Overview

WILLIAM H. DONNER FOUNDATION: FINANCE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER – Philanthropic Foundation

Position Title:             Finance and Operations Manager – Philanthropic Foundation

Status:                          Full-Time Staff Position

Salary Range:              Starting at $100,000 and commensurate with experience

Reports to:                   Executive Director

Location:                      New York State

Expected Start Date:  Immediate (before September 1, 2023)

 

About William H. Donner Foundation

The William H. Donner Foundation (WHDF) was established in 1962 and traces its roots to the International Cancer Research Foundation, which was established by William Henry Donner (1864-1953) following the 1929 death of his son, Joseph, from lung cancer. A decade after Donner’s death, Donner’s grandchildren assumed leadership of the Foundation which has granted widely over its sixty years. WHDF’s sister organization, the Donner Canadian Foundation, is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and grants to a wide variety of Canadian charities. The two foundations are managed by an Executive Director based in Toronto.

Today, with an endowment of about $220 million, the third, fourth and fifth generations of William H. Donner’s family are active participants in the Foundation, whose grants support a wide range of charitable activities, including social, community and educational initiatives, environment and wildlife preservation and public policy research. More information about the Foundation’s extensive granting activities and impact stories can be found at https://whdonner.org/.

 

Position Description

This is a great opportunity for a cause-oriented individual to apply their financial and operational experience within a dynamic granting and philanthropic space. Motivated by a keen interest in social, environmental and community issues, the candidate will manage all of the organization’s day-to-day financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting and auditing requirements, which support the Foundation’s grants operations. They will also support the Executive Director in the oversight of a complex investment portfolio, as well as the operation of the New York office.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized and detail-oriented, with proven skills in the full suite of financial management and accounting skills. A strong leader with well-developed interpersonal skills, the selected candidate will be able to collaborate skillfully with key organizational partners that provide investment, payroll, auditing and IT services.

With experience or a strong interest in working in a charitable or grant-making environment, the Finance and Operations Manager will play an increasingly important operational role in advancing the William H. Donner Foundation’s philanthropy.

 

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management and Accounting

·      Manages all day-to-day financial operations in support of the organization’s granting

·      Develops and manages annual operations’ budget and prepares regular financial reports and forecasts, in collaboration with bookkeepers

·      Provides financial analysis and decision-making support to the Executive Director and Trustees of the William H. Donner Foundation

·      Supports Executive Director in interacting with the organization’s Investment Advisor(s), Investment Committee and investment managers

·      Plays a key role in supporting the finance and administration of grants and supporting the work of the grants team

·      Serves as primary contact with custodian and banks regarding all financial activities

·      Liaises with third-party CPA firm regarding accounting and auditing requirements

·      Oversees preparation and coordination of annual auditing procedures

·      Liaises with bookkeepers to issue grant payments

·      Ensures preparation of federal and state tax returns and charitable registration

·      Reviews reports from Custodian, fund managers, investment managers and limited partnership investments to ensure accuracy and compliance

·      Supports the Investment Committee Chair and Committee members and prepares minutes of Investment Committee meetings

·      Other duties, as directed by the Executive Director

Human Resources and Operations Support

·      Coordinates payroll and benefits for all WHDF employees

·      Conducts periodic salary and benefits analyses for internal budgeting purposes and cross-analysis with industry rates

·      Assists Executive Director with human resources’ needs in the areas of finance and operations

·      Complies with all HR legislation and assists in developing and updating HR policies when needed

·      Liaises with external IT support company and ensures hardware and information security systems are up-to-date

·      Oversees domain registrations and website hosting

·      Maintains requirements for annual insurance renewals for third-party partners

 

Qualifications

·      Minimum of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA designation (or working towards) preferred but not required

·      Minimum 3-5 years of experience in financial services or financial management

·      Demonstrated competence in all aspects of financial management and technical applications, including accounting software programs and databases

·      Experience with a grant-making organization or family foundation, including grants management systems, preferred

·      Highly detail-oriented, systematic and organized; strong critical thinking skills

·      Strong leadership abilities and high degree of initiative

·      Adept at multi-tasking and managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

·      Exceptional interpersonal skills

·      Excellent verbal and written communications skills

·      Integrity, confidentiality and professionalism, and an interest in family philanthropy

 

Other Information

This is a full-time position based on a hybrid work model. The successful candidate will also have opportunities for career advancement within the next 2-5 years. WHDF is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace.

 

How to Apply

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Rachel van Geest (Associate, TARIS Incorporated) at rvangeest@tarisadvisors.com by June 23, 2023.

TARIS provides advisory services to philanthropic and impact-oriented funders. Areas of expertise include strategic planning, human resource and operations management, fundraising and financial/social return on investment strategies.

Only candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted.