Finance Director

ABOUT THE ACLU OF MAINE

We are the Maine affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. We fight for equality, justice, and freedom for all people in Maine in the statehouse, in the courthouse, and through public education and engagement. We are active in the areas of criminal legal reform, racial justice, immigrants' rights, reproductive freedom, women's rights, Indigenous justice, LGBTQ equality, voting rights, privacy, and freedom of speech and religion. We are a passionate, highly motivated group and we are looking for exceptional talent to join our team. To learn more about us, visit our website (https://aclumaine.org/)

OPPORTUNITY

The ACLU of Maine seeks a skilled and committed professional to join our team as our Finance Director. As part of the senior leadership team, this position is responsible for overseeing and managing the finances of ACLU of Maine Foundation and the ACLU of Maine to ensure that our systems are effective, efficient, transparent, and consistent with industry-wide best practices. Responsibilities include budget development and management, project managing the grant process, (including strategic work with the Executive Director and Development Director), as well as budgeting and reporting for grants, forecasting, and long-term financial planning. The Finance Director works closely with the Board finance committee, the audit committee, and the Executive Director, as well as with outside auditors and/or contractors.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Qualifications:

• At least five years of high-level financial management experience. Prior experience working at a nonprofit organization and an interest in the ACLU of Maine’s mission and work strongly preferred.
• Strong financial management skills, including building budgets, managing grants, forecasting, accounting and long-term financial planning.
• Leadership experience in a unionized environment with active DEI commitments.
• Demonstrated supervisory, training, and collaboration experience.
• Excellent computer skills, including financial programs and software, and strong communications skills, particularly related to interpreting financial data to lay audiences required. QuickBooks experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to make quick decisions and to communicate clearly, consistently, and compassionately in time-sensitive situations.

This is a full-time, exempt role requiring occasional evening and weekend work. The role is based in Portland, ME and hybrid. The role reports to the Executive Director and is not a member of the bargaining unit.

Job Responsibilities:

Manage the financial affairs of the ACLU of Maine and ACLU of Maine Foundation, including monthly closing of the ACLU books, preparation and reforecasting of the annual budget; overseeing investments including interacting as needed with the Board Finance Committee; using best accounting practices, developing and refining, as needed, the financial accounting and tracking systems and processes to meet the organization’s needs; providing support to the Executive Director and other staff on budget development and long-range financial planning. 

• Perform all daily finance related tasks including maintaining records, data, coding, deposits, outgoing checks, wire transfers/ACH payments, and bookkeeping for both the Union (c)(4) and the Foundation (c)(3) in QuickBooks.
• Prepare all materials for the audit and 990 tax returns and work with the audit committee for approval of each.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls.
• Conduct analysis and reporting of financial operations for department heads, program leaders, Board Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors. Identify and troubleshoot trends in income and expenses.
• Attend Board Finance Committee meetings and full Board meetings to provide financial updates.
• Liaise with ACLU National regarding reconciliation, understanding and tracking BORT, and having a finger on the pulse of financial trends and upcoming changes to systems and policies.
• Project manage the grant process throughout the organization, working closely with the Executive Director and Development Director to identify and strategize around available grant opportunities.
• Manage budget preparation for grants/foundations. Review grant/foundation proposal budgets and other contracts for appropriateness and accuracy.
• Responsible for financial management and reporting for all grants and contracts.
• Supervise and collaborate with auditors and any contracted staff.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, senior leadership team, and the Board to develop and implement organizational plans.

Personal Characteristics:

Ideally, the successful candidate will be the following:

• A creative, flexible, well-organized, and reliable person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities and manage a demanding schedule; a team player who is able to work independently, jointly, and under pressure; willing to learn; a self-starter and finisher.
• Personally committed to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals, and programs with an understanding of a broad range of civil liberties and civil rights issues and their implications.
• Someone who displays the cultural competence needed to work with a diverse team and effectively partner with diverse communities.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary is $100,000-120,000 depending on experience.

Excellent benefits include 20 days paid time off, 10 paid holidays, individual employer-provided health and dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, paid family medical leave, and 401(k) plan with employer match of up to 5.5%. Additionally, staff are paid during the following office closures: the first full week in August, the week of Thanksgiving, and from December 24 through January 1.

LOCATION

The ACLU of Maine’s office is based in Portland, Maine. Currently, staff work on a hybrid schedule, with all staff in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume. Submit materials to careers@aclumaine.org and include your name and “Finance Director” in the subject line. We anticipate holding interviews in November, with the position beginning by mid-December 2024 or January 2025. If you need assistance or accommodation, contact us at careers@aclumaine.org. Your cover letter should explain ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work.

The ACLU of Maine is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Maine encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, previous criminal convictions, and veteran status.