Director of Finance and Operations

About UnCommon Law

UnCommon Law fights to ensure that all people incarcerated for violent crime have access to effective legal representation and opportunities for healing. Through our unique, trauma-informed model of advocacy, we provide the space currently missing in the system for healing, accountability, and safe pathways home from prison. In developing new self-narratives, the people we serve are able to more effectively disrupt violence inside and outside prison and become leaders who change negative societal narratives about those incarcerated for violent crime. Our groundbreaking approach is changing policy and outcomes, driven by the voices and experiences of system-impacted communities.

About the Role

The Director of Finance and Operations leads UnCommon Law’s financial and operational infrastructure in service of the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability. This role is both strategic and hands-on: the ideal candidate can develop long-range financial scenarios and planning models while also engaging deeply in the day-to-day details of nonprofit financial management, including coding accuracy, restricted funding tracking, and financial reporting. This position partners closely with organizational leadership and external accountants to support thoughtful decision-making around growth, staffing, program expansion, and funding strategy. The Director of Finance and Operations oversees key operational functions (including facilities management), guides organizational systems and processes, and supervises the Finance & Operations team.

This exempt position reports directly to the Deputy Director and offers an annual salary range of $126,400 to $154,050 . As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our values. New hires are typically placed between the minimum and midpoint range. Final salary offers are determined based on the candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as assessed during the interview process and aligned with our structured salary schedule.

Our office is based in Oakland, CA, and we offer a team-dependent hybrid work model to our employees. This role includes responsibility for office operations and will therefore involve a more consistent on-site presence than most positions. Applicants who submit cover letters that are not tailored to the position or the organization will not be considered.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership (30%)

Lead organizational financial planning and sustainability analysis, including scenario modeling related to staffing, program growth, and restricted funding

Support organizational leadership in assessing financial risks, opportunities, and long-term sustainability under changing funding conditions

Partner closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, and Team Leaders to support strategic decision-making through financial analysis and reporting

Lead the annual organizational budgeting process in collaboration with Team Leaders and organizational leadership

Oversee review of financial reports, projections, and analyses with the Board Finance Committee and other leadership stakeholders, leveraging monthly and quarterly materials from accountants

Collaborate closely with the Development team to align fundraising strategy, grant planning, and organizational financial forecasting

Review budget-to-actual reporting with Team Leaders and support thoughtful interpretation of financial trends and variances

With support from external accounting firm, lead the annual audit process and serve as primary liaison with external auditors

Financial Operations & Compliance (25%)

Oversee financial operations systems and workflows, including QuickBooks, Bill.com, Divvy, payroll, accounts payable processes, and related reporting and reconciliation systems

Maintain compensation schedules and support the Executive Director in compensation updates

Review financial reports, coding practices, reconciliations, and budget-to-actual trends to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with organizational and grant requirements

Maintain and strengthen financial systems, internal controls, and fiscal policies and procedures

Identify opportunities to improve financial workflows, reporting systems, and operational efficiency

Grant Management & Reporting (15%)

Lead budgeting for new and existing grants

Lead financial tracking and reporting for restricted funds to ensure appropriate allocation

Coordinate invoicing for restricted funding as needed with accountants

Operations (20%)

Oversee major organizational operations functions, including facilities, office infrastructure, equipment, and vendor relationships, in partnership with the Operations team

Provide leadership and oversight for organizational technology systems and major IT initiatives in collaboration with UnCommon Law’s external IT provider and Finance & Operations Coordinator

Manage the IT and operations-related budgets, contracts, and long-term planning

Support the development and maintenance of operational systems, policies, and documentation to ensure organizational effectiveness and accessibility

Ensure operational practices reflect organizational values and support a values-driven, collaborative, and functional work environment

Supervision and Team Leadership (10%)

Supervise and support the two-person Finance & Operations team, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and sustainable work environment

Provide strategic guidance, prioritization support, and professional development to team members while empowering independent ownership of workstreams

Ensure strong coordination and communication across finance, operations, and organizational leadership

Experience

4-7+ years experience working as a Controller and operations leader within the nonprofit sector, working independently at a director-level role

4+ years experience as a people manager with the knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other staff members

Experience with nonprofit financial systems, accounting software, accounts payable platforms, and expense management tools

A strong track record in restricted funding management

Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments

Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of personalities and roles - staff, participants, local agencies, vendors, volunteers, etc.

Abilities and Attributes

Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to executives, board or other outside partners

Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts for individuals at all levels, including finance and non-finance managers

Ability to interpret and adapt to competing priorities and conflicting deadlines

Excellent written and verbal skills

Highly organized with attention to detail; patience; ability to work independently and coordinate multiple, diverse projects, set realistic deadlines, and manage a timeline

Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to the organization’s mission

Willingness to learn and grow with the organization

Ability to create and promote a positive and supportive work environment

Benefits and Support

Currently, UnCommon Law offers 100% paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and covers 75% for dependents. To support our team’s mental well-being, we also provide a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) of $200/month in reimbursable funds for therapeutic expenses. We have a flexible time off policy and a full organizational closure for two weeks from late December to early January each yea