Vice President Finance

VP of Finance

Rescue Mission Alliance

Help shape the financial future of a growing nonprofit that's transforming lives across Southern California through strategic leadership, innovation, and servant-hearted stewardship.

About Rescue Mission Alliance

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 in Oxnard has grown into a multi-site ministry serving communities across Southern California.

Through emergency services, recovery programs, and long-term rehabilitation initiatives, RMA provides a comprehensive continuum of care that helps people move beyond crisis toward stability and restored purpose. While RMA is a Christ-centered organization, it partners with local churches to provide spiritual support and discipleship rather than functioning as a church itself.

Today, RMA operates with an annual budget of approximately $30 million and receives roughly $8 million in philanthropic support from more than 18,000 donors. As the organization prepares for significant growth—including a potential capital campaign supporting a new campus serving women and children exiting trafficking—this is an exciting time to join the leadership team.

The Opportunity

Rescue Mission Alliance is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking Vice President of Finance to help guide the organization through its next chapter of growth and impact.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the VP of Finance will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership while shaping financial strategy, strengthening operational infrastructure, and supporting long-term organizational sustainability.

This role extends well beyond traditional finance leadership. The VP of Finance will oversee accounting and financial operations while helping evaluate capital investments, operational improvements, organizational growth initiatives, and long-range planning. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, data-driven executive who leverages technology and financial insights to improve decision-making and organizational effectiveness.

Reports To

Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports

Controller, Senior Accountant, Accounts Payable/Receivable

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Strategy

• Serve on the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy and operational leadership.
• Partner with the CEO, Board, Finance Committee, and Audit Committee on financial planning, risk assessment, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop long-range financial and operational strategies supporting organizational growth and sustainability.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve operational effectiveness and organizational performance.
• Evaluate financial and operational data to identify opportunities for cost savings, revenue growth, and process improvements.
• Model servant leadership consistent with RMA's Christian mission and values.

Finance & Accounting

• Lead all accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow, and financial management activities.
• Oversee general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, tax compliance, audits, banking relationships, investments, debt management, and capital planning.
• Develop budgets, financial dashboards, KPIs, and executive reporting tools.
• Strengthen internal controls, financial policies, procurement practices, vendor management, and operational efficiencies.
• Evaluate and implement finance technology, automation, AI-enabled workflows, and business intelligence tools.
• Lead financial due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and real estate transactions.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.

Risk Management & Operations

• Lead enterprise risk management and financial governance.
• Maintain strong internal controls and regulatory compliance.
• Support cybersecurity awareness, responsible AI usage, and financial data security.
• Monitor emerging nonprofit finance and technology best practices.

Leadership

• Lead and develop Accounting, Finance, and Auto Donations teams.
• Recruit, mentor, coach, and evaluate staff while fostering collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Build strong relationships with leadership, ministries, donors, churches, vendors, financial institutions, auditors, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA preferred.
• Five or more years of senior finance leadership experience.
• Three to five years of nonprofit finance, accounting, operations, or executive leadership experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational growth, change, and high-performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, audits, internal controls, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Experience with restricted funds, grants, donor-designated funds, and nonprofit compliance preferred.
• Strategic, analytical, and operational leadership skills.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable leveraging AI tools and modern finance technology responsibly.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and executive presentation skills.
• Highly relational leader with deep alignment to RMA's Christian mission and values; active Christian in good standing with a local church preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Experience with ERP, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial systems.
• Ability to build dashboards, KPIs, financial models, and Board-level reporting.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 proficiency.
• Experience with Sage Intacct, MineralTree, business intelligence tools, and workflow automation preferred.
• Working knowledge of cybersecurity, data privacy, and financial system controls.

Location

Based in Oxnard, California. Hybrid flexibility may be considered for the right candidate, with regular in-office presence and travel throughout Southern California.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $160,000–$190,000
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, retirement, professional development, paid leave, and holiday benefits.

To Apply

Rescue Mission Alliance has retained ThinkingAhead Executive Search to lead this search.

Ryan Rasmussen

Recruiter, ThinkingAhead Executive Search

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Rescue Mission Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and organizational needs, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. As a faith-based organization, employees are expected to adhere to the Christian Code of Conduct outlined in the Employee Manual.