Career Opportunity

SAFEchild seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Finance and Operations Director to provide leadership for the financial, human resources, operational, and administrative functions that support its mission of eliminating child abuse and empowering families.

As Wake County’s leader in child abuse response, prevention, and family support, SAFEchild works with children, parents, caregivers, professionals, and community partners to prevent abuse, promote healing, and strengthen families. Behind this important work is an organization that must have the financial strength, systems, people, and infrastructure needed to sustain its impact and prepare for future growth.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the Leadership Team, the Finance and Operations Director will provide both strategic leadership and hands-on oversight across finance and accounting, human resources, facilities and operations, technology, risk management, compliance, and organizational systems. The Director will supervise a three-person Finance and Operations team and partner closely with the Executive Director, Leadership Team, and Board.

Total Staff and Budget: SAFEchild currently has an annual operating budget of approximately $3 million, with organizational goals to grow toward $5 million. The team is comprised of 26 staff members.

Salary: The salary is commensurate with experience, and the range is $100,000 – $120,000.

Working Environment/Location: Hybrid work model

Key Responsibilities of the Finance and Operations Director

Financial Leadership, Accounting, and Organizational Sustainability

The Finance and Operations Director will provide strategic and day-to-day financial leadership, ensuring SAFEchild maintains strong financial practices while developing the capacity necessary to support future growth.

The Director will:

• Provide oversight and management of the organization’s financial activities, including budgeting, accounting, forecasting, cash flow, financial reporting, audits, tax reporting, grant financial management, and compliance.
• Ensure accurate and timely accounting records and financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Oversee finance functions performed by the HR & Finance Manager and Resource & Operations Manager and maintain appropriate segregation of duties and internal controls.
• Lead development of SAFEchild’s annual operating budget in collaboration with the Executive Director, Leadership Team, and appropriate staff and develop program and grant budgets as needed.
• Provide or develop organizational expertise related to federal grant compliance, ensuring financial systems, policies, internal controls, documentation, cost allocation practices, and grant-management processes can support the requirements associated with federal awards.
• Manage and monitor indirect and administrative expenses within the organization’s operating budget.
• Monitor actual financial performance against budget, identify trends and variances, and provide timely information and recommendations to organizational leadership.
• Develop financial forecasts and scenario models that support SAFEchild’s strategic priorities and anticipate growth from its current approximately $3 million annual budget toward $5 million.
• Monitor cash balances and cash-flow requirements while identifying opportunities to maximize organizational resources.
• Identify opportunities for fiscal growth, expense management, organizational sustainability, and financial risk mitigation.
• Establish, maintain, and continually strengthen financial policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems.
• Lead the annual financial audit and coordinate preparation of Form 990, Forms 1099, and other required financial and tax reporting.
• Oversee monthly bank and credit card reconciliations and financial transaction processes.
• Maintain effective banking relationships that meet SAFEchild’s operational and financial needs.
• Serve as a primary financial resource to the Executive Director, Board Treasurer, and Board Finance Committee, presenting financial information in a clear and meaningful way that supports sound governance and decision-making.

Operations, Technology, Risk, and Infrastructure

The Finance and Operations Director will ensure SAFEchild’s administrative and operational infrastructure supports effective, secure, and efficient delivery of its mission.

The Director will:

• Provide leadership and oversight for the agency’s business operations, facilities, technology, administrative systems, and vendor relationships.
• Continuously evaluate organizational processes and systems to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, consistency, scalability, and effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain risk-management policies and practices, including appropriate document-retention practices and adequate, cost-effective business insurance.
• Oversee SAFEchild’s information technology environment and work with internal staff and external partners to ensure technology effectively supports organizational needs.
• Strengthen cybersecurity practices and internal controls that protect organizational information and assets.
• Support business continuity and organizational preparedness.
• Provide leadership for vendor selection, management, and performance and recommend opportunities to improve service quality and maximize SAFEchild’s operational investments.
• Maintain productive relationships with consultants and vendors providing banking, insurance, benefits, payroll, facilities, human resources, technology, audit, and legal services.

Human Resources Leadership

Working closely with the HR & Finance Manager and Executive Director, the Finance and Operations Director will provide oversight for SAFEchild’s human resources systems and help cultivate a respectful, welcoming, equitable, and high-performing workplace.

The Director will:

• Oversee human resources functions performed by the HR & Finance Manager.
• Guide the development, implementation, and ongoing review of HR policies, procedures, and practices.
• Support effective recruitment, hiring, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, conflict resolution, and separation practices.
• Oversee administration and evaluation of employee benefit programs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, policies, and workplace requirements.
• Help develop systems and practices that support staff effectiveness, accountability, professional development, and a healthy organizational culture.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Executive Director and Leadership Team on organizational and people-related matters.

