Senior Finance Manager

JOB SUMMARY:

Public Rights Project (PRP) is a national nonprofit organization that helps local government officials fight for civil rights. We build their capacity to protect and advance civil rights, convene and connect them on key issues, and provide legal representation to help them win in court for residents. Since its founding in 2017, PRP has recovered over $46 million in relief for marginalized people; built a network of over 438 government offices in 44 states; trained 415 prosecutors and government lawyers in 30 states; and secured court victories on rights for abortion, immigrants, workers, and voting. Learn more about our work. 

Public Rights Project seeks to hire a Senior Finance Manager to lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and financial oversight for the organization. This role provides day to day leadership for the finance function, translating financial data into clear, actionable insights that support decision making across teams. Partnering closely with the COO, executive leadership and an external accounting firm, the Senior Finance Manager ensures strong financial controls, effective resource allocation and forward looking financial planning. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Finance Operations & Accounting Oversight

• Provide oversight and direction for day to day financial operations, executed by the Finance & Compliance Operations Manager
• Set, document and implement finance policies, procedures and internal controls
• Manage organizational finance accounts including banking, credit cards, investments and treasury functions
• Partner on cash management, reserve planning and liquidity strategy
• Own the day to day relationship with the external accounting firm, setting priorities, timelines and standards for financial reporting
• Partner with accounting team to ensure timely monthly close, accurate financial reporting and books
• Review and approve monthly close outputs and financial statements prior to internal or external distributions
• Review financial reports for accuracy, clarity and usability for internal stakeholders

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and leadership team
• Develop and maintain multi-year forecasts, funding sources, cash flow projections and scenario planning models
• Translate accounting outputs into actionable insights for leadership and program teams
• Prepare and present financial materials, forecasts and analyses for executive leadership and as needed, for board review
• Run monthly budget manager meetings to review performance, risks and adjustments
• Partner with COO to build financial literacy and confidence across teams by helping staff understand budgets, forecasts, and financial implications of their work

Grants & Restricted Funding Support

• Support development of grant budgets in partnership with development and program teams
• Monitor restricted funding and compliance with grant terms
• Prepare or review financial reports for funders in coordination with the accounting team 
• Provide guidance on grant budgeting and cost allocation across programs

Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

• Lead and own the annual audit and other financial reviews, with operational coordination supported by the Finance & Compliance Operations Manager
• Oversee implementation of auditor recommendations
• Lead financial risk assessment and mitigation planning, including identifying control gaps and remediation actions
• Support compliance requirements related to grants, contracts and nonprofit finance regulations
• Ensure strong financial controls and adherence to organizational policies 
• Oversee financial aspects of vendor relationships and contracts
• Review contract budgets, payment schedules and financial terms

Team Leadership

• Conduct performance management, goal setting and professional development for the Finance & Compliance Operations Manager
• Set clear priorities, workflows, and performance expectations for the finance function
• Continuously assess and improve finance processes, tools and workflows within the finance function in response to organizational needs and growth 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 7 or more years of progressive experience in finance, financial planning and analysis, or nonprofit finance
• Demonstrated experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis processes
• Experience partnering with external accounting firms or outsourced finance teams
• Experience managing or mentoring staff and providing performance feedback
• Strong ability to translate complex financial information for non financial stakeholders
• Experience in a nonprofit or mission driven organization, including work with restricted funding and grants
• Familiarity with nonprofit financial reporting, audits, and compliance requirements
• Experience supporting leadership or board level financial discussions
• CPA, CFA, MBA, or similar credential a plus but not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong people management skills
• Expert, detail-oriented, and proactive project and program management skills, including managing multiple work streams concurrently
• Ability to think and plan strategically while providing tactical support to implement ideas
• Ability and willingness both to complete and to oversee administrative tasks in support of team goals
• Ability to deliver high-quality content and produce results on a deadline
• Ability to conduct research and provide analysis
• Experience or ability to learn the following systems: Google Suite, Office 365, Salesforce, Asana and others
• Ability to work well with others and diverse groups
• A belief in the power of state and local government to make positive change in the world
• A passionate commitment to economic, racial, gender, and environmental justice

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Other duties as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

The Senior Finance Manager reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This role manages the Finance & Compliance Operations Manager and works closely with an external accounting firm. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires sitting, talking and listening for up to 8 hours per day. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Fully remote organization and team. This role may require travel a few times a year to PRP events or meetings. We currently have remote staff in Oakland, Los Angeles, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Portland (Oregon), Portland (Maine), and Washington, DC, as well as other cities.

COMPENSATION

The determined salary range for this level 4 role is set at $105,600–$158,400. PRP places new hires within this band based on relevant years of experience, and all employees receive standard cost of living raises each year. Under our performance management system, high-performing employees are also eligible for additional salary increases. PRP will not engage in salary negotiations outside this band. 

PRP HIRING COMMITMENT:  

PRP is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. A diverse and inclusive workplace, both at PRP and within the government offices we serve, is a key ingredient for achieving our mission of building equitable enforcement capacity within state and local government. 

We aim to assemble a team that reflects the world we live in and the communities we serve with respect to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and immigration status. People with personal or family experience with the type of harms we seek to combat, including wage theft, predatory lending, fraud, discrimination, and environmental degradation are particularly encouraged to apply.