Managing Director of Finance

Job Title: Managing Director of Finance
Functional Team: Finance and Operations
Job Type: Full-time
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Location: Hybrid in New York City (NY), Chicago (IL), Bay Area or Los Angeles (CA), Miami (FL)
Desired Start Date: 4/1/25
Direct Supervisor: Pareen Kohlhaas, Chief Operating Officer

Who We Are

COOP is building a diverse movement of upwardly mobile first-generation college grads overcoming underemployment through digital skills and peer connections. We want to reignite our nation’s promise of upward mobility for those who strive to achieve a brighter future for themselves and their families—to ensure the American Dream is a reality for all. We connect un-/underemployed first-gen college graduates to one another—within cohorts and across “generations” of cohorts. By growing their peer professional networks, members of our community achieve upward economic mobility by building the skills and connections they need for the careers they deserve.

Our intervention for underemployed graduates has produced compelling wage outcomes for thousands of first-generation and low-income grads in New York, California, Illinois, and Florida.

Within 12 months of program completion, three-in-four COOP alumni are fully employed.

Learn more about COOP Careers’ here:

• https://coopcareers.org/mission
• https://coopcareers.org/impact

Our Workplace

COOP is an alumni-led organization where we bring our authentic selves to work every day. Over 60% of our staff members have been program participants which translates into a workplace that is mission-driven with deep connections to our community. Rooted in the core values that comprise our three pillars of Head, Heart, and Hustle, we approach our work with empathy, curiosity, and a shared sense of purpose.

Our teams span across NYC, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. We come together virtually each month to create space for collective learning and professional development, and regionally in-person each month to build connections. We approach our shared mission of overcoming underemployment with resourcefulness and optimism while bringing fun to the challenge.

What You Will Do

The Managing Director of Finance (MDoF) will lead the finance and compliance functions, maintaining strong internal controls that minimize organizational risk and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. The MDoF will oversee budgeting, financial planning & analysis, grants compliance, audit, and risk management while acting as a strategic partner to the senior and executive leadership teams.

This role is ideal for a mission-driven professional with deep knowledge and experience in nonprofit finance and compliance.

Who We Need

Responsibilities

Financial Management (40%)

• Develop and monitor annual budgets, including forecasts and long-term financial planning
• Oversee accounting function (A/P, A/R, cash flow management, etc.)
• Lead the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Provide timely and accurate financial reporting to executive leadership and Board of Directors
• Oversee internal financial systems (Concur, Quickbooks, bill.com, etc.) to ensure efficiency
• Support Development team with grants management via development of grant proposal budgets, timely financial tracking, and accurate financial reporting to funders
• Work closely with Talent team to manage payroll processing and compliance

Compliance and Risk Management (30%)

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, serving as a strategic thought partner to other functions to ensure compliance across the organization
• Manage all audit processes and related reporting (IRS, 401k, workers compensation, etc.)
• Develop and maintain policies to ensure compliance with controls and regulatory requirements
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks in collaboration with COO
• Ensure strong risk due diligence practices to support functional and executive decision-making
• Manage all legal-related matters, including contract due diligence and employee relations support

Strategic Functional Leadership (30%)

• Serve as organizational subject matter expert (SME) for all financial and compliance matters
• Manage and develop direct reports (currently Senior Staff Accountant and external Controller)
• Support strategic planning initiatives through financial modeling and analysis
• Build strong financial and compliance infrastructure to support organizational growth and scale

Qualifications:

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field
• 10 years of progressive experience in financial management, preferably in the nonprofit sector
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles (GAAP) and federal and state regulations
• Experience managing government contracts and private philanthropic grants
• Expertise in financial software (QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, Concur, bill.com, etc.)
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and Google Sheets
• Proven track record of leading audits successfully and on time
• Experience managing risk and compliance frameworks for nonprofits
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills
• Ability to translate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• MBA, Master’s in a related field, CPA, or equivalent graduate degree
• Familiarity with workforce development programs and funding structures

Who You Are

• Initiative and Results Driven - Creates action plans to drive decisions that deliver results and enhance intended impact, accounting for internal and external factors that might affect desired results and adjusting course as needed
• Data Mindset - Understands and analyzes data; uses data to identify insights and implications to make data-driven decisions and inform operations/strategy
• Adaptable & Effective Change Manager - Open to new ideas; responds to, prepares for and embraces change effectively; supports/leads colleagues through change
• Strategic Thinker - Considers the future of the organization proactively; weighs diverse inputs to inform strategy; identifies opportunities for efficiency, improvement, and innovation
• Resource Manager - Makes decisions that effectively balance tradeoffs to ensure organizational impact and long-term fiscal sustainability

What We Offer You

• Base Annual Salary: $135,000 - $150,000 (commensurate with experience)
• A generous and flexible vacation policy, including holidays and office closures for Wellness Weeks the last week of December and first week of July
• 100% employer-funded comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you (80% employer-funded coverage for dependents)
• Flexible spending account benefits (healthcare, dependent care, and commuter)
• 401(K) retirement plan and 4% employer match - eligibility to participate after one year of service

Hybrid Working Policy

COOP’s hybrid workplace strikes a thoughtful balance between at-home flexibility and in-person chemistry. Regular shared experience in person (structured and spontaneous) will enhance collaboration, strengthen existing relationships, and forge new ones within and across teams. Intentional, casual, and joyful moments together will infuse our culture with the sense of community that makes COOP unique and powerful and will collectively push us toward our shared purpose.

Currently, all COOP team members are working remotely and attending a once-a-month in-person coworking and team-building day at our co-located space in lower Manhattan (Civic Hall, 124 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003) for NYC team members and in San Francisco (Swissnex, San Francisco Pier 17, The Embarcadero Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94111) for Bay Area team members or a mutually convenient coworking location for our Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami team members.

Residency Policy

All employees must reside within commuting distance (approximately two hours) of a COOP Program site located in the following cities: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Bay Area, and within the states of CA, CT, FL, IL, IN, NJ or NY.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

COOP provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We seek to build a diverse staff representative of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

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