Chief Financial Officer

Job Description:

Are you an experienced senior leader who wants to use your extraordinary financial acumen to help one of the world's foremost clean energy think-and-do tanks maximize its global impact? Are you a dynamic collaborator ready to contribute equally your inspiration and insight to a diverse and global leadership team? Do you challenge yourself and others with your continuous improvement and learning mindset? Are you willing to take risks by exploring and testing innovative ideas even as you manage effectively against downside outcomes? Do you have the keen ability to structure and oversee analytic and strategic problem solving? Can you create impact through influence? If yes, then join our team! 

We highly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply!

Please Note: Review of applications and screenings with the recruiter will occur through early January 2025. Panel interviews will follow thereafter.

Position Overview:   

RMI is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to serve in a key leadership position in a strategic and functional role in the overall leadership, management, and execution of RMI’s global finance, accounting, financial planning and management, audit, procurement, compliance, and risk management.  As the CFO, you will drive financial transformation, enhancing RMI's role as a financially robust and growth-ready organization at a global level. We will look to you as a key partner in ensuring sustainable financial health and resource alignment with RMI’s mission, while delivering financial and resource accountability across all RMI outcomes and geographies. As a member of RMI’s executive team and reporting to the CEO, you will provide overall financial direction and strategic recommendations to our programs and departments by developing and implementing short- and long-term strategic plans not only meet but exceed business plan targets when possible.

Your collaborative leadership and executive presence will serve you well to enhance our revenue-generating capabilities through strategic partnerships and alliances within and outside the organization. You will demonstrate your innate ability to work closely with managing directors across RMI to develop and implement sustainable, financially-sound strategies within RMI's revenue portfolio, including institutional foundation funding, international bilateral and multilateral grant revenue, US government revenue (state and federal) philanthropic support from individuals and corporations, consulting revenue, market investments, and a dynamic portfolio of mission-related investments in RMI’s market affiliates that include non-profit and for-profit business models.  You have experience in optimizing diverse funding sources and developing innovative revenue models for nonprofit sustainability. As an engaged people leader, your compassion and high emotional intelligence will create an inclusive and psychologically-safe work environment where your team members can develop, grow and thrive.   

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management

• Develop or refine scalable systems, processes, and internal controls that support sustainable growth and donor engagement, leading in the design of internal controls that are both robust and flexible to adapt to RMI’s expansion
• Develop and execute financial models and strategies aligned with the company’s goals and objectives
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems
• Establish and oversee internal audit processes to ensure that financial operations adhere to internal controls, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with programmatic and operational teams to ensure compliance with grant, contract, and regulatory requirements through periodic internal audits and reviews.
• Manage cash flow planning process and ensure funds availability and compatibility with operations, including overseeing cash, investments, and asset management.
• Maintain all banking relationships.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Develop and oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with managing directors and other stakeholders to develop realistic and achievable budgets
• Monitor actual performance against budget and provide regular updates and analysis to the CEO and Board of Trustees
• Develop and maintain financial forecasting models that support long-term financial planning and decision-making
• Work closely with the Chief Development Officer to forecast and optimize the organization’s philanthropic revenue pipeline.

Strategic Planning and People Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO and s