Description

Description
ABOUT COMMON GROUND KENTUCKY/ACTION

Common Ground Kentucky and Common Ground Kentucky Action are dedicated to supporting and coordinating statewide power building through leadership development, shared strategy development, issue-based campaigns, and civic and voter engagement. We are guided by values of justice and racial equity and work with our partners to build multi-racial people-power grounded in a shared vision for a Commonwealth where everyone thrives.

Common Ground is a team of at least eight staff who support and coordinate our 40 partner organizations in achieving our 10-year Path to Power of building a base of 158,000 Kentuckians committed to disrupting the status quo via a combination of coordinated programs, convenings, one-on-one support, and training.

POSITION

Common Ground recognizes that to build the power we need for a thriving Kentucky, we need organized people, organized money, and organized infrastructure. The Finance & Operations Manager supports Common Ground’s finances, operations, human relations, and administration. The Finance & Operations Manager will work with the Director of Finance & Operations to maintain routine cycles of organizational administration and execute special projects. The Manager will also work with other team members on event planning, partner management, and fundraising management support as needed. 

The Finance & Operations Manager works with the Finance and Operations Director to strengthen the operational infrastructure supporting our coalition partners, including our growing work to develop shared operations that increase our collective impact. The Finance & Operations Manager will also ensure that our work is tracked and reported for stakeholders and relevant entities.

The Finance & Operations Manager reports to the Director of Finance and Operations. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Finance and Administration (40%)

• Perform routine financial activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, monthly reconciliations, and end-of-month reporting.
• Complete semi-monthly staff and vendor payroll.
• Record and maintain financial transactions in QuickBooks.
• Monitor cash flow and projections to help ensure adequate operational liquidity.
• Support the Director of Finance & Operations in coordinating the annual audit process, including liaising with external auditors and bookkeepers, providing requested documentation, and supporting the timely completion of audited financial statements and Form 990 filings.
• Support financial and electoral compliance tracking and reporting, including campaign and lobbying activities.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on fulfilling financial responsibilities across the organization.
• Support the Director of Finance & Operations with the annual budgeting process and the preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc financial reports and analyses to support fiscal oversight, development efforts, and board communications.
• Collaborate with Common Ground staff to maintain and update financial policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and alignment with organizational revenue and programmatic goals, processes, and values, including equity and inclusion.
• Assist with administering financial processes for fiscally sponsored programs, including budgeting and monthly financial reporting.

Human Resources and Operations (30%)

• Help streamline Common Ground’s organizational practices by documenting and implementing standard operating procedures and maintaining organizational systems, structures, and templates.
• Assist with human resources administration, including payroll and reimbursement processing, benefits administration, staff onboarding, and personnel documentation.
• Support staff technology and digital security in collaboration with the Digital Security Team and IT contractors, and manage organization-wide document retention processes.
• Manage organizational administration, including ordering supplies and equipment, providing administrative support to staff, coordinating logistics and materials for in-person staff meetings and retreats, managing subscriptions, and handling IRS, payroll, insurance, and other administrative notices.
• Support board coordination for scheduling meetings, coordinating logistics, and assisting with the preparation of materials for board meetings and retreats.

Partner Support (20%)

• Lead logistical planning for partner events, including securing venues and catering, coordinating event materials and supplies, supporting registration and participant communications, and managing on-site logistics such as vendors, volunteers, set-up, and tear-down.
• Manage accessibility and participation stipend processes, including approvals, processing, documentation, and tracking.
• Support regranting processes, including related documentation and financial administration.
• Support partner communications and recordkeeping, including responding to incoming inquiries and maintaining accurate partner records in the CRM.
• Help strengthen operational infrastructure within partner organizations by assisting with operations training, providing operations office hours, and supporting the development of shared operational systems and resources.
• Provide operational support to fiscally sponsored projects, including stipend processing and other programmatic administrative needs.
• Support programmatic leadership with organizational and program-level financial management.
• Review vendor contracts and related documentation to ensure financial terms are accurately reflected, and appropriate accounting structures are established for restricted grants.
• Provide program managers with guidance on the appropriate use and management of restricted grant funds.
• Provide monthly budget support to program managers, including reviewing individual program budgets and helping monitor spending against budget.
• Development Support (10%)
• Support the Development Director by preparing financial documentation for proposals and reports, assisting with gift solicitation and donor recordkeeping in the CRM, and preparing thank-you notes and year-end giving statements.
• Provide logistical and event-planning support for fundraising events and house parties.
• Proofread and provide administrative support for website content, newsletters, fundraising materials, and other development communications.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum

• Demonstrated commitment to our values and record of success working well alongside directly-impacted Kentuckians like Black communities and communities of color, women, working people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other oppressed communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to, and vision for, long-term power-building
• Lived experience that would inform Common Ground’s work throughout Kentucky
• Bachelor's degree, or similar level of experience, in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• 2-3+ years of experience in operations, finance, human resources, and/or office management, preferably in political, nonprofit, and/or grassroots organizations
• Experience supporting and working closely with staff and varying levels of experience to interpret financial data
• A positive attitude and concern for people, cultural humility, and good listening skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience with event planning
• Demonstrated competency in data entry and record keeping
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Willingness and aptitude to learn new technical skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Ability to manage several tasks/projects concurrently, with the initiative to achieve goals and effectively prioritize competing priorities
• Experience with QuickBooks Online or an equivalent accounting software
• Experience with Google Suite including Docs, Sheets, Drive or similar platforms
• Ability to travel within Kentucky, valid state driver’s license and a mode of transportation

Preferred

• Experience performing financial reporting for large grants
• Experience with database administration
• Working knowledge of Little Green Light or other donor CRM software
• Experience with 501c3 or 501c4 non-profit compliance
• Demonstrated writing and editing skills to communicate financial information to broader audiences
• Aptitude for systems thinking and financial analysis
• Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online or an equivalent accounting software
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and Google Drive

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary Range: $65,000-$70,000 depending on experience and potential. This is a full-time, permanent position based in Kentucky, that requires a willingness to occasionally work outside of normal business hours. We practice a 32-hour work week. Working days are Monday through Friday, with each employee having some flexibility in setting their hours. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan with 6% employer match, term life insurance, thirteen paid holidays, and three weeks paid vacation and three weeks paid sick days annually. 

LOCATION

Common Ground’s office is located near downtown Louisville, Kentucky. While the Manager is not required to live in Louisville and may work remotely, the role does require in-person work from the Louisville office on occasion to support office management, meeting coordination, and varying special projects. Occasional travel statewide will be required as needed by program plans.

HOW TO APPLY

If interested, please email your cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references to hiring@commongroundkyaction.org. In your cover letter, tell us why you are interested in this position at this organization and what skills and experience you would bring to the role. 

The deadline for consideration is November 15, 2026. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. The preferred start date for this position is January 19, 2027.

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Common Ground Kentucky Action is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where contributions are valued and celebrated, and our employees thrive by being themselves and are inspired to do the best work of their lives.

Common Ground Kentucky Action believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We seek applicants of all backgrounds and identities. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications, without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or parental status, sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, citizenship, physical or mental disability, military service, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established under law. Common Ground Kentucky Action will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with applicable laws. 

Justice-impacted applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may come from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet all of the qualifications described.

Common Ground Kentucky Action is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please inform hiring@commongroundkyaction.org.