Director of Finance & Administration, Philadelphia Outward Bound School

Outward Bound is an international educational movement dedicated to the belief that people are capable of far more than they know. Founded in 1992, Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) strives to change lives through challenge and discovery. POBS serves PA, NJ, and northern DE and is one of 11 regional Outward Bound schools in the United States. POBS is a partner in Philadelphia's newest public green space, The Discovery Center, in Philadelphia's East Fairmount Park. 

As a robust non-profit educational organization, POBS engages more than 7,500 participants (youth and adults) annually in experiential single and multi-day programs that inspire character development, leadership skills and community service. All programs are designed to help participants in our communities to realize their true potential.

The Director of Finance and Administration, a member of the POBS leadership team, oversees all aspects of the organization’s fiscal function in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices. The position requires strong analytical, strategic, and technical abilities, excellent management and communication skills, and a high level of financial expertise and nonprofit fund accounting. S/he must be able to identify, prevent and correct any errors, and assure consistency between Quickbooks and Salesforce records. In addition to ongoing operations, s/he will lead special projects identified in POBS’s 2020-2022 strategic plan, including creating a true cost assessment of existing programs, modeling opportunities for growth, and implementing best practice improvements related to financial management, record keeping, and administrative and HR functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Finance

• Serve as senior liaison to the Executive Director, other members of leadership team, the Finance Committee, the Board of Trustees, and other key stakeholders on all financial matters, making recommendations and suggesting proactive measures and strategies to ensure the satisfactory operation and financial condition, and sustainability, of POBS
• Provide oversight for and manage all budgets, forecasts and internal financial plans and processes
• Support accounting, general ledger and operations functions, and ensure that systems are in place which provide (i) satisfactory internal controls (including oversight of department-level spending) and (ii) timely, accurate, and comprehensible reporting, including, among other tasks, accounts payable, account receivable, and cash receipts records management; account reconciliations, and monthly financial reports
• Develop, document, and maintain best practices and standard operating procedures for POBS’ accounting and administrative policies, procedures, and management
• Participate in internal planning to ensure alignment of program, development, and other activities of POBS with current financial conditions and projections
• Conduct regular reporting, measuring projections against actual performance and applying financial data to assess the impact of POBS’s programs
• Generate monthly, annual, and as needed other periodic reports and/or forecasts to monitor, evaluate, and optimize POBS’ cash flow and liquidity
• Ensure that POBS fulfills regulatory compliance requirements
• Implement financial assessment, modeling, and analysis of current and projected operations to prioritize opportunities identified in POBS’s new strategic plan and help drive organizational next steps for growth
• Oversee fund accounting processes, including the general ledger in QuickbooksOnline, and program payments and contributions recorded in Salesforce
• Manage third party payroll system
• Coordinate annual audit process, working with external auditors and the Finance Committee, including filing of 990, PA BCO-10, NJ CR1-1501
• Manage 401k administration and file form 5500 annually

Administration

• Coordinate with OBUSA national office to provide information needed for general liability, fleet auto coverage, D&O, umbrella, cyber and other insurance coverage
• Work with brokers to identify workers’ compensation, medical dental, short-term disability and life insurance options
• Help analyze, create, and implement policies, procedures and practices related to personnel matters
• Ensure adherence to OBUSA records retention policies
• Monitor and evaluate benefits offerings; analyze and make recommendations for compensation; oversee staff enrollment and administration
• Ensure employee clearance processes are fulfilled and documented
• Help fulfill organization-wide DEI initiatives to attract highly qualified applicants and create a compassionate and effective workspace and organizational culture
• Serve as member of POBS leadership team with Executive Director and Directors of Advancement, Program Operations, and Education & Partnerships
• Identify needed support staff for accounting and database processes and supervise hire(s)
• Provide supervision for Associate Director of Staffing & HR

Knowledge and Skills

• Commitment to POBS’s mission, programs, and values; familiarity with or eagerness to learn about Outward Bound’s history and educational framework
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices and principles, including fund and accrual accounting, cash management, and implementation of internal controls
• Creative thinker and problem solver with keen analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to translate financial concepts for – and work with – a wide range of internal and external audiences
• Knowledge of Quickbooks or other fund accounting software and of Salesforce or other CRM
• Team player, with ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, self-direct, and work with humor and compassion in a fast paced office
• Supervisory experience

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.