Open Position: Director of Finance

POSITION TYPE: Full time, exempt, St. Louis, MO
REPORTS TO: Executive Director

WHO WE ARE

Rise partners with communities to build stronger, more equitable St. Louis area neighborhoods. With a focus on sustainable success, we strive to create stronger communities and more desirable places to live by actively leading real estate development projects and deploying capital as a community development financial institution (CDFI). Rise also acts as a resource and partner to the community by bringing together nonprofits, financial institutions, and government to make successful neighborhood revitalization possible.

OPPORTUNITY

Rise Community Development (Rise) is seeking a focused individual with a desire to support the provision of high-quality affordable housing and equity-focused community development for the role of Director of Finance. This is a senior leadership role responsible for guiding financial strategy across the organization.

The Director of Finance is responsible for all financial matters related to the operation of Rise and its 60+ affiliate entities and will report to and work closely with the Executive Director. In addition, they will partner with senior leadership and the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategies across the organization. The Director of Finance will oversee all compliance and recognition for government (federal and state) contracts and private grants. The organization is comprised of four primary entities which are audited annually on a consolidated basis, with separate financial reporting for each real estate affiliate.

They must be able to adapt to a continually evolving environment and thrive in an autonomous and deadline-oriented workplace while overseeing the organization’s financial and accounting functions. The Director of Finance provides oversight, quality control, and strategic guidance, while day-to-day bookkeeping is performed by an external firm. This role currently has no internal direct reports, but provides leadership to outsourced accounting partners and internal program staff on financial matters.

Specific responsibilities include:

Accounting and Administration

  • Ensure the proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions.
  • Ensure maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures.
  • Support Rise’s CDFI operations by overseeing Loan Portfolio reporting and financial risk management related to lending
  • Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, and Rise’s Board of Directors; oversee the preparation and communication of bi-monthly and annual financial statements to the Finance Committee and Board.
  • Coordinate consolidated organization audit and proper filing of tax returns for all affiliates.
  • Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions, including with the CDFI Fund/Department of Treasury certification requirements

Finance

  • Oversee cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed.
  • Oversee cash, relationships with LIHTC equity partners, and provide financial review and analysis in support of asset management functions.
  • Oversee the organization’s banking relationships.
  • Develop and utilize scenario planning and activity-based financial analyses.
  • Lead and coordinate the development, forecasting, and monitoring of Rise’s annual consolidated operating budget.

Planning, Policy, and Investor Relations

  • Provide financial oversight and compliance review for Rise’s real estate portfolio in collaboration with the Director of Asset Management.
  • Participate in corporate policy development as a member of the senior management team.
  • Engage the finance committee of the Board of Directors to develop short- and long-term
    financial plans and projections.
  • Represent the company to financial partners and auditors.
  • Remain up to date on nonprofit audit best practices and state and federal law regarding
    nonprofit operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Director of Finance will be a leader with at least five years of broad financial management experience, including gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership. They will ideally have experience managing finance and accounting functions (budgeting, control, and reporting) for a complex nonprofit with multiple funding sources including government (federal and state) contracts and an affiliate structure with diverse program areas. Knowledge of underwriting processes and/or tax credit syndication is desirable. Knowledge of real estate development or tax credit financed affordable housing considered a plus.

Director of Finance will have the following experience and attributes:

  • Bachelor’s degree/certification in accounting, finance, actuarial science, or equivalent work experience.
  • At least five years’ experience leading finance and accounting functions, preferably in a nonprofit organization with a budget of at least $1 million.
  • Experience in a senior financial-management role, partnering with executive staff,
    resulting in the development and implementation of creative financial management
    strategies.
  • Significant experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including sophisticated
    fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting.
  • Experience with QuickBooks Enterprise (or similar mid-market accounting platforms) preferred.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability, team management, and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills, plus excellent organization skills.

COMPENSATION

  • Salary range is $115,000-$130,000 based on commensurate experience.
  • Competitive benefits package including vacation and sick time, full health insurance, paid leave, and 401(k).

LOCATION

This position is based at our primary office located at 6014 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis MO 63112. Parking in a secure lot is provided, the office is bike friendly and is adjacent to the Delmar Loop Metrolink station. Hybrid work may be permitted based on current company policy.

TO APPLY

Send resume in digital format (.doc or .pdf) and response to the following prompt (no cover letters, please) to: [email protected], with “Director of Finance” in the subject line. Submissions accepted until position is filled.

Application Prompt – please limit response to no more than 300 words:

Ensuring all people have access to safe and quality affordable housing is important to me because: