Director of Finance and Operations at New Jersey Institute for Social Justice – Newark, New Jersey

Director of Finance and Operations
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Newark, NJ

Overview

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice is in a season that demands both courage and discipline.

As the racial justice sector contracts nationally, the conditions that gave rise to our work — structural inequality, attacks on democracy, barriers to wealth, justice and opportunity — have only deepened.

In this moment, durable progress will be shaped by institutions capable of building power, telling the truth, shaping narrative, and advancing structural change at the state and local level.

It will be carried by institutions like the Institute that are strong enough to fight and build at the same time — institutions capable of building power from the ground up while sustaining the infrastructure necessary for durable change.

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.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Eligible from day one with 85% employer contribution.

• Employer-Paid Life Insurance.

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Includes medical, commuter, and dependent care plans.

• Medical Reimbursement Plan.

• 401(k) Plan – Eligible after 90 days of employment with a 3% safe harbor contribution.

• Generous Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave.

Application Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, please submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references. Attach all required documents to this job posting.

For inquiries, please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@njisj.org, ensuring that you reference the specific position in your email.

About the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice:
Founded in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein, the Institute builds reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice, and expand democratic power from the ground up.

The Institute’s racial justice work—driven by a dynamic team and stellar Board of Trustees—has become a national model for states as places to build community power.

Through an integrated strategy that weaves together community organizing, research, public education, narrative change, advocacy and litigation, the Institute turns people power into durable change.

The Institute advocates for systemic reform that is at once transformative, achievable in the state, and replicable in communities across the nation.