In this sample job description, the nonprofit chief operating officer (COO) (noted below as the Vice President, Finance and Operations) oversees the functions that support the programs but does not relate directly to program participants, and other senior managers are responsible for the programs themselves.

Feel free to use and modify this sample job description to help you create one for your organization.

Sample Position Description

Organization

Position

Responsibilities

Strategy, Vision and Leadership

• Advise the president and other key members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, investment priorities, and policy matters.
• Serve as the management liaison to the board and audit committee; effectively communicate and present critical financial matters at select board of directors and committee meetings.
• Contribute to the development of XYZ Nonprofit’s strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the president informed of all critical issues.
• Represent the organization externally, as necessary, particularly in banking and lease negotiations.

Team Development/Leadership

• Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the finance and operations teams.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development.
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign accountabilities; set objectives; establish priorities; and monitor and evaluate results.

Operations

• Upgrade and implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual budget process. 
• Ensure that XYZ Nonprofit is adhering to the strategic plan, delivering status reports to the board.
• Provide analytical support to XYZ Nonprofit’s internal management team including development of internal management reporting capabilities.
• Improve administrative and operational accounting services such as treasury management, 403-B plan, grants payment processing, payroll, accounts payable, and purchasing.

Qualifications

• Business or Accounting degree mandatory, a master’s in business administration is preferred
• CPA preferred
• Minimum 10 years experience in a senior management role ideally with both external audit and in-house financial management experience gained in a high-growth organization
• Experience either as an employee or board member of a nonprofit organization; must be familiar with nonprofit finance and accounting regulations
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a growing organization
• Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Strong mentoring, coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise
• Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers
• Self reliant, good problem solver, results oriented
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, XYZ Nonprofit’s board of directors, and staff
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker 
• Passion for XYZ Nonprofit’s mission