Work at NBSS

The renowned North Bennet Street School (NBSS), an esteemed Boston institution where the time-honored tradition of fine craftsmanship remains a vital influence on the City’s culture and economy, seeks a collaborative and experienced Director of Finance who can move seamlessly between thought partnership and tactical execution to help the School reach ambitious goals, anticipate future needs, and establish best financial practices.

With a refreshed strategic plan underway and a newly forming operations team coming together, this is a special moment to bolster finance and accounting systems and design integrated business processes to make it more fully possible for NBSS faculty, staff, and students to do their best work. This role is well-suited to a proactive, analytical, detail-oriented, and hands-on finance manager with a successful track record of teamwork, creative problem-solving and effective resource management.

View a full position description here (pdf).

Position Overview

America’s first trade school, NBSS is a welcoming institution recognized both nationally and internationally for learning excellence. Its spacious, 64,000-square-foot facility is located in Boston’s historic North End neighborhood, the community in which it was originally founded 140 years ago. Today, the school continues to bridge opportunity and demand by training the next generation of traditional tradespeople using time-honored methods and skills while also creating rewarding, life-long careers. NBSS offers a range of accredited and non-accredited courses including professional career training programs, skill-building classes and experiences, public programs, exhibitions, community partnerships, and more.

NBSS recognizes that its success has been built on the strength of its faculty and staff: committed professionals achieving great results in teaching, student support, administration, and fundraising. A vital opportunity to support their efforts has emerged as the School looks to meaningfully invest in its people and bolster its systems. The Director of Finance (Director) will be responsible for building up the infrastructure necessary to promote a thriving, highly engaged, and productive environment at NBSS, reinforce collaboration and integration, and ensure that the School’s resources make it possible for faculty, staff and students to do their best work.

Reporting to the Senior Director of People and Operations, the Director will oversee finance, accounting, and reporting activities for an $8M budget as well as reporting on its $29M endowment. They will serve as the senior advisor and partner to the President, Provost, and Board of Directors in all financial activity including annual planning and budgeting; and ensure that NBSS has the systems and workflows in place to support outstanding program implementation and mission attainment.

This role is uniquely student-facing. 70% of NBSS students receive financial aid, so experience in financial aid management or a similar federal funding model is highly desired, although on-the-job training in this area will be provided. The Director will partner with the Scholarship Committee, a cross-department team of student services, development, enrollment, and financial aid, to manage and inform the scholarship budget and ensure that students are being served by the School from a financial standpoint.

The Director will also be charged with identifying new opportunities to improve efficiencies and respond proactively to department needs. This includes partnering with the Development team as they report out to corporate and foundation funders, and with the Provost’s office particularly during financial aid cycles each semester to ensure that payments and reimbursements are administered properly and efficiently. They will need to analyze the existing processes to ensure compliance and mitigate risk, work closely with senior administrators to streamline financial operations, leverage new information technology, and establish standard processes that provide maximum benefit to all parties involved, including students.

The Director will also be charged with identifying new opportunities to improve efficiencies and respond proactively to department needs. This includes partnering with the Development team as they report out to corporate and foundation funders, and with the Provost’s office particularly during financial aid cycles each semester to ensure that payments and reimbursements are administered properly and efficiently. They will need to analyze the existing processes to ensure compliance and mitigate risk, work closely with senior administrators to streamline financial operations, leverage new information technology, and establish standard processes that provide maximum benefit to all parties involved, including students.

The desired candidate will bring finance and accounting experience in a mission-driven, growth environment along with a quick-thinking, flexible, and inclusive approach that appreciates the need for consensus while driving progress against stated goals. They will embody systems thinking, able to shift between strategy and execution – translating ideas to tactics that affect targeted outcomes. They must also bring the cultural fluency, kindness, customer-service orientation, and authenticity necessary to represent the institution and serve as a key liaison to its audiences.

