The Institute has grown significantly in recent years — in the size of our team, budget, influence, and statewide impact. We are implementing the recommendations of the first-of-its-kind New Jersey Reparations Council, advancing our racial justice advocacy and expanding our litigation capacity. We are deepening our presence in communities across New Jersey and helping shape a national conversation about the role of states in advancing racial justice.

To meet this moment, we are seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to serve as a senior leader who will ensure that our internal systems, financial stewardship, and operational discipline are as strong as our advocacy.

Reporting to the President & CEO, this person serves as the Institute’s senior operational and financial leader. This role is responsible for translating strategy into execution and ensuring the long-term sustainability of an institution built to endure.

Key Responsibilities

Finance

• Lead annual and multi-year budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Oversee cash flow management, reserves strategy, and long-term financial sustainability planning.
• Ensure accurate grant accounting, revenue tracking, and expense allocation across all funding streams.
• Develop financial models and scenario analyses to guide strategic decision-making in a volatile funding environment.
• Present clear, accessible financial reports and strategic insights to the President & CEO, Board Treasurer, and Board Committees.
• Oversee annual audit preparation, tax filings, and regulatory compliance in partnership with external auditors and accounting partners.
• Establish and strengthen internal controls, financial policies, and risk management systems to safeguard organizational assets.

Operations & Infrastructure

• Oversee the Institute’s operational systems, aligning staffing, structure, and administrative capacity with strategic priorities.
• Supervise core administrative functions including finance, IT, facilities, procurement, and vendor management.
• Ensure payroll, benefits, and reimbursement systems operate with accuracy and accountability.
• Build operational systems capable of scaling with continued growth in staff, programs, and geographic reach.
• Support senior management coordination and disciplined execution of key initiatives.
• Ensure the Institute maintains a culture of accountability, equity, and collaboration by strengthening operational systems, clarifying processes, and supporting cross-department coordination fostering a high-performing work environment.

Organizational Planning & Execution

• Partner with the CEO and Senior Management Team to translate strategic priorities into operational plans, budgets, and measurable benchmarks.
• Oversee tracking and reporting on implementation of the Strategic Plan, identifying risks or capacity gaps and recommending adjustments.
• Lead operational planning processes that align, staffing, budget, and programmatic growth.
• Oversee RFP processes and consultant engagements, ensuring clear scopes, accountability, and alignment with organizational priorities.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure Institute compliance with all financial, legal, and regulatory requirements, including nonprofit tax filings and lobbying reporting.
• Partner with the CEO and Governance Committee to maintain strong governance practices and risk oversight.
• Coordinate with outside counsel on matters related to contracts, compliance, and risk management.

Board & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the CEO and the Board, including attending Board and Board Committee meetings, ensuring appropriate coordination, gathering data, preparation of materials, and timely follow-up on action items.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board’s Audit, Finance, and Investment Committees.
• Maintain Board records, including attendance, engagement, and giving, in coordination with the administrative director.
• Support CEO and the Chair of the Governance Committee in developing and maintaining a pipeline of Prospective Trustees to ensure that the Institute has a list of potential new Board members with the skills and experience to benefit the Institute.
• Coordinate Board self-assessments and governance processes, working with the Governance Committee and external consultants.

Development

• Partner with the Development Team to align financial planning with fundraising strategy.
• Develop grant budgets and ensure timely, compliant financial reporting to funders.
• Provide revenue forecasting and scenario planning to support diversification of funding streams.
• Monitor progress toward annual and multi-year revenue targets in partnership with the CEO and Development leadership.

Attributes

• Deep commitment to the Institute’s mission and vision, with a demonstrated dedication to advancing racial justice and aligning decisions with organizational values.
• Strategic and systems thinker who can translate big-picture goals into clear, actionable plans, balancing long-term vision with day-to-day execution.
• Bias toward action and accountability, with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift, conditions change, and adaptability is essential to delivering results.

Qualifications & Experience

• The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred but not required.
• A CPA or similar financial certification is preferred; however, candidates with equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• 8–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit operations and financial management.
• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing budgets of $5M or more.
• Deep expertise in nonprofit financial planning, grant accounting, compliance, and audit management.
• Experience scaling systems and infrastructure in a growing organization.
• Experience working closely with an engaged Board of Trustees, particularly Audit, Finance, and Investment Committees.
• A demonstrated commitment to racial justice and advancing mission-driven impact.
• Sound judgment, steady leadership, and the ability to build systems without building bureaucracy.

Compensation:
This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $150,000–$175,000, commensurate with experience.

To apply for this position or to learn more, click here.

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice seeks dedicated, highly qualified law and/or graduate students for summer and term internships. Term internships are part-time. Please submit inquiries or applications (comprised of a cover letter, resume, transcript (official or unofficial), three references, and a writing sample) to recruitment@njisj.org. Please indicate if you want to intern for course credit.

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