, investment advisors, insurance brokers, and regulatory bodies.
• Oversee corporate insurance programs and monitor financial and compliance risk exposure.
• Serve as the internal lead for Food Lifeline’s 403(b) retirement plan, ensuring fiduciary oversight, regulatory compliance, and effective partnership with external advisors and service providers.

Secondary Functions:

• Participates in meetings, committees, and events as required.
• Other duties as needed

Job Scope:

This position:

• Has recurring work situations with frequent variations from the norm
• Has a high level of work complexity
• Performs work under minimal supervision
• Decisions are made within policy constraints.
• Budgetary accountability – Develops and manages budgeting and reporting processes for entire organization, including capital budgets.
• Responsibility for planning: Establishes and implements annual operating plan for Finance Department. Partners with CAO, CEO, and Executive Team on organizational strategic direction and initiatives.

This position manages an accounting team of four

• Performs supervisory functions for Department including: establishing staffing needs; recommend/approve hiring; establish work schedules; orient, train, develop, and assure continuing education for staff; assign work; access and manage performance; advocate for employees; resolve complaints; counsel, coach, and mentor; recommend/approve terminations.

Interpersonal Contacts:

• Internal 80% • External 20%
• In person 45% • On-Line
• Meetings: 15% • E-mail 40%

Job Skills and Qualifications:

• Deep expertise in nonprofit finance and accounting, including financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, audit management, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, internal controls, and compliance with U.S. GAAP.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex audit and compliance environments, including Single Audit and multiple state, federal, and grant-related audits.
• Strong understanding of fund accounting, restricted funding, and financial reporting requirements for government and philanthropic funding sources.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and continuously improve financial systems, internal controls, and operational processes that support organizational scale and complexity.
• Advanced financial analysis and modeling skills, with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights for decision-making.
• High proficiency in financial and enterprise systems (e.g., ERP/accounting platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics), payroll systems (e.g., ADP), and advanced Excel capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate high-performing teams in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver accurate, timely work.
• Exceptional judgment, integrity, and ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with executive leadership, board members, and diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically, adapting to changing needs and driving continuous improvement.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered practices, including an understanding of the systemic drivers of food insecurity.

Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in finance, accounting, and audit, including oversight of complex financial operations.
• At least 5 years of experience leading and developing finance and accounting teams, including supervision, performance management, and organizational change.
• Demonstrated experience managing audits, financial reporting, and compliance requirements in an environment with complex funding and/or with significant audit regulations.
• Experience with nonprofit financial management, including fund accounting and restricted funding, strongly preferred.
• Proven experience building or strengthening finance functions, including systems, internal controls, and team processes and structure.
• CPA or equivalent certification strongly preferred.

Job Conditions:

Work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Requires extended periods of sitting, use of laptop computer, and the ability to routinely lift and carry up to 10 pounds. Position may be subject to periodic increased workloads due to month/year end close, budgeting, and audits.

Physical Demands:

Prolonged periods of sitting while keyboarding; repetitive use of hands and wrists. Requires extensive close work and prolonged mental focus on figures, forms and computer screens. Requires use of laptop computer and multiple monitors.

Compensation & Benefits · Salary Range: $$180,000. To $190,000 annually

Full benefits package includes:

Employer-paid medical coverage for employees and children

Dental and vision insurance

Employer-paid basic life, long- and short-term disability

Employer match for 403(b) retirement plans

Generous paid time off, including parental leave Paid sabbatical after 5 years

Position Details · Full-time, hybrid role requiring at least three days per week in the office ·

Candidates must be willing and able to live and work in the Seattle area.