Senior Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis

Overview

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Bozeman, Montana; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.

 

NRDC is seeking a Senior Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis to work with the Finance team in our New York office.

 

Position Summary

 

The Financial Planning and Analysis Team is part of the Accounting and Finance Department, which reports to the Chief Financial Officer. The team is responsible for i) the development of annual budgets and multi-year forecasts to support strategic decision making and resource allocation across the organization for both NRDC (c3) and NRDC Action Fund (c4) and ii) the enhancement of NRDC’s existing financial management framework, processes, and tools to meet the organization’s evolving needs. In addition, the team provides ongoing reporting and analysis of NRDC’s operating results to the Executive team and the Board of Trustees, and monitors and manages budget variances, liquidity position, and cash flows.

 

In addition to financial management functional expertise, the ideal candidate should have change management experience, a continuous improvement mindset, and a stakeholder engagement, solution-driven orientation to help drive NRDC’s increasing focus on more strategic, data-driven decision-making, risk management and predictive analysis and the alignment of resource allocation with strategic priorities.

 

Responsibilities

Financial Planning and Forecasting

• Maintain financial models to project future financial performance, including budgets and forecasts. 
• Update long-range institutional financial forecasts and cash flow projections in the context of the macro environment, fundraising trends, and the organization’s operating performance. Identify trends and corrective actions as needed.

Analysis and Reporting

• Analyze financial data, identify trends, and prepare management reports and variance analyses to produce actionable insights for senior leadership. Conduct various sensitivity and scenario analyses as required.
• Support the Managing Director in preparing financial presentations for senior leadership, board meetings, donors, and grant funders.
• Work with Accounting to ensure accurate and timely month-end close and alignment between actuals and forecasts.

Budgeting and Variance Analysis

• Assist with execution of annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes throughout the fiscal year.
• In partnership with Managing Director, Financial Management, manage the budget calendar, develop timelines, track deliverables, coordinate presentation materials, and communicate and answer questions from various stakeholders regarding financial planning events.
• Accurately manage the P&L and budget (quarterly and monthly) and be able to communicate the organization's financial health.
• Consolidate financial results and analyses on an ongoing basis to produce actionable insights for senior leadership. Conduct various sensitivity and scenario analyses as required.
• Serves as the liaison and primary point of contact between the Finance & Accounting department and operational and administrative departments for all matters related to budget and expenses.

Process Improvement

• Help drive the strategic transformation of the Finance function by identifying opportunities and implementing enhanced processes and automated workflows, in partnership with Accounting, Program Finance Management, Development and Advocacy teams.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work with business unit heads, department leaders, and other stakeholders to align financial goals with business objectives and communicate findings and recommendations effectively. 

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or related field or equivalent relevant experience working in similar FP&A or Budget role. 
• 5+ years’ progressive experience in budget and finance analysis required. 
• 1-3 years of previous management experience required.  
• Previous experience with change management and stakeholder engagement, inc