Director of Finance & Administration

About Pacific Forest Trust

Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) delivers landscape-scale private forest conservation in the West and develops innovative incentives for forest conservation at the national level. We do so in ways that reward private landowners for managing for public benefits like clean water, a healthy climate, and abundant native wildlife. Our work reinvigorates and sustains rural economies and restores resilient forest landscapes across ownership boundaries.  PFT is recognized nationally as a leader in developing new payment systems for ecosystems services, from climate to carbon, working forest conservation easements, watershed and habitat services, and sustainable, renewable biomass energy.  PFT has led the conservation of over 300,000 acres of forestland in California and Oregon, stewards conservation easements on 110,000 acres and owns 1,700 acres. We also manage 12,000 acres for timber, water and habitat values. Our projects are outstanding not only for their scale, but for their landscape impacts and high standards for delivering multiple public benefits. PFT is accredited by the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Learn more at http://www.PacificForest.org

About this Opportunity

Pacific Forest Trust seeks a skilled and experienced leader to provide overall financial and administrative direction and oversight for the organization. Reporting directly to the President, the Director of Finance & Administration establishes and implements sound business practices that will ensure PFT’s financial integrity and sustainability and promote effective and efficient operations across departments. The successful candidate will be skilled in management systems and problem solving and be able to assess and review operational policies and procedures, including those for human resources and risk management, and make recommendations to improve the performance of a dynamic, mission-driven organization. 

The position supervises other accounting and administrative staff (currently two), serves as a member of the executive leadership team; and provides support to the Board of Directors’ Finance and Audit Committees.

As the Pacific Forest Trust provides all management services under contract to the Fred M. van Eck Forest Foundation, the Director also provides financial and administrative services for the Foundation and its two operating entities (in California and Oregon, respectively). This requires 25-30% of the position’s time.

This position is based in Pacific Forest Trust’s headquarters in the verdant Presidio of San Francisco.

Responsibilities of the Position

Finance and Investments

• Oversee and achieve continuous improvement in the implementation of PFT’s financial policies and procedures, ensuring strong financial controls, accurate accounting, and the integrity of systems
• Maximize resources available to the organization through sound financial management practices
• Lead short- and long-term financial planning, including coordination of the annual budgeting process
• Prepare project budgets for proposals and reports to funders, including foundations and government agencies
• Monitor financial performance and ensure timely preparation of monthly and annual financial statements in compliance with FASB and other applicable standards; and monitor budget-to-actual performance
• Prepare cash flow projections and manage cash
• Maintain and implement investment policies for general assets and several special funds
• Manage annual independent audit and program audits as necessary
• Identify and implement cost recovery techniques and fee structures

Risk Management, Compliance and Accreditation

• Ensure compliance with all government regulations, including those related to human resources, charitable registrations, state and federal grants, and lobbying
• Regularly review risks and ensure that risk reduction policies and procedures are in place and complied with; maintain appropriate insurance coverages
• Ensure maintenance and security of PFT assets, records, and facilities
• Oversee emergency preparedness
• Manage the Land Trust Accreditation process and ensure successful reaccreditation.  This occurs on a 5-year basis, with annual attention to updates in the Land Trust Accreditation Commission’s standards and practices

Human Resources

• Manage human resources and payroll processes, including budget and policy review for personnel actions
• Meet PFT's goals for competitive compensation, including providing high quality benefits packages within our resources
• Manage and/or oversee in coordination with hiring managers: employee recruitments, new employee onboarding and orientation
• Ensure effectiveness of annual personnel evaluation systems
• Ensure that hiring and separations are conducted in accordance with applicable PFT policies and legal requirements
• Ensure clarity, currency, and effectiveness of job descriptions
• Evaluate and enhance professional development for staff to support individual and organizational performance within PFT’s capacity
• Support interdepartmental interaction and intra-organizational coordination to enhance organizational performance

Contracts and Purchasing

• Prepare and administer contracts and leases
• Ensure contract quality
• Ensure purchasing controls and efficiencies to achieve most economical cost and high-quality acquisition of materials, services, and travel.

Information Technology

• Supervise selection and maintenance of information systems resources, including computer and telecommunications hardware, software, and services; copiers/printers, and other technology
• Ensure maintenance and quality control of PFT’s constituent database, in coordination with PFTs fundraising and constituency building team

Facilities

• Assure that PFT's offices and other facilities are appropriate to its needs
• Administer leases and ensure maintenance and adequacy of physical facilities
• Support management of meeting and event logistics

General Administration

• Ensure that programs have the administrative systems and support necessary to accomplish goals and objectives, within resource constraints
• Other duties as may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; Master’s degree in business administration, public administration or related field is desired
• Ten years of progressively responsible management experience, including at least three years of experience in developing and supervising staff
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience managing finances and operations in a non-profit organization with an annual budget of more than $3 million
• Deep knowledge and practical experience in non-profit accounting, finance, grants management, compliance, and reporting
• Familiarity with Financial Accounting Standards Board requirements for accounting in non-profit organizations
• Ability to think strategically, anticipate future needs, trends, and consequences; and build the organization framework to address dynamic circumstances
• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to present financial information effectively
• Proven organizational and prioritization skills
• Commitment to high standards and personal accountability and a passion for excellence
• Commitment to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture
• Ability to manage and make progress on multiple projects simultaneously
• Expert user of Microsoft Office:  Word, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive, Outlook
• Familiarity with standard office technology and telecommunications devices and services, and the ability to interact with support contractors to secure consistent and reliable support
• Demonstrated leadership ability, team management, and interpersonal skills
• Proven track record of problem-solving, resourcefulness, and exceeding set goals