Controller
Job Description
Organizational Summary
Union Settlement is an East Harlem based nonprofit organization founded in 1895. For 128 years, Union Settlement has provided critical and innovative programming to children, youth, families, and older adults. As a pioneer of the settlement house movement, Union Settlement continues to meet the needs of the ever-changing East Harlem community through its core programs. Through these programs, New Yorkers gain opportunities, develop skills, and become empowered to pursue and achieve their dreams.
Today, Union Settlement provides services through 33 program sites in approximately 28 locations. Union Settlement’s current programmatic portfolio includes 8 core program areas: Early Childhood Education, Youth Services (including after school programs), Family Services (including the Family Enrichment Center and the Family Childcare Network), the East Harlem Community Partnership, Adult Education, Mental Health Services, Older Adult Centers, and Economic Development. Union Settlement serves more than 10,000 individuals and nearly 1,000 businesses every year.
Strengthened by a dynamic, diverse, and collaborative workforce of more than 350 employees, Union Settlement also serves as a connector, convener, and advocate for East Harlem and its partners. To learn more about Union Settlement, visit www.unionsettlement.org
Position: Controller
Department: Finance & Operations
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Hours: Full-time
Salary: $100,000 - $125,000
FLSA: Exempt
Location: On-site, with the potential for some remote work.
Positions Reporting to this Role: Senior Accountant
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer, the Controller leads the fiscal strategy and monetary growth of Union Settlement. The Controller is a very strategic role, focused on long-term strategies for the future of the organization as well as staying abreast of current trends for maximum impact. The Controller participates in establishing and updating strategic planning documents and key performance metrics to ensure Union Settlement’s financial vitality. As the key strategic advisor to the CEO, COO, Board of Directors, and Executive team, the ideal candidate will have fiscal experience to guide investment decisions, utilization of capital, and management of Union Settlement’s income and expenditures, exceptional analytical and financial acumen, strategic aptitude with a strong degree of initiative, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail. This position establishes major economic and financial objectives, while ensuring that all accounting records, policies, and procedures comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The Controller oversees all internal fiscal personnel as well as any outsourced finance personnel, contracts and auditors. The successful applicant will have not only a demonstrable interest in and understanding of real estate and finance, but also a passion for the mission-oriented of social services, New York City, and the Harlem community.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Provides guidance and advice to the CEO/COO and the Board on legal and regulatory financial matters; evaluates operations, identifies barriers, and recommends/implements corrective actions as necessary.
- Develops and utilizes forward-looking, predictive models and activity-based financial analyses to provide insight into the organization’s operations and business plans.
- Provides hands-on leadership and business partnership to cross-functional department leaders with the direction established in the strategic plan.
- Provides timely and accurate analysis of budgets, forecasts, financial reports, and operational trends to support strategic decision-making at the Executive and Board level.
- Long-Term Planning: Collaborates with the executive team in developing financial planning, procuring capital investments, succession planning or joint ventures.
- Assess and evaluate fiscal data to ascertain progress and lead future decisions to maintain fiscal stability, build a solid financial structure to keep Union Settlement secure and on a continual pathway of success.
- Strategically develop long-term goals such as minimizing project costs, negotiating acquisitions, and plotting Union Settlement’s financial position years in advance, by proactively identifying and mitigating risks.
- Agent of Change: develops and executes comprehensive financial growth initiatives, identifies the most appropriate tactics to address present financial challenges and avoid future threats.
- Drives and enhances relationships with external lenders, clients, and suppliers while negotiating contracts for maximum cost-effectiveness.
- Studies short and long-range economic trends and projects the impact on Union Settlement’s future growth and organizational sustainability; creates opportunities for capital development.
- Represents the organization to its financial partners, including financial institutions, donors, auditors, and grantors.
Financial Management
- Ensures appropriate controls and record-keeping procedures are in place to meet all statutory regulations, accounting standards, practices, and audit requirements.
- Works with the CEO/COO, Executive team, external Finance consultant team, and Board of Directors to establish budget, priorities, and planning and implementation strategies.
- Accountable for the proper receipt and disbursement of departmental funds including state, federal and other monies, and ensure funds are used for the purposes for which they were intended; direct submission of due diligence.
- Monitors variances to the Department(s) budgets, analyze the cause(s) and implement necessary adjustments; exercise overall supervision and direction of billings and reimbursements; and related work as required.
- Oversees preparation and communications of financial statements, government and annual audits, proper tax filings, and reports related entities including real estate development and housing entities.
- Oversees cash flow planning, investment and asset management, as necessary, and executive risk insurance programs.
- Maintains privacy of all employee, vendor, clients, and company information and access such information only on a need-to-know basis for business purposes.
- Remain up to date on nonprofit audit best practices and state, federal and local law regarding nonprofit operations, including the New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act and its amendments and the new modified Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) financial reporting standards for nonprofits
Operational Processes
- Reviews current internal operations to assess the effectiveness of production, inventory management, logistics, and service, and ensures that records and inventories are properly maintained and reported.
- Works with leadership to identify opportunities to improve supply, procurement, service costs, and efficiencies.
- Works alongside the department leaders to develop budget and create a robust costing model; improve the budgeting process on a continual basis through education on financial issues impacting their budgets.
- Develops and maintains financial policies, procedures, protocols, and performance-based metrics to ensure company goals are met on a yearly basis.
- Complies with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations; reports unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful activity.
Personnel Management
- Oversee the Finance Team (internal and consultants) to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions; manages and evaluates performance.
- Provides leadership, training and technical assistance to the Department’s key officers and staff.
- Ensures effective labor utilization with greater efficiency and focus on profitability in conjunction with programs and services Leadership, and Human Resources Department.
- Serves as staff liaison to Union Settlement’s Board of Director’s Fiscal Committees; serves as the primary point of contact.
- Interfaces with funding sources to ensure that all eligible funding resources are made available, and develops and implements corrective action plans, when necessary, in response to federal and state audit findings and recommendations.
Q U AL I F I C A T I ON S
- Commitment to Union Settlement’s mission, vision, and values
- MBA in business or associated degree with emphasis in accounting, business administration or public administration, CPA or CMA preferred
- Ten (10) years of experience in a senior financial-management position partnering with executive staff and the implementation of financial management strategies required
- Demonstrated ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and supervise the work of a staff engaged in performing departmental fiscal and administrative tasks
- Demonstrated experience of nonprofit accounting, fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting
- Experience with various affordable and supportive housing programs
- Understanding and experience in affordable housing management and compliance requirements
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Office of Management and Budget Circular A133 audits
- Knowledge of housing accounting a plus
- Advanced proficiency with financial management software
- Exceptional business acumen, coupled with strategic and analytical capabilities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
CO R E CO M P E T E N C IE S
- Leading Others: Creates a sense of urgency throughout the organization on the importance of achieving outcomes. Inspires, influences, and enables team members to reach their goals
- Facilitating Change: Approaches challenges with creativity and flexibility. Demonstrates analytical thinking. Guides change to meet Union Settlement’s goals.
- Managing Performance: Evaluates and revises goals semi-annually with the team. Provides consistent supervision and documents performance highlights and concerns
- Applying and Developing Expertise: Embraces and leads the team to achieve milestones. Seeks and supports professional development opportunities for team members. Manages finances and budgets effectively
- Communicating and Collaborating: Listens well and actively engages with others with honesty and integrity and holds team accountable to the same standard
Union Settlement’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment
Union Settlement is an equal opportunity employer. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
