Director of Finance

Background: The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is a high-impact national nonprofit veterans service organization based in Arlington, VA. Established in 1981, NVLSP’s mission is to ensure that the government delivers to our nation’s veterans and active duty personnel the benefits they have earned due to the disabilities that resulted from their military service. To this end, NVLSP and its attorneys provide legal representation at no cost to veterans and surviving family members before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and other federal courts and agencies. NVLSP often serves as amicus or lead counsel in impact litigation throughout the United States. In addition, NVLSP trains hundreds of other lawyer and non-lawyer advocates in veterans/military law and publishes advocacy materials to assist these advocates in their representation of veterans, service members, and their families. NVLSP wrote the book on veterans’ law—The Veterans Benefits Manual—the nation’s first veterans law treatise.

Position Description:

The Director of Finance (DF) is responsible for all aspects of NVLSP’s financial operations. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the DF provides strategic and operational financial leadership, including oversight of accounting, budgeting, compliance, reporting, audits, insurance, and benefit program administration. This role supervises financial/accounting staff and plays a key role in advancing NVLSP’s mission, vision, and organizational sustainability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively manage the day-to-day accounting and financial operations of the organization.
• Partner with the leadership team to develop and monitor organizational, programmatic, and grant budgets, including budget forecasts and revisions.
• Prepare, analyze, and present accurate monthly financial statements and reports.
• Report financial results, trends, and issues to the Executive Management Team and the Board of Directors.
• Oversee all programmatic financial reporting required by funding sources.
• Manage accounting controls, compliance systems, and audits, ensuring the timely and accurate production of financial information.
• Monitor changes in legal, regulatory, and administrative requirements and implement necessary procedural updates to maintain compliance and optimize operational performance.
• Manage the organization’s insurance programs (including General Liability, Malpractice, and Directors & Officers), including ongoing risk analysis.
• Review the efficiency and effectiveness of employee benefits programs (including 401(k), 403(b), health insurance, and other benefits) and identify cost-effective strategies while maintaining quality.
• Serve as the primary liaison to NVLSP’s independent auditors to ensure a smooth and timely annual audit.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Nonprofit financial management, accounting principles, and internal controls.
• Human resources laws, regulations, and employee benefits administration.
• Health insurance and retirement plan management.
• Office technology and software, including Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and Sage 100.

Ability to:

• Supervise finance staff, develop job descriptions, conduct performance evaluations, and implement performance improvement plans.
• Analyze complex financial data and solve problems effectively.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, the Board of Directors, and external stakeholders.
• Manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and competing demands.
• Rapidly assimilate new information and technologies.
• Foster and cultivate strategic business relationships and partnerships.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; with Master’s degree preferred.
• Five to seven years of senior financial management experience with a non-profit organization with operations in excess of $10 million per year.
• Certified Public Accountant required.

Other Desired Skills:

• Highest ethical standards and integrity.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and highly organized.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to interface effectively with staff, senior leadership, and funding partners.

Approved Remote Work Locations:

Applicants must be legal residents of one of the following states to be considered for employment: Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C.