Chief Financial Officer

What will you do:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• As a true business partner to the CEO and Global Executive Team, assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and WRI’s long-term strategy. Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to WRI’s leadership and make actionable recommendations on strategy, operations, and policy matters.
• Serve as the management liaison to the Finance & Investment and Audit & Risk Committees; effectively communicate and present critical financial and operational risks/matters at Board of Directors and committee meetings.
• Provide leadership on the alignment of WRI’s endowment with a 1.5 degree C pathway and ESG investment principles, including managing an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer that oversees the endowment’s investment portfolio.
• Contribute to the development of WRI’s strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the Managing Director and CEO informed of all critical issues.
• Represent the organization externally, as necessary, particularly in banking, lease arrangements, and donor requirement negotiations.

Team Development

• Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the finance, accounting, project management, grants and contracts, teams.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign accountabilities; set objectives; establish priorities, and monitor and evaluate results.

Operational Excellence - Financial Planning, Analysis, and Modelling

• Lead annual budgeting and planning process including all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes and keep the Global Executive Team abreast of the organization’s financial trends and status.
• Lead quarterly financial and performance reviews with Programs/Centers and Country Offices.
• Upgrade and implement appropriate systems, policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures such that all offices are seen as low risk by donors.
• Serve as a strong voice in risk assessment on project funding, allocations, and ability to meet goals/outcomes given financial health throughout the project life cycle.
• Conduct periodic internal reviews of policies, procedures, and systems, comparing with best practices across peer organisations.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual budget process and NICRA (negotiated indirect cost rate agreement) negotiation.
• Oversee management of programs and overhead costs/indirect rates to ensure full financial recovery and achieve efficiencies.
• Provide analytical and decision support to WRI’s leadership including development of internal management reporting capabilities in partnership with WRI’s Managing for Results team.
• Improve administrative/operational and financial services such as treasury management, benefits (403-B plan, medical, other insurances, etc.), grants and contracts and payment processing, payroll, accounts payable, purchasing, systems.

 What will you need:

We are looking for someone who is results-oriented with the necessary business astuteness, demonstrated analytical and forecasting skills, and the ability to make difficult decisions. Success is defined by the ability to establish strong working relationships with colleagues, peers, subordinates, and staff outside a hierarchical structure. Key competencies will include the ability to identify information, be forward-thinking, always aware of the Institute’s needs and a commitment to its mission and values, and ability to be flexible. Collaborative management and working style; ability to achieve goals using influence and negotiation skills also important.

• Education: Master’s degree in business or accounting. CPA and/or CMA are strongly preferred
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of experience working in international matrixed organization with a minimum of 8 years in a senior management role. Some nonprofit experience is preferred
• Experience running financial systems for internationally matrixed organisations with a varied configuration of country offices highly desirable
• Experience working with a diverse mix of donors, including multilateral donors, governments, foundations an advantage
• Experience working with a diverse mix of financial stakeholders and demonstrated ability to  distinguish and meet their differing requirements highly desirable
• Knowledge of US and other donor contracts and grants management and regulations and reporting requirements governing non-profits
• Experience of US GAAP and IFRS
• Experience with WRI’s legacy financial systems (TM1 Costpoint),  future ERP (Workday) and IT system transition is highly desirable
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a growing international organization
• Entrepreneurial team player with an ability to influence and engage multiple stakeholders
• Energetic, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and operational/administrative initiatives.
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with outsiders such as bankers and donors as well as senior management, WRI’s board of directors, and staff
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as a strategic thinker
• Passion for WRI’s mission