Project Consultant

About WestEd

As a community of over 900 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

Throughout WestEd’s over 50-year history we have maintained a strong commitment to staff diversity. Individuals of different ethnicities, races, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations, as well as from different cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, work at all levels of the organization. We value the range of perspectives provided by this diverse workforce and the ways in which those perspectives enrich and inform our agency and the work we do. Read more about WestEd’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

This position requires that you visit a WestEd office, attend WestEd sponsored meetings, or visit with clients. All WestEd staff are required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Proof of full vaccination is required before beginning employment.

Unvaccinated staff are not allowed in WestEd facilities and cannot make client visits. If you require a medical or religious exemption, you will have an opportunity to provide appropriate documentation and engage in an interactive process.

Position Description:

We are seeking an experienced Project Consultant to lead efforts to transition WestEd’s fiscal year. This is an exciting 16-24 month temporary role requiring extensive cross-functional involvement with our Contracts, Finance, HR, IT, and Accounting departments. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial officer, this position will serve as a strategic partner in accomplishing this important agency project.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, analysis, and successful completion of transitioning the organization’s fiscal year-end.
• Partner with various functions (Finance, Accounting, HR, Contracts, IT) to coordinate the financial and operational aspects of this complex project.
• Document and create procedures to address the business impact of transitioning fiscal year-end across the organization.
• Manage timelines, communications, and resources in the adoption of a new fiscal year-end project and effectively provide updates to agency leadership.
• Analyze the impact of changing the fiscal year on the performance planning and evaluation processes, and provide recommendations and a change management plan for transitioning those activities.
• Provide project management oversight of the accounting and financial reporting, close and cut-off procedures, financial preparation, and disclosures. This may include conducting walk-throughs of significant processes to understand the impact from changing cut-off timing (e.g., benefits/payroll management, invoice processing, procurement, etc).
• Adhere to regulatory requirements such as government guidelines and transition methods (eg “stub period approach” or “recast approach”) as applicable.
• Advise and help address various accounting and reporting implications of adjusting WestEd’s normal close and cut-off procedures (eg financial statements, contracts, revenue reporting, compensation, benefits, payroll, accounting, etc).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in Finance, Accounting, HR, Contracts, and Information Technology throughout the fiscal year-end transition project.
• Track milestones and communicate regularly with key stakeholders regarding updates on progress/issues/completion timelines.
• Successfully execute the project and accomplish the adoption of new fiscal year-end for the organization to ensure continued smooth business operations.

Qualifications:

• Experience in finance project management and proven track record of leading large scale change management for a non-profit or private sector organization.
• Strong technical knowledge of accounting, HRIS, contracts, financial management and business intelligence systems. Knowledge of Deltek Costpoint is a plus.
• Extensive experience in government (federal and state) contracting and applicable regulations. Strong working knowledge of related State and Federal compliance and oversight.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with Joint Powers Agencies, the related provisions of the California Government Code and public board governance.
• Experience working with generally accepted accounting principles as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and with cost principles set forth in OMB Uniform Grant Guidance.
• 5 - 7 years’ of experience working with external auditors and government oversight teams.
• Background in leading business-process improvement, systems change and organizational change initiatives.
• Deep experience working cross functionally with C-suite level leadership.

• Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary for this role is competitive.

Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resources groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few. We hope you’ll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more! #LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)