Director of Finance and Operations

Location: Remote, preference for U.S.-based in one of our key geographic locations (New Orleans, Northwest Arkansas, or New York City)

Type: Full-Time, non-exempt

Experience: Senior-Level

Who We Are

Gray Ink is an international strategic consulting firm that works with nonprofit and for-profit organizations to strengthen economic equity and development. We work hand-in-hand to plan and manage the revenue strategies that achieve fundraising goals and impact communities around the world. Since founding in 2020, we have worked with organizations to raise $140 million to advance their missions. Today we work with 40+ clients every year to raise funds for impactful work and innovations across the world.

Our services include:

• Strategy Development
• Evaluation & Planning
• Prospect Research
• Development Management
• Proposal Development
• Coaching and Leadership Development

Who You Are

Outstanding candidates bring an interest and deep experience in operations and finance, a diverse background, and a passion for strengthening for-profit and nonprofit companies to advance their missions.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience & Leadership:
  • 7+ years of experience in finance, operations, or business management, preferably in a consulting, professional services, nonprofit, or entrepreneurial environment.
  • Proven experience in a leadership or senior management role, overseeing finance and operations functions.
  • Experience working closely with executive leadership to drive strategic decision-making and growth.
• Financial Management:
  • Strong financial acumen, including budget development, cash flow forecasting, financial analysis, and scenario planning.
  • Experience managing bookkeepers and overseeing financial operations, compliance, and internal controls.
  • Knowledge of contract management, invoicing, and collections processes.
• Operational Leadership & Strategic Planning:
  • Experience designing and implementing scalable operational systems, workflow improvements, and risk management strategies.
  • Strong project management skills, with a track record of managing cross-functional teams and capacity planning.
  • Ability to identify inefficiencies, streamline processes, and drive continuous improvement.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Experience working with clients on budget development, financial strategy, or operational support, preferably in a consulting capacity.
  • Ability to translate complex financial and operational concepts into actionable insights for clients and leadership.
• Technical & Systems Proficiency:
  • Proficiency in financial software and accounting platforms (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, or similar).
  • Strong skills in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive) and project management tools.
  • Ability to evaluate and implement new systems and processes to improve efficiency.
• Soft Skills & Work Style:
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey financial and operational insights clearly to diverse stakeholders.
  • Highly adaptable, able to navigate a fast-paced and evolving organization.
  • Commitment to collaboration, transparency, and equity-driven decision-making.

Equity is central to our work, and we are committed to building a team with diverse experiences that enable us to achieve this goal effectively. While the qualifications listed above reflect our ideal candidate, we encourage you to apply if you meet most of the criteria.

Role and Responsibilities

The following outlines the current responsibilities of our Director of Finance & Operations. We recognize the unique skills, experience, and interests each team member brings, and we aim to align responsibilities accordingly. As such, there is some flexibility in the specific duties assigned to this role.

• Operations (35%)
  • Operational Leadership (20%):
    • Plan and maintain an operational action plan to manage key workflows, ensuring alignment with company priorities and goals
    • Manage capacity, proactively identify risks, troubleshoot challenges, and maintain accountability across teams.
    • Streamline operational systems to improve efficiency and build out operational workflow charts with R&R.
  • Collaboration with Leadership (10%):
    • Work closely with the founder to shape the company’s strategic direction and achieve growth targets.
    • Evaluate KPIs and provide data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement.
  • Leads and Contract Management (5%):
    • Collaborate with the founder to grow existing client relationships and establish new ones.
    • Manage the contract signing process.
• Finance (35%)
  • Budget & Financial Monitoring (15%):
    • Work with the founder to conduct scenario planning and evaluate the financial impact of strategic decisions.
    • Develop and maintain cash flow forecasting models to ensure liquidity and operational efficiency.
    • Identify and mitigate cash flow risks by monitoring receivables, payables, and contracts.
    • Prepare and manage annual budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
  • Reporting & Performance Management (5%)
    • Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, providing recommendations to improve growth trajectory and profitability.
  • Financial Operations (15%):
    • Manage bookkeeper.
    • Streamline financial processes and systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
    • Implement and maintain strong financial controls and maintain monthly audit processes.
    • Manage billing and oversee collections processes
• Client Work (30%)
  • Budget support (20%):
    • Develop, review and edit budgets with clients to be compliant with proposal guidelines
    • Guide clients through annual budget building process
  • Operational support (10%):
    • Develop, customize and introduce grant tracker to clients
    • Coach clients through internal transformation projects (new system implementation, system choice…etc) and ensure senior consultants can adapt to new processes

