Director of Finance

Description Role Title: Director of Finance Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Job Status: Full time, Exempt Work Location: Hybrid (2 days in office, 3 days WFH) Salary Range: $95,000–$110,000 Organization Overview: EMERGE is building the next generation of leaders. We support high-achieving students from low-income communities to access and succeed at the nation’s most selective colleges and universities, unlocking talent that will shape industries, communities, and the country for decades to come. Founded in 2010 in Houston, TX, EMERGE has grown from serving 14 students across four high schools to reaching more than 3,000 scholars across a dozen school districts and more than 100 selective colleges and universities across the country. Under new executive leadership, EMERGE is entering a new chapter. The organization is strengthening its operational foundation, investing in senior talent, diversifying its revenue model, and positioning itself as the leading national platform for identifying and developing exceptional talent from income-constrained communities. Strong, clean, well-run finances are the bedrock of that next chapter, and the Director of Finance will own them. Position Overview: The Director of Finance leads EMERGE’s accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting support, and compliance. This is a hands-on role for someone who takes real pride in a clean set of books and a timely, accurate close, and who wants to build the systems that let a growing organization make confident decisions. Reporting to the CEO (and, once hired, the Vice President of Operations), the Director of Finance oversees day-to-day finance operations: monthly close, financial reporting, audit and Form 990 preparation, 1099 filing, payroll reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable, grant and restricted-fund tracking, and compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards. The role manages a part-time staff accountant and/or outsourced accounting support and coordinates with external partners on audit, tax, and specialized compliance work. The right person knows the technical material cold but also knows when and how to lean on a contractor. The Director of Finance partners closely with the CEO, Finance Committee, Development, People & Culture, and program leaders to strengthen financial systems, support informed decision-making, and ensure EMERGE’s resources are managed with accuracy, transparency, and strong fiscal stewardship. As EMERGE grows, this role may also support broader operational and administrative initiatives; we’re looking for someone finance-first who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves where the organization needs them. Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Accounting, Compliance & Internal Controls: Own core accounting: maintain accurate, audit-ready financial records and ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards Manage and continuously strengthen internal controls Lead audit preparation and serve as the primary internal liaison to external auditors Coordinate Form 990 preparation and annual 1099 filing with external partners Oversee accounts payable and receivable, track donor restrictions, and reconcile payroll activity Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Reporting: Support the annual budgeting process, monthly close, budget-to-actual reporting, forecasting, and financial analysis Prepare clear, timely financial reports for department leaders, the CEO, Finance Committee, and Board that tell the story behind the numbers, not just the figures, to support strong decision-making and organizational planning Grants, Revenue & District Contract Support: Oversee restricted grant tracking, donor and funder reporting, district receivables, and revenue recognition Partner with Development and program leaders on the financial components of grants, RFPs, contracts, and cost modeling for district partnerships Finance Operations & Process Improvement: Manage finance systems and processes, including QuickBooks, Bill.com, banking, vendor payments, cash flow monitoring, insurance coordination, and vendor contract support Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, strengthen controls, and create clearer cross-functional workflows with People & Culture and program teams Team & Vendor Leadership: Supervise a part-time staff accountant and/or outsourced accounting support, setting clear expectations and ensuring accurate, timely, compliant work Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders and external accounting, audit, and tax partners to ensure smooth, reliable financial operations Perform other operational or administrative duties as assigned to support EMERGE’s growth The Person: Exceptional at the Fundamentals. Takes genuine pride in accurate books, a clean and timely close, and audit-ready records. Deeply fluent in nonprofit fund accounting, GAAP, internal controls, and the compliance calendar (audit, 990, 1099s), and knows when to bring in a contractor for specialized work. Strong Communicator. Presents financial material clearly and coherently to both financial and non-financial audiences, conveying not just the facts but the story behind the numbers. Communicates proactively to keep leadership and program teams aligned. Functional Owner. Displays clear ownership of finance metrics and processes, is seen as the content expert, and drives accountability through follow-through. Engages in continued professional development to lead the function well. Resource Maximizer. Thinks strategically about how organizational funds are spent, understands cost drivers well enough to build and reallocate budget through the year, and weighs return on investment before major spending decisions. Systems Builder & Problem Solver. Develops systems, policies, and procedures that create durable improvements. Brings “out of the box” thinking to strengthen processes and is comfortable operating in an organization in a season of growth and change. Requirements Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration required Minimum five years of experience with nonprofit fund accounting and GAAP required; experience in a grant-funded environment strongly preferred Experience with audit support, Form 990 coordination, 1099 filing, and internal controls Experience supervising, coaching, or managing finance staff or external accounting partners CPA and/or nonprofit finance certification preferred, not required Extensive experience with QuickBooks required; experience with Bill.com preferred Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills Physical and Working Conditions: Open-office environment Sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods Role requires walking, standing, hearing, and talking Ability to occasionally lift/carry up to 20 pounds, with reasonable accommodation as needed. What We Offer: To determine salary, we consider each candidate’s relevant experience, growth potential, and responsibilities within the role, as well as equity across similar roles within the organization. The salary range for this role is $95,000–$110,000 . Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance Short-term and Long-Term Disability insurance, plus Life Insurance Paid Parental Leave (12 weeks) 403(b) plan employees can opt into – EMERGE matches 100% up to 3%. 27 Paid Time Off days per year; EMERGE is closed for 18 holidays and 12 Wellness Fridays $500/year stipend for role-relevant professional development To Apply: The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submission before the priority deadline of July 31, 2026 is highly encouraged.