The Director of Finance & HR is responsible for overseeing the financial and human resources operations of the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (Great Plains Zoo / Butterfly House & Aquarium). This includes managing financial systems and processes, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and directing HR strategies and initiatives to foster a positive work environment. This role serves as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and acts as a liaison to both the Finance Committee and HR-related stakeholders.
Reports To: CEO
Essential Functions
• Fiscal Oversight: Ensure diligent fiscal management with GAAP accounting standards and oversee budgeting, cash management, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Strategic Guidance: Provide executive-level advice on accounting and finance issues.
• Audit Coordination: Manage annual audits and support tax professionals.
• Insurance Management: Administer business insurance policies including liability, property, and casualty coverage.
• Contract Monitoring: Oversee contract compliance and financial reporting.
• Grant Financial Models: Prepare financial models for grant applications.
• Compliance Oversight: Monitor and ensure compliance with HR-related laws and regulations.
• Policy Development: Develop and update HR policies and procedures.
• Staffing Strategy: Collaborate on staffing strategies, recruitment, and onboarding.
• Compensation and Benefits: Oversee compensation benchmarking, benefits management, and payroll processing.
• Employee Relations: Provide guidance on employee relations, conflict resolution, and performance management.
• Act as a strategic partner to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve financial and HR systems.
• Financial and HR Integration: Ensure integration of financial and HR strategies to support organizational goals.
• Advise on areas of liability and risk; work on internal audits and risk analysis.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• Supervises, organizes, and oversees the schedules and work of the Bookkeeper and HR Coordinator, and other employees assigned to department.
• Conducts performance evaluations that are fair, accurate, timely and constructive.
• Participate in Director on Duty rotation. Responsible for the supervision of employees and the facility on rotation basis, oversee maintenance issues, assist the public, assume leadership role in emergency response situations.
Work Environment
This role is primarily sedentary in an office setting and routinely uses standard office equipment including computers, telephone, copiers, scanners, and filing cabinets. Occasionally, the role may require the employee to be outdoors assisting with events and may be exposed to temperature and humidity changes.
Physical Demands
• Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey detailed or important spoken information to others in individual and small group settings.
• Hand and finger dexterity sufficient for typing and other administrative tasks.
• The employee is required to occasionally lift and/or carry up to 15 pounds.
• Sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, and stooping are required to organize and file documents.
Travel
Less than 5% - local travel as needed
Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting and HR Management. CPA or MBA preferred. Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Exemplary communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of individuals, including employees, peers, leaders, board members, and vendors.
• Passion for data integrity, process definition and continuous learning.
• Ability to work independently or in a team setting and manage time effectively.
• Ability to work professionally and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to perform highly responsible duties that are confidential, technical, complex and varied in nature with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgement and maintain integrity in difficult situations.
• Strong skills in MS Office with strong proficiency in Excel; QuickBooks; ability to quickly learn HRIS system.
• In-depth technical HR knowledge of compensation, employment law, FLSA, employee relations, staffing, performance management, staffing, and benefits
Additional Qualifications
• Must be certified or able to become certified in CPR/AED within 1 year of employment.
• Must be able to work occasional weekends, holidays and evenings as required for various SFZA events and emergent needs.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a pre-employment background check.
Other Duties
This job description is not designed, nor should it be interpreted to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all qualifications, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Qualifications, duties and/or responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.