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: We are offering a base salary range of $100,000 - $125,000.
• Role Type: Full-time, non-exempt. While our work can fluctuate depending on the federal grant season, our goal is to average 32 hours per week.
• Life-Work Balance: At Gray Ink, we believe in maintaining a work-life balance that allows you to excel in both personal and professional spheres. We aim to build strong relationships and boundaries with our clients to ensure we can stay happy and engaged in both our life and our work.
• Profit-Sharing: Gray Ink offers a profit-sharing program with value-driven bonuses for projects and efforts that exceptionally embody our company values. Payments are made annually and employees become eligible for profit-sharing after one year with our team.
• Health Reimbursement Account: As a young and growing international company, we currently offer a health reimbursement account of $500 per month to cover your health, dental, and vision insurance costs. We aim to incorporate comprehensive plans in the future.
• Remote Work Options: Depending on your location, we offer the option of office space with one of our clients or a stipend for home office setup ($1,000).
• Flexible PTO: We provide unlimited paid time off, encouraging a minimum of four weeks off per year to ensure you recharge adequately. To add to this, our offices close during the last two weeks of the year for everyone to enjoy an end-of-year break.
• Customizable Public Holidays: In addition to our year-end closure (Dec. 24-Jan. 1), Gray Ink observes eight (8) company-wide holidays, and has the following policy on additional observances:

An employee may take time off to observe a special or religious holiday, provided that work schedules can be accommodated without undue hardship to business operations. Reasonable accommodations to religious observances and practices should be arranged with the employee's supervisor, who is encouraged to accommodate the employee's request to the extent that it is practicable. Employees are responsible for giving supervisors at least a two-week notice of the proposed absence. In the event that a holiday falls on a weekend, the Company will observe the holiday on the closest business day. Holidays that fall on a Saturday will be observed on the day before (Friday); holidays that fall on a Sunday will be observed on the following day (Monday).

Local New Orleans Holidays: For team members based in New Orleans, we also recognize Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras as additional days off.

Application

Email your resume to tina@gray.ink, cc’ing phoebe@gray.ink, putting your last name and DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS in the subject line.

Please include a cover letter that both outlines your personal motivations for this position and describes your management experience.

You do not need to include references in your initial application. However, if you advance through the process, we will be requesting references for two of your supervisors and two people you managed.

Applications that do not include the requested materials will not be considered.

Interview Process

The interview process will consist of:

1. Step 1: Phone interview (30 minutes)
2. Step 2: Video interview with Principal and (depending on availability) a Senior Consultant (1 hour)
3. Step 3: Reference checks

Gray Ink is committed to creating a diverse environment where everyone can bring their full selves to work. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs. The organization strives to provide a work environment free from discrimination and harassment because of a protected characteristic.

Gray Ink does not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, creed, citizenship, status, national origin, ancestry, gender, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, religion, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, physical or mental disability, marital status, parental status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• Profit-Sharing: Gray Ink offers a profit-sharing program with value-driven bonuses for projects and efforts that exceptionally embody our company values. Payments are made annually and employees become eligible for profit-sharing after one year with our team.
• Health Reimbursement Account: As a young and growing international company, we currently offer a health reimbursement account of $500 per month to cover your health, dental, and vision insurance costs. We aim to incorporate comprehensive plans in the future.
• Remote Work Options: Depending on your location, we offer the option of office space with one of our clients or a stipend for home office setup ($1,000).
• Flexible PTO: We provide unlimited paid time off, encouraging a minimum of four weeks off per year to ensure you recharge adequately. To add to this, our offices close during the last two weeks of the year for everyone to enjoy an end-of-year break.
• Customizable Public Holidays: In addition to our year-end closure (Dec. 24-Jan. 1), Gray Ink observes eight (8) company-wide holidays, and has the following policy on additional observances:

An employee may take time off to observe a special or religious holiday, provided that work schedules can be accommodated without undue hardship to business operations. Reasonable accommodations to religious observances and practices should be arranged with the employee's supervisor, who is encouraged to accommodate the employee's request to the extent that it is practicable. Employees are responsible for giving supervisors at least a two-week notice of the proposed absence. In the event that a holiday falls on a weekend, the Company will observe the holiday on the closest business day. Holidays that fall on a Saturday will be observed on the day before (Friday); holidays that fall on a Sunday will be observed on the following day (Monday).

Local New Orleans Holidays: For team members based in New Orleans, we also recognize Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras as additional days off.