Chief Financial Officer
Published on by Trudi Schifter, CEO and Founder AquaSPE for Alliance for Water Stewardship
The Chief Financial Officer is a key member of the executive team. As Chief Finance Officer you
will assist the Alliance in developing and implementing its financial strategy, business model,
systems and processes. We are looking for a commercially minded individual with the ability to think
strategically; contribute confidentially; direct projects and be comfortable with the hands-on element
of the role.
Chief Financial Officer is a pivotal role within the executive team with overall responsibility for the
finances of the Alliance. This responsibility includes overseeing all budget and fiscal functions,
policies and procedures, reporting and compliance. You will also oversee human resource functions,
IT and procurement, with support from external advisors where necessary. The CFO is instrumental
in leading and supporting operations to deliver financially viable services.
Key activities include:
• Leading the financial strategy of the organisation
• Establishing systems for operational control
• Supporting the leadership team, Chair and Board in all financial and operational aspects of
the organisation
As a qualified accountant you will be fully competent in managing budget setting; you will lead in
the provision of timely and accurate financial information, effective cost management and financial
assessment of new initiatives. You will work with the team to create budgets and forecasts;
monitoring them throughout the year; and work closely with operational budget holders to ensure
they understand their financial position.
You will be comfortable leading change with empathy and collaboration, therefore the ability to
build internal and external relationships, communicate well and adapt styles to differing audiences
is critical.
As a member of the executive team reporting to the Board of Trustees, you will provide support to
the Board Finance Committee.
In addition to business as usual, you will also contribute to strategic direction of the organisation
and the development of new projects, tenders and grant applications providing oversight on the
financial aspects.
General Duties
• Prepare the annual budget and forecasts aligned with the strategy.
• To ensure the appropriateness of the key assumptions included in the financial plans and
annual budget proposals, providing advice to senior management colleagues and trustees
on these matters.
• Provide interpretation, commentary and recommendations in connection with AWS’s
financial performance and related matters.
• Ensure management accounts and reports are accurately prepared on time including
commentary and variance analysis, for trustees, the leadership team and external partners.
• Manage all financial aspects of grants including the monitoring of restricted and unrestricted
reserves, and the control and recording of the release of funds.
• Liaise with external auditors to facilitate statutory accounts at year end, in full compliance
with relevant accounting standards.
• Ensure that all corporation tax and VAT returns (if applicable) are accurately completed and
filed on time and that all associated payments made.
• Oversight of and accountability for the monthly payroll and year end payroll returns;
Management & Relationships
• Work with the CEO and leadership team to prepare and deliver the organisation’s strategic
plan
• To work as part of a mutually supportive executive team. Advising on the likely financial
consequences of proposed courses of action.
• Communicate regularly with key staff to provide relevant information on financial
performance, helping them identify areas requiring attention.
• Establish strong relationships with key staff, particularly operational management, to
support them in their work.
• You will liaise with external partners on relevant matters, ensuring that our financial
management of projects and partnerships meets or exceeds requirements.
• You will work collaboratively across multiple time zones with Board members, international
staff, regional partners, local networks, members and partners to grow the AWS System.
Systems & Procedures
• Lead the development of appropriate procedures and systems, manual and computerised,
for use throughout the organisation.
• Oversee the management of external supplier contracts, monitoring renewal dates and
delivery, ensuring high performance and advising on cost saving strategies
• Ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place to ensure robust financial
monitoring and management
HR
• Overseeing HR function to include assisting in the recruitment of permanent staff and
contractors, Payroll, developing staff policies, preparing contracts and appraisal process.
• Coach and encourage the team to deliver high standards and review performance
Governance & Company Secretariat
• Attend all quarterly Trustee Board Meetings to provide input on financial and company
secretarial matters.
• Oversee company secretarial duties such as maintaining and updating all records with
Companies House and the Charity Commission (including online records).
• Guide the CEO, Chair and Board on their responsibilities under the rules and regulations to
which they are subject and on how those responsibilities should be discharged.
• Maintain regular liaison with the Head of the Finance Committee
Industry experience
Education: Bachelor
Seniority: Manager, Director, Professor
Years of experience: 10 to 20 years
Media
Taxonomy
- Finance
- Corporate Finance