Rescue Mission Alliance | VP Finance

About

Founded in 1972, Rescue Mission Alliance (RMA) is a Christ-centered nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty find hope and lasting transformation. What began as a single location on 6th Street in Oxnard has grown into a multi-site ministry serving communities across several counties in Southern California.

Through emergency services, recovery programs, and long-term rehabilitation initiatives, RMA provides a comprehensive continuum of care designed to help people move beyond immediate crisis toward stability and restored purpose. The organization’s compassionate presence, personalized services, and commitment to long-term transformation have made it a trusted leader in addressing the complex challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

While RMA is a Christ-centered organization, it is not a church. Instead, the organization partners closely with local churches across Southern California to support the spiritual nurturing and discipleship that are often essential to lasting life change.

Today, RMA operates with an annual budget of approximately $30 million and generates roughly $8 million in philanthropic support from a broad base of more than 18,000 donors. As the organization looks toward the future, RMA is preparing for significant ministry expansion, including a potential capital campaign to support the development of a new campus focused on serving women and children exiting trafficking.

Opportunity

Rescue Mission Alliance is seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Vice President of Finance to help guide the organization through its next season of growth and impact. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the VP of Finance will play a central role in shaping organizational strategy, strengthening financial and operational infrastructure, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of a ministry that serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California each year.

This role extends well beyond traditional financial stewardship. The VP of Finance will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team, helping evaluate growth opportunities, capital investments, operational improvements, and long-range planning initiatives. The organization is seeking a leader who can leverage financial and operational data to improve decision-making, strengthen accountability, and position the ministry for continued expansion and effectiveness.

The scope of the role is both broad and influential. In addition to leading the organization's finance and accounting functions, the VP of Finance will provide oversight for key operational areas, support strategic business and real estate decisions, strengthen organizational systems and processes, and help build the infrastructure necessary to support future growth.

For the right leader, this represents an opportunity to make a lasting impact on a mission-driven organization while helping steward and scale resources that directly support life-changing ministry. Rescue Mission Alliance values innovation, continuous improvement, collaboration, and servant leadership, creating an environment where a strong VP of Finance can help shape not only the organization's financial future, but also its ability to serve more people in need for years to come.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the VP of Finance serves as a strategic executive leader responsible for the financial stewardship, operational oversight, risk management, and long-range financial sustainability of the organization. The VP of Finance leads all financial activities including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow management, investments, capital planning, banking relationships, debt strategy, operational controls, mergers and acquisitions analysis, and data-informed decision-making.

The VP of Finance serves as a key strategic advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Finance Committee, Audit Committee, and Board of Directors. This role requires a modern, solutions-oriented finance leader who is tech savvy, data-driven, comfortable leveraging AI-enabled tools responsibly, and capable of translating financial and operational data into clear business recommendations.

Direct Reports Include: Controller, Sr. Accountant, Accounts Payable/Receivable

Key Responsibilities 

Executive Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Serve as a member of the RMA Executive Team, contributing to organization-wide strategic planning and operational leadership.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Finance Committee, Audit Committee, and Board of Directors on financial matters.
• Partner with Board leadership to provide financial education, planning, risk assessment, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop, communicate, and implement long-range financial and operational strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Support organizational growth initiatives, expansion objectives, and capital planning strategies.
• Provide strategic planning support, project valuation analysis, and implementation oversight.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives focused on operational effectiveness and organizational sustainability.
• Participate in special projects, organizational initiatives, and executive-level decision-making activities.
• Develop long-range operational objectives and organizational performance initiatives.
• Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams through growth, change, and organizational improvement.
• Use financial, operational, and performance data to identify opportunities for cost savings, revenue growth, process improvement, and stronger accountability.
• Model servant leadership and decision-making consistent with RMA’s Christian values and culture.
  

Finance & Accounting Leadership

• Oversee all accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial management, and financial reporting activities.
• Direct all activities of the Accounting Department including:
• General ledger management
• Financial statements and balance sheet oversight
• Accounts payable and receivable
• Tax filings and compliance
• Bank deposits, transfers, and cash management
• Asset inventory and financial audits
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Develop and implement financial and operational policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Lead annual and project budget development processes.
• Oversee working capital management, balance sheet management, and debt management activities.
• Manage financing procurement, banking relationships, and credit facility negotiations.
• Develop capital investment proposals and evaluate financial performance metrics.
• Develop financial dashboards, key performance indicators, and reporting tools that support timely executive and Board-level decision-making.
• Evaluate and implement appropriate finance technology, automation, AI-assisted workflows, and business intelligence tools to improve accuracy, efficiency, and visibility.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and nonprofit financial standards.
• Oversee annual audits, plan analysis, and related fiduciary responsibilities.
• Support profit maximization, operational efficiency, value-added analysis, and business process improvements.
• Strengthen procurement, vendor management, contract review, and expense controls across the organization.
• Ensure responsible use of financial systems, data, and AI tools with appropriate confidentiality, data security, and internal control safeguards.
• Lead financial due diligence and project leadership for mergers, acquisitions, and organizational partnerships.
• Manage organizational investments, real property acquisitions, leasing activities, and divestitures.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Lead enterprise risk management strategies and governance oversight.
• Oversee contract approvals.
• Ensure organizational compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Maintain strong internal control environments and financial accountability standards.
• Support data privacy, cybersecurity awareness, financial system controls, and responsible technology practices related to finance and operations.
• Monitor emerging nonprofit finance, compliance, technology, and risk management best practices for 2026 and beyond.

