Director of Finance

Jul 30, 2025

Reporting to the Managing Director for Finance & Administration

About Heron

Founded in 1992, Heron is dedicated to helping people and communities to help themselves. Heron works directly with local organizations that are embedded in, deeply trusted by, and inherently driven by the voice and vision of their neighbors. Heron partners with communities to source relevant and actionable research, nurture a learning collaborative of peers, help communities reclaim their narrative of place and self, foster stronger collective agency and social bonds, and provide long-term financial support. Heron works mainly in rural communities experiencing persistent poverty, systemic challenges, historic disinvestment, and a legacy of disenfranchisement.

Over the coming 8-10 years, Heron will pursue an exciting, innovative set or strategies to (1) empower dozens of distressed rural communities across the country, (2) help rewrite the playbook for national funders working in rural community advancement, and (3) position Heron, not as a traditional grantmaking private foundation, but as a resourceful, experienced, and well-regarded rural community advancement agency, poised to perform this important work effectively well into the future. Heron will:

Provide our community partners with extensive data and research, technical assistance, communications support, and networking opportunities.
Share its growing knowledge broadly to help increase capital flow to the direct control of rural communities.
Invest significant financial capital into local organizations leading community-driven projects and initiatives to advance the vitality and well-being of their community.

About the Job

Heron is seeking a Director of Finance (DoF) who will be responsible for managing Heron’s financial systems to ensure that Heron performs in line with our enterprise goals. This position is integral to Heron’s plan to empower persistently poor rural communities across the U.S. while rewriting the playbook for national funders working in community advancement.

The Director of Finance will have primary responsibility for developing and implementing systems to support all of our operating functions: Healthy Communities, Research, Outreach, High Conviction Portfolio, and Institutional Integrity.

This document focuses on Heron’s finance and administration functions, but candidates should understand that Heron staff work closely across operating categories in service to communities. In addition, Heron is a resourceful, dynamic nonprofit enterprise, so its strategies and practices will necessarily adapt and evolve. The following description will evolve and be co-created by the DoF over time.

The Director of Finance will play a central role in ensuring that Heron has strong systems to support its operations. The DoF will work with Heron’ senior management and report to Heron’s Managing Director for Finance & Administration (MDFA). The DoF is a full-time position responsible for audit, budgeting and reporting, finance and administration, and investments.

Key Responsibilities:

Audit

Prepare for annual audit; provide information to auditors and respond to their requests for additional information on a timely basis.
Prepare state and federal filings in accordance with regulations and deadlines, including 990, CHAR500, Secretary of State filings, etc.
Estimate and pay federal excise taxes as required and on a timely basis.

Budgeting and Reporting

Generate monthly financial reports within the first weeks of each month for management review of budget vs. actual; analyze variances and trends.
Support annual budgeting process by developing and refining budget templates and projections for senior leadership and managers of operating functions.
Support multi-year financial projections to guide Heron’s strategic deployment of its resources.
Support MDFA in the preparation of reports and analysis for regular meetings of the Board of Directors and Investment Committee.

Finance & Administration

Assume lead responsibility for all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems; ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and GAAP standards.
Maintain adequate internal controls and safeguards, including segregation of duties; improve documentation of Heron’s processes and workflows.
Revise accounting policy manual and assist in training staff in accounting procedures and practices.
Manage contracts, accounts payable and accounts receivable:
Accounts payable: Enter all bills and invoices; ensure that payments are made in a timely manner and coded appropriately.
Accounts receivable: Ensure that all incoming payments are deposited in a timely manner and coded appropriately; alert MDFA to any delays in receipt.
Contracts: Ensure proper documentation of vendor files; generate 1099s on an annual basis.
Prepare payroll documentation and process semi-monthly payroll, including liaising with PEO, benefits and retirement savings providers.
Conduct monthly reconciliation of banking, investment, and credit card accounts.
Manage insurance policies for organization and realize cost savings where possible.

Investments

Import investment statements and transaction data on a monthly basis from custody agent and ensure timely accounting for investment performance across public and private investments.
Manage draws on capital, returns of capital, and payment of investment management and custody fees.
Ensure that investment records are accurate and complete for annual audit.

Desired Skills and Experience

5-7 years of experience, or more, of financial and non-profit management; solid knowledge of nonprofit accounting and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Demonstrated ability to communicate beyond financial staff to program managers and other key stakeholders.
Bachelor’s degree required, ideally in accounting or finance; advanced degree or certification preferred (e.g., MBA, CPA).
Advanced Excel skills required; familiarity with Sage Intaact highly valuable.
Familiarity with Heron’s software systems is valuable. Systems include: bill.com; Nexonia; Microsoft Office, Box, Zoom, Trinet, Fidelity, and BambooHR.
Strong organizational and quantitative skills and excellent attention to details.
Solid verbal and written communication skills include presentation skills and comfort communicating with non-financial staff.
Team orientation; absolute integrity; energetic and energized by working as part of a diverse, mission-driven team of professionals.
Strong passion for and commitment to the mission and values of Heron.
Respect for diverse perspectives and the ability to navigate and balance conflicting ideas.
Flexibility and comfort in navigating ambiguity and changing situations.

Position Salary and Benefits

Salary range of $130,000 to $165,000 based on skills and experience. Heron offers an attractive benefits package. The position is hybrid/remote with requirement for regular travel to work in Heron’s offices. Ability to travel regularly for in-office time at Heron locations in New Haven and New York/New Jersey; occasional travel to Heron’s principal office in Birmingham, Alabama.

To Apply

Interested candidate should provide a cover letter and resume by clicking through this link: Apply here. Please submit materials by August 22, 2025.