Director of Financial Operations

Accounting/Finance New York, New York


Description

Position at Orthodox Union

Who We Are:

The Orthodox Union (OU) is the largest Orthodox Jewish organization in the United States. Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for the disabled, localized religious study programs, and international units. The OU maintains a kosher certification service, whose circled U symbol, , is found on the labels of over 100,000,000 kosher commercial and consumer food products.  

 

 

Position Summary:

The Orthodox Union’s Accounting department’s mission is to deliver timely, accurate, and transparent financial information that empowers leadership to make informed decisions. The department serves as a trusted steward of the organization’s resources, providing timely financial insights that support informed decision-making, operational efficiency, and the responsible use of funds in pursuit of the organization’s mission.

 

The Director of Financial Operations provides strategic leadership and oversight for the organization’s day-to-day financial transactions and operational accounting functions. This role ensures the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of financial processes, with a particular focus on accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, collections, and payroll. The Director will lead a team of finance professionals, streamline processes for efficiency and compliance, and partner with senior accounting leadership to support the organization’s financial goals.

 

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

 

 Leadership & Management

  • Lead and develop the Financial Operations team, fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
  • Establish and maintain effective internal controls and standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with the organization’s policies, GAAP, and regulatory requirements.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership throughout the organization, auditors, and other departments to support organizational priorities.

 

Accounts Receivable & Billing

  • Oversee the billing operations to ensure invoices are accurate, timely, and compliant with customer terms.
  • Manage the accounts receivable process, including customer account reconciliations and timely posting of receipts.
  • Develop and monitor metrics to improve billing and collection efficiency.

 

Collections

  • Direct collection efforts to minimize aging receivables and maintain healthy cash flow.
  • Establish escalation protocols for delinquent accounts and coordinate with OU Kosher to resolve payment disputes.
  • Work closely with OU Kosher to ensure collection procedures are implemented and operating effectively.

 

Accounts Payable

  • Oversee all disbursements, ensuring accuracy, proper approvals, and adherence to company policies.
  • Monitor the disbursements process to ensure timely payments while maintaining positive vendor relationships.
  • Ensure compliance with IRS, tax reporting, and 1099 requirements.

 

Credit Card Administration

  • Oversee the Organization’s credit card administration, including issuance, payment processing, and transaction monitoring to ensure compliance with internal policies and promote responsible use of organizational resources.

 

Payroll

  • Supervise payroll processing to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant pay for all employees.
  • Coordinate with HR to maintain accurate employee data and benefit deductions.
  • Oversee quarterly and annual payroll tax filings and reporting.

 

Process Improvement & Systems Oversight

  • Evaluate and implement financial systems and automation tools to enhance efficiency.
  • Identify process gaps and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Develop and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for financial operations.

 

In addition to the primary responsibilities mentioned above, the candidate will work with accounting leadership in other ad-hoc related projects and analyses as they arise and assist departmental management in the on-going execution of a function charged with providing reasonable assurances.

 

 

Qualification Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required, CPA, MBA, or equivalent preferred.
  • Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible accounting or financial operations experience, including 5 years in a leadership role.
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial compliance standards.
  • Demonstrated experience managing AR, AP, billing, collections, and payroll functions.
  • Proficiency with accounting and ERP systems, ideally NetSuite.
  • Computer-savvy with proficiency using MS Office suite products and comfort in learning various in-house programs.

 

 Competencies:

  • Strategic and operational mindset
  • Attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy
  • Strong leadership and team development skills
  • Effective communication and collaboration across departments
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

 

 

Salary and Benefits:  

The salary range for this position is between $175,000 and $200,000, commensurate with experience.

 

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance:
The OU offers health insurance through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). Instead of a single group plan, employees have the freedom to choose their own health insurance plan that fits their personal and family needs. The OU contributes a generous monthly amount directly toward your premium, making coverage more flexible, affordable, and tailored to you.

 

Employees enrolled in our health plan also receive an annual BeniComp stipend, a supplemental benefit that reimburses eligible medical, pharmaceutical, dental, and vision expenses.

 

In addition, the OU offers employees group dental and vision insurance through MetLife.

 

Additional Benefits and Perks: 

  • 10 paid sick days
  • 10-15 paid vacation days
  • Paid Jewish and Federal holidays
  • Short Fridays to accommodate for Sabbath observance
  • Free life and disability insurance
  • Discounted continuing education opportunities
  • 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after 3 years (requires a minimum 2% employee contribution)