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Free Press Indiana seeks a Vice President of Finance to oversee the fiscal management and financial planning & analysis for an ambitious nonprofit startup that is on a mission to close information gaps across the state. 

With almost $10 million raised for the organization so far and growing momentum in support for local news across Indiana, the VP of Finance will collaborate with the CEO and leadership team to set bold and enterprising growth goals, alongside managing the organization in a fiscally responsible and sustainable manner. The ideal candidate will be a proven and experienced leader with demonstrated analytical skills, have an understanding of the complexities startups and nonprofits face, and the ability to develop the strong financial systems necessary for Free Press Indiana to thrive. 

Free Press Indiana is a new nonprofit, statewide network of local newsrooms beginning with Mirror Indy, which serves Indianapolis area residents. Almost $10M has been raised so far from a dozen philanthropies and individuals to meet our mission to strengthen Indiana’s communities and preserve its democracy. The organization fills information gaps with original, community-based non-partisan local reporting free to all to read and works collaboratively with the Indiana news ecosystem until every Hoosier has the information they need.

In 2021, a steering committee of local journalism, community and business leaders worked with the American Journalism Project to conduct a comprehensive statewide research study, working with 27 community ambassadors around Indiana and collecting input through text messaging and online surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Through the study, more than 1,000 Hoosiers across 79 counties said they needed more unbiased, fact-based information about their communities. Out of those findings, a coalition of organizations in and around Indiana, local community leaders, and the American Journalism Project, partnered to launch Free Press Indiana. 

The organization, governed by a board that is representative of Indiana’s diverse communities, inclusive of race and ethnicity, gender, and political perspectives, is beginning by launching the robust 20-person newsroom Mirror Indy, facilitating investments in journalism outlets around the state, and fostering collaboration among Indiana outlets to amplify local journalism for all Hoosiers, especially underserved communities. It will have an innovative, community-focused structure, and work directly with residents to report on and elevate voices and stories from their own communities in addition to providing much-needed accountability and service journalism across critical topics. It will also house Indianapolis Documenters, a program that will train and pay residents to participate in news gathering. It will be sustained by a combination of philanthropy, membership, and sponsorships.

• Lead the preparation of timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis (including income statement, budget-to-actuals, balance sheet, and cash flow projections) to build the financial literacy of the team and help colleagues employ financial data to support sound decision making.
• Lead the preparation for regular board meetings and present financial reports to the board of directors.
• Lead the development of annual budgets, regular forecasting, and multi-year projections.
• Provide strategic financial input and leadership on decisions affecting the organization, such as evaluation of potential partnerships and providing solutions for organizational challenges; act as a key thought partner to the CEO.
• Oversee the organization’s cash and investment management approach in partnership with the board of directors and manage the organization’s banking relationships.
• Manage outsourced accounting firm.
• Coordinate external audit in partnership with our outsourced accounting firm and ensure compliance with all local, state and federal government regulations and other applicable laws and requirements governing grantmakers and charitable organizations.
• Ensure reconciliation on a monthly basis of revenue and cash goals, and ensure that all financial and other legal information required by donors and foundations is provided on a timely and accurate basis. Develop standard financial reports that can be shared externally with funders.
• Track and manage revenue from restricted and unrestricted grants, including appropriately releasing restricted funds against eligible expenses, tracking the fulfillment of conditions and milestones, and preparing grant utilization reports for funders.
• Develop a financial policies and procedures manual and implement ongoing recommendations for improving financial processes and internal controls.
• Develop a financial and budget model for managing newsroom expansion plans and a network of interconnected newsrooms across Indiana.
• Collaborate with the CEO, senior leadership team, and board in the leadership of Free Press Indiana’s strategic planning and finance processes.

Who you are

• Multiple years experience in a senior financial leadership role working closely with a CEO and board of directors, including a deep understanding of 501(c)(3) development and/or grantmaking processes and related financial and compliance issues.
• Work with integrity and grace under pressure - You are confident and assertive because of your deep understanding of business standards and sound risk assessment. You treat others respectfully. 
• Mission-oriented - You’re committed to our mission to advance democracy and improve the lives of all Hoosiers.
• Self-starter - You’re ready to experience startup life at work, and are ready to work hard.
• Multitasker - Your flexibility to move from task to task almost seamlessly is a must as we are ever-changing and adapting to improve our workflows.
• Ambitious and nice - You are passionate, positive and patient. You want you and your peers to achieve the biggest goals possible, and you foster a workplace where collective achievement is celebrated. 

• Salary: minimum $115,000, commensurate with experience
• Benefits: Full health benefits, including employee’s medical premium covered 100%; paid leave including the last week of the year for all staff, and 401K with a 4% match
• Training: $2,000 stipend toward outside training and professional development opportunities

We’re committed to building an inclusive organization that represents the people and communities we serve. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. Free Press Indiana is dedicated to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. We encourage people of all races, colors, national origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientations, and marital statuses to apply.

‍What to expect in the hiring process

‍We hope to fill this role as soon as possible, though the hiring process can typically take from a few weeks to a few months. We will do our best to communicate with you about timing expectations throughout the process. Candidates who advance to later rounds of this process can expect several interviews, including with a panel of community members. Semifinalists will be asked to complete a written assignment designed to help us understand your thinking and approach to the role, and you will be offered an optional prep session to ask any questions that will help you put your best foot forward in this process. We aim to truly get to know you, to help you fully understand the role you’re applying for.