Director of Finance

DefinedTalent, a partnership driven professional talent services agency, is seeking a Director of Finance for a client in Asbury Park, NJ. Our client is a LGBTQ+ civil rights organization whose work spans public policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, provider training, health equity initiatives, and youth leadership development. Everything they do is grounded in a commitment to racial, economic, and disability justice, because they believe LGBTQ+ liberation is inseparable from the broader struggle for a more just society.

This is a true builder role. The Director of Finance is a hands-on, strategic finance professional who will serve as the organization’s sole finance function. You will not inherit a fully built machine; you will build one. That means establishing the financial policies, systems, controls, and processes from the ground up while simultaneously managing day-to-day accounting operations across their organization and board structure.

The ideal candidate thrives in environments where there is meaningful work to define, not just execute. You are as comfortable drafting a finance policy manual as you are closing the monthly books or presenting to a Board audit committee.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director and serving as a key advisor to the Board of Directors, this role is central to our next chapter. If you are energized by mission-driven work, dual-entity nonprofit complexity, and the opportunity to leave a lasting structural legacy while contributing to the fight for LGBTQ+ equality in New Jersey and beyond we want to hear from you!

Key responsibilities include:

• Establish and manage financial policies, systems, controls, and processes from the ground up
• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, chart of accounts, accounts payable/receivable, and bank reconciliations
• Administer semi-monthly payroll and payroll tax filings, ensuring compliance and accuracy
• Maintain strict fund separation between dual entities and produce monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and board reporting
• Monitor and project cash flow, coordinating external bookkeeping and contractor support as needed
• Lead annual audit preparation and management, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors
• Coordinate preparation and filing of IRS Forms 990/990-EZ and required state/federal filings
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards (FASB ASC 958)
• Design and implement finance policies, procedures, and internal controls, including drafting a finance policy and procedures manual
• Establish grant financial management frameworks and standardize month-end close and reporting templates
• Evaluate and optimize accounting software and document financial processes
• Lead budgeting and financial planning, including annual budgets, multi-year forecasts, variance analysis, and scenario/risk analysis
• Manage grants and fund accounting, including restricted/unrestricted tracking, funder/government reporting, contract invoicing/drawdowns, and compliance with Uniform Guidance if applicable
• Provide strategic financial leadership, advise executive leadership and board committees, and train non-finance staff on policies and processes

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 6–8 years of progressive financial management or accounting experience with nonprofit exposure
• Experience operating as the sole or lead finance function with high independence
• Experience managing or supporting annual financial statement audits, including preparing audit schedules and work papers, and serving as auditor liaison
• Experience coordinating preparation and filing of IRS Form 990/990-EZ and required state/federal filings for a nonprofit
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards (FASB ASC 958) and fund accounting
• Experience with restricted and unrestricted fund tracking and grant financial reporting
• Experience presenting financial statements and analysis to executive leadership and/or a board or finance/audit committee

Preferred Qualifications:

• CPA, CMA, or MBA
• Working proficiency with QuickBooks or similar accounting systems
• Working proficiency with Bill.com or similar accounts payable tools
• Working proficiency with ADP or similar payroll systems
• Prior experience in a sole or lead finance role within a small-to-mid-size nonprofit organization
• Experience with dual-entity nonprofits (501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4))
• Familiarity with NJ charity registration and government contract compliance
• Experience with federal grant management and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200)

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 403(b) retirement plan with organizational contribution
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• On-site office in Asbury Park, NJ with modern amenities
• Opportunities for rapid professional growth in a high-impact, scaling organization
• Collaborative, flat organizational culture with direct access to leadership
• Annual professional development and CPE budget
• Competitive base salary of $85,000–$105,000