Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Director, Partner Solutions Finance
at Sunflower Services, PBC
🏢 About Sunflower Services, PBC
Sunflower Services is a nonprofit-owned Public Benefit Corporation that uniquely combines operational excellence with a social mission, providing finance, HR, grants management, and compliance support to nonprofit and social impact organizations. Working here means you directly contribute to the success of mission-driven organizations, making a tangible difference in the social sector while enjoying the stability of a nonprofit-owned entity.
About This Role
As Senior Director, Partner Solutions Finance, you will serve as the senior finance lead for multiple partner nonprofit funds, offering strategic guidance to fund presidents and boards while overseeing compliance, audits, and treasury management. This role is impactful because you shape the financial health and sustainability of organizations that drive social change, and you lead a team dedicated to continuous improvement and client service.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with your finance team to review priorities and address any urgent issues from partner organizations. Mid-morning, you could join a board meeting for a partner fund to present financial results and strategic recommendations. Afternoons might involve reviewing compliance documentation, mentoring a direct report on a complex audit issue, and collaborating with the VP of Partner Solutions on process improvements.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Sunflower Services, PBC Is Looking For
- A CPA with 10-12+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including public accounting and deep exposure to nonprofit or multi-entity environments, who can navigate complex fund structures and regulatory requirements.
- A seasoned people leader with 5+ years managing teams, skilled in coaching, developing talent, and fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
- A strategic advisor who can translate financial data into actionable insights for executive leaders and boards, with experience presenting to non-financial stakeholders.
- A systems-thinker who has implemented or improved financial controls, processes, and technology to enhance efficiency and scalability in a service-oriented organization.
📝 Tips for Applying to Sunflower Services, PBC
Highlight your nonprofit or multi-entity experience explicitly in your resume summary and cover letter, emphasizing fund accounting, grant compliance, and OMB Circular guidance.
Quantify your leadership impact: e.g., 'Managed a team of 8, reducing month-end close from 15 to 10 days while improving accuracy by 20%.'
Tailor your application to show understanding of Sunflower's dual mission: operational excellence and social impact. Use language like 'public benefit' and 'partner organizations.'
Include specific examples of strategic financial guidance you've provided to boards or C-suite leaders, especially in a remote or multi-client context.
If you have experience with ERP systems common in nonprofits (e.g., NetSuite, Intacct, or Blackbaud), mention it prominently.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Emphasize your passion for supporting nonprofit missions through financial stewardship and your alignment with Sunflower's public benefit structure.", 'Showcase your ability to lead and develop teams in a remote environment, with concrete examples of coaching and performance management.', 'Demonstrate your experience with complex multi-entity financial operations, including audits, tax filings (Form 990), and treasury management.', "Explain why Sunflower's model of providing outsourced finance to nonprofits appeals to you, and how your background uniquely positions you to add value."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read about Sunflower Services' parent organization (the nonprofit owner) to understand the governance and mission alignment.
- → Review recent news or case studies on Sunflower's website about partner organizations they serve to grasp the impact of their work.
- → Familiarize yourself with the specific challenges of outsourced finance for nonprofits, such as grant fund accounting and restricted fund management.
- → Look up the company's leadership team on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds and the culture they promote.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't focus solely on for-profit experience without explicitly drawing parallels to nonprofit or multi-entity environments; the hiring team needs to see direct relevance.
- Avoid generic leadership statements; instead, provide specific examples of team size, development initiatives, and outcomes.
- Don't overlook the remote aspect; failing to address how you manage remote teams or work independently could be seen as a gap.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Sunflower Services, PBC!