Finance + Operations Manager

Status: Full time (40 hrs/wk), Exempt
Compensation: $80,000-$85,000; 100% health, 100% dental + PTO
Location: This is a hybrid position based in the Twin Cities Metro area of Minnesota.
Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Applicable Interns and Volunteers
Posted: August 19, 2024
Applications Due: September 15, 2024 @11:59pm CDT

Who We Are

Forecast is a non-profit arts organization founded in 1978 by and for artists working in public space. Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and working both locally and nationally, Forecast activates, inspires, and advocates for public art that advances justice, health, and human dignity. We envision a future where all people feel a sense of belonging, realize their potential and live healthy lives by embracing culture and creativity as drivers of equitable change.

Our Values

• We believe in just distribution of wealth, opportunity, and privilege.
• We believe in aligning with others fighting for equity, justice, and human dignity.
• We believe in environmentally and culturally sustainable policies and practices.
• We believe in relationships of mutual investment between communities, sectors, disciplines, and professions.
• We believe in inclusive practices that invite and honor the full expression of people and place.
• We believe that creating an equitable future requires bold imagination.

Public art plays a crucial role in shaping culturally vibrant and sustainable communities, offering opportunities for community collaboration and ideas to influence change. It is our value at Forecast that our staff, board members, grantees, applicants and panelists reflect the racial, cultural, gender, artistic, range of physical ability, and geographic diversity of our country, and the stories and perspectives of the artists and communities we serve through public art. Those from BIPOC and indigenous communities, and groups that are traditionally excluded, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Description

The Finance and Operations Manager, the accounting lead for Forecast, provides administrative leadership through the management of internal organizational operations. This position is responsible for the following areas: financial systems, business compliance, planning and budget management, human resources, IT, and information systems. This position is a partner with Forecast’s Executive Director in strategic planning, decision making and operations. This position will assist the Executive Director in management functions.

Responsibilities

Finance (40%)

• Provide leadership and oversight of the organization’s financial operations
• Work with the ED to prepare and manage the annual budget, actual to budget analysis and quarterly forecasts.
• Administer and monitor all contracts, billing, and organizational budgets; partner with the Director of Learning, Grants + Research, and the Director of Planning + Engagement to manage program budgets, contracts, and invoicing.
• Oversee financial management, prepare cash flow projections and ensure that reports are produced in a timely fashion.
• Serve as liaison to the Board Treasurer and Finance committee and prepare financial reports, agendas and minutes.
• Coordinate all required state and federal nonprofit compliance filings and processes (i.e. an internal audit, IRS 990, MN Attorney General) in consultation with external auditors, the Executive Director, and the Finance committee.
• Process payroll, prepare books for annual audit, and provide financial reports as needed for grants and programs.
• Annually evaluate with the Finance Committee the organization’s internal controls and fiscal procedures and continually improve financial management practices and policies.

Human Resources (20%)

• Oversee and coordinate all HR-related functions for organization.
• Serve as staff liaison to insurance representatives.
• Digitize and improve HR documentation and systems, such as benefits and tracking.
• Maintain staff manual and board handbook, keeping a working knowledge of personnel policy and ensuring compliance.
• Manage and maintain employee personnel files.
• Provide resources for staff on best hiring and management practices.
• Manage onboarding, performance review, and termination processes.
• Manage annual review of employee benefits; effectively communicate to staff any changes in benefits.
• Work with staff to strengthen internship and volunteer programs.
• Maintain Charities Review Council certification.

Information Technology Systems (15%)

• Oversee and manage the organization’s technology systems.
• Serve as primary database manager within Forecast’s salesforce.complatform.
• Coordinate I.T. consultant as needed.
• Coordinate phone system provider’s service.
• Work with Content and Communications Manager and the website administrator on web-related infrastructure. 
• Annually evaluate the organization’s IT systems and make recommendations for improvements as necessary.

Operations and Planning (10%)      

• Coordinate annual work plan and strategic plan implementation with Directors.
• Work to improve and standardize operating systems.
• Work with staff and consultants to improve business practices and policies.

FORWARD (5%)

• Provide administrative and technical support to the FORWARD project manager; coordinate writer and editor contracts and payments.
• Assist development and communications representative with sponsorships, including invoicing and payment processing.
• Provide detailed cost analysis.

Development (5%)

• Provide financial reports to the Executive Director for grants.
• Maintain updated database in Salesforce that tracks donor, foundation and corporate outreach
• Track funding opportunities, calendar and ensure deadlines for proposals and reports are met.

Board of Directors (5%)

• Support the Executive Director in reporting to the Board of Directors, attend quarterly meetings and annual retreat.

Other Related Duties as Needed

We Think it’s Important that You Have the Following Skills

Experience and Qualifications – Required

• Bachelor’s Degree, plus 3 or more years of related experience.
• Experience working with contract management and nonprofit operations.
• Proven leadership results in:
  • Evaluating internal controls and fiscal procedures;
  • Promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and commitment to quality;
  • Providing oversight of technology systems, including hardware and software systems, staff training and troubleshooting.

• Ability to adapt to changing situations and revise strategies as needed.
• Commitment to Forecast’s mission and strong ethical conduct.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Quickbooks, Mac-based software programs, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace.

Experience and Qualifications – Preferred

• Masters Degree
• Familiarity with Salesforce
• Familiarity with the field of public art.

Our Work Environment

Forecast is a distributed, remote team, with a base in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and staff and partners located throughout the country. Staff members work fairly independently and come together to collaborate. In this role you will remain fairly independent, and also have the support of the Forecast staff. This is a hybrid position; much of this role can be completed virtually, yet the Finance and Operations Manager will need to visit the office occasionally and must be located in the Twin Cities metro area.

To Apply

• Submit a letter of interest and resume by Sunday, September 15 at 11:59pm CDT on Forecast’s Submittable page
• First round of interviews will take place September 18 – 20, 2024.
• Second round of interviews will take place September 25, 2024.
• Candidates notified by September 27, 2024.
• Expected start date is September 30, 2024.