Operational Oversight

Leadership & Supervision

• Provide leadership and oversight to Accounting, Finance, Auto Donations and related operational teams.
• Supervise direct reports including leadership positions such as Controller and Auto Donations.
• Recruit, train, mentor, develop, and evaluate staff performance.
• Promote a culture of integrity, professionalism, collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Maintain strong working relationships with employees, leadership teams, ministries, donors, vendors, financial institutions, auditors, and community partners.
• Serve as a relational, approachable, and public-facing executive who builds trust with staff, leadership, Board members, high-capacity donors, churches, and external partners.
• Lead with energy, initiative, and a growth mindset rather than maintaining the status quo.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• Current CPA certification preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of senior finance and leadership experience required.
• Minimum three (3) to five (5) years of nonprofit finance, accounting, operations, or executive leadership experience preferred.
• Strategic leadership experience with demonstrated ability to build and/or lead teams through growth, change, or organizational improvement.
• Deep alignment with RMA’s Christian values, mission, and culture; committed Christian in good standing with a local church preferred.
• Highly relational, outgoing, and comfortable serving in a public-facing executive role with staff, Board members, high-capacity donors, vendors, churches, and community partners.
• Tech savvy, data-driven, performance-oriented, and comfortable using AI tools and modern finance technology responsibly.
• Growth-oriented mindset with the ability to improve systems, challenge the status quo respectfully, and support sustainable organizational expansion.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of GAAP principles, nonprofit financial standards, internal controls, and audit practices.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, restricted funds, donor-designated funds, grants, budgets, audits, and compliance preferred.
• Demonstrated management and supervisory experience with the ability to recruit, train, mentor, develop, and evaluate staff performance.
• Strong strategic planning, analytical, operational leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and organizational priorities simultaneously.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong background using accounting, ERP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and operational software systems.
• Comfortable adopting and responsibly using AI tools to support financial analysis, reporting, forecasting, workflow automation, process improvement, and executive communication.
• Ability to build, interpret, and present dashboards, KPIs, financial models, and performance reports for leadership and Board-level decision-making.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Microsoft 365 tools.
• Experience with payment processing, procurement, workflow automation, donor or operational reporting platforms, and business intelligence tools preferred.
• Experience with Sage Intacct preferred.
• Experience with MineralTree preferred.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity awareness, data privacy, confidentiality, and internal controls related to financial systems, AI tools, and organizational data.

Work Schedule and Location

This position is based in Oxnard, California. Hybrid flexibility may be considered for the right candidate with an expectation of regular in-office presence and travel throughout the organization’s service region.

 

Physical Demands

 

This role requires extended periods of working at a desk, computer, and in meetings, along with travel to donor meetings, ministry sites, events, and community functions.

 

Work Environment

 

This position primarily functions in an office environment but also requires regular presence at ministry locations, donor events, and community settings.

 

Salary & Benefits

 

Compensation for the VP of Finance includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience ($160,000-$190,000) and an excellent package of employee benefits which includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, professional development, leave and holidays.

 

To Apply

 

Interested applicants should send a resume and a statement of interest to Ryan Rasmussen, Recruiter at rrasmussen@thinkingahead.com.

Rescue Mission Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, creed, sex, age, disability or medical condition, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Rescue Mission Alliance focuses on ability, training, and performance when taking employment actions. This commitment to providing equal opportunity encompasses all employment phases, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment except as provided by law. Similarly, salaries, wages, further compensation, insurance programs, retirement programs, and other benefits and privileges of employment are administered in conformity with this policy. Rescue Mission Alliance’s objective is to hire individuals qualified for employment positions by job-related standards of education, training, and experience. As a faith-based organization, Rescue Mission Alliance also requires staff members to adhere to the Christian Code of Conduct located within our Employee Manual. In compliance with federal, state, and local statutes, Rescue Mission Alliance posts all current state and federal notifications required by state and federal law which contain information for employees about their workplace rights in a place accessible to all employees.