About The Solutions Project

Less than 2% of climate philanthropy supports climate justice organizations doing work on the ground. The Solutions Project (TSP) funds and amplifies Black, Indigenous, Immigrant, and other people of color or women-led organizations across the United States who are creating and scaling climate justice solutions. Through the funding of neighborhood level innovations aimed at solving multiple problems at once, from poor air quality and housing insecurity to exposure to extreme climate disasters, these organizations go well beyond reducing climate emissions to transforming the health, economic, and social outcomes of entire communities. We seek to understand and strengthen pre-existing movement networks and currently grant to over 140 organizations.

The Solutions Project is at the forefront of Solidarity Philanthropy, which builds on the foundation of trust-based Philanthropy with practices defined by grassroots organizers and racially-conscious movement work.

Position Description

The Vice President of Finance and Operations will be responsible for leading The Solutions Project’s financial management and strategy and contributing to the execution of the organization’s overall strategic goals. In addition to the strategic components, the VP will be charged with refining and implementing more sophisticated policies and procedures in the organization’s finance, grantmaking development, and general operations. This is an outstanding opportunity for a finance executive with operational experience and a proven track record of creative problem-solving and change management to join a high-growth, mission-driven organization.

This role reports directly to the Chief Program and Operations Officer. The VP of Finance & Operations is a member of the organization’s Executive Leadership and oversees relevant consultants and team members.. Internally, this role will also work closely with executive staff as well as the grantmaking and communications teams.

The Vice President of Finance and Operations plays a critical role in an organization that is transitioning from a start-up phase to a phase of stabilization and growth. This position requires a strong ability to build systems and processes from scratch while also being comfortable with ambiguity and adapting and revising existing systems as needed.

As the Vice President of Finance and Operations, your primary responsibility will be to oversee and optimize the financial and operational functions of the organization. This includes developing and implementing financial strategies, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

In the context of a transitioning organization, you will be instrumental in building robust systems and processes to support the organization’s growth and stability. This will involve developing scalable financial and operational frameworks, designing efficient workflows, and establishing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and monitor the organization's progress.

Your comfort with ambiguity will be crucial, as will your readiness to make recommendations, gather insight and drive progress in the absence of complete information. You should possess excellent problem-solving skills and be able to think strategically to anticipate future needs and challenges.

What We Value

• Be bold. We are aspirational, creative, and always proactive. Those at the frontlines of pollution, extraction, and the shared urgency of climate change deserve nothing less.
• Be inclusive. We shine the light and invite everyone we can onto the path to a regenerative economy. We follow the leadership of those rooted in frontline communities who are showing the way.
• Be movement accountable. We aim to be accountable to the grassroots organizations that we fund and amplify. We leverage and strengthen the field, connecting dots and resourcing others, as needed, seeking input on what we do well, and how we can improve.
• Advance equity. We center equity-rooted strategies, community benefits, diverse leadership, and just transitions. The transition to a regenerative economy must center and directly benefit those people most impacted by pollution, extraction, and climate change.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Create financial components of the strategic plan working in partnership with the Executive Leadership team, and implement new processes and approaches to achieve it
• Manage budgeting, and the implementation of budgets, so as to monitor progress and present regular financial reports and metrics both internally and externally
• Supervise the maintenance of financial record systems and oversee the utilization of all funds by the finance staff
• Oversee the preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics for funding organizations and TSP’s board of directors; prepare and communicate monthly and annual financial statements
• Manage cash flow and forecasting; direct all financial, project-based, and departmental accounting
• Coordinate all audit activities
• Collaborate with Development colleagues and Executive Leadership to develop and monitor the revenue pipeline and create robust financial forecasts and projections
• Monitor and track donor/gift restrictions
• Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the finance and operations staff and contractors
• In partnership with the Board and Executive Leadership Team, lead thinking on investment strategies, reserve strategy/policy and endowment strategy

Operational Management

• Working with the Chief Programs and Operating Officer, develop and implement performance management processes that measure and evaluate progress against goals for the organization
• Refine all formal finance-, HR-, and IT-related procedures, processes, tools and administration recommending improvements to the systems in place and managing the systems going forward
• Oversee HR systems and processes and ensure HR practices are compliant and up-to-date
• Evaluate and oversee all benefits negotiations to provide the most competitive packages for TSP’s employees
• Evaluate and, as necessary, upgrade and improve the organization’s database and information management infrastructure in Salesforce and other relevant systems
• Contribute to the review and vetting of revenue-generating activities and strategies
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
• Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign accountabilities; set objectives; establish priorities; and monitor and evaluate results.

Management and Executive Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Executive Team, contributing to the development of strategic plans, partnering on resource decisions, and guiding and leading a positive culture of  philanthropy and stewardship across the organization
• Monitor and advance organizational performance to ensure progress toward goals and overall advancement of the strategic plan
• Collaborate with the executive team to share ideas, feedback, and advice on org-wide initiatives and to seek input on the initiatives you are leading
• Foster TSP’s efforts to build an inclusive culture and advance equitable internal policies and external outcomes

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional Finance experience, ideally in social impact or philanthropy; including experience leading the Finance function during organizational growth
• Finance/ accounting qualification e.g. CPA or equivalent
• Fluency in accounting software and in Salesforce, and knowledge of database management and customization
• Knowledge of the roles of the finance and operational functions within a grantmaking organization
• Experience managing financial audits
• Experience presenting financials to a Board of Directors and being the primary Finance staff interface with the Board and its Finance Committee
• Experience overseeing HR, IT and related functions
• Understanding and passion for trust-based (solidarity) philanthropy
• Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills, including flexibility to adapt to evolving demands and producing results
• Strong people management leading through collaboration and shared accountability with high emotional intelligence and comfort with agile role definition
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical leader as well as a strategic thinker

Compensation and Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $175,000 - 200,000
• TriNet medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are fully covered for employees, spouses, and dependents
• Full time employees receive 13 paid holidays, 120 hours of flexible PTO, and 10 days of paid sick leave annually with increasing PTO allowance for tenured employees
• Eligibility for eight weeks of paid parental leave, with up to six months of total leave
• Full time employees are eligible for a fully paid, 2-month sabbatical after five years of continuous, full time employment
• After nine months of employment, employees have access to a $5,000 annual life-long learning fund that can be used for on-the-job skilling up, career development and leadership activities, and non-work related lifelong learning activities
• Fully remote, with occasional need for travel

To Apply

The Solutions Project is partnering with RCG Talent Solutions to find our next VP of Finance & Operations. Please use this link to submit your application and direct all questions to openroles@rcgtalent.com.

The Solutions Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages leaders of color, women, and those who identify as LGBTQI to apply. We comply with federal, state and/or local laws that prohibit discrimination in employment based on race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizen or intending citizen status, disability, and veteran status. Information provided during the application or employment process will not be used to discriminate against any individual in any manner. The Company complies with ADA regulations as applicable. By submitting this online application form, you consent to be contacted via email with important updates and other information from RCG Talent Solutions.