Director of Operations & Finance

<p><span>SkyTruth is a conservation technology nonprofit that harnesses satellite technology and AI to expose environmental threats and accelerate climate action and biodiversity protection. Since its founding in 2001, organizations around the world have used SkyTruth’s tools to drive biodiversity conservation and hold polluters accountable for harmful activities that would otherwise remain hidden from view.</span></p><p><span>Mission: Sharing the view from space to promote conservation for people and the planet.</span></p><p><span>Vision: Everyone around the world enjoys a healthy environment and sustainable livelihood because transparency is the norm: polluters know they will be seen and caught, industries have cleaned up their practices, and governments are vigorously enforcing environmental protection.</span></p><p><span>To learn more about SkyTruth, please visit our </span><a target="_blank" href="https://skytruth.org/"><span>website</span></a><span>.</span></p><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">About the Position</strong></span></p><p><span>SkyTruth seeks a Director of Operations & Finance to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director will play a key role across financial management and grant reporting, internal operations, people operations, and board support. As SkyTruth’s current Director of Operations & Finance steps into the COO role, this position offers the opportunity to partner with a leader who knows the work deeply and values it highly. Working closely with the COO, the Director will help steward the budget, policies, and practices that most clearly express SkyTruth’s values in action, while strengthening the systems, culture, and operational discipline that support our mission and growth. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful, solutions-oriented leader with strong nonprofit finance and HR experience and a clear understanding of how effective operations can advance organizational impact.</span></p><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">Key Responsibilities</strong></span></p><ul><li><p><span>Financial management and reporting. Oversee account receivables, account payables, and grant coding and allocations; manage external accountants and audit process; develop financial reports for the board, and for grant reports and proposals; and support budgeting and cash management processes. Ensure timely and accurate completion of the audit and 990.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Internal process improvement. Identify and execute on opportunities, tools, and processes to enhance organizational operations and internal communications; partner with System Administrator on maintenance of project management and CRM software, file structure, Slack, and other tools; work across teams to ensure consistent processes and that tools are effectively utilized across the organization; and monitor compliance with policies and procedures.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Board and committee management. Support COO with board meeting and board committee meeting preparations and board management, including memo and packet development, financial reporting, and minutes.</span></p></li><li><p><span>People operations, including payroll. Manage relevant external vendors & programs (e.g., PEO, employee engagement software, performance review software) and support the planning and execution of culture-building team engagement activities including virtual social hours and in-person retreats. Support ongoing performance management for the organization.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Hiring and onboarding. Facilitate hiring and onboarding processes, manage ATS, and as needed, oversee vendors (e.g., recruiter).</span></p></li><li><p><span>Directly supervise the Operations Manager, fostering their professional growth and ensuring alignment across operational functions.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Act as a thought partner to the COO while executing on various tactical day-to-day administrative and operational duties.</span></p></li></ul><p><span><em>Other duties as assigned.</em></span></p><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">Key Attributes and Qualifications</strong></span></p><ul><li><p><span>5+ years of progressively responsible administrative, finance, operations, or related experience.</span></p></li><li><p><span>A combination of education and experience will be considered equally with a business, accounting, or related degree.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Experience in nonprofit accounting, including a working understanding of grant accounting, restricted and unrestricted net assets, and functional expenses.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Deep understanding of payroll, including compliance, deductions, and retirement accounts and contributions.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Track record of identifying and implementing improvements to employee experience and benefits, as well as broader organizational culture.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Experience managing some combination of: direct reports, contractors, vendors.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and the ability to work effectively with the organization’s leadership, staff, and board of directors.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Ability to operate as both a tactical and strategic thinker, shifting between day-to-day execution and big-picture problem solving.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Demonstrated ability to anticipate challenges, take initiative, and develop effective solutions.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Strong organizational skills with experience operating in Google Drive, Slack, QuickBooks, Asana or similar software, and CRMs.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Ability to learn quickly, including adapting to technology and remote work systems.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.</span></p></li><li><p><span>If your experience and interests only match some of the above, we still want to hear from you! <em>There is room for the right candidate to grow into certain aspects of the role.</em></span></p></li></ul><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">Desirable</strong></span></p><ul><li><p><span>Deep commitment to SkyTruth’s mission and conservation causes.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Previous experience working remotely or in a globally distributed team.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Several years experience in HR, including legal compliance, performance management, and employee engagement.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Knowledge of state entity registration requirements and processes; understanding of charitable solicitation registration requirements.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Experience managing donor databases or CRMs.</span></p></li></ul><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">Compensation and Benefits</strong></span></p><p><span>This is a full-time salaried position with an expected salary range of $90,000 - $110,000 with final compensation depending on skills and experience. SkyTruth’s robust benefits package includes a retirement plan with generous company match, 4 weeks of paid vacation, ample sick leave, 12 paid holidays, a break between Christmas and New Year’s, and 100% covered health, vision, dental, disability, and life insurance for employees. Additionally, we offer a remote work stipend, a professional development stipend, and paid parental leave. We use HR policies to embrace and support a positive and productive remote work culture and want our team to live full lives outside of work.</span></p><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">Location</strong></span></p><p><span>SkyTruth is a fully remote organization working across multiple time zones, so working hours may vary according to geography as well as operational and personal needs. Candidates can be located anywhere in the United States and must be able to reliably accommodate meetings across North American time zones. The supervisor for this position is located in the Mountain Time Zone. Periodic domestic travel may be necessary, and mandatory in-person team retreats are typically held twice per year.</span></p><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Justice</strong></span></p><p><span>The staff and leadership of SkyTruth believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates are critical to our success as an organization. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. SkyTruth is an equal-opportunity employer. We hire and promote qualified professionals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees of SkyTruth and our partners, vendors, suppliers, and contractors.</span></p><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">Our Interview Process</strong></span></p><p><span>Candidates whose experience strongly aligns with the qualifications outlined above may be contacted by our recruiter for an initial conversation. Those selected to move forward will be invited to schedule a 60-minute interview with members of the operations team. This may be followed by a 1-2 hour take home exercise to demonstrate critical thinking and financial acumen. Candidates passing this stage will have an additional interview with the COO and other members of the SkyTruth leadership team. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as requested by candidates throughout all aspects of the selection process.</span></p><p><span><strong id="docs-internal-guid-10b8c471-7fff-7955-4eca-1eac8f657202">To Apply</strong></span></p><p><span>Please complete the application below. In your cover letter, please outline any combination of relevant experience and education that you’d like us to consider. Applications will be accepted until April 24, 2026 at 5pm EDT. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Durfee at Catalyst Talent (</span><a target="_blank" href="mailto:jamie@catalyst-talent.io"><span>jamie@catalyst-talent.io</span></a><span>).</span></p>

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Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...