Director of Finance - World Resources Institute - Washington, DC

Part 1: About WRI

WRI is a global research organization that spans more than 50 countries, with offices in the Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, and the United States. Our more than 450 experts and staff work closely with leaders to turn big ideas into action to sustain our natural resources—the foundation of economic opportunity and human well-being.

WRI was recently voted the #1 Environmental Think Tank in the world and is consistently recommended by staff as one of the “most desired organizations to work for.” In 2014, WRI was ranked one of the Top Workplaces by the Washington Post.

Part 2: Overview

Associated with WRI’s continued growth (our budget in 2015 is approaching $80 million), we seek to enhance our financial systems, analysis and management capacity. We are therefore creating a new post of Director of Finance to lead our financial team and inspire us to fully appreciate the value of critical financial information. The Director will oversee budget preparation and monitoring, work with senior WRI leadership, including Program and International Office Directors and participate as a key thought leader on the global finance team, influencing decision making, identifying finance priorities and risks, establishing benchmarks, communicating results, and managing financial analysis and staff in multiple country locations.

This position requires a combination of financial analysis & forecasting experience, international financial management and/or development experience, effective collaboration skills, active commitment to the values of the organization, people management, and energetic engagement with mission-driven teams.

The Director will manage a diverse, matrixed, local and international staff and will be expected to develop a deep understanding of WRI’s programs, provide decision support, meaningful reporting, analysis and communications. Additionally, s/he will establish and manage short and long-term global financial and operational forecasts.

The selected candidate will have a proven track record of financial management, modeling and forecasting, ideally with experience in the non-profit sector. S/he will be adept at managing multiple projects with ability to be as flexible as needed. S/he will be comfortable working in a matrixed organization and able to travel internationally.

Responsibilities

Part 3: Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Analysis and Modelling – Decision Support (40%)

Summary: Strategically align best practices in financial analyses to WRI’s strategic business direction; Lead the strategic aspects of the annual budget process for the organization. Create financial models to inform the executive team and senior managers about the financial health of the organization. Recommend corrective actions to minimize potential negative impact of institutional financial operating standards and risks.

Key areas of responsibility:
Prepare WRI’s annual and long-range strategic financial plans and the corresponding budgets in support of Board and key stakeholder meetings, monthly/quarterly senior leadership meetings, and various strategic committees of the organization.

Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly and annual financial statements; collate financial reporting materials for all donor segments, and oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting.

Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the CFAO; administer and review all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership team abreast of the organization’s financial trends and status.

Effectively communicate and present the critical financial matters to the board of directors.

Define and report on key organizational performance metrics; determine data clean-up or process enhancements necessary to improve the quality of the metrics for decision making and accomplishment of our organizational goals and strategic plan.

Facilitate quantitative decisions with clear, visual, easy to interpret analysis for resource allocation, space planning needs across the network, etc.

Financial Operations Communication and Training (30%)

Summary: Communicate program, project, international office, and organization-wide financial and operational performance trends; historical and forecasted; using appropriate metrics. Conduct periodic Admin/Operations service quality assessments and action plans. Emphasize processes and systems that facilitate the “One WRI” culture.

Key areas of responsibility:
Ensure all programs and international office project/program/International office directors and mangers understand how to access and interpret financial reports, WRI’s financial model, etc. and that they have what they need to be successful. Participate as part of the global team to address financial issues.

Certify that Programs consistently receive a high level and quality of customer service from Admin/Operations staff without compromising internal controls through surveys or other means.

Assist with the preparation and monitoring of the annual and five year Admin/Operations Efficiency and Effectiveness Plan.

Drive continuous improvement in the quality and timeliness of Program decisions on a range of issues (e.g. benchmarking performance, space required by location, optimal sub-grant ratios, project funding constraints, growth trajectories and short and long-term impact on our financial model, International office and WRI-wide overhead rates, capital spending, uses of unrestricted/resources, etc.).

Ensure clear communication to staff on issues that affect them with clear instructions on what’s expected of them, coupled with the rationale for any changes.

Develop and lead finance related career development learning sessions for both Program and Administration Staff. These must be designed to facilitate our decentralized organizational structure while mitigating risks across the organization.

Financial Systems & Special Projects (20%)

Summary: Ensure we provide accurate and timely key deliverables which include meaningful information to manage WRI’s core business units and offices; provide the key financial decision support tools. Identify and drive where appropriate, process or system optimization.

Key areas of responsibility:
Expert on WRI’s systems and data repositories, understanding the limitations and opportunities for the systems to get the information that mangers need, such as Revenue forecasts, project deficits, Cash Flow, Monthly Balance Sheet and Income Statement, AR Aging, or other information necessary to drive financial and project management improvements. Work to minimize the need for staff to develop elaborate excel based spreadsheets for forecasting or tracking (e.g. forecasted revenue).

Identify opportunities for process improvement, simplification, and system optimization to facilitate the foundation for a rapidly growing global organization.

