Job Description

Director of Budget, Internal Audit and Compliance
(WASHINGTON, DC)
OVERVIEW OF POSITION
Under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Director of Budget, Internal Audit and Compliance provides strategic leadership for Emerald Cities Collaborative's budgeting, internal audit, compliance, enterprise risk management, and internal control functions. The Director is responsible for ensuring organizational compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, grant requirements, and organizational policies while promoting sound financial stewardship, accountability, and operational excellence.
This position leads the organization's annual budget development process, budget monitoring, financial forecasting, and budget reporting in partnership with Finance, Program, and Operations leadership. The Director develops budget analyses, monitors organizational and grant expenditures, identifies financial risks and budget variances, and recommends corrective actions that support informed decision-making and long-term financial sustainability.
The Director also oversees the organization's internal audit and compliance program by evaluating financial and operational processes, assessing the effectiveness of internal controls, identifying opportunities to strengthen governance and risk management, and ensuring compliance with regulatory and funder requirements. Working collaboratively across the organization, the Director develops policies, conducts risk assessments, monitors implementation of audit recommendations, supports grant compliance and reporting, and provides regular reports and recommendations to executive leadership.
Location: Hybrid (Washington, DC preferred)

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $135,000-$150,000

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Budget Planning & Financial Management

• Lead and coordinate the organization's annual operating budget development process in collaboration with executive leadership, Finance, Program, and Operations leaders.
• Develop multi-year financial forecasts, budget scenarios, and financial analyses that support organizational planning and strategic decision-making.
• Monitor organizational, departmental, and grant budgets throughout the fiscal year, analyze budget-to-actual performance, identify significant variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with Finance and Program leadership to develop, review, and monitor grant budgets, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and organizational financial policies.
• Develop financial dashboards, budget reports, and executive-level analyses for the COO.
• Strengthen budgeting policies, financial procedures, and internal controls that promote accountability and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

Internal Audit & Risk Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, risk-based internal audit program and annual audit plan.
• Independently and objectively evaluate organizational operations, financial activities, internal controls, governance processes, and risk management practices.
• Perform and oversee operational, financial, compliance, and performance audits to evaluate organizational effectiveness, financial reliability, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Conduct enterprise-wide risk assessments and recommend strategies that mitigate operational, financial, legal, cybersecurity, and compliance risks.
• Evaluate accounting policies, financial controls, and operational procedures and recommend improvements that strengthen organizational governance and safeguard organizational assets.
• Monitor implementation of audit findings and corrective action plans while providing ongoing guidance to leadership regarding compliance improvements.

Compliance & Grant Administration

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, nonprofit regulations, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), grant agreements, and organizational policies.
• Assess grant monitoring, reporting, documentation, and compliance systems and recommend improvements that strengthen accountability and reduce organizational risk.
• Support the preparation and review of grant financial reports and compliance documentation.

• Monitor organizational compliance with donor restrictions, contractual obligations, and reporting requirements.
• Develop and maintain organizational policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks that support effective governance.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as an independent advisor to executive leadership regarding internal controls, organizational risk, compliance, budgeting, and governance.
• Collaborate with leaders across Finance, Programs, Operations, Human Resources, and Development to improve organizational effectiveness and financial accountability.
• Develop and deliver training on internal controls, budgeting, compliance requirements, grant management, and organizational policies.
• Present audit findings, budget analyses, financial trends, compliance updates, and recommendations to executive leadership, Finance Committee, and Audit Committee.
• Support the COO in providing reports, analyses, and updates to the Board of Directors regarding internal audit activities, compliance initiatives, fiscal sponsorship oversight, enterprise risk management, and related governance matters. Assist in preparing Board materials and responding to requests for information, as needed.
• Travel, as necessary, to regional offices or partner locations to conduct audits, review operations, and support compliance activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Emerald Cities Collaborative's mission and strategic priorities.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field required.
• CPA, CIA, CGFM, CFE, or other relevant professional certification is preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, financial management, internal audit, compliance, grant management, nonprofit finance, or public accounting.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational budgeting, financial forecasting, and budget monitoring.
• Experience developing and implementing internal control systems and enterprise risk management practices.
• Experience managing federal, state, and foundation grant compliance.
• Experience presenting financial, audit, compliance, and budget information to executive leadership.

Emerald Cities Collaborative strongly encourages candidates from communities that have been historically underrepresented in the environmental and energy efficiency sectors to apply. We are committed to expanding access to opportunity and fostering an inclusive workplace environment.

Required Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in budgeting, financial management, internal audit, compliance, grant management, nonprofit finance, or public accounting.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational budgeting, financial forecasting, and budget monitoring.
• Experience developing and implementing internal control systems and enterprise risk management practices.
• Experience managing federal, state, and foundation grant compliance.
• Experience presenting financial, audit, compliance, and budget information to executive leadership.

Preferred Experience

CPA, CIA, CGFM, CFE, or other relevant professional certification is preferred.