Finance and Administration Manager

The Manager of Finance and Administration will oversee, lead, and develop all financial and related administrative operations for Karam Foundation.

The Manager will oversee the ongoing development of financial, administrative, and operations management systems and processes to support the efficient and effective implementation of program and development objectives. This role focuses primarily on financial management, building and implementing processes, ensuring the timely and accurate processing of transactions, and liaising between departments while also providing oversight to the Finance team at Karam Evi Derneği, the Foundation’s partner in Turkiye.

The Manager of Finance and Administration is a member of the Karam Foundation and Karam House management teams. This position reports to the Chief Strategy Officer and interacts directly with the CEO and Director of Development.

Key Responsibilities

Finance

• Oversee Financial Activities, including bank and credit card management, wires, reporting, overseeing payroll, reviewing and issuing payments and reimbursements.
• Provide guidance and oversight to the US-based external accounting firm, which reports directly to this role. This includes working with the team to ensure timely reporting for routine and ad hoc needs, such as tax and corporate filings, quarterly board reports, and grant budgeting and reporting.
• Manage the annual audit, including year-end procedures and reporting, with the external auditor to ensure yearly reports are finalized, including:
  • Management of audits and the 990 process.
  • Lead the management team through audit preparation.
• Provide oversight to the Karam Evi Derneği finance team in Turkiye as a partner, ensuring alignment with Karam Foundation’s financial practices and policies and reporting:
  • Manage and guide staff on best financial practices, creating process efficiencies.
  • Coordinate and liaise between the Turkiye-based finance team and the US-based external accountant.
  • Help develop and revise financial policies and their implementation.
  • Recommend tools and processes to improve the organization and prepare reports and audits.
  • Expand, improve, and finalize the process for grant reporting.

HR

• Finalize documents for new staff and contractors
• Support payroll administration, benefits processing, and compliance with employment tax requirements in various states.

Legal

• Ensure compliance in the US:
  • Ensure that Karam Foundation complies with 501(c)(3) status, including managing the renewal process in Illinois.
  • Coordinate registration and employment taxes in the US for various states.
  • Draft and manage agreements and terms for partners and vendors.
  • Work with the external attorneys and the senior management team to ensure compliance in finance and administration.

Administrative and Governance

• Support and maintain board record-keeping, policies, and governance compliance.
• Manage bank accounts and financial software, including QuickBooks and Expensify.
• Participate in managing software for passwords, effort tracking, and other administrative tools and subscriptions.
• Support management of the Operations Coordinator (in coordination with CSO).

Strategy

• As a senior management team member, play a central role in decision-making related to program administration, providing concise and timely information to the CEO and CSO.
• Participate in financial strategy development, including fundraising and partnership financial planning input.
• Contribute to high-level management activities, including performance management, professional development, and organizational culture development.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of five years of experience managing finance and accounting in a non-profit or similar environment
• Undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting, Management, or a similar field, or a combination of certified learning and experience
• Understanding non-profit accounting principles, including experience with annual audits, grant reporting, budget preparation, and recording donations and grants.
• Demonstrated ability to keep track of multiple tasks and accurately complete them on time.
• Ability to prioritize and balance managerial leadership and transactional obligations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• A track record of taking initiative, managing projects, and working in a remote and diverse work environment.
• Passion for Karam’s mission and commitment to supporting Syrian refugee youth and families.
• Familiarity with the Middle East and refugee issues and experience working in a global or multicultural context is a plus.
• English proficiency. Working knowledge of Arabic or Turkish is welcome.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and Quickbooks or another similar accounting platform.
• Ability to travel once or twice per year.

ABOUT YOU

You are a builder excited to learn, share your experience, and take initiative.

You are attentive to details, and accuracy and meeting deadlines are habits. You ensure that every project and exchange is done meticulously and precisely.

You are mission-driven and passionate about Karam’s work serving displaced Syrian communities. You don’t lose sight of our mission in the daily work.

You are a strong communicator. Whether following up, completing tasks, or sharing a new idea, you strive to communicate with clarity, confidence, authenticity, and kindness.

You are invested in long-term growth. You understand that meaningful and transformative organizational support stems from investing in long-term relationships with all our staff and supporters and, most importantly, the communities we serve.

ABOUT KARAM FOUNDATION

Karam means generosity in Arabic. Founded in 2007 in Chicago, Karam Foundation has impacted and improved the lives of 100,000+ Syrian refugees since 2011. As a Syrian-led organization with a team of more than half refugees, we provide tools and opportunities to Syrian refugee youth and families so that they can reach their potential. Our programming is implemented in Reyhanli and Istanbul, Turkiye, with additional support provided across Jordan, Lebanon, and the U.S.

Karam is a visionary organization that deeply invests in the futures of Syrian refugee youth, fueled by innovation and creativity, with a focus on education and leadership. Building co-authored solutions for refugees with refugees, our goal is to create a future where Syrian youth lead their lives with agency and dignity, wherever they are.

ROLE DETAILS

Location: Remote, US-based

Position: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer

Salary: $70-$75,000

Benefits: Health insurance (premium 50% paid by Karam); 15 days vacation, plus 8 team-wide set Mental Health Days; 7 sick days; Employee Resilience Program; 401(k) with 2% matching (after 6 months employment with Karam); flexible work environment; and capacity building stipend.

We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis.

Karam Foundation is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and a work environment free of discrimination, bias, or harassment. All hiring decisions are based on mission needs, and applicant qualifications are reviewed without consideration of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military status.