Finance Director

Finance Director (Non-Gaming Enterprises)

Cowlitz Economic Authority (CEA)

Location: Cowlitz Reservation (hybrid role)

Type: Full time, Exempt

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: In addition to a competitive benefits package, salary negotiations will start at $140,000 based on the selected candidate’s experience.

Summary

CEA is building a diversified, resilient economy for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe through the growth and management of enterprises. The Finance Director will oversee accounting operations and lead financial strategies across these businesses (excluding the casino and CTGA managed gaming operations) to ensure strong controls, transparent reporting, and data driven decisions that advance CEA’s mission.

This role includes a structured mentorship pathway designed to develop enrolled Cowlitz Tribal members toward promotion.

Examples of current non-gaming enterprises include the CEA, Q’anápsu LLC, and Cowlitz Tobacco Outlet.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Collaborate with the CEO and business leaders to set multiyear financial plans, capital allocation priorities, and enterprise level KPIs; lead rolling forecasts and scenario modeling.
• Evaluate new venture pro formas and investment analysis; advise on return thresholds consistent with CEA’s Investment Policy framework.

Accounting Operations & Controls

• Responsible for coordinating with the accounting staff for the monthly closing for each business unit (GL, AP/AR, payroll, fixed assets), consolidations, and intercompany eliminations.
• Work with Accounting staff to document and monitor internal controls.
• Coordinate with Accounting staff to prepare accurate, timely financial statements and management dashboards, present results to leadership and Board.

Compliance, Audit, & Policy

• Coordinate to ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state, local, compact and tribal requirements; coordinate external audits.
• Support policy development at CEA and within all businesses.
• Uphold CEA’s Conflict of Interest Policy and maintain finance SOPs aligned to CEA governance under Title 29 of the Cowlitz Tribal Code.

Planning, Budgeting & Cash Management

• Lead annual budgeting for each enterprise and consolidated operations, track variances.
• In coordination with CTGA financial leadership, manage cash positioning, banking relationships, and covenant awareness; support draw planning and reporting.

Business Partnering & Decision Support

• Provide unit economics, pricing analyses, and margin improvement plans to operational leaders.
• Build executive ready materials that translate financial performance into operational actions.

Systems & Data

• Drive adoption and optimization of accounting/ERP tools and reporting automation; steward data quality standards.

Mentorship Pathway (Tribal Member Development)

CEA is committed to developing enrolled Cowlitz Tribal members for leadership in finance. The Finance Manager will develop the department:

• Recruit, coach, and supervise Tribal member analysts/accountants through a formal curriculum.
• Create individualized development plans with defined competencies and rotations.
• Partner with HR to deliver quarterly workshops and capstone projects aligned to promotion criteria for Finance Director/CFO tracks.

Tribal Member Preference applies. A dedicated mentorship cohort and advancement pathway are available to enrolled Cowlitz Tribal members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Finance, Accounting, or related field; MBA, CFA, CPA, or CMA preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive finance experience, including multi-entity environments.
• Demonstrated ownership of monthly close, audit coordination, budgeting/forecasting, and financial modeling.
• Proven ability to build financial processes and controls in growing enterprises.
• Strong communication skills; able to brief executives and the Board.

Preferred Experience

• Enterprise finance in Tribal, government, or mission driven organizations.
• New venture evaluation and capital planning within an investment policy framework.
• Implementation of ERP/accounting systems and business intelligence reporting tools.

Leadership & Competencies

• Integrity and stewardship; commitment to CEA’s mission and community impact.
• Builder’s mindset – process design, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Collaborative partner across operations, HR, legal, banking, and audit.
• Mentorship and training capability with a passion for developing Tribal talent.

Work Environment

• Hybrid office/travel to enterprise sites; occasional evening or weekend Board engagement.
• Travel for conferences, like NCAI, IGA, NAFOA, ANTI for purposes of education, networking, and supporting other CEA Board Members and Staff in attendance.
• The role does not include direct financial oversight of the casino or CTGA gaming operations; however, review and coordination may be required.

Compliance & Ethics

• Adheres to CEA policies, including the Conflict of Interest Policy and Procurement standards.
• Maintains confidentiality and data security across all financial systems.

Background Investigation Requirements

• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience; includes professional development support for finance leadership pathways.

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter detailing experience across multi entity accounting and finance strategy, along with a statement of interest in mentoring. Candidates who are enrolled Cowlitz Tribal members are encouraged to indicate enrollment for Tribal Member Preference consideration.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code shall apply to all positions.