The Finance Manager will work with senior leadership to produce annual budgets and quarterly forecasts, communicate financial information throughout the organization. Success will be measured by enhancing staff and board confidence through timely, precise financial reporting and analysis supporting conservation programs.
Additionally, as an experienced financial leader focused on governance best practices, the VP of Finance provides strategic insights, unlocking growth and capacity for the institution and shaping fiscal management and decision-making for a highly respected and fast-growing conservation organization.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
· Develop financials reports for the Board and recommend enhanced financial reporting structures for efficiency and accuracy
· Review fringe and indirect cost allocation and treatment across the organization and ensure procedures are optimized.
· Work with the President to understand the system of endowment allocation and recommend adjustments.
· Lead and manage the finance team and improve, where necessary, the finance team culture to drive employee growth.
· Review financial policies and procedures annually and develop new ones as needed.
Perform tasks as directed by the President
· Financial Planning and Analysis:
· Obtain working knowledge of NetSuite to understand account structure, reporting capabilities and transaction processing.
· Partner with program VPs to develop annual budget forecasts and monitor actual performance vs. budget
· Review budget projections quarterly across the organization
· Lead organization-wide financial planning and analysis resulting in accurate and timely budgets and forecasts
· Present financial reports at finance committee and board meetings to prompt informed organizational governance
· Identify process and operational improvement opportunities through financial analysis
· Make recommendations for financial systems and reporting tools that improve efficiency
· Institute rolling forecasts to monitor progress towards budget targets
· Calculate monthly financial forecasts to project cash flow needs proactively
· Oversee investment statements and work with the investment committee to ensure goals are being met by financial managers.
· Prepare a financial plan to determine how the organization should pay for a major capital project at HQ to begin around 2026.
· Prepare loan requests for HQ capital project if financing is needed
· Financial Reporting and Controls:
· Review and refine the process for major capital decisions, including precise project evaluation criteria.
· Review and provide oversight on contract/grant management and reporting including approving grant budgets, reviewing restricted funding releases and billing aligned to grant calendars and deadlines
· Set key performance indicators (KPIs) and manage/develop accounting team members to improve timeliness and accuracy
· Coach accounting staff on technical skills and best practices to enhance individual development as needed
· Deliver accurate, clearly presented financial reporting to leadership and external stakeholders
· Manage audits, ensuring financial records meet accounting standards and identify areas for improvement
· Prepare and submit timely filings to maintain budgetary compliance and good standing
· Refine processes for monthly financial closes that reduce days to completion
· Ensure cash accounts are reconciled, and development and program records are reconciled with financial records
· Deliver reports to the President monthly to enhance visibility into budget vs actuals.
· Oversee cash management and other treasury functions
PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
· Master’s degree in relevant field of study/MBA preferred.
· Minimum of 15 years of experience in the financial industry; non-profit experience preferred.
· Experience managing an endowment strongly preferred
· Experience with investment portfolio strongly preferred
· Knowledge of principles and practices of public and contract administration, including contractual agreements, budgeting, contract administration, and fiscal management
· Strong communicator, able to effectively partner with others to ensure the Planning and Reporting team is meeting the needs of the organization
· Demonstrated experience creating and streamlining financial reporting, which has resulted in increased efficiency and the availability of useful financial information for organizational decision-making
· Strong acumen in maintaining accurate financial records and preparing clear and accurate reports for operational use
· 10 years of experience in a leadership position within a $5M+ organization.