PROJECT SAGE IS HIRING
Director of Finance & operations
Location: Lakeville, CT | Full-Time, Non-Exempt (37.5 hours/week, on-site)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Who We Are
Project SAGE is a domestic violence prevention education agency in northwest Connecticut. Our mission is to create social change by challenging attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms. We envision a world where everyone can be themselves, have healthy relationships, and live free from interpersonal relationship violence. We are a compassionate, committed team working toward a safer, more just future.
Who You Are
As the Director of Finance and Operations, you are the steady backbone of Project SAGE — the person who ensures that the systems behind the scenes are strong, clear, and running well, so that the whole team can focus on delivering impact in the community. You bring a rare combination of financial rigor and people-centered leadership. You naturally see how the pieces of an organization fit together — how a budget line connects to a program decision, how a policy shapes staff experience, how a well-run audit builds funder trust — and you take pride in making those connections visible and actionable. You are deeply analytical and meticulous, and you find real satisfaction in accurate reconciliations, clean reports, and well-constructed grant budgets. At the same time, you know how to translate numbers into narratives, making financial information accessible and meaningful to board members, funders, and colleagues alike. You are a proactive problem solver who brings calm and steadiness to complex, multi-deadline environments. You thrive in the role of trusted advisor and collaborative partner, offering sound judgment, honest analysis, and thoughtful recommendations to colleagues throughout the agency. You lead with empathy and respect, hold your team to high standards while investing in their growth, and navigate differences constructively. You are self-directed and dependable, with a reputation for following through. And at the heart of it all, you are genuinely enthusiastic about putting your expertise to work in service of a mission that matters.
What You Will Do
Reporting to the Executive Director, you will oversee the Finance & Operations department, serving as the agency’s internal lead on finance, legal/risk, and administrative strategy.
Finance (45–55%) Ensure that Project SAGE has accurate and timely financial information to support decision-making and reporting, leveraging the support of an outsourced accounting firm. You will lead the annual budgeting process and multi-year financial forecasting in close collaboration with the Executive Director and Finance Committee, develop and monitor grant budgets to ensure funder compliance, and coordinate the annual audit and IRS 990. You will prepare and present financial reports to the Board of Directors and Finance Committee, and establish and maintain internal financial controls, including segregation of duties and fraud prevention measures.
Legal & Risk (10–15%) Ensure the agency operates in compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements. You will oversee contract management — including vendor agreements, grant contracts, and lease agreements — manage organizational insurance policies and risk mitigation strategies, and serve as the primary liaison with legal counsel as needed.
Department Management & Supervision (15–20%) Manage the Finance & Operations department in ways that promote quality delivery of services, fulfill contractual requirements, encourage professional development, and create a collaborative environment. You will supervise, mentor, and develop the Operations Manager and Part-Time Operations Associate, provide routine performance evaluations, and represent Finance, HR, and Administration on the Leadership Team.
Human Resources Oversight (10–15%) Provide strategic oversight of human resources functions carried out by the Operations Manager and outsourced HR consultant. You will partner with the Executive Director on the annual performance review process, oversee compensation management including salary benchmarking and pay equity, and provide strategic guidance on HR policies and organizational development.
Agency Requirements - At Project SAGE, every role contributes to building healthy relationships—both internally and externally in our community. As a small team, all staff members are expected to contribute to the overall functioning and wellbeing of the agency. Our core principles are: cooperation and mutual respect, collaboration and communication, and strength in diversity.
What You Will Bring
We are looking for someone who has the following skills and experience:
Education & Financial Leadership Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, HR, or related field required; advanced degree preferred. Significant experience in nonprofit financial leadership, including supervisory responsibility and a strong record of effective team management.
Nonprofit Financial & Compliance Expertise: Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, restricted funding, grant reporting, audit coordination, and compliance. Able to ensure accurate financial statements and timely statistical and narrative reporting.
Human Resources & Administrative Oversight: Experience overseeing HR functions, including employment compliance, labor relations, and compensation and benefits administration (Connecticut expertise a plus). Exercises sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential matters.
People Management & Staff Development: Ability to supervise and develop staff with clear expectations, accountability, and supportive feedback, fostering a strong and respectful team culture.
Systems Thinking & Technology Fluency: Strong systems thinker with experience integrating and optimizing financial, HR, and administrative systems, centering usability and staff workflows in system design and improvement. Proficient in financial management software and Microsoft Office.
Analytical Rigor & Detail-Orientation: Highly analytical and detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills, follow-through, and the ability to consistently produce accurate, complete work.
Communication & Relationship-Building: Able to translate financial and technical information into clear, actionable insights for staff, leadership, and board members; builds strong working relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
Prioritization & Follow-Through: Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities across functional areas, make sound trade-offs, meet critical deadlines, and thrive in a small, mission-driven environment with a growth mindset.
Special Requirements
Willingness to answer and direct agency hotline calls when advocates are unavailable (training provided)
Willingness to drive for agency-related reasons which requires a valid driver’s license and insurance. Agency vehicle may be available for use or mileage will be reimbursed
Flexibility to work outside normal hours as needed
Physical Expectations
Ability to sit or stand at a desk for extended periods, lift up to 20 pounds occasionally and move around the office (including using stairs).
We are happy to make reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates with disabilities.
We Offer
Compensation: The salary range for this position is $85,000-$90,000. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined commensurate with experience, competencies, and skillset
Schedule: Full-time, exempt, 37.5 hours/week on-site at our Lakeville, CT office, eligible for 1 day per week of Work from Home
Benefits: Up to 20 days of paid time off per year, 11 federal paid holidays, 12 Sick and Wellness days, health and dental insurance, flexible spending account, retirement plan with 4% employer match, and life insurance
Meaningful Work: An opportunity to help survivors rebuild their lives and contribute to lasting change in the community
Supportive Culture: A workplace rooted in compassion, collaboration, inclusion, and courage — where your work is valued, and your growth is supported
How to Apply: Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to careers@project-sage.org with the subject: Director of Finance and Operations. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single qualification. If you’re enthusiastic about the role and our mission, we want to hear from you!
Project SAGE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.