Director of Finance and Operations

Job description

Join Us at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission! The Santa Barbara Rescue Mission is a nonprofit Christian ministry. Motivated by our faith, we believe in providing compassionate support, safe shelter, and transformative services to Santa Barbara’s most vulnerable communities. We are committed to growth and learning as an organization, where every team member plays a pivotal role in this transformation. If you are passionate about making a difference and thrive in a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment, we want you on our team! POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) is a key member of SBRM's leadership team and is responsible for ensuring the organizational health, operational excellence, and financial stewardship that enable the Mission's ministry. In addition to leading finance, human resources, and administrative operations, the DFO serves as a trusted leadership partner who builds strong teams, develops leaders, strengthens organizational systems, and helps create a healthy, collaborative culture. The DFO brings both technical expertise and leadership maturity, exercising sound judgment, humility, and relational wisdom while helping the organization navigate growth and change. The Director must champion SBRM’s mission, vision, and values and is held to a high level of integrity as a leader in the organization--this includes facilitating and directing SBRM’s faith-based work. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES Financial Management Lead the annual budgeting process, financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and analysis. Ensure strong financial controls, accounting practices, and compliance with GAAP and audit recommendations. Administer the accounts payable and expense workflow, including invoice capture, coding, multi-level approvals, payment controls, and fraud safeguards. Oversee donations, receipting, payables, banking relationships, cash management, and investments. Maintain financial compliance and reporting, including Form 990, annual audit, state licensing requirements, federal grants, and regulatory reporting. Serve as staff liaison to the Board Finance Committee and Audit Committee. Provide meaningful financial analysis that supports informed strategic decisions. Operations, Administration, and Human Resources Supervise the Administrative Team, including HR, reception, and administrative support staff. Oversee facilities, equipment, vendor relationships, and administrative services. Negotiate and manage contracts with outside vendors, including IT, telecommunications, copier services, insurance, facilities, and software providers. Manage the organization's insurance program, including property, liability, workers' compensation, directors & officers, and employment practices coverage. Coordinate annual renewals, certificates of insurance, claims management, and broker relationships. Continually evaluate and improve operational processes that enhance efficiency, stewardship, and service. Provide leadership for the employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation, benefits, professional development, and employee transitions. Oversee payroll, employee benefits, compliance, required training, and HR policies. Ensure employment practices reflect both legal compliance and the Mission's Christian values. Technology & Business Systems Provide executive oversight of the Mission's integrated technology ecosystem. Administer and continually improve Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, Dataverse, Power BI, Power Apps, and other operational systems. Coordinate data governance, security, compliance, reporting, and automation across organizational systems. Maintain and enhance business intelligence dashboards, management reporting, and workflow automation that support daily operations. Work closely with the managed IT provider and other technology partners while maintaining internal ownership of business systems. Identify opportunities to leverage technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve organizational effectiveness and stewardship. QUALIFICATIONS Must be supportive of SBRM’s mission, vision, and values. A passion for serving individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. Minimum five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in finance, operations, or administration. Demonstrated success leading multiple organizational functions, preferably within a nonprofit, ministry, healthcare, or similarly complex organization. Strong financial management and budgeting experience. Proven ability to oversee integrated technology platforms—including Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Power BI—with a strong understanding of data security, compliance, reporting, and systems automation. Experience leading and developing teams. DESIRED COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate will possess: Executive-level leadership presence that builds trust and confidence throughout the organization. Humility, emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and servant leadership. Strong organizational judgment and thoughtful decision-making. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The ability to develop people while creating accountability and ownership. Strategic thinking balanced with operational excellence. High integrity, discretion, and sound stewardship. A collaborative leadership style that strengthens teams and empowers others to flourish.