Mission
 
Farm Foundation, NFP is a 501(c)(3), created in 2009 to carry out the programming mission
of Farm Foundation, a trust created in 1933 and governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees.        Farm Foundation, NFP works as a catalyst for sound public policy by providing objective information to foster a deeper understanding of issues shaping the future for agriculture, food systems and rural regions. The Foundation does not lobby or advocate.
Farm Foundation’s 81-year reputation for objectivity allows it to bring together diverse stakeholders for discussions on economic issues and public policy issues.  Through such activities as conferences, workshops and Farm Foundation^® Forums, Farm Foundation invites stakeholders to discuss evolving issues shaping the food and agriculture sector - from farm to plate. 
The Foundation’s work focuses in six major areas:

• Agriculture in the Environment
• Energy and Agriculture
• Food, Agricultural and Trade Policy
• Agricultural and Food System Productivity, Research and Technology
• Food Quality, Safety and Consumer Perceptions
• Viability of Rural Regions

                                                                                                                   
 
 
The Opportunity:  Finance and Project Manager
 
This is a unique opportunity for a Manager to help build an organization’s project management and operational capacity as the Foundation grows its partnership and program growth efforts.  The Manager will be responsible for overseeing the Foundation’s ongoing financial day to day operations as related to Farm Foundation projects, as well as providing operational and timeline management for current and new Farm Foundation projects as they emerge.   
Currently, an outside professional provides regular financial reporting and services related to preparation for the annual audit.  This function is expected to transition in-house within the next 2 years; offering the Manager the opportunity to grow in responsibility.
Farm Foundation has recently invested additional resources in growing its capacity for partnerships and funded projects. To this end, the new position of Finance and Project Manager was established in order to address the internal operations of projects while the President and Vice Presidents will take a more external role in establishing new project partnerships and securing the related funding.
 
The Foundation’s restricted funds for partnership funded programs are currently approximately $800,000.  In the next several years, the organization is on track to grow this to $2,000,000. 
Currently, the largest Farm Foundation project is Soil Renaissance.  Farm Foundation, NFP and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation initiated the Soil Renaissance to advance soil health and make soil health the cornerstone of land use management decisions. The Soil Renaissance focuses on the role of soil health in vibrant, profitable and sustainable natural resource systems, as well as the critical importance of soil and soil health in meeting the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050.  For more information, please visit http://soilrenaissance.org/about-soil-renaissance/.
The Finance and Project Manager reports to the Vice President, Projects and Finance of Farm Foundation, NFP.
 
 
Primary Performance Objectives
 
Accounting/Finance functions

• Track accounts/receivables and process cash receipts
• Serve as backup for accounts payable and cash disbursements/payment processing
• Report on fundraising activities
• Review the Foundation’s cash position and investment portfolio on an ongoing basis and ensure appropriate action for sufficient cash balances for operation
• Participate actively in the organization’s Investment Committee
• Maintain open lines of communication with the Foundation’s banks and other related vendors on an ongoing basis
• Assemble the annual budget and program budgets for the Foundation; monitor, update and communicate status to Board and Staff leadership
• With the Vice President of Programs and Finance, spearhead financial planning and analysis, including strategic financial planning   
• Maintain and update the accounting procedures manual according to the Foundation’s need and financial audit requirements  
• Track financial compliance requirements related to Foundation funding sources  

• Assist the VP of Projects and Finance with casualty insurance analysis and negotiations and employee benefits analysis and procurement

 
 
Project Management functions

• Spearhead the research, selection and implementation of  Project Management software to be utilized in the formalization of the Foundation’s efforts to systematically manage its projects  
• Serve as point person for the project management system with tasks including documenting internal processes/procedures for using the project management system, data entry, and oversight of records maintenance, monitoring activities and tracking required payments and reports
• Provide reports such as budget to actual, variance analysis, and cash flow for project managers
• Respond to staff inquiries related to project budgets and payments; train staff on software capabilities and Project Management best practices

 
 
The Qualified Candidate
 
Farm Foundation, NFP is seeking a focused self-starter to serve as its first Finance and Project Manager.  S/he will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, resourceful, creative, highly energetic and intelligent, with an exceptional focus on accuracy and service delivery.  The qualified candidate will have strong financial management skills, both learned and practiced, with some relevant recent financial/accounting experience in the nonprofit sector.  Experience managing large third-party funded projects or programs is highly desirable. 
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 

• Commitment to Farm Foundation’s mission with a genuine willingness to continually learn about topics of interest to Farm Foundation such as agriculture, food systems and rural issues
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in not-for-profit accounting and/or auditing not-for-profit organizations.  Experience in general accounting, reporting and financial analysis is preferred
• Strong literacy with accounting software and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and other applications.  Experience with software conversions and systems administration is preferred
• Strong skills in financial budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience in government grant accounting, budgeting, billing and compliance reporting.  Experience in private grant accounting/compliance is preferred.
• Commitment to excellence and accuracy; focused attention to detail and thoroughness
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Sound organizational abilities and a high degree of initiative.
• Desire to collaborate closely with other staff.
• Capacity to successfully manage projects from start to finish
• Ability to meet deadlines while simultaneously managing multiple projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. 
• A Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Accounting or a related field from an accredited college or university is required.  A Master’s degree (M.B.A.) and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is preferred.

 
To Apply
 
This position offers a competitive salary and benefits.  All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
 
Farm Foundation, NFP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
Alford Executive Search is providing Search Assistance to Farm Foundation NFP to develop and screen a pool of qualified candidates.  Farm Foundation NFP will conduct interviews and make the hiring decision.  This project is being managed by Laura Weinman, Senior Consultant at Alford Executive Search.     
 
To apply, candidates must complete the online application at https://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.  To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Ms. Weinman at lweinman@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Alford Executive Search (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com), a division of KEES, is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.