The Role
Lead all financial operations and planning for a nonprofit, managing internal finance staff and a contracted accounting firm. Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, audits, risk management, grants compliance, board financial reporting, and financial systems/process improvements in support of executive leadership and organizational strategy.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Savanna Institute invites applications for a Senior Director of Finance, the Institute’s top finance role, reporting directly to the Executive Director. Responsibilities include all financial operations (internal and contracted) and planning.
We welcome applicants from both nonprofit and for-profit finance backgrounds. Candidates with strong financial leadership experience in the private sector who have meaningfully engaged with nonprofit organizations — for example, through board or finance committee service — are encouraged to apply. Familiarity with fund accounting principles is essential.
Job Description
Job Description
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
Location: Remote; must be located in or willing to relocate to Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, or Iowa
Start Date: August 31, 2026
Salary: $110,000-$150,000, based on experience
- This position reports to the Executive Director.
- This position includes supervisory responsibility for internal finance staff and an outside contracted accounting firm.
Duties/Responsibilities
Department Leadership and Supervision (20%)
- Lead, manage, and mentor the internal finance team
- Oversee the relationship with and work product of a contracted accounting firm
- Evaluate and advise on the optimal balance of in-house versus contracted finance functions over time
- Develop and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
- Drive continuous improvement of financial systems and processes
- Serve as financial liaison to Canopy Farm Management, the Institute’s subsidiary business
Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cash Flow Management (25%)
- Lead the annual organizational budgeting process in collaboration with department heads and the Executive Director
- Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts
- Manage cash flow planning and monitoring to ensure organizational liquidity
- Provide cross-departmental financial planning support
Board and Executive Leadership Support (20%)
- Prepare and present financial reports for the Board of Directors and Finance Committee
- Support the Executive Director and senior leadership with financial analysis for major decisions
- Provide financial modeling, scenario planning, and capital planning in support of organizational strategy
- Participate in strategic financial planning and financial sustainability planning
Audit and Risk Management (15%)
- Coordinate and manage the annual audit process
- Oversee risk management and internal control systems
- Conduct organizational financial risk assessments and recommend mitigation strategies
Grants Financial Management (10%)
- Oversee financial reporting and compliance for grant-funded programs
- Partner with development and program staff on grant budgeting and financial stewardship
Team and Organization Work (10%)
- Participate in team, department, and all-staff meetings and associated work
- Contribute to organization-wide activities such as goal setting, planning, and staff trainings
- Support fund development efforts as needed
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 7 years of progressive finance experience in a senior leadership role, in the nonprofit sector or in the private sector with substantial nonprofit engagement (e.g., board or finance committee service)
- Minimum 3 years of direct supervisory or management experience, including responsibility for hiring, performance management, and team development; experience managing outside vendors or contracted service providers is a plus
- Solid working knowledge of fund accounting principles and nonprofit financial reporting
- Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
- Experience with cloud-based financial management systems; proficiency in Sage Intacct or comparable software (e.g., NetSuite, Blackbaud Financial Edge) is required
- Experience implementing or managing financial systems and designing financial processes
- Experience supporting board and executive leadership with financial reporting and analysis
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial information for non-financial audiences
- Commitment to participating in an open and collaborative environment
- Willingness to work independently with strong self-direction
Preferred Qualifications
- CPA or equivalent advanced credential
- Direct experience in nonprofit finance, including grants management
- Experience managing audits and contracted finance services
- Experience with subsidiary or multi-entity financial oversight
- Familiarity with agricultural, conservation, or environmental organizations
- Public speaking and board presentation experience
Benefits
This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package. Benefits for full-time employees include 160 hours (20 days) of paid time off annually plus 11 civic holidays, 480 hours (12 weeks) of parental/disability leave annually, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, a monthly home office stipend, and a cafeteria-style benefits plan that includes as options: a monthly stipend that can be used for either reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan, a dependent care pre-tax account, a flex spending account, and/or a health savings account.
About
Founded in 2013, the Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with farmers and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry adoption in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, the Savanna Institute conducts research, education, and outreach to support the growth of diverse, perennial agroecosystems.We seek applicants who share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a nature-based climate solution and who are motivated to widen the circle of who has the opportunity to inform, support, and benefit from its development.
Skills Required
- Minimum 7 years of progressive finance experience in a senior leadership role (nonprofit or private sector with substantial nonprofit engagement)
- Minimum 3 years of direct supervisory or management experience, including hiring and performance management
- Solid working knowledge of fund accounting principles and nonprofit financial reporting
- Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
- Experience with cloud-based financial management systems
- Proficiency in Sage Intacct or comparable software (NetSuite, Blackbaud Financial Edge)
- Experience implementing or managing financial systems and designing financial processes
- Experience supporting board and executive leadership with financial reporting and analysis
- Strong communication skills, including translating complex financial information for non-financial audiences
- Willingness to work independently with strong self-direction and commitment to collaborative environment
- Located in or willing to relocate to Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, or Iowa
- Experience managing outside vendors or contracted service providers
- CPA or equivalent advanced credential
- Direct experience in nonprofit finance, including grants management
- Experience managing audits and contracted finance services
- Experience with subsidiary or multi-entity financial oversight
- Familiarity with agricultural, conservation, or environmental organizations
- Public speaking and board presentation experience
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The Company
What We Do
The Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that catalyzes the development and adoption of resilient, scalable agroforestry, working with farmers, businesses, and scientists to integrate trees with agricultural crops and livestock in the Midwest US, fostering ecological resilience, climate stability, economic prosperity, and vibrant communities.
