Chief Financial Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive leadership team and serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board of Directors, overseeing the financial health and sustainability of the organization. This role is responsible for managing a diverse funding portfolio—including donor contributions, corporate partnerships, public grants, and private funding—while ensuring financial integrity across all project-based initiatives. The CFO plays a critical role in aligning financial operations with the organization’s mission and long-term strategic goals. The CFO serves as a key liaison to the Board's Finance Committee, ensuring robust financial governance and strategic alignment through regular coordination and partnership. The CFO brings a visionary and hands-on leadership approach, enabling high-performing teams and cultivating a culture of accountability and innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and multi-source funding model.
• Act as a thought leader in financial modelling, risk management, and strategic planning, and collaborate with executive leadership to guide high-impact decision-making.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to the CEO and Board to guide strategic decision-making.
• Lead long-term financial planning, forecasting, and scenario analysis for project-based work.

Financial Operations & Management

• Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and cash flow management across all programs and projects.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements and grant reports.
• Develop and maintain timely, accurate, and comprehensive financial statements and reports in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for non-profits.
• Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Supervise the organization's financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
• Supervise and mentor the finance team, encouraging a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere.
• Provide insightful financial analysis to support decision-making by the executive team.
• Coordinate the preparation of financial statements and reports for internal and external collaborators.
• Manage donor funding, corporate revenue generation, and funding from public and private sources.
• Oversee foreign exchange, currency risk hedging instruments, and work with the Director of Treasury & Investment Management on liquidity management.
• Oversee the financial aspects of all donor funding (restricted and unrestricted) and public and private grants, ensuring strict compliance with grant requirements, regulations and reporting deadlines.
• Partnering with the Chief Commercial Officer on revenue opportunities for certification royalties and monitoring performance across our sector.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate financial risks across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including IRS requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Team & Operational Leadership

• Lead and inspire a high-performing, globally distributed finance and accounting teams, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability, and continuous learning and developing across all finance and accounting functions.
• Oversee payroll, benefits, and financial aspects of human resources.
• Collaborate cross-functional teams in budgeting and financial planning for projects.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the finance and accounting team, ensuring high-quality performance and clear development pathways to build internal capacity and leadership succession.
• Serve as a change leader by driving organizational alignment, resilience, and adaptability in the face of shifting global landscapes.
• Oversee and be responsible for the management of the Technology department, which is directly managed by the CIO.
• Oversee 5 direct reports: Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial & Business Insights, Global Accounting, Treasury & Investment Management and CIO.

Board Engagement

• Prepare and present financial reports and strategic analysis to the Board of Directors and Finance Committee.
• Provide financial training and support to board members as needed.
• Partner with Chair of the Finance committee and the Chair of the Investment committee.
• Maintain ongoing coordination with the Finance Committee, serving as the primary financial