Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF or the Foundation) was established in 1934. The Foundation stands alongside changemakers in its region of eight states and 76 Native nations and funds work that leads to racial, social, and economic justice. The eight states include Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The Foundation’s driving vision is that the people of its priority communities—including Native Americans, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and people in rural areas—thrive on their own terms.

The organizations the Foundation supports work with their communities to change unjust systems to serve, support, and heal people and communities. The Foundation is dedicated to the practice of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), and deeply understanding and respecting the values of its grantees and partners, to avoid perpetuating injustices it seeks to change. 

The Foundation operates with a staff of 22, stewards an endowment that has grown to over $500 million—with an operating and philanthropic budget of approximately $23 million—and pays out between $15 million to $20 million in grants annually, including a commitment to place 40% of its grant dollars with Native-led groups. The Finance team ensures controls and services are in place so the Foundation’s assets are stewarded well, supports effective operations, and enables the Foundation to deliver on its mission. 

The NWAF Endowment Aligns with the NWAF Mission

NWAF’s endowment is invested in a variety of assets, and NWAF uses the returns on those investments to make grants to nonprofits. NWAF also makes “impact investments” to create positive social impact that advances the mission, along with financial returns. 

For more information about the Foundation, please see nwaf.org.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance & Accounting (DFA) will advance the mission and goals of NWAF by chiefly coordinating, developing, discussing, and making decisions around NWAF’s internal controls, budgetary/forecasting processes, the investment portfolio, and risk management. This position also manages the development and maintenance of the employee benefit plans to align with NWAF’s overall compensation and benefits philosophy. This leader will demonstrate a growth mindset, intellectual curiosity, and an enthusiasm for creative problem solving. 

The DFA is expected to actively demonstrate core organizational JEDI values and excellent judgment in performing all duties and contribute to and support cross-foundation work and learning that advances the NWAF’s overall strategic goals. This would include activities like NWAF priorities, community engagement, learning sessions, internal projects, ad hoc work groups, events, and committees.

Reports to:  Ramya Rauf, Vice President of Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Position location: The primary office is located in St. Paul, MN. Staff work in a hybrid environment, with a mix of virtual and in-person work to strike a good balance between connection and flexibility. Twin Cities-based staff work on-site every Wednesday and Thursday. Everybody is welcome to work in the office more frequently if desired. 

Starting salary:  $160,000 - $180,000 anticipated starting salary range, full-time exempt

Benefits: The Foundation offers excellent benefits including medical, dental, life and disabilityinsurance; generous retirement contributions; professional development; and vacation, sick, and holiday leave.

Travel/Work Environment: This role may require schedule flexibility and some travel for industry events.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Analysis

·       Review periodic financial statements and supporting documentation. Ensure preparation of accurate and timely financial statements and reports for management and board. 

·       Monitor financial performance against budget and payout requirements.

·       Monitor financial performance and report on trends and variances. Prepare any financial analysis as needed. 

Audit and Taxes

·       Manage the annual audit process with external auditors. Work with the CFO to set and manage audit timelines through opening meetings, fieldwork, closing meetings to financial reports, and clean audit opinion.

·       Manage and prepare the Foundation’s Forms 990-PF and 990-T, and coordinate the timely filing of state and foreign filings. Review Federal excise tax calculation and file taxes.

·       Assure all schedules, control documents, investment valuation materials, and grant support information are prepared with accuracy.

·       In coordination with the CFO, manage the recommendations and follow-up for any specific findings. 

Internal Controls 

·       Develop, maintain, and document strong internal controls, including proper approvals, separation of duties, and independent reconciliations in close communication and with the oversight of the CFO.

·       Direct accounting processes to ensure financial transactions and procedures meet organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.

·       Research and recommend new policies and procedures including best practices and trends. 

·       Work with the CFO to promote staff understanding of a strong internal control environment and recommend new policies/procedures as needed. 

Budget, Cash Management and Forecasting

·       Manage, coordinate, and prepare the annual budget and year-end forecasts in close partnership with the CFO. 

·       Train, coach, and support Foundation staff in their efforts to understand, develop, and maintain effective and accurate budgeting and forecasting practices. 

·       Ensure compliance with the Foundation’s spending policy and IRS payout requirements.

·       Manage operating cashflow projections (grants and expenses) to determine optimal cash transfers to operating checking account from the investment accounts at custodian.

Investments

·       Assist the CFO in partnering with the investment consultant to monitor and manage the Foundation’s investment portfolio so it’s in alignment with the Foundation’s investment policy statement.

·       Collaborate with the CFO to support the Investment Committee by preparing reports and presentations on asset allocation and investment manager recommendations.

