Director of Finance - Lawndale Christian Legal Center

Title:

Director of Finance

Status:

Full-time Exempt

Reports to:

Vice President of Organizational Health and Management

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Hire Date:

LCLC will close the posting as soon as we find an exceptional candidate

Who We Are

Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) specializes in providing a unique form of holistic community- based criminal defense representation grounded in restorative justice principles to minors and emerging adults (24 and under) from North Lawndale. This highly relational and innovative model is performed by an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, case managers, outreach workers, and strategic community partners that provide developmentally appropriate supports for minors and emerging adults. The team identifies and meets the various needs of our youth at every phase of the criminal justice system: from diversion, arrest, through trial, and the completion of any period of probation, supervision, or parole, and beyond. By serving justice-involved minors and emerging adults holistically in their community, LCLC is leading the transformation of the traditional criminal justice system and establishing new best practices in community-based holistic interventions grounded in restorative justice that are more effective, cost less, and result in greater public safety for all. We believe our holistic, community-led (approximately 70% of our staff and Board of Directors are from North Lawndale) restorative justice model will transform the criminal justice system and end mass incarceration. More information on LCLC can be found at www.lclc.net.

Our North Lawndale Community

North Lawndale is a vibrant and resilient community and we are proud to be a part of it. Our office is located just next door to the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Apartments and Exhibit Center, built on the site where Dr. King lived for six months during his Chicago Freedom Campaign in 1966. North Lawndale is tightly-knit, and we are gratified by our affiliation with the Lawndale Community Church, an organization that has done so much to bring necessary health and legal services to the community. Unfortunately, following decades of disinvestment, “white flight”, redlining, and other harbingers of systemic poverty and violence, North Lawndale still suffers from high levels of poverty, economic hardship, violence, and over- policing.

In North Lawndale, approximately 850 officers are assigned to the two police districts that patrol 35,000 residents. In addition, a significant percentage of specialized units (which are historically aggressive and abusive) have been ordered to rove in our community. More than 1,500 youth are arrested in North Lawndale yearly, the second highest rate in Chicago. Indiscriminate stops and searches of North Lawndale residents are a daily occurrence; 66% of adults surveyed perceived no legitimate reason for their most recent police stop. A startling 59% of adults in North Lawndale have been arrested, 30% convicted, and 27% jailed.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds that our youths encounter within North Lawndale, namely the violence, poverty, and police brutality, they demonstrate hope, resolve, and a drive to make their neighborhood a better place. We are continually inspired by our clients’ resilience and positivity in the face of external challenges. It is both an honor and a privilege to help them walk them away from the criminal justice system and equip them to take control of their future.

Job Description

The Director of Finance is responsible for leading and overseeing the organization’s finance and accounting department, collaborating closely with Development on grant budget development, and working with directly with leadership in HR & Administration on organization-wide financial matters. They are also expected to provide financial direction, analysis and support to help executives make key decisions and to have a wide breadth of knowledge related to all accounting, financial and business principles.

Responsibilities

Directly supervise finance team and provide oversite of all day-to-day financial operations, including payroll, billing and vouchering, general ledger management, property accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, grant tracking, etc.
Assure adherence to monthly accounting cycles, and support finance team to meet deadlines.
Monitor cash flow and manage cash balances, accounts, and other financial transactions.
Update and oversee adherence to financial policies and procedures agency wide.
With Accounting Manager, co-lead the annual budgeting process to produce a budget aligned with the organization's goals and strategic priorities; monitor budget to actual results throughout the year
Working with outside consultants as needed, revise and oversee implementation of updated finance and accounting policies, procedures, and controls; establish financial operating procedures reflective of new department structure.
Be involved in the annual budgeting and planning process led by the Executive Director and Executive team; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes; and keep senior leadership team abreast of the organization’s financial status.
Engage auditing firm selected by Board of Directors to obtain a clean annual audit of organizational finances.
Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, finance team and other departments to successfully complete audit, including Single Audit, and meet organizational and funder deadlines.
Oversee annual tax filings and government filings and renewals related to tax standing.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum of a BA, ideally with an MBA/CPA or related degree.
10+ years of highly relevant experience (nonprofit sector, finance and accounting).
5+ years of leadership experience preferably in a non-profit or accounting setting.
Proficient in using technology as a management reporting tool.
Proven expertise with QuickBooks, NetSuite, or comparable accounting software (experience with NetSuite preferred).
Highly detail-oriented and organized to ensure work product accuracy.
Proficient in the MS Office Suite and demonstrated ability to learn new programs.
Strong analytical, problem solving, and verbal skills.
Familiarity with the North Lawndale community preferred.
Willingness to live in North Lawndale preferred.
Minorities and veterans encouraged to apply.

Application

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references to: lmoore@lclc.net.
Include position title in email subject. The position, which is available immediately, will remain open until filled.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve.

North Lawndale residents and minorities encouraged to apply.