Finance and HR Director: Wissahickon Trails

Wissahickon Trails is a community-based conservation organization headquartered in Ambler, PA. For 68 years, we have worked to protect and restore nature in the Wissahickon Valley, preserving nearly 1,300 acres of critical open space, building 24 miles of trails for public access, and protecting the health of the Wissahickon Creek. We are seeking a new member of our team who will have the opportunity to impact local environmental conservation and improve the quality of life in the Wissahickon Valley.

Finance & Administration Director

The Finance & Administration Director is responsible for finance, business planning and budgeting, human resources, administration, facilities, and IT. This position reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the organizational leadership team and is expected to be a role model for all staff of the integrity, innovation, and joy we can bring to our everyday work.

We are seeking someone who is eager to contribute to a culture that values relationships, prioritizes listening to others, and has a demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and access. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director. Some work on weekends and evenings is required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Manage financial functions, including vendor payments, invoice generation, banking, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and grant/contract management, while ensuring compliance with GAAP and relevant regulations. Interface with vendor bookkeeper, providing appropriate documentation and review of work.
  • Analyze and present financial reports accurately and promptly; communicate quarterly and annual financial statements clearly, provide ad hoc project analysis; collate financial reporting materials for all donor segments, and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting.
  • Lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors, senior leadership, and the Finance Committee.
  • Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the Executive Director; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes; and keep the senior leadership team informed of the organization’s financial status.
  • Manage and maintain a robust financial management/reporting system; ensure that the grants and donor-directed pledge billing and collection schedule are adhered to and that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements. Update policies as required.
  • Manage vendor contracts, including annual assessments, renewals, and when appropriate, replacements.
  • Administer Wissahickon Trail’s human resources functions, enhancing professional development, compensation, and benefits, performance evaluation, training, recruiting, and employee orientation.
  • Manage the Administrative and Operations Assistant (PT). This position is responsible for reception (in person, telephone, mail and email), overseeing all IT functions, tracking and managing administrative and other office supplies, coordinating all building maintenance, and making deposits to the bank.
  • Additional tasks and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience, & Core Competencies

If you meet at least 75% of the criteria below we encourage you to apply.

  • Strong background in nonprofit accounting and management.
  • Minimum of a BA, ideally with an MBA/CPA/CFA or related experience.
  • At least 7 to 10 years of overall professional experience; ideally six-plus years of broad financial, human resources and operations management experience.
  • The ideal candidate has experience of final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial data, reporting, and audit coordination for either a division or significant program area.
  • Ability to translate financial concepts to colleagues and Board members who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds.
  • Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; knowledge of accounting and reporting software.
  • A successful history in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making.
  • Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of Wissahickon Trails
  • Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
  • The ideal candidate embraces diversity as a core value. At Wissahickon Trails we are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all staff, Board and all who use our resources and services. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.
  • Must be able to travel independently around the region for programs and meetings.
  • Must pass background clearances.

Physical Demands/Work Environment 

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, unless the requested accommodation causes undue hardship.  The employee must be able to traverse 1-8 hours at a time outside at events or preserves and trails across the watershed. The employee is also regularly required to sit or stand at a desk for hours at a time, and stand, walk and operate general office equipment (computer, telephone, file cabinets, copier, fax machine and printer).

Compensation 

This is a full-time, exempt position (salary range is $95k – $100k) with a full range of benefits, including paid time off, health (90% of employees and 50% of covered dependents premiums are paid by Wissahickon Trails), vision, and retirement (401k with up to 5% of salary matched by Wissahickon Trails after six months of employment).

About Wissahickon Trails

At Wissahickon Trails, we work to inspire and engage diverse communities of people in protecting, stewarding, and enjoying the land and waterways of the Wissahickon Valley. The board and staff are a collaborative team driven by the belief that people benefit when nature thrives. As a team, we are intentional in the culture we collectively create. We strive to be inclusive and equitable, as well as accountable, kind, and thoughtful towards each other. We have a hybrid work environment where staff are in the office Mon-Thurs and Friday staff can work from home. Our office includes a few dogs, there are optional opportunities for socializing outside of work, staff field trips, and lots of laughs.

We value a racial, ethnically and culturally diverse work community and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Board and staff committees are working to ensure an inclusive and equitable work environment and organization. Please feel free to ask us about this work! E.O.E.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining interest and experience to Gail Farmer, Executive Director, hr@wissahickontrails.org. To submit your application by the mail: Gail Farmer, 12 Morris Rd, Ambler, PA 19002. No phone calls please. For full consideration, please submit your materials by June 30, 2025.