Senior Director of Finance

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position description

The Savanna Institute invites applications for a Senior Director of Finance, the Institute’s top finance role, reporting directly to the Executive Director. Responsibilities include all financial operations (internal and contracted) and planning.

We welcome applicants from both nonprofit and for-profit finance backgrounds. Candidates with strong financial leadership experience in the private sector who have meaningfully engaged with nonprofit organizations — for example, through board or finance committee service — are encouraged to apply. Familiarity with fund accounting principles is essential.

We seek applicants who share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a nature-based climate solution and who are motivated to widen the circle of who has the opportunity to inform, support, and benefit from its development. To that end, we are seeking a diversity of voices at the table and strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

Who We Are

The Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Madison, WI and Urbana, IL. Established in 2013, we work in collaboration with farmers, businesses, and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, we envision a transformed agricultural system, centered on trees and other perennial crops, that fosters ecological resilience, climate stability, economic prosperity, and vibrant, equitable communities. For more information, please visit savannainstitute.org.

Job Description

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)

Location: Remote; must be located in or willing to relocate to Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, or Iowa

Start Date: August 31, 2026

Salary: $110,000-$150,000, based on experience

• This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package. Benefits for full-time employees include 160 hours (20 days) of paid time off annually plus 11 civic holidays, 480 hours (12 weeks) of parental/disability leave annually, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, a monthly home office stipend, and a cafeteria-style benefits plan that includes as options: a monthly stipend that can be used for either reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan, a dependent care pre-tax account, a flex spending account, and/or a health savings account.
• This position reports to the Executive Director.
• This position includes supervisory responsibility for internal finance staff and an outside contracted accounting firm.

Duties/Responsibilities

Department Leadership and Supervision (20%)

• Lead, manage, and mentor the internal finance team
• Oversee the relationship with and work product of a contracted accounting firm
• Evaluate and advise on the optimal balance of in-house versus contracted finance functions over time
• Develop and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Drive continuous improvement of financial systems and processes
• Serve as financial liaison to Canopy Farm Management, the Institute’s subsidiary business

Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cash Flow Management (25%)

• Lead the annual organizational budgeting process in collaboration with department heads and the Executive Director
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts
• Manage cash flow planning and monitoring to ensure organizational liquidity
• Provide cross-departmental financial planning support

Board and Executive Leadership Support (20%)

• Prepare and present financial reports for the Board of Directors and Finance Committee
• Support the Executive Director and senior leadership with financial analysis for major decisions
• Provide financial modeling, scenario planning, and capital planning in support of organizational strategy
• Participate in strategic financial planning and financial sustainability planning

Audit and Risk Management (15%)

• Coordinate and manage the annual audit process
• Oversee risk management and internal control systems
• Conduct organizational financial risk assessments and recommend mitigation strategies

Grants Financial Management (10%)

• Oversee financial reporting and compliance for grant-funded programs
• Partner with development and program staff on grant budgeting and financial stewardship

Team and Organization Work (10%)

• Participate in team, department, and all-staff meetings and associated work
• Contribute to organization-wide activities such as goal setting, planning, and staff trainings
• Support fund development efforts as needed

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressive finance experience in a senior leadership role, in the nonprofit sector or in the private sector with substantial nonprofit engagement (e.g., board or finance committee service)
• Minimum 3 years of direct supervisory or management experience, including responsibility for hiring, performance management, and team development; experience managing outside vendors or contracted service providers is a plus
• Solid working knowledge of fund accounting principles and nonprofit financial reporting
• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
• Experience with cloud-based financial management systems; proficiency in Sage Intacct or comparable software (e.g., NetSuite, Blackbaud Financial Edge) is required
• Experience implementing or managing financial systems and designing financial processes
• Experience supporting board and executive leadership with financial reporting and analysis
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex financial information for non-financial audiences
• Commitment to participating in an open and collaborative environment
• Willingness to work independently with strong self-direction

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or equivalent advanced credential
• Direct experience in nonprofit finance, including grants management
• Experience managing audits and contracted finance services
• Experience with subsidiary or multi-entity financial oversight
• Familiarity with agricultural, conservation, or environmental organizations
• Public speaking and board presentation experience

If you’re excited about this job, we’re excited to learn about your experience! Please be sure to address each of the following qualifications in your cover letter — paint us a picture of how your unique skills, experiences, and/or education meet or exceed the qualifications. Cover letters should be no longer than 1 typed page.

How To Apply Submit a resume/CV and cover letter to the position on our jobs page: https://www.savannainstitute.org/jobs/

Deadline All applications must be received by 11:59 pm CT on July 26th, 2026.

Questions? Email Kathleen Fitzgibbon, Assistant Director of Administration, at [email protected].

Diversity Commitment

The Savanna Institute affirms the value of diversity of staff and stakeholders, and aims to foster inclusive environments and equitable outcomes of our work. We seek individuals who are committed to these goals.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.

Application instructions

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