Senior Advisor, Finance & Contracts

Who We Are

Education Northwest is a nonprofit applied research, evaluation, and technical assistance organization based in Portland, Oregon. We are organized around broad disciplines and capabilities to support continuous improvement of complex educational systems. We customize our services to meet the needs of our clients and learners and we take great pride in working closely with these partners to design the right approach for their context, goals, and strategies.

What You Will Be Doing

Education Northwest is seeking a Sr. Advisor, Finance & Contracts to serve as a senior technical expert in program-level financial planning and analysis, budget management, and contract compliance. In this role, you will lead financial support for a portfolio of projects or program areas and collaborate closely with program leadership and senior management. You will apply advanced knowledge of financial systems, federal compliance requirements, and organizational priorities to drive fiscal accountability, operational efficiency, and informed decision-making.

Responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibility: None

• Lead the development, monitoring, and refinement of project and program budgets in collaboration with project leads and department directors
• Conduct advanced financial analysis and forecasting to support strategic planning, staffing, and resource allocation
• Contribute to and review budget narratives and financial components of proposals to ensure accuracy and alignment with RFP and contracting requirements
• Design and maintain templates and tools in systems such as Costpoint and CUBE to streamline financial tracking and reporting
• Manage financial performance and compliance across a diverse portfolio of contracts, including federal, state, and philanthropic awards
• Ensure adherence to organizational, client, and regulatory standards, including FAR, OMB Uniform Guidance, and specific agency requirements for assigned projects
• Collaborate with accounting and program teams to resolve discrepancies, prepare for audits, and maintain documentation
• Identify financial risks and recommend solutions to mitigate cost overruns or misalignment with contractual obligations
• Act as a financial advisor to program staff, project leads, and internal leadership by translating financial data into actionable insights
• Provide training and mentoring on financial processes, budget management, and compliance
• Partner cross-functionally to support financial decision-making and promote fiscal transparency and accountability
• Contribute to the design, development, and implementation of financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Lead initiatives to improve financial systems, tools, and practices that support organizational effectiveness and compliance

What You Should Have

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field; equivalent work experience may be considered
• 7–12 years of relevant experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and contract compliance
• Demonstrated expertise in federal funding compliance (FAR, OMB Uniform Guidance) and grant-funded environments
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions and present complex financial information to diverse audiences
• Proficiency in financial software (e.g., Costpoint, CUBE), Excel, and business intelligence tools
• Proven ability to lead initiatives and mentor others

Other Things to Know

Education Northwest’s office is based in Portland, Oregon. Many Education Northwest staff work remotely, and while we are set up to hire remote staff in many states, we are not yet operating everywhere in the United States and do not have overseas operations.

We are currently approved to hire full-time staff in: CA, WA, OR, ID, MO, TX, OH, IL, NC, VA, TN, NJ, MD, ME, GA, WI, FL, CO, and D.C.

The organization will require time to assess additional set-up requirements (e.g., employment and tax law) for locations outside of areas where we are currently approved to hire. Individuals who would like to work from areas outside of the currently approved locations, if offered the position, should indicate this preference as early as possible in the application process. Minimal travel is expected for this role.

What You Will Get

• 403(b) with a 13 percent employer contribution once vested
• Full medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee with reasonable options for dependent coverage
• 20 days of PTO to start with up to 32 days after three years
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible spending account
• Commuter/transportation benefits
• Free public transit for Portland-based employees

Education Northwest is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Interested in being a part of this amazing and diverse team of dedicated individuals? Please submit your resume and cover letter with salary requirements here.