Chief Financial Officer

Category:  Full-time
Reports to:  Chief Operating Officer
Location:  US Remote

About Water.org

1 in 10 people around the world lack access to safe water and 1 in 4 people don't have access to a toilet. Water.org is working every day to change this. This is Water.org. Water.org brings water and sanitation to the world. They want to make it safe, accessible, and cost-effective because they believe that water is the way to empower a bright future that we can all share, worldwide. Water.org is an international nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 25 years, Water.org has been providing women hope, children health and families a future.

Summary

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization's financial health including dynamically balancing cost, risk, and service levels in delivering on the organization's responsibilities, optimizing and scaling the finance operating model, and continuing development of talent within the department. Success in this role will result in efficiency and effectiveness of a globally distributed workforce and well-run financial operations and functions, such as accounting, and financial planning and analysis. This individual will optimize and scale financial systems, including cash flow planning, taxes, budgeting, and general accounting as well as spearhead risk management to ensure the organization is positioned to deliver its unique value. This position will have accountability for leading, coaching, and developing experienced accounting and financial planning and analysis teams and will partner directly with leaders representing Global Impact, Revenue, and Human Resources. Finally, this leader will collaborate for impact with WaterEquity, an asset manager created and spun off by Water.org whose exclusive focus is on mobilizing investment capital to accelerate an end to the global water and sanitation crisis.

This is an ideal role for a seasoned financial leader with a track record of building and scaling financial systems and processes in a global context who wants to transform millions of lives around the globe through access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Key requirements

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Global Finance Strategic and Operational Leadership (40%)

Maintain executive responsibility for financial operations and oversee financial systems, processes, and practices to optimize organizational capabilities, efficiency, and financial performance. Establish finance as a highly valued business partner within the organization by building internal analytical capacity, completing critical analyses, and providing ongoing insight to drive strategic and timely decision-making, including, but not limited to:

• Direct processes for financial forecasting, budgets and consolidations, planning and analysis. Oversee annual and long-term financial planning processes, including driving continuous improvement to resource planning and utilization, including grant financials.
• Drive operating review processes to ensure accurate, timely financial data on budget and forecasting and define operational metrics for financial effectiveness.
• Develop and direct financial plans to deliver the strategic business plan, company growth, and market opportunities and direction.
• Develop analyses, tools, and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the Executive team and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations. Partner with Impact and Revenue department heads to shape methods to support impact, revenue planning and recognition, and to maximize financial resources entrusted to the organization.
• Establish and maintain stable cash flow management policies and procedures and ensure cash resources are available for daily operations.
• Analyze current and future business operations and plans to determine financial effectiveness.
• Promote and support a culture of accountability and business partnering acumen.
• Engage the Audit Committee of the Board and the Board of Directors as needed to ensure sound fiscal management.

Financial Oversight (30%)

Ensure effective fiscal health and financial stewardship of Water.org resources, so that the organization retains certification and recognition for superior financial performance, including, but not limited to:

• In partnership with the Director, HQ Accounting & Operations, drive appropriate accounting practices/processes and reporting systems, ensuring timely and accurate financial and tax reporting.
• Certify and oversee filing of federal, state, third-party, and other financial reports to ensure compliance with US GAAP and other external reporting requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement to the organization's cost model to maximize resources available to meet its external commitments and support growing operational complexity.
• Ensure streamlined cross-functional processes and coordination between Global Finance and HR, Legal, Technology and other Administration functions.
• Maintain internal control safeguards and direct coordination and finalization of all audit activities.
• Optimize banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
• Implement strategies to mitigate foreign exchange risk while managing costs across global markets.
• Select and engage outside consultants as needed (e.g., auditors, investment advisors).

Investment Oversight (15%)

• Ensure emerging financial strategies, investments, and structures meet organizational objectives and external requirements.
• Implement prudent cash management strategies and investments related to cash reserves and benefits programs (e.g. US 401k).

Team Development and Leadership (15%)

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team at Water.org, ensuring high-level performance and engagement across global offices. Effectively manage the team with responsibility for hiring, discipline, and pay administration.
• Directly manage 3 direct reports including the Director, HQ Accounting & Operations; Director, International Finance; and the Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis, with total responsibility for a team of 18, including 11 country finance directors located across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the US.
• Foster productive collaboration across teams and functions including, but not limited to the CEO, COO, Chief Global Impact Officer (CGIO), Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Chief Insights Officer (CIO), Human Resources Director, Board of + Directors for Water.org and WaterEquity; in partnership with these teams and individuals, ensure cohesive effort and delivery of business outcomes. +Build a productive and inclusive team culture, supporting people from a range of backgrounds and identities.
• Establish regular cadence of individual and team performance review and feedback.
• Provide technical support and/or coaching on effective accounting and finance operations.

Skills and Competencies

• Financial Acumen – Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
• Business Insight – Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.
• Strategic Mindset – Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.
• Plans and Aligns – Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Manages Complexity – Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Develops Talent – Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization's goals.
• Builds Effective Teams – Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Being Resilient – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Courage – Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or related field and/or equivalent related working experience. A + Master's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting and/or Public Administration is preferred.
• Minimum 20 years overall experience with at least 15 years of experience in progressively responsible Finance leadership roles, with at least 5 years at the executive level.
• Experience working in a complex, dispersed global environment; experience in nonprofit organizations and/or financial services is ideal.
• Deep financial acumen with expertise in financial planning and forecasting, financial reporting, budgeting, risk management, cash management, and financial planning and analysis; experience overseeing and/or managing an accounting function.
• Proven track record of building and developing high-performing teams and of developing self.
• Exceptional analytical capabilities with the ability to quickly digest complex information and connect dots to determine future action, and a data-driven and results orientation.
• Demonstrated success in scaling/adapting finance systems and technology to drive efficiency and accuracy of financial planning and reporting.
• Ability to "zoom in" and "zoom out", rolling up your sleeves to understand underlying details while still being able to maintain a view of the big picture and to guide executive level decisions and communications.
• Proven experience translating strategic vision into operational success, experience setting and measuring performance against targets within complex and evolving operational environments.
• Effective and insightful presentation skills, adept at conveying complex concepts and detailed analysis in a strategic and compelling manner across audiences.
• Committed to Water.org's mission and willing to do the work to advance the organization.
• Proficient (written and verbal) in English required; multilingual skills preferred.

Travel Requirement:

Up to 30% of domestic and global travel.

Being authorized to work in the country posted is a precondition of employment.

Salary and Benefits

The compensation range for this position is set at $190,000-$240,000, commensurate with experience. There is up to 20% incentive bonus eligibility. This position offers full-time benefits inclusive of medical/dental insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement program; as well as periodic review for merit and incentive pay based on organizational and personal achievement.

Qualified Individuals, please apply:

Information

• Location: , United States

Industry experience

Education: Bachelor

Seniority: Board director, CEO, COO, CFO, President, Provost

Years of experience: 20 years or above

Taxonomy

• Finance
• Finance and Markets
• Financial Services
• Finance
• Corporate Finance
• Financial Services
• Financial Modeling
• Financing