Controller, Daya Houston

Position Title: Controller

Organization: Daya

Reports to: Executive Director

Position: Full-Time, On-site (with hybrid potential after probationary period)

Location: Houston, Texas

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000

About Daya

Daya is a culturally specific nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and educating the broader community to end the cycle of abuse. Rooted in survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and community-driven approaches, Daya provides services that honor culture, language, and lived experience as essential components of healing and safety.

Serving diverse communities, Daya offers a continuum of support designed to promote dignity, stability, and long-term well-being for survivors and their families. The organization works in close partnership with community organizations, funders, and systems partners to ensure access to responsive, equitable services while advocating for systemic change that addresses the root causes of violence.

Daya is recognized for its strong mission alignment, collaborative culture, and commitment to accountability and integrity. As the organization continues to grow in scale, complexity, and funding sources, it is strengthening its internal systems to support sustainable impact. The Controller will play a critical role in ensuring Daya’s financial infrastructure, compliance, and stewardship practices are aligned with its values and positioned to support long-term organizational health and mission success.

The Role

The Controller is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring the financial integrity, compliance, and long-term sustainability of Daya’s operations. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Controller serves as a strategic partner and trusted advisor, providing financial insight and stewardship to support informed decision-making and organizational stability.

This role oversees all aspects of financial management, including accounting, grants management, budgeting, audits, financial reporting, and internal controls. The Controller balances strategic planning with hands-on execution, ensuring that financial systems, processes, and controls are accurate, transparent, and aligned with funder requirements and best practices in nonprofit financial management.

As Daya continues to grow in scope and complexity, the Controller will play a key role in strengthening financial infrastructure and supporting organizational capacity. Working closely with leadership and staff across the organization, this role helps ensure that financial practices support high-quality, survivor-centered services while reinforcing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and mission-aligned stewardship.

Impact Areas

Financial Strategy, Planning, and Stewardship

• Serve as a strategic financial partner to the Executive Director, supporting organizational sustainability and growth
• Lead annual and multi-year budgeting processes aligned with strategic priorities and funding requirements
• Develop financial forecasting, scenario planning, and analysis to guide leadership decision-making
• Identify and manage financial risks; ensure compliance with all financial, legal, and regulatory standards
• Provide clear, timely financial reporting to the Executive Director and Board to support transparency and accountability

Grants Management, Compliance, and Audit Leadership

• Oversee all grant-related financial management, including pre- and post-award reporting and compliance
• Ensure adherence to funder requirements across government, foundation, and private grants
• Maintain and implement the organization’s Cost Allocation Plan and related fiscal policies
• Lead the annual organizational audit and all grant-specific audits, monitoring visits, and financial reviews
• Prepare financial components of grant proposals and funder reports in collaboration with program leadership

Accounting Operations and Internal Controls

• Oversee day-to-day accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll coordination, and cash management
• Ensure accurate, timely entry and reconciliation of all financial transactions
• Maintain strong internal controls, fiscal policies, and documented financial procedures
• Coordinate tax filings, 1099 preparation, and CPA engagement
• Monitor cash flow, account balances, and financial systems to ensure operational stability and integrity

Team Leadership, Systems, and Organizational Support

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and professional development to the Financial Coordinator
• Strengthen financial systems, workflows, and processes to support organizational efficiency and growth
• Promote cross-departmental collaboration and a culture of accountability and teamwork
• Serve as a financial resource to staff, leadership, and the Board
• Participate in leadership meetings, Board meetings, and professional development activities as requested

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong strategic and operational financial leadership skills in a nonprofit environment
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting, restricted and unrestricted fund accounting, and multi-fund environments
• Demonstrated expertise in grants management and compliance, including government, corporate, and foundation funding
• Proven ability to lead audits, budgeting processes, financial reporting, and compliance reviews
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and QuickBooks or comparable nonprofit accounting systems
• Ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for leadership and the Board
• Collaborative leadership style with strong communication and relationship-building skills
• High attention to detail, integrity, and accountability

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• CPA or CMA strongly preferred
• Minimum of 7–8 years of progressive accounting experience, including 3–5 years in a management or leadership role
• Experience overseeing audits, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, AP/AR, and internal controls
• Federal grant experience and familiarity with 2 CFR 200 / Uniform Guidance strongly preferred
• Experience supervising and developing finance staff and strengthening financial systems

Benefits

• Medical, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, with eligibility beginning on the first of the month following 90 days of employment; Daya covers 100% of the employee-only premium for life and AD&D insurance and 90% of the employee-only premium for employee-only health insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match of $0.50 on the dollar, up to 6% of the employee’s annual salary.
• All benefits, time off policies, and work location arrangements are subject to change based on agency budget and at the discretion of the Executive Director and Board.

To Apply

Daya has retained Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete the online application. For questions or accommodation requests, please contact the search team through Charity Search Group at .

Daya is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.