Managing Director of Finance

About Array Education

Array Education is an innovation studio that supports, connects, and invests in teaching and learning projects starting with early literacy and continuing through the strong launch of a young person’s career.  The projects we are inspired by, whether in K-12 or beyond, are designed to prepare young people to pursue paths of their choosing post high school. Our post K-12 work is united by a recognition that as we age our educations and our careers are best described not as sequential stops in our lives but rather the double helix of our lives’ DNA.

Array Education currently operates five main programs or ventures – Cooperman College Scholars, a college scholarship program targeting high-potential, underrepresented students from Essex County, NJ; nXu, that provides research-based, transformative, purpose-driven learning experiences for youth and adults through a school-based curriculum, educator training and development, and direct student programming; Lit, a program partnering with school and system leaders to build, implement, and sustain reading ecosystems that live at the intersection of research and instructional equity; Opportunity College, a new online post-secondary program for a new generation of career seekers; Teach Like a Champion, a program that studies and shares the best practices of effective teachers; and In Tandem, a program that connects a diverse youth population trained in design thinking with organizations looking to incorporate youth voices to improve their products, programs and services. In addition to operating these programs, we also explore and invest in technologies and tools that have the potential to dramatically improve instructional experiences and outcomes.

The Array central team provides shared services support to all of our programs, including financial, operations, HR, technology, and legal support services.  Our job is to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes, so our colleagues can focus on delivering amazing, life-changing programs. In addition to paying our bills on time, onboarding and supporting staff across all programs, and being helpful and responsive resources to our teammates, we always find ways to learn in our roles and improve how we do our work. We’re looking for eager finance and accounting personnel to join our team and contribute to supporting our ecosystem of programs and organizations.

The Opportunity

Reporting to Array’s Partner, the Managing Director of Finance will develop, implement and continuously improve our shared services systems and processes for all Array programs and the organization as a whole, including budgeting, financial reporting, audits, and critical support for key fundraising efforts; manage members of the central team to provide support for and perform these functions; and take on other related duties as required and assigned. Depending on the readiness and background of the person we hire, we expect that Managing Director of Finance can grow into a senior executive role overseeing all activity on the central team, including operations. This could happen immediately upon hiring, within the first couple of months or over a period of 1-2 years.

The position requires a strategic and operational finance expert who deeply understands and clearly, confidently communicates the big picture and the nuanced details alike. The Managing Director of Finance will need to balance a long-term view with immediate needs and challenges, in addition to having a passion for Array’s purpose, a deeply collaborative approach to work, and comfort navigating complex and evolving educational ventures.

The Managing Director of Finance role can be either fully remote, with occasional travel to New York City, or hybrid based in New York City for individuals in the New York Metro area.

Responsibilities

Financial reporting, operations, and accounting

• Oversee all accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll activities.
• Manage financial reporting processes across the organization and programs, serving as primary contact to program Executive Directors (EDs)
• Support annual budgeting for Array programs and maintain updated budget/cash flow projections by working closely with program EDs.
• Manage the annual audit process, ensuring a clean and seamless audit.
• Support fundraising efforts by producing grant budgets in partnership with program colleagues, monitoring grant expenses, and preparing grant reports.
• Manage regulatory reporting, including tax reporting and quarterly reporting as required.
• Maintain sound fiscal policies and continuously improve financial operations and controls.
• Ensure that all finance and personnel documentation is organized and secure at all times.

Finance team management

• Manage 3 finance staff in implementing above functions as needed, including all bookkeeping, payroll, A/P, A/R, reconciliations, and monthly closing.
• Identify and develop professional development opportunities for staff to improve financial and operational effectiveness

Finance operations and special projects:

• Lead efforts to research and implement new financial operations systems as needed for our central team and program teams.
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve financial operations and ensure a seamless, high level of service for colleagues.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or master’s in accounting, finance, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of professional experience with five years in a finance-related position with direct management experience, start-up experience preferred.
• Deep understanding of basic accounting principles with knowledge of nonprofit accounting.
• Fluency in MS Office; specifically, expertise in Excel and proficiency in Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, especially around coordinating with multiple people to deliver projects/tasks timely, with a service-oriented mentality
• Excellent project management and systems-building skills.
• Consistent accuracy in all tasks large and small, with exceptional attention to detail - you thrive on being thorough, accurate, and precise in all you do
• Ability to work efficiently, intensely, and juggle multiple priorities within an entrepreneurial environment where meeting deadlines is expected and comfort with ambiguity is essential.
• A passion to join a mission-driven organization

Benefits: The salary range for this position is $140,000-200,000, depending on experience and geographic location. Array Education offers a competitive benefits package, including subsidized health insurance (medical, dental, vision), disability insurance, 401(k) match, unlimited sick time, 18 holidays, and 15 PTO/vacation days.

Location: This position can be fully remote or a hybrid position with 1-3 days a week in-person in lower Manhattan. Some travel will be required to attend team meetings/gatherings.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application at our Greenhouse page, where you will be asked to answer some application questions. Please submit your application by 9AM ET on 9/16/2024 to be considered for the first interview round for this position.

We know that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! Please do apply if you can meet many of the qualifications. We commit to reviewing your applications, keeping your info on file, and reaching out if a well-suited position becomes available.