Executive Director Controller Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

About Trailhead Institute

Trailhead Institute advances public and community health solutions through partnership, fiscal sponsorship, and systems innovation. With an annual budget of $15 to $20 million, Trailhead manages a diverse funding portfolio that includes federal and state grants, private foundation funding, and a growing portfolio of more than 60 fiscally sponsored projects.

We are intentionally building a regenerative workplace-one that connects employee wellbeing, strong organizational systems, and meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As we continue to grow in scale and complexity, we are investing in financial leadership that can strengthen our infrastructure, deepen trust, and position the organization for long-term sustainability.

The Opportunity

Trailhead Institute seeks a Controller to lead the organization's accounting, financial reporting, audit, compliance, treasury, and financial operations functions.

This position serves as the senior accounting leader for Trailhead Institute and is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of financial information across a complex portfolio of grants, contracts, fiscal sponsorships, and organizational programs. The Controller oversees the day-to-day accounting operations of the organization while strengthening internal controls, ensuring compliance with nonprofit and government funding requirements, and leading a high-performing finance team.

The Controller partners closely with the President & Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team, Board Finance Committee, auditors, financial institutions, and external partners to ensure sound financial stewardship and informed decision-making. While strategic financial planning remains an important responsibility, the primary focus of this role is maintaining strong accounting practices, producing timely and accurate financial reporting, and building financial systems that support organizational growth and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll oversight, cash management, reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close processes.

• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.

• Oversee preparation of financial reports for leadership, the Board of Directors, funders, and fiscal sponsorship partners.

• Establish and monitor accounting policies, procedures, and documentation standards.

• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of restricted and unrestricted funds.

Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls

• Serve as primary liaison for external auditors and lead the annual financial statement audit and Single Audit processes.

• Strengthen and maintain internal control systems that safeguard organizational assets and minimize risk.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and private funding requirements.

• Monitor compliance with grant agreements, indirect cost allocations, and nonprofit accounting standards.

• Develop and implement corrective actions arising from audits or compliance reviews.

• Ensure financial policies remain current and aligned with regulatory requirements and best practices.

Budgeting & Financial Analysis

• Partner with organizational leaders to develop annual budgets and periodic forecasts.

• Monitor budget performance and provide variance analysis to support decision-making.

• Develop financial models and projections to support strategic planning initiatives.

• Identify financial risks, trends, and opportunities and recommend appropriate actions.

• Support long-range financial sustainability planning.

Treasury & Cash Management

• Oversee cash flow forecasting and liquidity management.

• Manage banking relationships and serve as primary contact with financial institutions.

• Monitor investment and reserve accounts in accordance with board policies.

• Oversee electronic banking systems, Positive Pay, ACH/EFT transactions, and related controls.

• Recommend strategies to optimize cash management while maintaining appropriate reserves.

Team Leadership

• Provide strategic support and clear direction to Trailhead's Finance Team.

• Supervise and mentor the Accounting Manager and Grants & Contracts Accountants.

• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures.

• Support professional development and succession planning within the Finance Team.

• Foster a culture of accuracy, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Board & Organizational Leadership

• Serve as staff liaison to the Board Finance Committee.

• Present financial reports and analyses to board committees and organizational leadership.

• Collaborate effectively across departments/teams to strengthen financial understanding and accountability.

• Participate as a member of Trailhead's leadership team and contribute to organization-wide planning and decision-making.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12–24 months, the Director of Finance & Controller will:

• Ensure timely, accurate, and reliable monthly financial reporting.

• Strengthen accounting processes and internal controls across the organization.

• Successfully lead annual audits with minimal findings and strong auditor feedback.

• Improve consistency and compliance across grants, contracts, and fiscal sponsorship accounting.

• Increase confidence in financial reporting among leadership, board members, funders, and partners.

• Develop a high-performing finance team with clear roles, processes, and accountability.

• Build accounting systems and practices that support future organizational growth.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

• 8-10+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience.

• Significant nonprofit accounting experience, including grant and fund accounting.

• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit financial reporting, and internal controls.

• Experience managing annual audits and working directly with external auditors.

• Experience overseeing federal and state grant compliance requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex accounting operations with multiple funding sources.

• Advanced proficiency in accounting systems, financial reporting, and Microsoft Excel.

• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

• Proven experience supervising and developing accounting staff.

Preferred

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) strongly preferred

• Experience with Single Audits and federal grant compliance.

• Experience with fiscal sponsorship models or similarly complex nonprofit structures.

• Experience using NetSuite, MIP Fund Accounting, or comparable nonprofit accounting systems.

Leadership Profile

We are seeking a leader who is:

• A strategic thinker who connects finance to mission and impact

• A collaborative translator who builds understanding across teams

• A change agent who brings structure and clarity to complexity and ambiguity

• A trusted advisor who speaks candidly and proactively when risks emerge

• A leader who values both rigor and relationships, contributing to a healthy organizational culture

• An entrepreneurial spirit, nimble and responsive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Responds well and flexibly to change and stressful situations.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $125,000 – $140,000, commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits package, including:

Subsidized monthly health premiums, and dental, and vision insurance covered at 100% per employee

Retirement (401k) with 3% match

Paid time off and 14 paid holidays

Commitment to employee wellbeing within a regenerative workplace model

This is a full-time, exempt position with office facilities in Denver, Colorado. This is a hybrid position. The applicant selected for this position must reside in Colorado and be available to come into our downtown Denver office about 3-4x/month. All business is conducted in Mountain Time.

Priority will be given to applications received by 9/15/26. Desired start date: 11/16/2026

Don't check off every box in the requirements and skills listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.

Interview Us: Before you apply for this position, consider attending our Q&A Webinar to ask questions about this position and ensure that Trailhead is the right fit for you. We will be holding one live webinar on Friday, September 4 at 1pm.

The live webinar is optional, and will not have any impact on applications, interviews, or candidate selections. Potential candidates can use this as an opportunity to gain an understanding of Trailhead, the position, and to ask questions of the Hiring Lead about the position. Participant names will not be shared at any point during the webinar.

If you are unable to attend the scheduled webinar, check out our Senior Director of Finance Q&A document here. This document will be updated after the live webinar and will include a link to a recording of the webinar. You can also submit questions before September 4 to hiring@trailhead.institute. Your questions will be addressed in the webinar and added to the Q&A.

To Apply

Please apply online: https://trailheadinstitute.isolvedhire.com/jobs/ You will be asked to upload your resume and job references. You will be given the opportunity to complete 5 questions in lieu of a cover letter.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but full consideration will be given to applications completed and received before 9/15/26. Only electronic submissions are accepted.

Trailhead Institute is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job, without regard to age, sex, race, color, veteran status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or national origin. Trailhead Institute welcomes applications from all communities, educational backgrounds and life experiences.

This position is centered in fiscal management, therefore, we will be conducting a background check as a condition of employment. Please note that results from this background check will not immediately disqualify your application without a conversation.

If you will be using a personal vehicle to drive yourself for Trailhead Institute business, you must provide a valid driver license and proof of insurance. While access to reliable transportation is a must, having a driver's license and/or personal vehicle is not a requirement for employment with Trailhead Institute.