Director of Finance & Operations

About SSWEF
Southern Service Workers Education Fund Inc. (SSWEF) is a worker organization building power with low-wage workers across the South. We organize alongside workers and community partners to advance economic justice. Our programs and campaigns combine deep organizing, worker leadership development, and community solidarity to win real improvements in workers’ lives while building a broader coalition in the South.
About the role - Director of Finance & Operations
The Director of Finance & Operations is responsible for building, managing, and strengthening the financial and operational infrastructure of the organization. This role ensures the organization’s financial health, operational effectiveness, compliance, and internal systems can support a growing, ambitious mission.
Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director of Finance & Operations will oversee the day-to-day financial and operational functions of the organization, lead internal administrative systems, manage cross-functional operational staff, and serve as a strategic partner on budgeting, organizational planning, and growth.
Key Responsibilities

• Financial Leadership
  • Financial Planning & Strategy: Lead organizational budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and scenario planning in close partnership with the Managing Director and Board.
  • Accounting & Compliance: Oversee day-to-day accounting, monthly close cycles, internal controls, and the annual audit and tax filings while managing bookkeeping support.
  • Grants & Revenue Tracking: Partner with the Development team to manage grant budgets, track restricted funding, and ensure full compliance with funder requirements.
  • Reporting & Analysis: Give leadership and the Board a clear, accurate picture of the organization's financial health to guide major organizational decisions.
• Operations & Administration
  • Systems & Processes: Build and maintain practical administrative workflows, operating policies, and internal systems that help the team work efficiently.
  • Facilities, Vendors & Risk: Manage vendor contracts, business insurance, facilities, procurement, and legal/regulatory compliance alongside external advisors.
  • IT & Workplace Tools: Manage external IT providers to ensure staff have reliable hardware, software, and everyday tech support.
• Team Leadership 
  • Managing Director Partnership: Work alongside the Managing Director to turn big-picture goals into realistic operational, staffing, and financial plans.
  • Team Management: Directly manage and support the finance and operations staff, setting clear priorities and helping them grow.
  • Operational Ownership: Take full ownership of day-to-day operations so executive leadership doesn't have to get bogged down in administrative weeds.

What You’ll Need

• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit operations, finance, administration, and/or organizational leadership.
• Significant experience managing organizational finance, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, grants management, audits, and financial controls.
• Experience overseeing multi-million-dollar nonprofit budgets and supervising finance staff.
• Deep familiarity with nonprofit compliance, including 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) operational requirements.
• Experience building systems and operational infrastructure in growing or entrepreneurial organizations.
• Experience managing vendors, contracts, organizational technology systems, and administrative operations.
• Proficiency with nonprofit financial and operational systems (e.g., QuickBooks, Ramp, Bill.com, Salesforce, EveryAction).
• Experience in movement organizations, advocacy nonprofits, civic engagement, labor, or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience supporting rapidly growing organizations or organizational transitions.
• Familiarity with fiscal sponsorship structures and complex funding models.

Who You Are:

• An Enabler, Not a Gatekeeper: You see finance as a tool to empower others, not a gatekeeping function. You proactively partner with non-financial team members to help them manage their budgets, demystify complex reporting, and share financial insights openly so the whole organization can move faster together.
• Solutions-Oriented: You bring a startup mindset with a bias for action. Where others see dead ends, you look for sensible workarounds, try fresh approaches, and focus on getting things done.
• Strategic & Intentional: You recognize that time and resources are finite. You prioritize thoughtfully, focusing your effort on the work that drives the greatest value for the organization. 
• A Nimble & Adaptable Teammate: You thrive amid ambiguity and rapid change. You can seamlessly shift between big-picture strategic thinking and granular daily execution, stepping outside your job description whenever the team needs a hand.
• Movement & Regional Grounding: You bring a clear commitment to the South, with established community connections and an appreciation for the history, culture, and momentum of Southern labor organizing.

Compensation & Benefits
The starting compensation for this position is a non-negotiable annual salary of $110,000. We are not able to negotiate salary with anyone in order for us to ensure equity across all candidates.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% Employer-covered health, dental, and vision for individual and family. 
• 18 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) each calendar year  and winter breaks for collective rest and restoration.
• 401(k) with a 7% direct contribution and a 3% employer match of employee contributions.

Location 
Please read carefully: This is a mostly remote position, but the candidate will be expected in Durham quite often (on average, once a month) and, therefore, should live within a decent driving distance. Greensboro and Fayetteville would be great, though cities further away, like Charlotte, would suffice. If you have roots and/or existing connections to North Carolina, we would be willing to support you with relocation expenses.  
The Application Process
SSWEF has engaged Equitable Hiring Group to support this hiring process. To apply, please complete the short form to the right. 
Please submit your application by Tuesday, September 22nd. Our simple process makes it easy to apply early!
To ensure an equitable review, we ask that you remove the names of the schools you attended (both undergraduate and graduate) from your resume. Please retain the degree itself. For example, instead of "Greendale Community College - B.A. Economics," simply list "B.A. Economics."
This evaluation process will follow practices shown to reduce bias in decision-making and may be different from other application processes you have experienced.
The overall evaluation process will look to follow this anticipated timeline:

• Mid-September: Selected candidates will be asked to complete a short-answer questionnaire. 
• Late September: Selected candidates will participate in a video interview with SSWEF staff. 
• Late September: Selected candidates will be asked to complete a paid, timed trial project. 
• Late September: Selected candidates will participate in a video panel interview with multiple team members. 
• Early October: Finalist candidates will come for an in-person interview and tour our office. 
• Mid-October: Offer extended.
• Early November: Anticipated Start Date

If you have any questions about the opportunity, please email [email protected].