Essential Job Functions

Finance Management

• Manage all aspects of finance and accounting: financial statements, general ledger, cost accounting, AP/AR, invoices, budgeting, tax compliance, inventory accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding finances, tax filings, and reporting.
• Maintain internal controls and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures.
• Build and maintain a documented system of finance, accounting, and administrative policies to support program operations.
• Prepare quarterly/annual financial reports and manage fiscally responsible quarterly/annual budgets and forecasts.
• Advise on financial analyses and strategic decision-making regarding forecasting, contract negotiations, significant costs, benchmarks, and similar strategic matters.
• Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Define, benchmark, and implement financial best practices.
• Monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership informed of NBSS financial status.
• Partner with the Senior Director to staff the Audit Committee.
• Prepare and organize financial statements for record and review and coordinate all audit activity including the annual 990 process.
• Ensure compliance and reporting for grants, collaborating with the Director of Development and supporting program audits and grant writing activities.
• Manage organizational cash flow, forecasting by working in partnership with the administrative and program directors.
• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines.
• Stay informed about changes in accounting standards for nonprofit organizations.

Financial Aid

• Manage all aspects of finance and accounting: financial statements, general ledger, cost accounting, AP/AR, invoices, budgeting, tax compliance, inventory accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding finances, tax filings, and reporting.
• Maintain internal controls and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures.
• Build and maintain a documented system of finance, accounting, and administrative policies to support program operations.
• Prepare quarterly/annual financial reports and manage fiscally responsible quarterly/annual budgets and forecasts.
• Advise on financial analyses and strategic decision-making regarding forecasting, contract negotiations, significant costs, benchmarks, and similar strategic matters.
• Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Define, benchmark, and implement financial best practices.
• Monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership informed of NBSS financial status.
• Partner with the Senior Director to staff the Audit Committee.
• Prepare and organize financial statements for record and review and coordinate all audit activity including the annual 990 process.
• Ensure compliance and reporting for grants, collaborating with the Director of Development and supporting program audits and grant writing activities.
• Manage organizational cash flow, forecasting by working in partnership with the administrative and program directors.
• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines.
• Stay informed about changes in accounting standards for nonprofit organizations.

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible finance and/or accounting experience in an educational setting or nonprofit with a similar finance structure.
• Exceptional knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, cost accounting and cost control principles, internal controls, and GAAP.
• Prior work with federal funding and reporting, or the willingness to learn and develop a skillset in Federal Student cycle and compliance and reporting requirements, specifically in the areas of Title IV cash management and disbursement.
• Analytical ability to develop and implement improvements or recommendations including experience implementing automated accounting systems.
• Detail-oriented with excellent project management skills, including the ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Lives the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion with the ability to express these through day-to-day work.
• Ability to build sincere relationships with a variety of internal partners with whom no direct line supervision exists, as well as external individuals from board members to volunteers.
• Impeccable discretion in handling all matters of confidentiality.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration, or equivalent business experience. CPA or CMA is helpful.
• Experience with QuickBooks, Raiser’s Edge, and Blackbaud is helpful.
• Gravitas paired with kindness and professional integrity to effectively represent and promote NBSS externally at the highest levels.
• An appreciation for trade and craft and an understanding of the unique nature and mission of North Bennet Street School.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Must be able to frequently walk up and down stairs.
• Must be able to lift more than 25 lbs. and assist others to do the same.
• Walking, standing, and bending for long periods of time.
• Ability to sit at a computer for an extended period of time. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

How to Apply

To express interest in the position, please submit application materials consisting of a resume and letter of interest to nbss-df@pearlstreetcollective.com.

The Director of Finance role is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience. NBSS offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including health and life insurance, STD, LTD, retirement plan and more.

