Foundation for America’s Public Lands

Vice President of Finance & Operations

Job Description

About the Position

The VP of Finance & Operations will play a fundamental role in steering the Foundation towards its ambitious goals. This pivotal position demands a blend of expertise in nonprofit finance management, strategic operations management, and a deep understanding of government grants and philanthropic endeavors. This role is about more than just numbers; it’s about building a foundation from the ground up, ensuring compliance, and creatively managing resources to support our mission. This is a unique opportunity to start from a clean slate, unencumbered by legacy systems and outdated processes, to design and implement financial and operational systems that will scale along with our rapidly growing organization.

This position also offers enviable access to and visibility within the prestigious network of national stakeholders that influence the future of land and conservation stewardship.

How to Recommend or Apply

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume or CV outlining your qualifications and interest in the Foundation for America’s public Lands using the link below.

Further inquiries may be sent to: FAPL-Jobs@cause-capacity.com.

What You’ll Do:

Lead the creation and implementation of strategic financial initiatives that align with our mission, ensuring compliance with government grants and philanthropic engagements.
Spearhead the development of robust operational systems to support the Foundation’s dynamic growth with a particular focus on compliance, grant management, and modern technological infrastructure.
Establish and standardize internal processes and policies from the ground up, tailoring them to the Foundation’s evolving needs
Design, implement, and manage systems for grant administration, budget management, and technology operations.
Act as a financial and operational thought leader, guiding the Foundation through its rapid expansion and laying the groundwork for a scalable infrastructure to support both current and future endeavors
Serve as the subject matter expert on federal grant requirements, leading compliance efforts and acting as the primary finance contact for the finance committee and board meetings.
Navigate the complexities of nonprofit financial management, including the handling of restricted and unrestricted funds, and the setup of accounts to support long-term funding strategies.
Cultivate a dispersed, high-functioning team, emphasizing efficiency and cohesion in a hybrid environment across various locations.

What Makes This Role Exciting:

We are building a culture of bipartisanship and solutions-oriented action. Our team is dedicated to finding common ground and practical solutions to support our public land and waters. In this role you will have:

A front-row seat and hands-on role in shaping a congressionally chartered foundation with a national impact from the earliest stages of its development.
The chance to work closely with high-level stakeholders to drive forward innovative programs and partnerships and influence national conservation strategies.
Significant autonomy to innovate, build, and shape foundational systems including the financial and operational backbone of the organization.
A role that offers a blend of strategic planning and tactical execution in a dynamic startup environment.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes:

What You’ll Bring:

MBA preferred but not required.
Significant experience in the philanthropic or nonprofit sector, particularly in conservation, public lands, government agencies, or organizations with strong government ties.
Expert knowledge in government grants management (especially federal) and compliance, internal controls, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
Demonstrated ability to build financial and operational systems from the ground up in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments.
Exceptional strategic and critical thinking skills and strong alignment with core values of building, non-partisanship, flexibility, creativity, and an iterative approach to problem-solving.

Why Join Us?

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands offers an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a pioneering team dedicated to preserving and enhancing America’s public lands and waters. You’ll be stepping into a role where you can truly make a difference, setting the direction for a foundation that will leave a lasting legacy. If you’re ready to build something groundbreaking and leave your mark on conservation, we’d love to hear from you!

Compensation

Compensation: $225,000 to $245,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Group medical/vision/dental benefits with 100% employer contribution for employees and 75% contribution for dependents; life insurance; 401k retirement savings plan; and generous holiday and paid time off policies.

Location

Location: Washington, D.C. Area (DMV) – Hybrid Position

About the Foundation

Foundation for America's public lands

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is a pioneering startup on a mission to safeguard the sustainability of our public lands and waters. Chartered by Congress, we are the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management with a pivotal mission: to connect us to our public lands and waters and sustain these special places for the benefit of present and future generations.

Standing on the cusp on an exciting chapter, we are set to become a cornerstone institution, working in close partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and a strong network of local to national stakeholders who share our vision. Our work is ambitious, impactful, and essential – and we are building the inaugural team who will be critical to shaping the Foundation’s future.

With co-headquarters in Grand Junction, CO, and Washington, DC, the Foundation is poised for growth and to have a substantial impact on the future of our nation’s public lands and waters. Discover more about our mission and how you can contribute to this groundbreaking journey at www.americaslands.org.

On May 5, 2017, Congress authorized the creation of the Foundation for America’s Public Lands (Foundation) to address the following overarching goals:

To encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of money, real and personal property; and in-kind services for the benefit of, or in connection with the activities and services of, the Bureau of Land Management.
To conduct activities, campaigns, and programs that advance the purposes for which public land is managed.
To carry out and encourage educational, technical, scientific, and other assistance or activities that support the mission of the BLM.
To assist BLM with challenges that could be better addressed with the support of a foundation, including reclamation and conservation activities, activities relating to wild free roaming horses and burros, and the stewardship of cultural and archaeological treasures on public land.

The Foundation is the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and works together with the BLM to support its mission. The Foundation is at a critical juncture as they build its leadership, craft strategic priorities, and design programming priority campaigns. Together with BLM, the Foundation can inspire people to care for our lands and build greater awareness and affinity for public lands.

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is an equal opportunity employer. The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.