Director of Financial Planning & Analysis

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Director of Financial Planning & Analysis in the Finance Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month. 

Responsible for safeguarding the financial resources of the organization, the Finance department manages the financial activities of the National ACLU. From paying vendors to forecasting budgets, and everything in-between, we take pride in providing the resources and the platform for informed financial decision-making. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Finance, the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis will play a critical role in building, expanding and maintaining complex financial modeling to support decision-making and short and long-term planning. This position will provide expertise on organization-wide budget and forecasting best practices, directly handle budgets across several departments, and drive forward the Financial Planning and Analysis team’s sophisticated use of metrics and analysis. It will require a high degree of technical proficiency and the ability to independently conduct research, synthesize large sets of data, and collaborate with teams across the organization to gather inputs and share outcomes.  

Our ideal candidate will be a team player with a can-do attitude and will have extensive experience in working with complex financial models, strong knowledge of a multitude of forecasting methods (i.e. driver-based, economic value, statistical, etc.) the ability to clearly communicate financial analysis to diverse audiences, possess exceptional attention to detail, be a diplomatic communicator, and have a passion for the work of the ACLU.  

YOUR DAY TO DAY

The following overview of responsibilities is intended to describe the type of work which will be assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all specific duties required by the employee: 

 Leadership 

• Serve as a subject matter expert for financial modeling/forecasting, internal procedures, and established best practices; create and deliver trainings on relevant content 
• In coordination with the CFO and Senior Director of Finance, set and implement team goals and vision 
• Support enterprise-wide budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, and strategic financial initiatives through process improvements, automation, advanced analytics, and best-in-class financial planning practices 
• Develop and maintain sophisticated driver-based financial models to support operational and strategic decision-making 
• Apply advanced finance methodologies including economic value add (EVA), profitability analysis, scenario modeling, sensitivity analysis, and KPI-based performance management to translate financial and operational data into actionable business insights 
• Be a strategic partner through collaboration with intra/interdepartmental teams and stakeholders, while enhancing information exchange and analysis 
• Use data and insights to drive Finance team and organizational process improvement initiatives 

Financial Planning & Analysis 

• Develop and maintain complex, multi-year financial models to forecast revenues and expenses, financial position, and cash flows using internal and external data to shape assumptions and scenario analyses 
• Contribute to budget and forecast preparation through stakeholder engagement to review revenue and expenses while assessing the financial impact on the organization’s strategic objectives 
• Work collaboratively with FP&A colleagues on the monthly financial reporting package production process, ensuring accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and executive-level presentation quality 
• Design, develop, and maintain dashboards, scorecards, and metrics using Power BI, advanced Excel capabilities and other platforms 
• Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to create customized analytical reporting solutions tailored to business needs 
• Lead efforts to standardize metrics, improve data integrity, and enhance visibility into operational and financial performance 
• Produce standard and ad-hoc reports and financial analysis to support organizational initiatives 
• Act as a thought leader in organizational forecasting and analysis; develop new approaches to planning and producing data-driven insights to move the capabilities of the team forward 

Data, Automation and Partnership  

• Serve as a trusted advisor to finance leadership and operational stakeholders and communicate financial concepts clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences 
• Collaborate closely with accounting, operations, and executive leadership to align financial insights with business objectives 
• Leverage advanced workflows and modern finance technologies to streamline reporting, forecasting, and analytical processes 
• Work across multiple ERP systems and data sources to extract, validate, transform, and analyze financial information 
• Partner with finance and technology teams to improve data architecture, reporting efficiency, and automation capabilities, and identify opportunities to reduce manual processes and enhance scalability through technology-enabled solutions 
• Foster a highly collaborative and solutions-oriented approach across the organization  
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned 

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL 

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, math, business, or a related field; CFA or MBA preferred 
• Minimum 10 years of related work experience, including significant experience maintaining complex multi-year financial models  
• Knowledge of fundraising channel analysis and/or experience supporting fundraising departments 
• Comprehensive knowledge of up-to-date forecasting methods and techniques, and advanced budget methods 
• Ability to think analytically, manage multiple projects simultaneously, navigate ambiguity and change, work independently, and make decisions with minimal oversight 
• Experience with data visualization and presentation for leadership and non-financial audiences 
• Strong written and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels, including ability to gain trust and cooperation from others in sensitive situations 
• Ability to work with confidential information 
• Strong understanding of financial accounting and accounting requirements 
• Strong written and interpersonal skills and the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels 
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word, with exceptional Excel and PowerPoint skills; ability to produce content-rich financial presentations and materials using Microsoft Office applications

COMPENSATION

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being. 

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change.  We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.    

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

 

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.