Finance and Operations Manager

Charles River Watershed Association

Job Description

The Finance and Operations Manager is a critical member of the internal operations team supporting CRWA’s mission of preserving, restoring, and enhancing the Charles River and its watershed. The Finance and Operations Manager will report to CRWA’s General Counsel and will work closely with staff throughout the organization, as well as with CRWA’s outside finance and accounting contractor. While primarily providing financial support for the organization, this role also provides HR support, serves as office manager, and handles other tasks and projects as described below.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FINANCE (~60%)
Manage the internal financial functions of the organization, including:
  • Regular coordination with CRWA’s outside accounting and finance contractor
  • Payroll and retirement plan remittances
  • Bank deposits and accounts
  • Contractor and vendor support and invoicing
  • Grant and program finance support
  • Employee credit card platform
  • Annual budget support
  • Annual audit support
  • Development/donation support
  • Routine filings and tracking related to the organization’s non-profit and tax exempt status

HR (~15%)
Provide HR support, including:
  • Handling onboarding HR tasks for new employees
  • Managing CRWA’s third-party HR and benefits platforms
  • Employee timesheet management
  • Administrative management of benefits, leave, and HR compliance

OFFICE MANAGEMENT (~20%)
  • Manage the organization’s physical offices (main office in Boston, field office in Newton), including:
    • Overseeing an office expansion project
    • Managing routine maintenance and repairs with building management
    • Managing vendors providing office-related services
  • Manage the internal IT functions of the organization, including:
    • Managing the relationship with CRWA’s outside IT contractor
    • Managing hardware and software resources and needs
  • Manage office supplies
  • Manage general shipping and mailing

OTHER ADMIN (~5%)
  • Provide administrative support for monthly staff meetings
  • Manage occasional staff events (e.g., staff retreat)
  • Provide support on additional projects as necessary

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

At CRWA, we recognize that someone may excel in this role even if they don’t have every attribute listed below. We also recognize that the skills needed in this position may be gained from a variety of personal, educational, employment, and volunteer experiences. We take all of this into account when reviewing applications and if you think you’d be a great fit for this role, we encourage you to apply!

Attributes of a successful candidate include:
  • 3+ years of relevant professional financial management experience (experience with non-profit finances preferred), including:
    • Experience working in accounting systems and software
    • Experience/familiarity with QuickBooks Online
    • Experience managing payroll and employee benefits
    • Experience with accounts payable and accounts receivable
  • Ability to manage your own workload with minimal support and supervision
  • Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy
  • Willingness to ask questions and track down answers to ensure the highest quality of work is achieved
  • Excellent judgment and trustworthiness
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks/projects at the same time
  • Willingness to partner with and support staff across the organization
  • Demonstrated high level of professionalism
  • Commitment to CRWA’s mission
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google GSuite

CRWA strives to attract and retain staff from a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives and to foster a culture of belonging in which all feel valued and respected. If you need accommodation(s) to make the interview process more accessible, please let us know by emailing hiring@crwa.org. CRWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, or other bases protected by law.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. CRWA is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

WHAT WE OFFER

This is a full-time position based in Boston.  Starting salary for this position is $70,000 annually. CRWA-sponsored benefits include generous paid time off, employer contributions to health insurance premiums and retirement plan, paid family and medical leave, Employee Assistance Program, transit stipend, and professional development opportunities. CRWA’s office operates on a hybrid remote/in-person schedule (3 days per week in the Boston office); we are unable to consider fully remote candidates for this role.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume by email no later than May 30, 2025 at 5pm to hiring@crwa.org and include “Finance and Operations Manager” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. Candidates will be interviewed and selected based on criteria such as prior experience and skills relevant to this position.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

CRWA is committed to the ongoing work of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our organization and in our external relationships. Internally, CRWA seeks to embed these principles in staff hiring, professional development, and retention practices as well as in Board recruitment, onboarding, and governance. CRWA strives to attract and retain staff and Board members from a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives and to foster a culture of belonging in which all feel valued and respected. Externally, we are engaged in outreach and relationship development to connect with a broader set of constituents in the watershed, including people and communities that have historically been marginalized. CRWA acknowledges the historic disinvestment and past harm in some watershed communities and is committed to advocating for equitable investments in climate resilience and river health. CRWA condemns racism, sexism, bigotry, and discrimination in any form.

ABOUT CRWA

CRWA is an internationally recognized environmental advocacy nonprofit based in Boston, MA. Our mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law. We develop science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.