·       Research and review potential investment manager opportunities presented by the investment consultant, including legal due diligence.

·       Stay informed on market trends, economic indicators, and regulatory changes that could impact the Foundation’s investments.

·       Ensure compliance with investment policies, ethical guidelines, and any applicable regulations for nonprofit endowments.

·       Support the CFO in assessing how the Foundation’s investments contribute to its broader philanthropic goals while maintaining financial returns by continuously evaluating impact investments such as MRIs, PRIs, and ESG funds.

Payroll, Benefits Administration & Risk Management

·       Lead annual risk evaluation to determine insurance needs (property, liability, and cybersecurity).

·       Manage insurance renewals or bid processes and plan design changes for employee benefits. 

·       Collaborate with Human Resources on compensastion, benefits, insurance and other matters that potentially impact the financial health of the Foundation.

Data and Systems Management

·       Collaborate with IT and Operations to ensure internal controls are well integrated into systems.

·       Ensure users in the Finance and Administration teams are properly trained in finance-related systems. 

Organizational Leadership

·       Supervise accountant and senior accountant, including providing workload and technical direction, managing performance, and supporting appropriate professional growth and development.

·       Serve on the Leadership, Impact Investing, Retirement Plan, and Business Continuity teams, including developing and monitoring annual strategic goals and indicators of progress. 

·       Assist the CFO in preparing any related meeting materials and any follow-up actions required, including assisting with capturing meeting minutes of Audit and Investment
Committees.
·       Conduct external research and build external networks to determine options and best
practices for consideration by the Foundation.
·       Maintain effective relationships with banking, custodial services, investment consultant, and retirement plan service contacts.

Skills, Experiences, Qualifications
In addition to demonstration of the Leadership Competencies on the previous page, key skills
and experiences desired include:
• 8 -10 years of accounting experience is required, with a significant portion of that in a large
nonprofit or foundation accounting environment, preferably in a controller or similar role.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting; CPA or relevant public accounting experience
is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with complex investment portfolios including traditional and alternative
investments: private equity, diversified strategies, and other assets.
• Interest in impact investing (e.g. MRIs, PRIs, ESG, etc.) preferred.
• Experience managing accounting systems as an administrator and mastery-level
understanding of spreadsheets and standard finance and accounting databases.
• Demonstrated process improvement experience (especially as it relates to leveraging
technology) and project management skills to effectively implement new decisions and
solutions.
• Experience and interest in information systems; Microsoft Dynamics 365, Fluxx (grants
management), Backstop (investments), Paylocity (human resources) and others.
• Proven ability to provide strategic leadership on accounting and tax issues.
• Experience in managing external relationships including key service providers (banks,
investment consultant, tax, and legal).
• Knowledge of benefits and comp administration experience is desirable.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, including the proven
ability to translate technical information to people who are less familiar with the subject
matter.
• Ability to manage sensitive or confidential information with discretion and integrity.
• Enthusiasm for the Foundation’s mission and values, including justice, equity, diversity, and
inclusion.

Compensation & Benefits
The Director of Finance & Accounting is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the CFO.
NWAF offers a competitive and holistic package that includes salary and benefits. The
anticipated starting salary for this position is in the range of $160,000– $180,000. The actual
starting salary will be commensurate with the years, breadth, and depth of relevant
experience, education, certifications, credentials, special skills, accomplishments, and other
factors relevant to the position.
NWAF’s benefits are generous and include:
• Competitive compensation, including relocation support when applicable.
• Strong medical, dental, and life insurance benefits for staff and their dependents with
competitive monthly premiums and flexible spending accounts.
• Minimum of four weeks of paid time off and 12 floating holidays.
• Sabbatical program.
• Retirement programs, including 403(b) matching at 50% of deferrals up to annual maximum
of $5,000, with access to financial planning resources.
• Money-purchase pension plan, after one year of service, in which NWAF makes a generous
contribution that vests over a four-year period.
• Matching gift program for charitable donations, one-to-one match up to $2,000.
• Additional benefits such as an employee assistance plan, paid parental leave, and tuition
reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer
NWAF is an equal opportunity employer and all employees and applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunity in every area of hiring and employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age,
disability, mental illness, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, genetics, military/veteran status, citizenship, arrest record, and any other legally protected characteristic.

Northwest Area Foundation has partnered with Doran Leadership Partners to
lead this search.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Nayana Jha, Search Lead at Doran Leadership Partners, at nayana.jha@doranleadership.com. Review of applications will begin immediately and accepted until Monday March 31, 2025.