Vice President of Finance and Administration

Project Kitty Hawk

Vice President of Finance & Administration overseeing financial strategy and compliance at Project Kitty Hawk. Leading finance, people operations, and technology to support adult learners' educational opportunities.

Posted 4/27/2026full-timeNorth Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $210,000 - $225,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the organization's senior financial officer, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial operations
Oversee the Controller and accounting team, including accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, payroll, and month-end close
Lead annual budget development and multi-year financial projections and planning in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team and service-area leads
Advise leadership on financial implications of partnerships with universities, including funding structures, cost allocation, and long-term sustainability
Oversee margin reporting and working with business units on their resource allocation plans within the fiscal year
Manage the annual audit process and serve as primary liaison with external auditors
Prepare and present financial reports for the Board of Directors, its Finance Committee, and the UNC System Office
Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and all grant and contract reporting requirements
Monitor cash flow, investment accounts, and reserves; advise leadership on financial risks and opportunities
Track PKH contracts to assess vendor performance, identify critical deadlines and decision points, and negotiate favorable terms
Lead and support the Sr. Director of People Operations in setting the strategic direction of the people function, serving as a thought partner on organizational design, workforce planning, compensation philosophy, and culture
Maintain senior-level accountability for the People Operations function, providing guidance and escalation support on complex employee relations, board and personnel committee matters, and cross-functional people initiatives
Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and culture
Manage, mentor, and develop direct reports across finance and people operations
Build and maintain strong cross-functional relationships, acting as a collaborative partner to operations, partnership, and technology teams
Represent the organization's operational interests to the Board, funders, and external partners as needed, including the UNC System Office
Work with the Chief Technology Officer to budget for hardware and software procurement for the organization, ensuring staff are equipped with the tools they need
Manage vendor relationships for IT services, software licenses, and technology support
Lead financial system upgrades and potential migration

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or higher required
8+ years of progressive experience in finance or operations, with at least 3 years in a management role
Nonprofit finance experience strongly preferred, including familiarity with fund accounting, grant compliance, and Form 990
Experience in higher education finance, including familiarity with fund accounting, grant compliance, and public or university-affiliated financial environments, strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience managing an audit process and working with external auditors
Prior responsibility for human resources functions, including benefits, compliance, and employee relations
Comfort with contract negotiations and vendor management

Benefits

Comp & perks

full medical/dental/vision coverage
401K with match
generous time-off policy with paid volunteer time
competitive salaries with the potential for performance bonus
remote working flexibility

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

financial operationsbudget developmentfinancial projectionsGAAPnonprofit accountinggrant complianceaudit managementvendor managementcontract negotiationsfund accounting

Soft Skills

leadershipcollaborationmentoringstrategic planningcommunicationorganizational designemployee relationscross-functional relationship buildingproblem-solvingadvisory skills

Certifications

Bachelor’s degreeCPACMACFO certificationnonprofit finance certification