Controller

Job Title: Controller / Managing Director, Finance

Team: People & Operations

Location: Hybrid in  Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL), Newark (NJ), or New York City (NYC), Washington (DC) 

Employment Type: Full-time

Start Date: ASAP

About Braven

Braven is a career-accelerating program that prepares promising young people—many of whom are people of color, from low income backgrounds, and the first in their families to attend college—to secure a strong first opportunity after college graduation. 

We work with higher education and employer partners to offer a life-changing experience that begins with a semester-long course for college students followed by support that lasts through graduation.  

Together, we are helping to open up access to the American Promise, empowering a generation of leaders who mirror the diversity of our country.

To learn more, take a look at Braven’s Impact Report and Jobs Report.

About the Role

In order to achieve its ambition of serving 80,000-100,000 Fellows over the next decade, Braven is hiring a Controller/Managing Director, Finance who will lead our Accounting & Finance functions to ensure we have strong financial health based on timely and accurate financial reporting. This leader sets and implements strategy related to Accounting and Finance (process improvements, financial reporting, metrics, analytics, Braven policies, month end close, tax, etc.). As a member of the People & Operations team, you will be a strong partner to Braven’s Alignment Team (leadership body), External Affairs & Development, as well as People & Culture as we continue exponential growth over the next decade.

This role is on the People & Operations team and reports directly to the VP, Finance.

What You’ll Do 

Accounting Oversight & Management - 40%

• Provide leadership and support to the finance team, including solid mentoring of direct reports and influence coaching to ensure team development.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records and compliance with GAAP and non-profit regulations.
• Manage the organization's relationships with external auditors, tax consultants, and other financial service providers. 
• Own financial audit process and presentation to key stakeholders. 
• Collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to ensure financial processes are aligned with organizational goals and objectives. 

Budgeting & Forecasting - 40%

• Manage the organization's budget process, including annual budgeting cycle, forecasting, financial analysis, and reporting.
• Set-up and evolve infrastructure to ensure Braven’s growth is supported by integrated systems that ensure operational excellence as we scale.
• Partner with the Strategy team to assess and iterate the cost model as needed to efficiently recommend the use of resources.

Other Finance Operations - 20%

• Work closely with the VP, Finance to improve the following systems & processes - expense management & reimbursement, General Ledger cost center update & Salesforce integration to Sage Intacct among others.

• Work closely with the VP, Finance to aid in selecting and implementing a new financial management system. 
• Lead change management within a growing organization related to best practices around financial governance & rollout of new processes. 
• Lead board-related updates, including Treasurer relationship.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting/finance
• 5 years experience in increasing fiscal responsibility in non-profit accounting
• 5 years experience in a management role
• Experience project managing the implementation of new technology (accounting software, BILL, expensify or similar finance related software)

Preferred Qualifications 

• Controller experience in a non-profit multi-state environment or service industry is a plus 
• CPA preferred
• In-depth experience and knowledge of accounting principles/theories (GAAP, FASB)
• Experience managing complex and/or judgmental accounting areas
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ideally in Sage Intacct software
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to facilitate collaboration across the organization so that subteam strategies and plans are aligned with the vision and each other
• Skilled at creating an organizational culture of frequent feedback and ongoing, purposeful development
• Uses deep knowledge of the landscape (systems of power and influence, relationships, structures, organizational dynamics, etc.) to shape their influencing strategy
• Ability to hold team managers accountable for their impact, effectively integrating accountability for outcomes with care for the individual, one’s own role in the outcomes, and situational context
• Skilled at creating an environment where failure is ok and leads to learning and growth rather than shame and low self-worth
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Exemplification of Braven’s core values.
• Experience that has informed your belief in Braven’s mission and have prepared you to work with, or for, Braven’s student Fellow population.

Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the preferred qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Work Demands

• Ability to work in-person in Atlanta (GA), Chicago (IL), Newark (NJ), or New York City (NYC), Washington (DC) Tuesday - Thursday 
• Travel 4-5 per year.

Additional Requirements

• Authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of such by the date of hire. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons.

Application & Interview Process

While the interview process may vary slightly, the general process will be:

• Phone screen with Talent Team member
• Performance Task
• Interview with Hiring Manager
• Panel Interview with Key Partners
• Reference Checks

Benefits

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position, which depends on prior work experience and our assessment of your demonstrated fit for the role, will likely be between $115,600-$144,400 in Atlanta,$121,500-$151,900 in Chicago & Washington D.C, and $133,700-$167,100 in New York, NY & Newark, NJ . This is a full-time regular, exempt, and benefits eligible position where you will be working at 100% capacity. Braven offers competitive base salaries based on the midpoint of the market among not-for-profit organizations of similar size, with opportunities for salary growth over time. We believe in compensating staff members fairly in relation to each other, their qualifications, and their impact on behalf of the organization, and take internal and external equity seriously. Given our commitment to equity, Braven does not negotiate salary offers; instead each salary offer is determined carefully using external and internal benchmarking. You will have an opportunity to discuss salary in more detail after you begin the application process.

Braven also provides competitive, comprehensive benefits, recognition, and career development. While Braven reserves the right to change benefits at any time, current benefits include: 

• [Central Roles] Unlimited vacation time in addition to org-wide holidays and week-long shutdowns in July and the end of the calendar year (this is a minimum of 19 days per year)
• Match of your 401K contribution up to 5% of your base annual salary, starting your first full month
• Coverage of 85% of health insurance premium for employee and dependents
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• A one-month paid sabbatical after 4 years on staff

Location

We gather in the office at least 3 days per week (on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and often work remotely 2 days per week (although certain commitments might adjust that from time to time). Therefore, this role requires teammates to live within commuting distance of one of our hubs: Atlanta, Chicago, Newark, or New York City. We believe in the magic, connection, and collaboration that happens when people work together face-to-face and we believe in giving people flexibility to focus, balance personal priorities, and save themselves two commutes per week.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

At Braven, we are committed to attracting, engaging, developing, and retaining a diverse team. Braven operates in the context of our American culture, against the backdrop of systemic racism and oppression of marginalized people since our country’s founding. We are committed to assembling leaders at our organization who have emerged from everywhere, with a particular emphasis on those who share the racial and income backgrounds of our Fellows, and creating an inclusive culture that allows all teammates, of all experiences and identities, to thrive.  

Braven is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor. We encourage talented individuals of all backgrounds to apply.