Pearl Street Collective, the search firm with purpose, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Adele Mezher, Maeve Clifford, Kiratiana Freelon, and Jiberly Sandoval are leading the search. Pearl Street is an award-winning, retained executive search and talent strategy firm serving the nonprofit, education, and healthcare sectors. Women-owned and led by a diverse group of talented professionals who are deeply committed to equity in search, Pearl Street disrupts traditional search dynamics by practicing radical empathy; listening and learning from others’ unique perspectives, lived experiences, and identities; and committing to transparency for all stakeholders. This purposeful approach informs every facet of Pearl Street’s comprehensive search process that identifies exceptional talent, builds real relationships, and delivers an unparalleled, values-driven service that honors the whole person.

Date posted: March 1, 2024

​​North Bennet Street School is seeking Freelance Writers eager to develop compelling stories that highlight our talented community and champion our important work.

We’re looking for creative, passionate people who are able to capture our institution’s voice and who will reliably produce meaningful, relevant stories across multiple channels and publications. For a sampling of content, please check out nbss.edu/news and nbss.edu/about/publications.

Key Responsibilities

• With editorial direction provided, develop stories and content across print/digital channels.
• Conduct interviews with senior staff, donors, alumni, partners, students, and others.
• Write clear, attractive copy in a voice/style that reflects the School.
• Maintain the quality, consistency, and creativity of writing.
• Proofread and edit copy, as needed, following editorial guidelines.
• Obtain approvals on final stories from subjects.
• Attend virtual check-in meetings related to assignments.
• Prioritize workload, handle tasks, fulfill assignments, and meet deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum three years of experience as a professional writer.
• A strong portfolio of professionally written work.
• Excellent communication, writing, and project management skills.
• Attention to detail, and ability to produce the highest quality work.
• Ability to conduct interviews and build rapport with subjects.
• Ability to accept and integrate feedback.
• Sensitivity to DEI principles and practices, and ability to apply these in interviews and writing.
• Familiarity with SEO, keywords, and other aspects of inbound marketing is a plus.

Compensation

Freelance Writers will be hired on a per-project basis. Based on a writer’s experience and portfolio, and the nature of the assignment, we provide a range of $.75 to $1.00 per word.

How to Apply

If interested, please email a resume and three strong examples of written work to jobs@nbss.edu with “Freelance Writer position” in the subject line. Applications without these items will not be reviewed. Please include your per-word rate or range in the cover letter. No phone calls or follow-up emails, please.

​​North Bennet Street School is seeking Freelance Photographers eager to help us showcase our talented community and the impact of our important work.

We’re looking for creative, passionate people who are able to capture our institution’s visual style through compelling and beautiful photographs of people, events, and objects. These assets would be shared by the School across multiple channels including our website, emails, print publications, and social media. For a sampling of content, please check out nbss.edu/publications.

Specialties/Focus

We’re seeking photographers who specialize in one or any combination of these areas:

• General: photos of our students/faculty at work, our building, etc 
• Events: candid and staged, for public and private events
• Portraits: people-focused photos, whether headshots or more editorial/profile-related
• Products: photos of furniture, books, jewelry, and related goods. Some may require following specific criteria as part of placement in industry publications.
• Note that we only work with photographers who can offer full rights and usage to the School as part of their contracted assignment.

Key Responsibilities

• With client direction and shot lists provided, capture compelling, attractive photos for each individual assignment.
• Complete each assignment with minimal oversight from NBSS.
• Produce error-free, technically sound imagery for each assignment.
• Provide high-resolution, edited content within agreed-upon budget and timeline.
• Adjust style/scope of photography as needed, based on direction and feedback.

Required Qualifications

• A strong portfolio of work.
• Ability to connect with subjects and make people feel at ease while being photographed. 
• Ability to accept and integrate feedback.
• Sensitivity to DEI principles and practices, and ability to apply these in your photography.
• Ability to prioritize workload, keep to schedules, fulfill assignments, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and project management skills.

How to Apply

Freelance Photographers will be hired on a per-project, rolling basis. If interested, please email a resume, client list, and a link to your portfolio to jobs@nbss.edu with “Freelance Photographer position” in the subject line. Please include your rate(s) in the cover letter. No phone calls or follow-up emails, please.