Vice President of Finance & Administration

Finance & Accounting • Serve as the organization's senior financial officer, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial operations • Oversee the Controller and accounting team, including accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, payroll, and month-end close • Lead annual budget development and multi-year financial projections and planning in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team and service-area leads • Advise leadership on financial implications of partnerships with universities, including funding structures, cost allocation, and long-term sustainability • Oversee margin reporting and working with business units on their resource allocation plans within the fiscal year • Manage the annual audit process and serve as primary liaison with external auditors • Prepare and present financial reports for the Board of Directors, its Finance Committee, and the UNC System Office • Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and all grant and contract reporting requirements • Monitor cash flow, investment accounts, and reserves; advise leadership on financial risks and opportunities • Track PKH contracts to assess vendor performance, identify critical deadlines and decision points, and negotiate favorable terms People Operations • Lead and support the Sr. Director of People Operations in setting the strategic direction of the people function, serving as a thought partner on organizational design, workforce planning, compensation philosophy, and culture. • Maintain senior-level accountability for the People Operations function, providing guidance and escalation support on complex employee relations, board and personnel committee matters, and cross-functional people initiatives. Leadership & Organizational Management • Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and culture • Manage, mentor, and develop direct reports across finance and people operations • Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships, acting as a collaborative partner to operations, partnership, and technology teams • Represent the organization's operational interests to the Board, funders, and external partners as needed, including the UNC System Office Secondary Responsibilities Internal Technology • Work with the Chief Technology Officer to budget for hardware and software procurement for the organization, ensuring staff are equipped with the tools they need • Manage vendor relationships for IT services, software licenses, and technology support • Financial system upgrades and potential migration: responsibility for evaluating the current tools and systems in place for financial reporting and analysis and leading an effort to identify improvements and opportunities to streamline
Education and Experience • Bachelor’s degree or higher required • 8 + years of progressive experience in finance or operations, with at least 3 years in a management role • Nonprofit finance experience strongly preferred, including familiarity with fund accounting, grant compliance, and Form 990 • Experience in higher education finance, including familiarity with fund accounting, grant compliance, and public or university-affiliated financial environments, strongly preferred • Demonstrated experience managing an audit process and working with external auditors • Prior responsibility for human resources functions, including benefits, compliance, and employee relations • Comfort with contract negotiations and vendor management Skills , Knowledge and Abilities • Strong financial acumen and analytical skills; can translate complex financials for non-financial audiences • Clear, direct communicator who builds trust across the organization — with frontline staff, leadership, and the Board • The ideal candidate must have experience in accounting and be deeply familiar with GAAP, GASB and FASB reporting practices, and other financial standards • Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities without losing sight of the bigger picture • Mission-driven: the ideal candidate will be energized by the idea of building operational infrastructure in service of PKH’s mission to expand educational opportunity for more adult learners Physical and Mental Requirements: • Exercise independent judgment, concentrate, think, communicate, interact with others, manage multiple tasks , and cope with stressful situations and deadlines. • Ability to perform sedentary physical activity of an administrative nature. The team member must occasionally lift office products and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds. • Must be able to navigate various modes of transportation and drive/rent a car. Must be able to independently manage the disposition of all work supplies and personal travel items during travel. Working Conditions and Travel • This position is hybrid; required to be in-person in the Chapel Hill, NC office twice per week. • Usually work during regular business hours, Monday through Friday; may require evening or weekend hours, particularly during t ravel times . • Travel is expected to be up to 10 % of the time, utilizing standard forms of travel , including public transportation, individual rental cars, and/or the team member’s personal vehicle .