Finance Director - Business Operations Finance

Vision
The leading Producer Responsibility Organization implementing the circular economy through paper and packaging 

Mission
CAA helps producers comply with EPR laws, delivers harmonized best-in-class services, and works with governments, businesses, and communities to reduce waste and increase recycling. 

CAA Values - ACTIvE 

• Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and decisions, always striving to do what’s right.
• Collaboration: We believe in the power of teamwork and actively seek opportunities to work together towards common goals.
• Trust: We foster an environment of trust where open communication and transparency are values.
• Innovation: We encourage and embrace new ideas to continuously improve and find better solutions. 
• Empowerment: We provide the tools, resources, and support necessary for our employees to excel in their roles and grow professionally. 

Background 

Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a 501(c)3, is poised to be a leader in changing how packaging is designed, responsibly managed and given a second life in a circular economy. CAA became the first U.S. Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for paper and packaging in 2022, and in less than a year was selected by California, Colorado, and Oregon to represent producers and meet the requirements of their laws. The organization is poised to deliver best-in-class compliance services, scale innovation, and build systems that help both companies and consumers waste less and recycle more in these states, and in other states that have passed or will pass EPR laws in the future.  

Working with CAA presents an opportunity to be on the front edge of recycling system innovations that will have a meaningful and lasting impact. As a member of the CAA team, you will support the organization’s mission-driven work with our Founding Members who are leaders in the food, beverage, consumer goods, and retail industries; companies (“producers”) whose packaging will be managed under these new laws; and a diverse array of stakeholders whose collaboration will be critical to delivering on the requirements of U.S. EPR laws and creating a circular economy for paper and packaging. We are looking for passionate, mission-driven, big thinkers to help us realize the full potential of the nation’s first EPR laws. 

Role Overview 

The Finance Director – Business Operations Finance will be directly accountable for overseeing various elements within Business Operations Finance including responsibilities for State Budgets and Reporting, Investment Analysis and Business Goals planning and tracking.  

Key Responsibilities 

Financial Management, Budgeting, and Planning: 

• Ownership of the State Operating and State Program Budgets (process owner) in partnership with the State EDs (who retain operational ownership and accountability). 
  • Manage the State Annual operating budget and be a partner to the State EDs to identify trends, perform budget analysis and ensure operational needs are met
  • Manage the State Program Operations budget. Lead the 2026 State Program Budget development (as part of the 2026 Annual Operating Plan process). Identify the areas of investment and cost forecast for 2026 that will enable fee setting
  • Prepare monthly financial statements and engage the State EDs for information and decision making and make recommendations to meet stated financial and operational goals
  • Work with other team members to ensure forecasts reflect best available information
  • Monitor financial performance by measuring and analyzing results, initiating corrective actions, and minimizing the impact of variances.
  • Develop the 3-year operating budgets and plans including reserve fund forecasts that align with the strategic plan of the states
• Assist in developing the Material Investment budgets for each of the states for 2026 and the 3-yr Material Investment program in coordination with the VP of Materials Services 
• Support critical workstreams including producer fees that impact the income for the organization. 

Policies, Procedures, Systems and Controls: 

• Assist in developing finance and operational policies, practices, and systems that align with the organization’s mission, values, and goals, and comply with applicable laws and regulations and ensure an effective implementation.
• Assist in developing, testing and implementation of additional functionalities in Workday Financials to streamline accounting and financial operations
• Develop investment analysis standards for CAA that guide where, how and what sort of investments CAA can and should fund in furtherance of CAA’s mission/vision/objectives. 

Cash Management:  

• Cash Flow forecasting in partnership with Central Treasury to ensure State Programs have sufficient cash availability to pay for obligations whilst ensuring CAA minimizes risk and maximizes value.

State Contract Analysis and Management:  

• Support in the State Service Provider Contracting process including contract analysis (language, financial process, reimbursement process, claim verification process)
• Participate in the evaluation of the state RFP processes to ensure maximum value to CAA
• Assist in state service provider contract execution and management including performance evaluations
• Lead the financial planning for all state investments

Adhoc Financial and Operational Support:  

• Provide adhoc/’flow-to-the-work’ financial and operational support to CAA’s Finance & Procurement teams for any adhoc responsibilities that may arise
• Other job-related duties as assigned 

Skills & Competencies 

• Experience in large, complex, matrixed organization is a must
• Experience in nonprofit highly valued
• Experience in Business Operations Finance including experience in working, designing and leading financial planning & budgeting/forecasting including experience in leading and developing long term strategic planning 
• Strong collaborative and communication skills
• Must have demonstrated experience in Learning Agility
• Experience with creating, analyzing and reporting to management
• Experience with Workday Financials highly preferred. In absence of Workday Financials, candidate must have strong experience across other financial systems and must demonstrate ability to quickly understand and master Workday Financials.  
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and identify actionable insights.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and compliance.
• Ability to build, develop, lead and engage strong teams, with direct or indirect reporting lines including remote employees. 
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment for rapid pace and with flexibility. Ideally understand and adapt to the startup nature of CAA. 

Qualifications 

•  Advanced degree in Accounting or Finance.
• At least 10 years of finance & business planning experience.

Compensation & Other Information 

• Location: Fully Remote 
• Compensation: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law, including the successful candidate's relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and work location. 
• Reports To: CFO

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org listed below.