Director of Finance

East Boston Social Center (Positively Partners)

Job Description

"East Boston has been a trailblazer, inspiring other citywide projects, and your family leadership approach is well-known and adopted across the state," Danubia Camargos Silva, former EBSC Parent Partner

About Us

East Boston Social Centers (the Social Centers) is a vibrant, multi-service agency and community center dedicated to fostering community, belonging, and joy. Founded in 1918 to support immigrant families, we have proudly embraced the spirit of "welcome" in everything we do. For over a century, we’ve opened our doors to neighbors from all walks of life, offering a wide range of educational, social, and recreational programs that serve the diverse community of East Boston and its surrounding neighborhoods.

As the largest early education provider in East Boston outside of the Boston Public Schools, the Social Centers play a vital role in the community. Our acclaimed preschool program prepares 161 children each year to enter kindergarten, and we are honored to have been granted an authorized UPK classroom in partnership with BPS.

Beyond direct services, the Social Centers offers comprehensive wraparound support for families, including referrals to services, financial literacy workshops, ESL classes, and emergency financial assistance. Last year alone, we distributed $63,795 in emergency aid to 51 families. Over the past several years, we have tripled our revenue from $3 million to $10 million annually, enabling us to launch new initiatives, expand our staff, and invest in equitable pay for our Early Education Teachers.

Staying true to our origins as a Settlement House, the Social Centers continue to provide essential resources, education, and support to new families in East Boston, serving over 1,500 individuals each year. Our work impacts thousands more through the multi-sector initiatives we lead. We partner with people of all backgrounds, abilities, and lived experiences—from before their first birthday to beyond their 100th—so everyone in our community can thrive and reach their full potential.

"When all give, all gain" is more than just a motto at East Boston Social Centers. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone belongs.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Finance is responsible for shaping and executing the financial strategy that ensures sustainable growth to meet our community's needs. This hands-on role involves overseeing the Social Centers’ financial planning and accounting practices, performing various accounting tasks, and managing relationships and financial instructions.

The Director of Finance will generate financial reports and budgets, lead year-end audits and tax preparation, and implement sound financial and accounting practices that support the organization's long-term goals and strategy. The ideal candidate will excel independently and in collaboration with a small, close-knit team. This role includes staff support for certain tasks, with the opportunity to develop and expand the team for ongoing support.

Primary Responsibilities

Financial Operations Management

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, ensuring timely and accurate financial records.
• Direct daily accounting functions, including accounts payable/receivable, general ledger entries, cost allocations, and payroll.
• Monitor and manage expenditures.
• Manage financial forecasting, insurance, and benefits.

Strategic Financial Planning

• Over time, enhance financial functions by adopting new processes, technologies, and systems for efficiency and compliance.
• Prepare, analyze, and present financial reports, forecasts, and dashboards to support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, including operating and capital budgets, and monitor progress throughout the fiscal year.
• Develop financial systems with proper internal controls and ensure compliance with non-profit accounting, US GAAP, and legal requirements.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and monitor invested assets in line with policies.

Budgeting and Reporting

• Oversee the creation of the organizational budget and the budgets for programs, grants, and service contracts, ensuring proper revenue recognition.
• Prepare financial reports for local, state, and federal agencies and coordinate the annual audit.
• Administer government contracts and billing.
• Report financial status to the Board’s Finance Committee and full board and maintain banking relationships.

Collaboration and Leadership

• Support leadership by engaging the board’s audit and finance committee on financial issues and trends. Ensure the Board Finance Committee meets regularly and conducts an annual review of the 403(b) plan, investments, and other key financial relationships.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on financial efficacy and program support.
• Collaborate with legal, HR, and benefits providers to ensure competitive plans and programs.
• As a member of the Executive team, actively participate in leadership and Board meetings.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain procedures and systems for internal controls and record-keeping.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

We review each application to get to know you better and to see the unique strengths you will bring to work. We are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate the majority of the qualifications and experiences listed below:

• 5-8 years of progressive accounting/finance management experience in a nonprofit organization.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels, including finance and non-finance managers.
• Hands-on expertise in all accounting and financial management aspects, including accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, payroll, audits, reporting, budget development, analysis, and investment accounting.
• Proven budgetary and fiscal planning success, with innovative strategies to maximize organizational resources.
• Skilled in collaborating with Board members, staff, vendors, and clients from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills, capable of leading and engaging at all organizational levels within a multicultural environment.
• Technology savvy with preferred experience managing Sage 300.
• Detail-oriented and able to work autonomously and effectively manage tasks independently.
• A business or accounting degree, MBA, and/or CPA are preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish language is a plus. French, Arabic, or Portuguese can also be helpful.

Compensation and Benefits

This full-time hybrid position requires at least three days onsite at our offices in East Boston. The salary range is $100,000 to $125,000, depending on professional and lived experiences. In addition to the salary, we offer comprehensive benefits, including:

• New hires receive a sign-on bonus of $500 (after taxes) in their first paycheck and an additional $1500 when they complete six months of employment.
• Health and dental insurance.
• 12 paid holidays.
• PTO includes 3 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of organization-wide closure, plus sick and personal days.
• Life/Short/long-term disability.
• Child care assistance.
• Onsite parking.
• Contributions towards a T Pass.
• A family environment that embodies our motto “when all give, all gain.”

To Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application through our online portal promptly. All applicants will receive a response to their application. Please email mcoleman@positivelypartners.org with questions or for support submitting your application.

Phone interviews will commence in early fall with select candidates, followed by a second interview with a member of the Positively Partners team and a video interview with the EBSC Hiring Team. Finalists will have a final interview day via video with other members of the EBSC staff. The expected start date is Winter 2024/25.

East Boston Social Centers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.