Finance Director

Organization: Environmental Initiative

Posted: August 16, 2026 • Open until filled

Environmental Initiative is a nonprofit organization working to advance social equity and environmental health. We do this by:

  • Convening and facilitating conversations among diverse stakeholders to address environmental, economic, and public health issues.
  • Managing on-the-ground projects to improve our air, land, and water.
  • Planning and hosting events for leaders from nonprofits, communities, business, and government agencies to share information, network, and learn from one another.

We believe building relationships, collaboration, and working across differences are the keys to fostering an inclusive, just, and thriving world.

We are seeking to hire a Finance Director to lead the organization’s financial strategy and functionality. This position will work closely with the executive leadership and board treasurer, and will be responsible for financial management, planning, accounting, and budgeting functions.

This full-time position will report to the Senior Director of Operations and start in late November or early December.

POSITION SUMMARY 

 

The finance director provides overall direction for all financial management, planning, accounting, and budgeting functions. This position develops financial procedures and directs their implementation. They also manage all financial and accounting activities, develop financial forecasts, oversee annual audit, and manage accounting staff and contractors.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

  1. Provide financial analysis and forecasting, including producing regular financial reports for relevant staff and the board of directors.
  2. Manage and oversee the annual external audit and tax return preparation processes along with any federal, state, or funder audits and reviews.
  3. Manage and conduct the annual NICRA indirect rate negotiation with the federal government in relation to our federal grants.
  4. Work closely with the operations director to manage and oversee the financial management, planning, accounting, and budgeting functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Collaborate with and build capacity among staff members at all levels of the organization in work planning, budget management, creative problem solving, and work plan and budget adaptation.
  • Create and maintain systems for effective accounting and financial management in a complex, growing, and dynamic organization, including developing financial models and structures for contracts, grant proposals, and indirect rate determinations.
  • Counsel staff leadership and the board of directors on the effective allocation of financial resources to meet the strategic priorities and goals of the organization as well as programs and projects.
  • Ensure compliance with financial regulations, funder intent, audits, and reporting.
  • Understand and mitigate elements of risk in organizational activities, including certain aspects of the human resources function, policy development, and compliance.
  • Collaborate with the Treasurer, the finance committee of the board of directors, and staff leadership to enable Board members to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities, including through the completion of annual financial audits.
  • Help staff communicate, interpret, and adapt organizational financial policies and requirements to enable innovative and intercultural collaboration with external partners.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY and ENGAGEMENT

  • Participate in the annual performance review processes as directed.
  • Collaborate with the executive team and other staff to develop and implement organizational and programmatic strategic direction as it relates to this position.
  • Participate in staff and board communication and engagement opportunities.
  • Maintain familiarity with, and follow, all organization policies and guidelines.
  • Maintain working knowledge of Environmental Initiative projects and programs.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS and EDUCATION

  • A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, in addition to or in lieu of a relevant degree, that demonstrate:
    • Working knowledge of non-profit accounting and financial management
    • Understanding of annual audit preparation, functional expense calculations, and forecasting
    • Ability to lead teams, hold a leadership role, and/or direct bodies of work
  • Proficiency with Excel, QuickBooks, Microsoft Office software, and Mac OS
  • Experience relevant to approaching financial management as a shared responsibility across staff and board members, including communication, coaching, training, and mentorship
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including racial justice and intercultural relationship and competence
  • Preference for working collaboratively

Additional preferred experience:

  • Familiarity with managing a federally approved indirect rate or a comparable situation requiring compliance with government rules and requirements
  • Commitment to personal and professional growth and development, and to the development of other staff
  • Experience creating processes and leading system changes and improvements

Work environment

Environmental Initiative has leased office space at 807 Broadway St NE in Minneapolis. We embrace a flexible working environment, with the option to work from our office or remotely and determine a regular work schedule that accommodates each staff members’ needs and preferences. The person in this position is expected to be physically present at occasional in-person meetings or events in the Twin Cities.

An Apple laptop is provided to all employees, and regular communication with Environmental Initiative staff, contractors, and partners via email, phone, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams is expected.

Learning and development

Environmental Initiative is committed to the professional growth and development of all staff members. We encourage the development of skills required to work across differences in identity, interest, lived experience, and power. We expect that all staff members will do their part to help implement the organization’s strategic plan, in addition to prioritizing the needs of their specific areas of work.

Compensation and benefits

This is a full-time position (40 hours/week) anticipated to start in November or December 2026 with an annual starting salary in the range of $85,000 – $95,000.

Environmental Initiative offers a flexible benefits package to all employees, including paid time off, holidays, a group health care plan, dental insurance, health savings (HSA) and flexible spending (FSA) accounts, life insurance, long and short-term disability coverage, and a 403(b) retirement plan with an annual matching program.

Environmental Initiative is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Environmental Initiative values a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply for open positions.

How to apply

Complete an online application and upload a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please describe your nonprofit experience and how you would approach this position. Applications submitted by September 8, 2026, will receive primary consideration, and the position will remain open until filled.