Careers

The North Carolina Justice Center is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunity and protecting the rights of low-income individuals in North Carolina. For almost 30 years, the NC Justice Center has been on the front lines in the courts, at the legislature, in the media, and in communities advocating for positive changes for low-income and working North Carolinians. We hold government agencies, institutions, and other actors accountable to address the root causes of racism. We have produced major research reports that have influenced important public policy change in North Carolina. The NC Justice Center has played a primary role in most of the state’s major policy debates and successfully litigated hundreds of individual cases and class actions.

Director of Finance

Click here to apply
Upon request, The North Carolina Justice Center will provide reasonable accommodation for all candidates with disabilities.
Location: Hybrid (Raleigh, NC)
Project/Department: Finance
Reports to: Executive Director
Group Number: (union positions only)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Union Status: Non- Union
Supervises: Accounting Manager
Hiring Range Salary: $120,000-$126,000

Overview
The North Carolina Justice Center (NCJC) is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunity and protecting the rights of low-income individuals and communities in North Carolina. For over 29 years NCJC has worked across policy, legal, and community platforms to address poverty and systemic inequities through legislative advocacy, litigation, public education, and coalition building.

The Director of Finance is responsible for the oversight and management of all financial functions within the NC Justice Center and directs the financial planning and accounting practices for the organization. Specifically, the Director of Finance will ensure the preparation and maintenance of financial records and reports; demonstrated, strong leadership skills reflected in management of Finance and Accounting staff and working collaboratively with other staff including grant management and development staff; customer-service oriented; understands the roles/responsibilities to support the team and key functions ; ensuring adherence to general accounting practices and legal compliance with IRS regulations, tax laws, state and federal laws, and filing and registration requirements; management of grants accounting and payments; proactive leadership of staff to function as a high performing team, across the organization’s functions; and adherence to the Union Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Director of Finance works closely with the Executive Director and other senior management staff to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the organization, develop necessary policies and procedures, support the work of the Justice Center staff and to fulfill the organization’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior management to develop and manage the organizational budgets for the NCJC.
  • Collaborate with six Project Directors to develop and manage project budgets and regularly provide preliminary budgets and regular budget-to-actual expense updates to Project Directors to support planning and execution.
  • Establish effective financial planning, analysis, and measurement techniques, and lead the development of financial reporting, business plans, and forecasts for the organization.
  • Ensure monthly, quarterly, and annual close tasks are completed for accurate and timely financial statements.
  • Coordinate the annual budget process and track performance against the annual budgets.
  • Continue to improve finance systems in tandem with the Director, Gifts, Endowment, and Communication, Director, Advocacy and Advancement, Director, Litigation, and Project Directors to coordinate and track 50+ grants budgeting, reporting, and rolling forecasts.
  • Grant Financial Compliance and Monitoring that include monitoring the expenditures against grant budgets to ensure compliance with funder restrictions; coordinate with the development staff to prepare financial components of grant proposals, renewals, and reports; develop spending projections; identify potential underspending or overspending risks and provide recommendations.
  • Provide proactive and regular financial reporting and budgetary status information to the Executive Director, management staff and the Board, and Union co-chairs as needed to effectively manage the organization.
  • Provide reporting and information as needed to help staff understand the financial implications of the Justice Center’s operations and programmatic decisions with respect to the Union’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  • Review and approve expenditures to ensure budget compliance and efficient use of funds. Ensure compliance with financial terms of all grants and contracts
  • Ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting practices, IRS regulations governing non-profits, and follow all other laws, rules, and regulations.
  • Conduct monthly variance analysis, identify, and implement opportunities for expense management and other cost saving initiatives.
  • Oversee the management and coordination of all fiscal reporting activities for the organization including organizational revenue/expense and balance sheet reports, reports to funding agencies, development, and monitoring of organizational and contract/grant budgets.
  • Oversee accounts payable process and maintain necessary vendor information.
  • Oversee the development and operation of financial software systems for the organization.
  • Monitor banking activities of the organization and assume primary responsibility for relationships with all financial institutions.
  • Oversee financial aspects of the organization’s employee benefit plans, including employee retirement plan.
  • Prepare and submit government filings and reports including, but not limited to, the charitable solicitation license, sales tax refunds, etc.
  • Work with the Director of Human Resources to oversee all payroll activities for the organization.
  • Manage the annual independent financial audit, including preparation of schedules, coordination with auditors, and implementation of audit recommendations.
  • Develop and monitor organizational financial standards and operational policies and procedures.
  • Supervise, train, and mentor the finance staff and other support staff engaged in financial operations.
  • Continue to develop investment policy and strategy recommendations for the Board and the Executive Director.
  • Participate in providing organizational finance updates, quarterly to the Finance Committee, and Board meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:
1. CPA with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Accounting, Finance, Business Administration) or equivalent professional training.
2. Prior experience as a Manager or Director of Finance.
3. At least seven years of experience in financial management of non-profits.
4. At least seven years of experience with organized grants coordination processes and procedures.
5. Experience and proficiency using complex financial management software programs, such as Blackbaud Financial Edge or comparable financial management systems with fund accounting functionality.
6. Substantial knowledge and experience with financial management of private foundation grants.
7. Demonstrated knowledge and mastery of accounting practices including GAAP.
8. Experience as a full charge accountant including responsibility for general ledger, monthly closing, cash flow management and budget creation, analysis and creation and generation of range of financial reporting.
9. Supervisory and managerial experience of financial staff.
10. Demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice and applied understanding and commitment to racial/ethnic diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
11. MS Office proficiency, Excel expertise.
12. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
13. Strong oral and written communications skills.

