career opportunities

Finance Director

Salary Range: $85,000 to $90,000
Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week)
Location: Remote within Michigan, with occasional travel to Traverse City, Michigan
Reports to: Deputy Director
Deadline to Apply: 11:59pm on 10/15/2023

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced financial professional to maximize and strengthen the organization’s financial operations. The ideal candidate will have a passion for Groundwork principles and have experience in managing finances in for-profit or non-profit capacities, and has a proven ability to improve systems for financial management.

The ideal candidate will oversee Groundwork’s finance department; manage Groundwork’s $3 million annual budget and financial activities; provide external and internal financial reporting; and help the team build new tools for financial tracking and analysis.

The Finance Director will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Providing day-to-day oversight of Finance department;
• Supervising, coaching and supporting other members of the finance department;
• Managing process for developing and updating Groundwork’s annual budget;
• Serving as staff liaison for the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors;
• Preparing external and internal financial reports;
• Overseeing contracts, agreements and fiscal sponsorship arrangements;
• Managing annual audit process with external audit firm;
• Developing new tools to help Groundwork staff manage individual program budgets;
• Assisting in preparation of grant budget proposals and reports;
• Maximizing the potential of cash reserve, endowment, or other special funds;
• Administering financial policies, including cash and investment policies;
• Analyzing financial data to help teams make informed decisions about spending and fundraising;
• Training staff on financial analysis and budgeting;
• Filing appropriate lobbying reports with appropriate state and federal agencies;
• And, assisting the development program teams in goal setting, financial tracking, and creating financial targets

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of financial management experience, senior leadership experience a plus;
• A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills which support and enable sound financial decision-making;
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a diverse variety of staff and Board of Directors;
• Experience in financial stewardship and/or management of tax-deductible contributions;
• Background and training on Quickbooks software;
• Knowledge of 501c3 financial guidelines and regulations;
• A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment;
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of Groundwork.

General Expectations:

Groundwork staff members are expected to demonstrate a:

• Strong commitment to Groundwork’s mission and programs;
• Passion for building livable communities, propelling clean energy, and expanding the local food economy;
• Growing understanding of and enthusiasm for resiliency principles;
• And, a self-directed working approach and ability to take initiative;

At Groundwork, the candidate will join a team of driven individuals who work hard to provide funding for the organization so that it can fulfill its goals of advancing policy solutions and projects that are pragmatic, practical, caring and visionary. We strive to create a positive, collaborative, healthy and inspired working environment that gives the staff support and opportunities for growth and to become leaders.

We are optimistic about Michigan’s future and believe in a thriving local farm and food economy; stronger, more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly towns and villages; cleaner sources of energy, and climate solutions that support a more equitable future for all. The researchers, writers, advocates, system-changemakers and coalition-builders that make up the Groundwork program staff are passionately committed to realizing this vision.

Compensation, Benefits, and Application Procedure

This is a full-time position, with flexible hours, generous vacation and health benefits, retirement contribution matching and a competitive salary range. This is a director-level position, with a starting salary range of $85,000–$90,000. The position is based in Traverse City, Michigan, and allows for remote work from home.

Please send a one-page cover letter, résumé, and at least three references to jobs@groundworkcenter.org with the subject line: Finance Director. Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm on 10/15/2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Groundwork is committed to creating a diverse workplace and seeks a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds. People of color, persons with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ+ candidates are encouraged to apply. Groundwork is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.

TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST

Salary Range: $52,000 to $57,000
Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Location: Remote within Michigan, with occasional travel to Traverse City, Michigan
Reports to: Transportation Manager
Deadline to Apply: 11:59pm on 10/15/2023

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is seeking its next community leader to help advance passenger rail in Michigan, and specifically, future rail service to northern Michigan. The ideal candidate will have a passion for improving transportation systems that connect Michigan’s great cities.

Groundwork is seeking someone with public outreach experience, strong communication skills to effectively advocate for rail transportation among a diverse set of stakeholders, and an interest in transportation policy. The candidate will provide community outreach assistance, help build relationships with community leaders along a rail line to northern Michigan, and work with a team to manage a major planning initiative. This position is full-time (40 hours per week) and will report to Groundwork’s Transportation Manager.

The Transportation Specialist will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Provide day-to-day management of community outreach strategy for northern Michigan passenger rail project;
• Assist in organizing meetings and community events for northern Michigan passenger rail project;
• Help residents and decision makers understand rail transportation policy and its impact on communities;
• Become a credible voice on local, state and federal transportation policy;
• Participate in passenger rail–related committees and networks;
• Work with Communications Director to build written and visual content for use on Groundwork’s communications platforms;
• Periodically travel to communities along the proposed northern Michigan passenger rail route for research and meetings with the community and local officials.;
• Gather information about target groups and stakeholders in communities along the proposed rail line.
• Work with the team to identify and broaden the number and type of stakeholders who are interested in seeing and supporting passenger rail.
• Develop and manage databases of supporters of varying degrees of engagement.
• Research and compile contact information for elected officials within districts along the route and key areas in Michigan;
• And, assist with general communications, outreach, and advocacy for passenger rail in Michigan;

Qualifications

• Experience in transportation policy, planning, public administration or economic development;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and cultivate relationships with a decision-makers at all levels of government and a broad spectrum of donors;
• Knowledge of basic passenger rail and planning policy concepts;
• A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment;
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of Groundwork.

General Expectations:

Groundwork staff members are expected to demonstrate a/an:

• Strong commitment to Groundwork’s mission and programs;
• Passion for building livable communities, propelling clean energy, and expanding the local food economy;
• Growing understanding of and enthusiasm for resiliency principles;
• And, a self-directed working approach and ability to take initiative;

At Groundwork, the candidate will join a team of driven individuals who work hard to provide funding for the organization so that it can fulfill its goals of advancing policy solutions and projects that are pragmatic, practical, caring and visionary. We strive to create a positive, collaborative, healthy and inspired working environment that gives the staff support and opportunities for growth and to become leaders.

We are optimistic about Michigan’s future and believe in a thriving local farm and food economy; stronger, more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly towns and villages; cleaner sources of energy, and climate solutions that support a more equitable future for all. The researchers, writers, advocates, system-changemakers and coalition-builders that make up the Groundwork program staff are passionately committed to realizing this vision.

Compensation, Benefits, and Application Procedure

This is a full-time position, with flexible hours, generous vacation and health benefits, retirement contribution matching, and a competitive salary range. This is a specialist-level position, with a starting salary range of $52,000-$57,000. The position can be remote within Michigan, with occasional travel to Traverse City, Michigan.

Please send a one-page cover letter, résumé, and at least three references to jobs@groundworkcenter.org with the subject line: Transportation Specialist. Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm on October 15, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

Groundwork is committed to creating a diverse workplace and seeks a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds. People of color, persons with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ+ candidates are encouraged to apply. Groundwork is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.