Director of Finance & Operations

The Oakland Literacy Coalition (OLC) is seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping and sustaining the financial and operational health of our organization. As a member of the senior leadership team and the sole, full-time staff member dedicated to finance and operations, you will partner closely with the Executive Director, collaborate with other staff on budgeting and planning, and work with external contractors and vendors for bookkeeping, payroll, and HR administration.

This is a hands-on, senior role that combines 60% finance and 40% operations, balancing strategic vision with tactical execution. You will serve as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director and drive the development of infrastructure to support our long-term sustainability and growth.

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week) based in Oakland, CA, with an anticipated start date in the first quarter of 2025. The position will report directly to Executive Director Sanam Jorjani and collaborate with a small, passionate team to shape the organization’s future.

ABOUT US

Our Mission & Approach

Building a future where all Oakland students are afforded their civil right to literacy will take all of us. That’s why the OLC fosters a diverse coalition of community organizations and agencies with the mission of working together to ensure that every Oakland child learns and loves to read.

Through our 2023-2026 strategic plan, we are growing our programs and organization to deepen our impact as an effective and sustainable literacy hub for Oakland.

The Organization & Team

Founded by the Rogers Family Foundation in 2008 and launched as an independent nonprofit in 2016, the OLC is in an exciting phase of growth and development. Our current annual operating budget is $1.6 million, and we have a diverse revenue portfolio that includes foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donors, an annual fundraising event, and earned income.

Our passionate and talented team of seven takes pride in fostering a positive culture of excellence, collaboration, continuous learning, and accountability in line with our guiding beliefs and values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership (60%)

• Lead and oversee all financial systems and processes, including budgeting, forecasting, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• Collaborate with staff to develop and track annual and multi-year budgets and financial plans that align with organizational goals. Provide guidance on financial planning for both immediate and long-term organizational growth.
• Direct the work of external contractors, including bookkeeping and tax preparation.
• Prepare financial reports and projections for the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Use financial data to highlight insights and support decision-making across the leadership team.
• Work closely with the Director of Development to prepare grant budgets and financial reports for funders and donors and oversee all restricted funding to ensure proper restrictions/releases.
• Update and implement the financial policies and procedures to ensure compliance and efficiency in all aspects of financial management and enhance transparency, accessibility, and organizational sustainability.
• Assist with special events and fundraising efforts and attend all fundraising and special events.

Operations Management (25%)

• Manage operational systems and processes to ensure smooth daily operations while building systems that anticipate future needs and support long-term growth and sustainability.
• Oversee and manage people systems and HR and payroll processes through our PEO Insperity, ensuring they align with organizational needs and goals.
• Prepare contracts for independent contractors and oversee processes for contractor payments and tax filings.
• Oversee ongoing risk management, including reviewing insurance coverage, making necessary recommendations, and ensuring timely renewals.
• Ensure all governmental/state registrations are filed as required, and all regulatory requirements are fulfilled.
• Oversee the negotiation, renewal, and management of office lease agreements, ensuring alignment with organizational needs and budgetary constraints.
• Design and implement systems for organizational evaluation and impact measurement, enabling data-informed decision-making.

Strategic Leadership (15%)

• Serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director on matters related to infrastructure, staffing, and organizational systems and operations.
• Contribute to the development of strategic goals and objectives, and oversee the overall management of the organization.
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team to establish annual goals and objectives and track progress against key metrics.

WHO YOU ARE

• Financially Savvy and Technically Skilled: You excel at financial forecasting, creating dashboards, and building tools such as spreadsheets to translate complex financial data into actionable insights.
• Strategic and Tactical: You excel at balancing big-picture thinking with hands-on execution.
• Collaborative and Communicative: You translate complex financial concepts into clear insights for diverse audiences.
• Data-Driven Decision Maker: You leverage financial data to support organizational goals and priorities.
• Flexible and Resourceful: You thrive in a small team environment, adeptly navigating ambiguity and scaling systems to meet organizational needs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field; advanced degree or CPA preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial management, nonprofit experience strongly preferred. Strong understanding of GAAP, particularly for non-profits.
• Proven ability to oversee and manage financial systems and processes, including experience with payroll, accounts payable, and budget preparation and tracking.
• Fluent with the OLC’s accounting and bill pay platforms, Quickbooks Online and Bill.com.
• Strong operational and HR systems experience, with familiarity in using PEOs (e.g., Insperity) preferred.
• Adept in administering and using database management systems (e.g., Airtable) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms (e.g., Salesforce), ensuring efficient data organization, tracking, and reporting. Capable of designing and maintaining workflows, automations, and integrations to support operational and programmatic needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-year budgets and implement scalable systems.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and mission-driven work.

WORK SCHEDULE + LOCATION

The position is based out of our office in a bright and inviting co-working space in Artthaus Studios, located in Oakland’s Jingletown neighborhood.

Our regular work schedule is weekdays from 9 am - 5 pm. Our team works a hybrid schedule, with up to three days in the office (currently our team works in-office on Mondays and Thursdays). Our work sometimes happens at community events or the offices of partner nonprofits or funders. It also sometimes requires attending meetings or events at night and on the weekends.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY + COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Oakland Literacy Coalition is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to creating a diverse staff and inclusive environment. We especially encourage members of historically marginalized communities to apply for this role.

In compliance with applicable laws, the Oakland Literacy Coalition does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, national origin or ancestry, cultural background, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, primary language, citizenship, or immigration status.