National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)

Associate Executive Director of Finance (AED Finance) 

(Chief Financial Officer) 
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) 
Full Time | Exempt | Reports to: Executive Director 
Compensation: $170,000-$200,000 Annually
Remote/Telecommute Position 

About NITA 

The National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) is a mission driven nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of advocacy in our nation’s courtrooms through practical, learning-by-doing education. NITA serves judges, lawyers, and law students nationwide and is widely respected for its impact, integrity, and commitment to excellence.  

The Opportunity 

NITA seeks an Associate Executive Director of Finance (AED Finance) to serve as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer. This is a senior, hands-on executive leadership role for a finance professional who pairs strong technical and operational mastery with collaborative, emotionally intelligent leadership.  

The AED Finance is a key strategic thought partner to the Executive Director and leadership team, ensuring that NITA and its Board of Trustees have clear, timely, and decision useful insight into financial performance, risk, and tradeoffs. This role leads all financial functions for both NITA and the NITA Foundation, while modeling a calm, respectful, solutions-oriented leadership style consistent with NITA’s values and culture.  

Core Responsibilities 

Technical & Functional Leadership 

The AED Finance leads and oversees all finance functions, including: 

• Organizational budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning range financial planning 

• Financial modeling and scenario analysis to support strategic decision making 

• Financial reporting, audits, tax filings, and regulatory compliance 

• Internal controls, risk management, and fiscal governance 

• Procurement and contract review 

• Investment oversight and financial stewardship 

• Financial operations and reporting for the NITA Foundation, including fundraising related financial management related financial management 

• Partner with external HR organization to manage state compliance and benefits 

The AED Finance ensures financial systems, processes, and controls are accurate, transparent, efficient, and scalable, and continuously evaluates tools and technologies that improve clarity, timeliness, and insight.  

Strategic Partnership & Board Engagement 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director on organizational strategy, financial health, and resource allocation 

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees to develop and execute financial strategies aligned with NITA’s mission and long-term sustainability term sustainability  

• Prepare and present clear, concise, decision-oriented financial materials for Board and committee meetings with oriented financial materials for Board and committee meetings.  

• Translate complex financial data into accessible insights for nonfinancial stakeholders 

Behavioral & Leadership Expectations 

NITA places high value on how work is done, not just outcomes. The AED Finance is expected to: 

• Lead with curiosity, respect, and composure, especially under pressure 

• Approach challenges with a constructive, solutions-oriented mindset-oriented mindset 

• Build strong cross functional partnerships and earn trust across departments functional partnerships and earn trust across departments 

• Communicate clearly, calmly, and transparently—especially during periods of uncertainty 

• Model integrity, accountability, and sound judgment 

• Support a healthy, sustainable leadership culture consistent with NITA’s values 

This role requires collaboration, sound judgment, and the ability to balance strategic leadership with hands on execution. 

Qualifications 

Required 

• Senior level financial leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit or mission driven organization level financial leadership experience 

• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, audit, and compliance 

• Experience overseeing foundation or fundraising related financial operations related financial operations 

• Proven ability to translate financial data into actionable insights for diverse audiences 

• Experience partnering with executive leadership and boards 

• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills 

Preferred 

• Familiarity with financial systems modernization and process improvement 

• CPA, MBA, or comparable advanced credential 

Why NITA 

• Mission driven work with national impact

• Collaborative, values-based culture 

• Leadership role with meaningful strategic influence 

• Flexible, people centered work environment centered work environment 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

NITA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.