Provide support as necessary during the annual audits and other projects assigned by the Executive Team or Board Investments, Treasury, and Contracts, Grants & Revenue (10%)

Summary: Oversight of our endowment, Grants and Contracts administration, revenue tracking, foreign exchange risk and cash flow.

Key areas of responsibility:
Develop a robust revenue pipeline tracking approach to allow validation of budgets, hiring forecasts and space needs, identify level of effort for fundraising, cash flow, etc.

Develop a process to minimize Foreign Exchange risk

Implement a robust sub-grant/contracts management and monitoring system.

Ensure that the contract billing and collection schedule is adhered to and that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements.

Coordinate and liaise with the Finance and Investment Committee of the board of directors; assist with mission based investing of our endowment.

Qualifications:
Core Competencies

Innovation/Resourcefulness

Outstanding management and planning skills, promoting bold action when needed, providing a sense of stability and concretely setting goals while energizing people to achieve those goals.

Provides solutions to highly complex and sensitive financial and budgetary challenges and opportunities.

Proven ability to succeed in an organization with a strategic objective focus.

Ability to quickly respond and adapt to change; Solves complex problems with initiative, confidence, and follow-through to successful implementation.

Stamina for the task at hand, including the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and under deadline pressure, personal grace in dealing with a broad spectrum of personalities, and good humor in leading the day-to-day work of the department.

Accountability/Supervision

Display a management style that is open, collaborative and results-oriented; a style that inspires trust and motivates staff to work hard and well together, provide finance team with a clear sense of direction, and respects their capabilities and independence.

Ability to influence several teams across global boundaries, including senior professionals, consultants and staff external to WRI

Coach, mentor, motivate and supervise team members and contractors, and influence them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work.

Provide guidance and direction to the finance team to manage the quality development of annual project plans and the cascading of those plans into individuals goals throughout the department

Communication

An ability to consistently communicate with clarity: Excellent writing, speaking, and presentation skills. An advanced ability to provide clear direction and expectations within the finance team and to the broad audience the team supports.

Fluency in a second language highly desirable; not required

Manage the finance team on a day-to-day basis, motivate staff and identify and manage conflicts where they arise.

Ensure that FP&A outcomes meet or exceed WRI standards for institutional excellence

Contribute to WRI’s overall management through participation in WRI’s Management Team

Teamwork

Is considered a leader on the team. Is well respected for competence and ability to maintain key relationships, reduce conflict and create a positive and high performing work environment.

A proven commitment to internal customer service. Strong personal diplomacy, including a highly professional temperament, the highest level of personal and professional integrity, and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment.

Humility, Patience, resiliency, and tenacity along with an abundance of energy, enthusiasm, creativity, common sense and well-honed strategic judgment that establishes early credibility and ease of partnerships with other members of the team.

Superb cross-cultural interpersonal skills with an impressive history of forging strong relationships with multiple stakeholders, strong listening skills and an ability to relate well to people at all levels.

A sense of urgency about the mission of WRI and the need to address the environment and development challenges confronting humankind; an engagement in business partnership from an administrative support and risk/compliance protection perspective with the programs and projects of WRI.

Qualifications

Required skills and experience:
12-15 years overall finance and accounting experience with progressive responsibility, especially with exposure to international operations; 7-10 years leading accounting/finance teams.

MBA or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field

CPA Certification Preferred; Top Tier Accounting Firm experience helpful

Consulting experience, specifically including successful implementation and oversight of organization-wide process improvement and other initiatives.

Strong leader, demonstrated ability to develop and keep staff motivated.

Strong professional communication and writing skills.

Demonstrated experience dealing with senior executives, including members of the board.

Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

Experience with multiple financial systems helpful; suggested systems might include Hyperion, Oracle, Deltek (Costpoint and/or Contributor), and SAP.

Strong knowledge of US GAAP, OMB A-122, OMB A-133, FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and technical pronouncements.

Superb cross-cultural interpersonal skills with an impressive history of forging strong relationships with multiple stakeholders, strong listening skills, and an ability to relate well to people at all levels.

Final candidates will be required to take a writing test.

Salary : Salary is commensurate with experience and skills. WRI offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package.

Location : Washington, DC

Qualified applicants should apply online at www.wri.org/careers . All applications must be submitted online through this career portal in order to be formally considered.

The World Resources Institute ( http://www.wri.org/wri ) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI’s policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds.

About WRI

Established in 1982, WRI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization respected globally by policymakers, non-governmental organizations, and corporate leaders.

WRI’s reputation is grounded in its excellent analysis, non-partisan approach, and high-impact results. We measure our success based on how our work helps to create real-world change on the ground—and approach we call “Managing for Results.”

WRI’s work is united by and driven by our values: Innovation, Integrity, Urgency, Independence, and Respect.

WRI fosters a culture of innovative ideas, working collaboratively, and thinking independently. WRI employees are driven by the organization’s mission and have the satisfaction of helping to create a more prosperous and healthy planet.

Learn more about our organization at www.wri.org .