New York City Urban Debate League

Job Opening: Director, Finance & Operations

NYCUDL Mission 

The New York City Urban Debate League (“NYCUDL”) creates equitable access to academic debate opportunities with a focus on students of color and students from other historically underserved communities in New York City to empower the next generation of diverse, informed, and courageous leaders. 

NYCUDL Description 

The NYCUDL is a nonprofit that exists to support the growth and development of academic, competitive debate programs in the greater New York City area, with priority emphasis given to schools with a large percentage of students of color and low-resourced students. To support debate in the greater New York City area, the NYCUDL provides instructional support for students and coaches, operates more than 30 debate tournaments, and runs at least 4 weeks of summer debate camp. Currently, the League has more than 200 member schools and supports close to 3,000 students. 

Essential Responsibilities 

Financial Management & Operations, Accounting and Bookkeeping

• Work with senior leadership and outside accounting firm to develop annual budgets and track against actuals; present budget to senior leadership and Board of Directors, when applicable
• Review monthly financial reports, prepared by outside accountants and present to leadership, analyzing variances against financial forecasts
• Oversee management of third party vendors and oversee the financial close process and financial schedules for each month, quarter, fiscal year and annual close
• Maintain the organization’s Financial Policies and Procedures and ensure compliance of all financial policies across the organization, and manage users on finance-related accounts/platforms 
• Provide analysis and insight regarding the financial health of the organization and monitor financial KPIs to recommend improvements 
• Ensure timely processing of invoices by staff 
• Oversee management of check releases, wires, ACH payments, and audit AP software and entries 
• Oversee outside accountants collaboration with external audit firm to ensure compliance to GAAP regulations 
• Lead the implementation and administration of SaaS software programs including the Accounting, Payroll, etc.
• Oversee outside accountants Steering of the annual 1099 IRS process, and ensure adherence to financial laws and guidelines 
• Oversee staff in creation and management of accounts for new employees including NYCUDL’s travel and finance systems and distribution of credit cards 
• Oversee the administration and completion of biweekly payroll, audits, and internal control operations 
• Act as primary liaison with third party payroll/benefits provider and provide support and recommendations on annual benefits renewals 
• Oversee outside accountants management of customer and vendor set ups along with bookkeeping processes, including payroll, A/P, A/R, reconciliations, and monthly closing 
• Manage donor and partner databases 
• Oversee HR training programs and compliance with applicable regulations 

Grants Management 

• Serve as the Finance director for any grants the organization receives and ensure compliance with all reporting and contractual requirements 
• Manage, track and monitor all grants to ensure receipt of funds and timely response to funders 
• Coordinate responses to grantor requests and ensure timely responses
• Manage grant process for timeliness and accuracy to provide insights and recommendations to ensure financial deliverables are met 

Contracts Management 

• Manage the development, renewals, and execution of contracts 
• Manage renewals and compliance with vendor requirements for NYC and the NYC Department of Education 
• Liaise with vendors and internal team to ensure contractual compliance, effective invoicing and payment 
• Act as primary liaison with organization’s insurance carrier and provide support and recommendations on annual renewals 

Other Operations Support 

• Act as subject matter expert and backup administrator for productivity tools (e.g., Google Suite, Slack, Trello) 
• Oversee program data tracking 
• Assist the Programming Team with Operational Support as needed 
• Perform other job related duties as assigned by the Executive Director 

Leadership and Supervision 

• Manage 1-2 direct reports (Finance/Office Manager) as well as outsourced CPA resources 
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and professional development guidance and opportunities for the NYCUDL team 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s Degree preferred from an accredited college or university in the field of business administration, non-profit administration, accounting, finance or a related field 
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in finance, operations, and/or accounting
• Other equivalent combinations of relevant experience and training will also be considered 

The Strongest Candidates Will Have/Be: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills across different audiences
• Knowledge of urban school environments 
• Experience in an education or nonprofit setting is a plus 
• Able to navigate finance and operations systems with accuracy and attention to detail
• Knowledgeable in operations and accounting practices, budgeting, financial reporting, and cash flow management 
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, ability to develop and implement organizational systems where they are missing 
• A strategic thinker who deeply understands and clearly, confidently communicates the big picture and the nuanced details alike 
• Ability to quickly synthesize large amounts of information into actionable next steps
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a virtual, remote environment and build strong relationships with colleagues and partners across geographies and time zones
• Willingness to work alongside a dynamic, highly collaborative and vision-driven team
• Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Experience with major social media platforms 
• Familiarity with Tabroom.com…, including tournament administration or a willingness to learn 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, Quickbooks and online collaboration tools such as Slack 
• Experience with Canva, Adobe Suite and MailChimp or a willingness to learn
• Comfort with technology and ability to quickly learn new systems 

Desired Qualities 

• Commitment to NYCUDL’s mission and core values 
• Learning orientation and commitment toward diversity, equity and inclusion
• Empathy, humility, flexibility and willingness to serve and lead teachers, students, volunteers and contract staff in an often-challenging and fast-changing urban education setting 
• Positive, solution-oriented approach on a team working toward common goals
• Strong cultural competency in serving a diverse population of teachers and learners with a variety of needs and challenges and communication styles 
• A detail-oriented, responsible self-starter, creative, and forward thinker with an ability to work and produce results in a fast-paced dynamic environment 
• Self-aware, teachable, and eager to learn 
• Must have the utmost integrity and an ability to process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials, including student data 

Other Requirements 

• Legal clearance to work with minors 
• Must pass a background check 
• Strong ethics, maturity, and appropriate boundaries for adult interactions with minors, including compliance with all NYCDOE and reporting requirements 
• Physical demands include working at the computer and being a team player for group tasks as needed and able 
• Willingness to complete all NYCUDL vaccination requirements, including the COVID-19 vaccine 

Work Week 

Employees are expected to work 5 days a week. The expected work week is 45-50 hours. While some work will be remote, employees should anticipate working in the office at least 3-5 days. Employees must be available to work 1-2 evenings per week and occasional weekends. 

Benefits and Compensation 

• $130,000 – $150,000 annually, commensurate with relevant experience and education. This is an exempt full-time position 
• Monthly subway pass 
• Full health benefits, including eye and dental, with no employee contribution
• 2 weeks of vacation. 2 personally significant holidays, 3 personal days, and 5 sick days 

Application Process 

Position to be filled ASAP. Interested candidates should submit their résumé and cover letter to jobs@debate.nyc. Questions regarding this position should be directed to jobs@debate.nyc. All inquiries are confidential. 

NYCUDL’S Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity Employment Policy NYCUDL is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities to apply to our positions. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort, particularly individuals who have lived or worked in underserved urban communities.