Finance Controller/Director

Financial Controller/Director

Posting Date: February 23

Salary: $140,000 – $165,000

Includes a generous benefits package.

THE VISION

Watershed’s vision is to cultivate long-term community wealth through thoughtful community development, engagement and ownership, affordable and sustainable housing, spaces for community based small businesses and nonprofit groups, and supporting artists, artisans and the creative community of Georgetown.

OUR VALUES

• We acknowledge that Watershed Community Development is on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Coast Salish People, past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and their stewardship.

• We strive to amplify diverse voices and experiences, prioritize equitable practices and processes, and create an inclusive culture of care and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage anyone from historically marginalized backgrounds to apply.

• We center folks who live and work in the Duwamish Valley, BIPOC individuals, artists, and those who come from communities that have been, or are at risk of, being displaced from this region.

• We value transparency, patience, imagination, humor, collaboration, and intentionality.

• We work hard and take our work seriously, but not necessarily always ourselves.

WATERSHED: ORIGIN STORY

It started with Equinox Studios in 2006. First, it was a single building with the vision of providing affordable work studios for artists. In the beginning, it was 10 artists in work studios which quickly grew to 30 and then 53. Additional buildings were purchased, and more creative folks joined the Creative Industrial Complex until our community boasted over 125 creatives—painters, dancers, architects, sculptors, welders, chocolatiers, woodworkers—working across five buildings in the southwest corner of Georgetown. Things were scaling up and in 2014 Equinox created a unique SPC (Special Purpose Corporation) tenant-ownership community collective structure—changing artist renters into owners—to steward it all.

In 2021, Equinox tenant owners voted to pay their equity forward into the community-owned collective model to leverage the equity gained across the five original buildings. Along with public and private financing, fifteen properties lining 4thAve South in Georgetown were purchased. These building acquisitions spawned the creation of Watershed Community Development (Watershed), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Today, Watershed Community Development is: Equinox Studios, Community Partnership Support (a strategic nonprofit fiscal sponsorships and partnerships entity); and—over the next 5 years—the development of The Bend: a five-building live/work creative district of 600 new affordable housing units, over 35,000sf of commercial spaces providing daily life amenities (e.g., grocery, childcare, healthcare, and financial services), pedestrian pathways, greenspace, and an infusion of art everywhere it fits.

OUR MISSION

To build a resilient community through affordable placemaking and placekeeping in the Duwamish Valley at the intersection of affordability, arts, equity, and collective well-being.

THE POSITION: CORE FOCUS AREAS

We are searching for an experienced, visionary Controller/Finance Director to play a pivotal role in shaping our financial operations and contributing to the future success of our growing organization.

Culture, Values and Leadership

• Values collaborative, open and honest communication.

• Inspires and supports quality staff from diverse backgrounds.

• Fosters shared leadership with board, staff, and tenants.

• Passionate about the arts and supporting artists.

• Commitment to racial equity and social justice.

• Understands and is passionate about the advancement of the Watershed/Equinox/The Bend mission.

• Thrives in a rich community of unique people, has a healthy sense of humor and appreciates a cold beverage while huddling up to a good bonfire.

Your Responsibilities

• Provide Strategic Leadership: Partner with Executive team providing strategic financial leadership and board reporting. Develop and monitor financial management policies and mentor the accounting/finance team.
• Lead Financial Planning and Analysis: Oversee the annual budgeting process, financial reporting, projections, and cash forecasting, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and financial stability.
• Ensure Compliance and Evaluate Systems: Ensure compliance with GAAP and other regulatory requirements. Evaluate the effectiveness of key accounting systems and processes, and financial software.
• Oversee Operational Accounting: Provide leadership for all operational accounting functions including payroll, maintain accurate financial records and reporting, manage grant and tax-exempt bond accounting, oversee real estate accounting for development projects, and direct the annual external audit process.
• Manage Grant and Debt Funding Sources: Collaborate with various teams to align funding with organizational needs, oversee grant and debt reporting and compliance, and coordinate grant submissions and renewals.

WHAT YOU BRING

While we understand that any single candidate may not possess all the qualifications listed below, we are hoping to meet candidates with as many of the following as possible:

• A strong commitment to social justice, a deep appreciation for the arts, and an understanding of affordable housing development.

• Professional experience in financial management of affordable housing development.
• Ensure financial integrity with a thorough understanding of GAAP, internal controls, grant and debt accounting, and property management accounting.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and independent judgment.
• Possesses exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and thrives in a team-oriented environment.
• Experience budgeting, cash forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Works independently, manages deadlines, and maintains high standards for accuracy and confidentiality.
• Proficient with software systems including MS Excel, Outlook, Word and QuickBooks.
• Excited about the opportunity to lead a small yet powerful team, embracing a collaborative and hands-on approach as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Certified Public Accountant a plus.
• 7-10 years of management experience with progressively more responsible fiscal, administrative, and leadership duties.
• Experience in accounting for multiple entities and funds in a complex organization structure, and a thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, publicly funded (city, county and federal) grant sources and tax-exempt bonds a plus.
• Knowledge of property management and housing development a plus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Location: Georgetown Seattle, WA. The Controller/Finance Director is expected to have a regular on-site presence to interact with the executive team, and other stakeholders, but some remote work will be at their reasonable discretion.

• Employment: Full-time, exempt.

• Salary: $140,000 to $165,000 depending on candidate qualifications.

• Benefits: 100% company-paid medical; dental, vision, life insurance, Simple IRA 3% match, generous PTO policy, 10 annual paid holidays, and a $240 annual wellness stipend.

Watershed Community Development believes teams are stronger with different perspectives and experiences. We value a diverse workplace and encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, older members of society, and others from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to apply.

Watershed Community Development provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all applicants and employees adhering to federal, state, and local laws and is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with this commitment, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know in advance by including this with your resume and cover letter submission.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please express interest by submitting a resume and cover letter sharing how your interest and experience align with Watershed’s values and vision for this community by emailing:

hiring@watershedcommunity.org

While this position will remain open until Watershed and the ideal candidate have met, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we anticipate initial interviews will begin the second week of March 2025.

For more information and background about Watershed and Equinox read our Curious Applicant Packet here .

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $140,000.00 - $165,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Seattle, WA

Salary : $140,000 - $165,000