Director, Controller

Who We Are:

With a vision of a joyful region of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice, Seattle Foundation works to support and sustain the ecosystem of community organizations who are most proximate to the issues we are trying to change. Through our work as a philanthropic advisor, grant maker, and convener, we invest in community-led solutions and ignite powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all.

Position Overview: 

The Director, Controller (Controller) is responsible for oversight of accounting, tax compliance & reporting, financial systems, internal controls and fund management for Seattle Foundation (SeaFdn). The Controller maintains professional relationships with internal staff at all levels including the Board, committee members, external vendors, donors, and other stakeholders. This position also serves as the organizational gatekeeper and primary expert for all transactions that impact the general ledger and partners closely with the CFO on financial management and strategy.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Leadership/Management              
   1. Lead team culture of high performance, continuous improvement, learning and excellence.
   2. Establish accounting vision, drive process improvements, and develop/monitor KPIs & metrics.
   3. Supervise and mentor Assistant Controller, and Finance Operations Manager.
   4. Develop staff, workplans, career ladders, and ensure appropriate cross-training and process documentation are in place to provide appropriate transaction redundancies.
   5. Assist CFO in supporting the Audit and Finance Committees.
2. Operations
   1. Oversee, plan, direct, and coordinate all accounting operation functions including financial and fund management.
   2. Assess current accounting operations, maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures, and offer recommendations for continuous improvement.
   3. Implement financial policies and new processes across the organization.
   4. Ensure availability of sufficient back-up documentation (i.e., schedules and analyses that support financial statement amounts for fixed assets, pledges, investments and trust assets, debt, trust and annuity liabilities, endowment funds, etc.).
   5. Advise Director of Gifts and Grants on complex gift and grant transactions.
   6. Responsible for cash flow management, capital call approvals, and the sale of gifts of securities.
   7. Manage and develop relations with all auditors, banks, other financial institutions and consultants, as well as other external stakeholders, as appropriate.
3. Compliance/Risk Management  
   1. Ensure SeaFdn complies with GAAP plus federal, state and local financial/tax laws and regulations.
   2. Responsible for oversight and compliance with SeaFdn’s internal control policies, practices, and procedures. In collaboration with staff and other departments, develop and review COSO-compliant procedures to improve SeaFdn internal controls; recommend and implement policy changes.
   3. Own the general ledger and ensure accuracy and quality of financial statements.
   4. Collaborate and support Assistant Controller during the annual financial statement audit process, including managing external audit relationships, internal coordination, and quality assurance.
   5. Collaborate and support Assistant Controller for review of the state and federal tax return preparation, and interface with tax authorities when necessary.
   6. Responsible for compliance with payroll reporting requirements and payroll processing.
   7. Advise management and other stakeholders on tax implications from operational activities and stay current on local, state(s), and federal regulatory and tax code revisions.
   8. Monitor debt levels and manage compliance with banking debt covenants on debt instruments.
4. Oversee contract and risk management
   1. Support CFO to develop, implement, and oversee cross foundation risk management strategies.
   2. Ensure that processes and systems improvements, modernization of data applications and internal controls are transparent, communicated, documented, and approved.
   3. Create and maintain organization wide procurement policies and procedures and provide direction and training for contract staff in the requirements of the procurement process.
   4. Lead the standardization of the development and maintenance of Request for Proposal (RFP) documents and work with staff to convene and train RFP review panelists.
   5. Manage procured vendor and consultant contract relationships where applicable.
   6. Advise and guide the preparation and posting of RFPs for SeaFdn.
   7. Work with subject matter experts to edit scopes of work, technical specifications, and other solicitation/contract documents for clarity and consistency, technical specifications, and other solicitations/contracts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10+ years of direct accounting operations management and financial management work experience, with increasing responsibility.
• 5+ years of direct people management experience, leading and developing a high performing team.
• CPA certification or equivalent experience.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or similar area of study or equivalent experience.
• A strong commitment to the health and vibrancy of the greater Seattle area, specifically our commitment to racial equity and economic opportunity.
• Experience with Fund or Non-Profit accounting and grantmaking.
• Excellent public speaking and writing skills. Must be comfortable making presentations to all levels in the organization, including the Board of Trustees.
• Experience in Microsoft Dynamics Business Central/Customer Engagement.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: 

Seattle Foundation envisions a thriving region of shared prosperity, belonging, and justice, where all individuals and communities have equitable access and outcomes, regardless of race, place, or identity. We are committed to advancing racial equity using an intersectional lens, and integrate our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into all that we do. We hold ourselves accountable to uphold our organizational values and strive to do better every day. 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: 

Flexible; can be fully in-person, or hybrid (remote and in-person). This position is expected to be in the office 1-2 times per week as needed for collaborative meetings. Office is located in downtown Seattle. Must live in WA state. All positions require the capability of working at a PC for extended periods. Team efforts with event support may require periods of physical activity involving standing, walking, and moderate lifting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions of the role.