POSITION OVERVIEW: The Director of Financial Planning & Analysis is a pivotal financial planning & analysis (FP&A) leadership role at the heart of First Place for Youth's mission. The Director of Finance & Accounting drives budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis across a portfolio of approximately $30M in annual revenue spanning 25+ government and county contracts, private fundraising, and national expansion initiatives.
The Director of Financial Planning & Analysis will serve as the CFO's key strategic partner on budgeting and financial analysis, own the accuracy of monthly financial reporting, and play a lead role in selecting and implementing a new budgeting/FP&A system integrated with the general ledger. This is a hands-on, detail-oriented role for someone who is equally comfortable building a contract-level budget model and briefing the CFO on organization-wide variance trends.
DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES Organizational Financial Planning & Analysis- Lead the annual organization-wide budget process and mid-year forecasts in partnership with the CFO; develop revenue and expense assumptions and conduct scenario planning.
- Build and maintain financial models that support long-range planning, new program investment decisions, and Board-level financial presentations.
- Monitor monthly financial performance versus budget at the organizational level; analyze variances and proactively flag risks and opportunities to the CFO.
- Develop dashboards and management reporting that translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for the CFO and Executive Team.
- Act as a trusted financial thought partner to Programs, Development, and National Expansion teams, translating financial data into terms non-finance colleagues can act on.
Contract & Grant Financial Planning- Own the development, monitoring, and modification of individual budgets for county and government contracts, ensuring alignment with contract terms and expenditure rules.
- Partner with Programs and Contracts teams on RFP budgets, contract renewals, and budget amendments, maximizing expense reimbursement and overhead recovery.
- Track spending against contract and grant budgets throughout the year; identify underspending or overspending risk early and drive corrective action with program leadership.
- Support development of grant budgets and financial narratives for new and renewing private and government funding proposals.
Monthly Reporting Accuracy & Close Support- Review monthly and quarterly financial reports for accuracy prior to distribution, partnering with the Controller and Accounting Manager to resolve discrepancies before close.
- Validate that revenue and expense allocations across contracts, grants, and programs are properly reflected in monthly financial statements.
- Serve as a second set of eyes on the monthly close package, flagging unusual variances, coding errors, or reconciliation issues for follow-up.
Systems & GL Integration- Serve as a key contributor to the selection of a new budgeting/FP&A system, evaluating tools for fit with FPFY's contract and grant structure.
- Lead the design and integration of the new budgeting system with the general ledger (Sage Intacct), ensuring clean data flow between planning and actuals.
- Partner with the IT Director and implementation partners to test, document, and roll out new financial planning tools and reporting structures.
- Build repeatable processes and templates that allow budgets, forecasts, and actuals to be maintained consistently as the organization scales.
- Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities that increase the efficiency and scalability of the budgeting and FP&A function.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:- A Bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field and 4+ years of related experience Required.
- Alternatively, candidates without a degree must demonstrate a combination of relevant education and a minimum of 7 years of related experience.
- Progressive financial planning & analysis (FP&A) experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis required.
- 5+ years of managerial experience required
- A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers
- Demonstrated experience building and managing contract or grant-level budgets, including budget modifications.
- Experience reviewing financial reports for accuracy and partnering with accounting teams to resolve discrepancies.
- Excellent analytical, modeling, and communication skills - written and verbal - including the ability to translate financial data for non-finance audiences.
- Experience with budgeting and planning systems, including system selection and implementation or improvement projects.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial modeling; high proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Prior program budget management experience is required for this role.
- Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.
Benefits:- 15 days of vacation time in the first year
- 12 days of sick time
- 2 floating holidays
- 15 paid holidays
- Employee's choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plans
- Principal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place
- Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
- Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage
- Employee Assistance Program
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Paid sabbatical
*We do not offer relocation assistance Local candidates preferred*Pay will be determined based on Education and Experience. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of transition age foster youth and want to join a dynamic and impactful organization, we invite you to apply. Together, let's empower transition age foster youth to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. To learn more about First Place For Youth and view our current job openings, please visit our website at www.firstplaceforyouth.org/careers.