Leadership, Strategy, and Board Partnership

As a member of SAFEchild’s Leadership Team, the Finance and Operations Director will contribute well beyond the traditional finance function.

The Director will:

• Serve as an engaged and constructive member of the Leadership Team, contributing financial and operational insight to agency-wide decisions, initiatives, policies, and priorities.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Leadership Team to translate SAFEchild’s strategic goals into appropriate financial, staffing, operational, and infrastructure plans.
• Participate collaboratively in organizational strategic planning and implementation.
• Develop information, analysis, and recommendations that allow leadership to understand both the immediate and long-term implications of organizational decisions.
• Maintain strong and productive relationships with the Executive Director, Leadership Team, Board of Directors, Board Treasurer, and Finance Committee.
• Attend Board and committee meetings as appropriate and report on financial, operational, risk, and organizational matters.
• Bring a solutions-oriented approach to organizational challenges while balancing innovation and growth with sound stewardship and risk management.

Team Leadership and Development

The Finance and Operations Director will lead a talented administrative team and create the clarity, support, and accountability necessary for team members to succeed.

The Director will:

• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and development for Finance and Operations team members.
• Establish clear expectations and support direct reports in developing the skills and knowledge necessary to perform their roles effectively.
• Routinely observe, coach, counsel, and evaluate team performance.
• Lead annual performance-review processes for direct reports.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training staff as appropriate.
• Identify professional-development and continuing-education opportunities for team members.
• Foster a collaborative, responsive, service-oriented team culture that supports colleagues across SAFEchild.

The Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be an experienced nonprofit financial and operational leader who sees finance not simply as an accounting function, but as an essential tool for advancing strategy, strengthening organizations, and enabling mission impact.

They will have the technical competence to oversee accounting, audits, controls, budgeting, compliance, and financial reporting while also bringing the leadership skills necessary to develop staff, improve systems, advise an Executive Director and Board, and help prepare an organization for meaningful growth.

The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in an environment where leadership requires both strategic thinking and a willingness to engage in the details. They will be able to identify what needs to be strengthened today while anticipating the systems and capacity SAFEchild will need tomorrow.

They will bring integrity, sound judgment, curiosity, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a genuine connection to SAFEchild’s mission.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field. CPA ideal but not required.
• Five or more years of leadership experience in nonprofit finance, operations, and administration.
• Demonstrated experience with nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, accounting, financial reporting, GAAP, audits, internal controls, and compliance.
• Experience helping an organization strengthen financial and operational infrastructure during a period of growth or increasing complexity.
• Experience with Quickbooks, Bill.com, and Microsoft 365
• Experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information and communicate it clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and improve organizational systems, policies, processes, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to develop trusted working relationships across an organization.
• Ability to work effectively with senior leadership and nonprofit Boards or Board committees.

Leadership Attributes

• The successful Finance and Operations Director will:
• See beyond historical financial reporting and use financial information, forecasting, and analysis to inform organizational decisions and future direction.
• Be energized by creating effective processes, strengthening controls, improving infrastructure, and helping an organization prepare for its next stage of growth.
• Approach finance, HR, and operations as internal service functions that enable colleagues and programs to succeed while maintaining appropriate accountability and controls.
• Translate complex financial, compliance, and operational matters into understandable information that helps staff, leadership, and Board members make informed decisions.
• Set clear expectations, provides thoughtful feedback and coaching, delegates effectively, and creates opportunities for team members to grow.
• Contribute to organization-wide strategy one moment and work through the details of an operational or financial challenge the next.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, honesty, and a strong commitment to responsible stewardship.
• Anticipate what a growing organization will need and can build new capacity without creating unnecessary complexity.

About SAFEchild

SAFEchild is Wake County’s leader in child abuse prevention, intervention, and family support. The organization believes every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and surrounded by healthy relationships.

SAFEchild works with children and families experiencing abuse while also helping parents and caregivers develop the knowledge, skills, and support systems that can prevent abuse from occurring. Through direct services, prevention programs, partnerships, professional collaboration, and community education, SAFEchild works to eliminate child abuse and empower families throughout Wake County.

Want to know more? Visit https://safechildnc.org/

How To Apply

Join the SAFEchild and play a critical role in shaping its future while driving impactful change in the community.

To apply, scroll to the bottom of this page. You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact talent@armstrongmcguire.com. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.