Preferred Qualifications:
1. CPA with a Master’s degree in a related field (Accounting, Finance, Business Administration) or equivalent professional training.
2. Prior experience as a non-profit Director of Finance.
3. At least seven years of experience in financial management of non-profits with multi-issue areas that require organized grants coordination processes and procedures.
4. Working experience with complex financial management software programs, specifically with Blackbaud Financial Edge.
5. Substantial knowledge and experience with financial management of private foundation grants.
6. Experience as a full charge accountant including responsibility for general ledger, monthly closing, cash flow management and budget creation and analysis, and creation and generation of range of financial reporting.

Physical Requirements
The employee should have the ability to maintain focus and productivity while performing at a workstation for prolonged periods, including working on a computer, managing documents, or engaging in virtual meetings.

Work Environment
Hybrid work environment, including home and office.

Benefits

  • Six weeks paid time off annually
  • Paid parental leave and holidays
  • Employer contributions to a 403(b)-retirement plan
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Flexible spending and health savings account options

 Equal Opportunity
The NC Justice Center is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, citizenship, military service, genetic information, natural hairstyles, or any protected status. We are a Fair Chance Employer and strive to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal records.

Staff Attorney, Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project

Click here to apply.
Upon request, The North Carolina Justice Center will provide reasonable accommodation for all candidates with disabilities.
Location: Hybrid (Raleigh, NC)
Department: Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Job Title: Staff Attorney
Reports to: Project Director of Immigrant and Refugee Rights
FLSA Status: exempt
Union Status: Union
Job Group: Group 6
Supervises: none
Updated Salary: $73,980 to $86,553
Overview: The North Carolina Justice Center (NCJC) is a progressive research and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding opportunities and protecting the rights of low-income individuals and communities in North Carolina. For over 29 years, NCJC has worked across policy, legal, and community platforms to address poverty and systemic inequities through legislative advocacy, litigation, public education, and coalition building. The Staff Attorney for the Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project works closely with community members, local, state, and national-level partners and other NCJC advocates to advance systemic change in immigrants’ and refugees’ rights in North Carolina through a combination of individual representation, impact litigation, community outreach, and policy advocacy. This position will maintain a practice that primarily involves representing individuals in Immigration Court as well as before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but could incorporate cross-program work as needed. The attorney will serve as a resource for advocates and partners across the state, including private attorneys, nonprofits, and government agencies. Finally, the staff attorney will engage in collaboration with community and advocacy groups to support a collective mission to eliminate poverty and promote justice in North Carolina.

Key Responsibilities

  • Work collaboratively with other Justice Center Attorneys to provide legal assistance and direct representation to immigrants in all relevant forums, including state and federal courts, and administrative agencies. This will include immigration legal matters, representing clients before the USCIS, immigration courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The Attorney may also participate in impact litigation under supervision or in collaboration with other Attorneys.
  • Conduct as needed community education and presentations on immigration law and immigrants’ rights issues and conduct legal clinics.
  • Collaborate with other Justice Center staff to address systemic issues facing immigrants and refugees.
  • Maintain regular case logs of all clients related work in case management database system.
  • Other duties may be assigned to meet the Justice Center’s needs.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Three to five years representing immigrants in immigration matters, including in immigration court.
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work independently, ability to meet deadlines.
  • Strong legal writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.
  • Highly proficient in written and spoken Spanish and English.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and 365 Suite.
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice, ability to recognize the barriers facing immigrant communities, and experience working with low-income individuals.
  • Demonstrated commitment to racial equality.
  • Some travel, evening, and weekend work is required.

Certifications/Licenses Required

  • J.D. and admitted to a State Bar

Physical Requirements

The employee should have the ability to maintain focus and productivity while performing sedentary tasks at a workstation for prolonged periods, including working on a computer, managing documents, or engaging in virtual meetings.

Work Environment

This role involves a combination of remote work, in-office work at NCJC’s Raleigh headquarters, and occasional offsite travel for vendor selection, meetings, or community events. Some evening and weekend availability may be requested depending on casework or community needs.

Benefits

  • Six weeks paid time off annually
  • Paid parental leave and holidays
  • Employer contributions to a 403(b)-retirement plan
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Disability and life insurance
  • Flexible spending and health savings account options
  • Part of the collective bargaining unit

The North Carolina Justice Center is an equal opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer:

The NC Justice Center is is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, natural hair styles, or other status as protected by State and Federal laws. We are a Fair Chance Employer and work to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal records. It is our intention to promote the full realization of equality in opportunity and employment.