Director of Finance and Administration

You believe that meaningful change starts with strong foundations. You bring stability, integrity, and clarity to an organization’s core functions: its finances, its operations, and its people. When the numbers are sound, the systems are smooth, and the team feels supported, you know the mission can thrive. If you decide to apply, we would love to hear your story.

At the Life is Good Playmaker Project, this role is about more than financial oversight or administrative work. It is about helping fuel a mission that supports kids in healing through play. As our Director of Finance and Administration, your leadership will help ensure that every program and resource is built on strong stewardship and thoughtful planning. Working closely with a passionate team dedicated to helping early childhood professionals support children facing adversity, you will strengthen the foundation that allows this movement to grow.

If you want to bring your expertise to a meaningful campaign, read on.

ABOUT THE PLAYMAKER PROJECT

We teach early childhood professionals to help kids heal through play. The United States is amidst a children’s mental health crisis, with depression, anxiety, and trauma rising at alarming rates. Early childhood professionals are perfectly positioned to be a powerful first-line of defense in addressing this crisis. We give them the training, resources, and ongoing support they deserve to do so. For over 20 years, we’ve helped a growing network of 30,000 professionals across the U.S. and Haiti use the power of play to build healing, life-changing relationships with children in their care. We call them Playmakers.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• This role is hybrid and you'll be working with our team in Boston on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• This application requires a significant commitment to answering specific questions. You may want to compose your answers outside of this app and paste them once you're satisfied with your composition, spelling, grammar, and tone. We can't consider incomplete applications.
• Our market-based compensation strategy determines base pay for our jobs. You can use any of the publicly available tools to predict what you might earn here. All permanent roles are eligible for an annual bonus based on company performance, to which you will make a significant contribution.
• Everyone who applies will get a response from a human. Although we love and use AI regularly, you're about to put a lot of heart and skill into this application and deserve a human response. You'll get one. If you don't answer the questions or meet the requirements below, you'll get a swift and kind rejection.

Pay Transparency:
We post our jobs on a collection of sites. Not all of them portray accurate information about our compensation ranges. For years, we've used a market-based approach to determine starting pay for all roles at Life is Good. We encourage you to explore reputable salary calculators like Salary.com or PayScale and, using accurate data for small non-profit organizations, this job (from the job description), location (Boston), and the required experience for this role (10 years or less), you will see the pay range for this role.

Ready to learn more about the job? Read on...

Requirements

YOUR OBJECTIVE

As Director of Finance & Administration, you will be responsible for ensuring our financial health, operational effectiveness, and administrative excellence. You will oversee all areas of financial management, human resources, and administrative operations, helping the Playmaker Project achieve its mission through strong fiscal stewardship, efficient systems, and supportive organizational culture. On our small & mighty nonprofit team, you will balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution — managing day-to-day accounting and HR tasks while also contributing to long-term planning, budgeting, and organizational strategy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Management (70%)

• Oversee all accounting functions, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and monthly reconciliations.
• Oversee and lead the annual budgeting and planning process in collaboration with the Executive Director and program leads.
• Monitor annual operating and program budgets and prepare and present accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to the Executive Director, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.
• Manage organizational cash flow, forecasting, and financial controls to ensure organizational stability and compliance.
• Coordinate annual audit and tax filings; liaise with external auditors and accountants.
• Act as liaison to the Board of Directors Finance Committee
• Maintain and improve internal financial policies, procedures, and systems in line with nonprofit best practices.
• Ensure compliance with all funder, grant, and government reporting requirements.

Administration & Operations (30%)

• Oversee day-to-day administrative operations including IT systems, insurance, facilities, and vendor relationships.
• Maintain organizational records, licenses, and contracts.
• Improve operational systems and processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support Board operations, including preparing financial reports and materials for Board and committee meetings.
• Oversee all HR functions including recruitment, onboarding, payroll administration, benefits management, and employee relations.
• Establish and communicate organizational policies and procedures. Ensure ongoing compliance with employment laws.
• Support performance management, staff development, and policy updates.
• Partner with leadership to promote a positive, equitable, and supportive workplace culture.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• You have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required; CPA or equivalent certification preferred.
• You have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit financial and administrative management, including supervisory experience.
• You possess deep knowledge of accounting, nonprofit accounting principles, & GAAP.
• You have experience managing HR and administrative systems
• You are an expert in with QuickBooks (or similar accounting software), Microsoft Office, and HR/payroll systems.
• You have exceptional organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• You have demonstrated the ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on management.
• You prioritize like a pro and maintain adaptability and flexibility in dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Benefits

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• This role is hybrid and you’ll be working with our team in Boston on Wednesdays and occasionally Thursdays.

BENEFITS  

• The Life is Good Playmaker Project offers a comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited, to medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, 401(3)b plan with employer match, generous vacation and leave policies and professional development stipends. And we have dogs that like to play.
• On our small & mighty team, it’s not only what we do but how we do everything that we do that makes us special. We strive to create the most joyful, connecting, empowering, and engaging environment imaginable as we work together and offer a flexible, supportive work environment.
• The Life is Good Playmaker Project is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender orientation or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic under applicable federal or state law.