Controller

Overview

Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work, and Travel:

·         This is an exempt, full-time position, and anticipated to run from approximately September 2025 through May 2026. This position may be extended based on organizational needs and for the right candidate.

·         This is a hybrid position, with regular onsite work 2-3 days per week.

·         Days in office are typically Wednesday and Friday.

·         Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.

·         Travel is not expected for this position.

Compensation Range: $108,160 – $143,590 annually

Benefits:

·         Holidays

·         Sick Time

·         Vacation

·         Medical, Dental, and Vision

·         Life Insurance

·         Long Term Disability Insurance

·         401k Retirement Plan

·         Employee Assistance Program

 

Job Summary:

The Controller is responsible for administering all aspects of The Marine Mammal Center’s accounting function, including revenue, expense, cash management, month end close, external audit, and annual tax return filings. The Controller leads a finance team in the day-to-day accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll operations, working closely with staff and management to provide timely, accurate financial information. This role ensures strong internal controls and implements systems and procedures to reduce risk, support audits, and enable effective program operations.

 

Essential Functions:

General Ledger & Accounting Management: 40%

·         Provide oversight of accounting and reporting systems to maintain accuracy, integrity, and compliance with GAAP and regulatory standards.

·         Manage day-to-day accounting operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, revenue recognition payroll, journal entries, and balance sheet reconciliations.

·         Oversee monthly close, producing and distributing timely financial statements within 10 days of month end.

·         Lead year-end close and coordinate external audits and tax filings, preparing supporting schedules, footnotes, and variance analyses.

·         Maintain internal controls for revenue, payments, and program budgets to mitigate risk.

·         Monitor cash balances and reconcile bank accounts and revenues monthly; perform quarterly balance sheet reconciliations.

·         Act as liaison with external auditors throughout the audit process, including preparation for the single audit and IRS Form 990 filings.

 

Internal Auditing Controls, Processes & Systems: 25%

·         Develop, implement, and maintain internal audit controls and financial processes in a dynamic organization.

·         Identify financial or operational issues, evaluate solutions, and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

·         Manage and optimize accounting systems; collaborate with vendors and internal stakeholders to implement new tools and processes.

·         Support budget preparation, forecasting, and financial reporting activities.

 

Leadership/Management: 10%

·         Provide strategic planning for department priorities and long-term operational needs.

·         Hire, train, mentor, and oversee finance team members; assign duties and monitor adherence to policies and procedures.

·         Address staff issues, approve timesheets, evaluate performance, and foster professional development.

·         Promote positive, collaborative team culture and ensure effective departmental communication.

·         Continuously assess and improve departmental processes to enhance operational efficiency.

 

Budget Management & Fundraising: 10%

Develop and manage budgets, monitor financial performance, and ensure alignment with organizational targets.
Approve and oversee departmental expenditures; analyze budget reports and recommend adjustments.
Support fundraising efforts by providing financial data, tracking budgets for projects, and assisting in donor stewardship related to departmental programs.
Collect and analyze financial data to inform strategic decision-making and resource planning.
Organizational Impact: 10%

·         Participate in organization-wide leadership initiatives and committees.

·         Collaborate with senior and executive management to align department goals with organizational strategic priorities.

·         Attend board and/or committee meetings as assigned.

 

Other Duties as Assigned: 5%

·         Perform special projects and research as assigned.

·         Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Supervisory Responsibility:

1 – Payroll and Accounting Specialist

1 – Senior Accountant

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·         Deep commitment to the mission and strategic priorities of The Marine Mammal Center.

·         Strong strategic thinking ability to understand strategic organizational issues and influence change.

·         Strong organizational leadership skills, with the ability to provide vision, prioritize short-term and long-term objectives and tasks.

·         Thorough knowledge of non-profit GAAP accounting processes and procedures.

·         Thorough knowledge of financial accounting packages and GL management best practices.

·         Demonstrated accounting skills, knowledge, familiarity and ability to use applicable technology and systems to meet work needs including account systems and other data platforms such as Financial Edge, Adaptive Insights, and Paylocity.

·         Demonstrated experience selecting and implementing financial systems.

·         Exceptional knowledge of internal controls for payroll cycle.

·         Expert knowledge of federal, multi-state, and local payroll tax laws and compliance with government regulations.

·         Expert experience working with federal, state, and local government grants and cooperative agreements.

·         High level of experience with creating and monitoring organizational budgets.

·         Exhibits a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality in handling and have access to sensitive information.

·         Ability to maintain a high level of customer service with internal and external customers, respond to questions in a timely manner, taking responsibility in a consistently generous and helpful way, while maintaining a positive attitude.

·         Strong leadership and managerial skills with the ability to effectively guide and motivate a team toward achieving shared priorities including experience building, leading, and coaching dynamic and diverse teams.

·         Proficient analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving abilities.

·         Proficient knowledge of project design, planning, implementation, and management principles and practices.

·         Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment, collaborating seamlessly with cross-functional colleagues to achieve shared project goals, while actively contributing ideas and fostering open communication.

·         Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate complex information both verbally and in writing, actively listening to diverse perspectives, delivering impactful presentations, and confidently facilitating productive group discussions to achieve desired outcomes.

·         Proficient skills using Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word) and videoconference technology (Slack, Teams, Zoom).

·         Experience working with budget, including tracking of expenses and revenue.

·         Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, which may include staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.

·         Ability to practice self-awareness and respect while engaging with staff, volunteers, training participants, and members of the public.

·         Willingness to support and participate in The Marine Mammal Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

 

Qualifications and Experience:

·         This position requires a combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; and 10 years of relative progressive accounting experience. Nonprofit sector experience is preferred. CPA license a plus.

·         Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or waiver (medical or religious).

 

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

·         This position operates in a professional office, laboratory, and hospital environment both indoors and outdoors with access to other parts of the facilities via outdoor pathways.

·         Routinely uses standard office equipment requiring repetitive motion in tasks.

·         Ability to work at a desk for extended periods using a computer.

·         Ability to work in an open cubicle office space environment with many distractions.

·         Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally.

·         Limited exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.

·         May involve smells associated with animals and the care of animals.

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment.  We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.

 

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

 

ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education.

 

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org

 

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

In your cover letter, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Tagged as: accounting, audit, controller, finance