CRS Chief Financial Officer - Baltimore, United States - Catholic Relief Services

Description

Job Description

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS' relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key leadership position within the agency, assuming both a strategic and functional role in the overall leadership, management, and development of CRS' worldwide Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Financial Planning, Audit, and Risk Management. The CFO must be a visionary leader, responsible for contributing to a high-performing organization. The CFO must provide financial and audit acumen, while building and developing a talented global team to execute at a high level in support of the Agency's vision, mission, and strategy.

The CFO will lead the development and implementation of all financial systems, policies, processes, and activities to ensure strong resource stewardship, operational efficiency, risk management and mitigation, audit and compliance, and exceptional financial management across the agency. S/he will provide strong, consistent strategic support to the relevant governance structures, including the Budget and Finance Committee, the Audit and Risk Management Committee, and the Investment Subcommittee of the CRS Board, as well as the Board of the CRS Foundation. S/he will work to continuously improve the effectiveness of all financial functions and processes to meet Board, Donor, Beneficiary, and other stakeholder needs. The CFO plays a fundamental role in ensuring cross-divisional collaboration, and the provision of all services and support on the basis of a "One Agency" vision. S/he will be responsible for building a team which facilitates strong decision-making support for the agency's leadership.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

General

• Oversee the development, implementation and adherence to agency financial systems and policies.
• Manage the continuous evaluation and improvement of existing system utilization.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure strong relationship, understanding and compliance.
• Act as an advisor to agency leaders, the board and committees in all matters related to policies, systems, reporting, compliance, and financial management.
• Develop policies, tools and processes that support a strong culture of internal control across the Agency.
• Model the agency's values in all interactions and communications with staff, partners, donors, Board, and other stakeholders.
• Promote the highest levels of honesty, integrity, and stewardship throughout the agency.
• Reinforce a "tone at the top" of accountability, empowerment, and responsibility.
• Provide visionary leadership by ensuring the highest caliber of financial function and capacity in support of the agency vision and mission.

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Ensure that financial reporting systems and processes are effective and compliant in providing timely, accurate, actionable financial reporting to assist staff, executives, and the Board in managing their financial duties.
• Review financial results and provide clear analysis of the agency's financial performance to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Budget and Finance Committee, and the Board.
• Develop policies, systems and processes that ensure optimal collection of operating costs from all donors for CRS and partner organizations.
• Lead discussions of financial issues with donor and partner agencies as needed.
• Ensure adequate planning for the medium and long-term effectiveness of agency financial systems.
• Oversee the integration and implementation of financial and accounting systems, ensuring multi-divisional coordination and cross functional support.
• Network with the CFOs of other NGOs and similar organizations to gain insight into trends and best practices.
• Provide authoritative counsel on proper accounting principles and practices. Access expert guidance as needed.

Strategic Financial Planning and Analysis

• Align financial policies, systems and support to the agency strategy, mission, and vision. Develop resource allocation tools and processes that support strategic priorities.
• Implement a budgeting system that is aligned with strategy and resource planning cycles, and that is user friendly, flexible, and supportive of the needs of department managers while creating strong stewardship and accountability. Ensure appropriate Board engagement in the development and approval of the annual budget.
• Guide implementation of relevant cost metrics, agency financial forecasting and provide overall support to Agency initiatives in managing to efficient and competitive operating cost structures.
• Identify areas of opportunity to ensure the efficient and optimal use of agency resources.
• Advise ELT and the Board in key resource use and allocation policies, together with strategic opportunities to advance the agency's mission.
• Develop organization prospects by studying economic trends and revenue opportunities; projecting acquisition and expansion prospects; analyzing organization operations; identifying opportunities for improvement, cost reduction, and systems enhancement; and accumulating capital to fund expansion.
• Oversee the management and coordination of all fiscal reporting activities for the organization including: organizational revenue/expense and balance sheet reports, reports to funding agencies, development and monitoring of organizational and contract/grant budgets.
• Participate in developing new business, specifically: assist the CEO in identifying new funding opportunities, and determining cost effectiveness of prospective service delivery.
• Support ELT decisions with sound financial analysis and insights in order for CRS to increase its impact by growing the right mix of income and managing the relationship between income and costs.

Treasury, Investments, and Credit

• Develop and implement investment policies that support high performance and appropriate risk management in line with USCCB SRI guidelines.
• Ensure that banking policies and systems provide appropriate liquidity, cost efficiency, service quality, risk management and internal control. Develop and implement policies and systems for effective management of foreign currency transactions, balances, and commodity management.
• Ensure that agency borrowing is cost effective and supportive of overall financial and strategic objectives that maintains high-level credit rating for the agency.
• Coordinate with Financial institutions to ensure systems and processes are in place for the timely execution and control of donor and agency funds.

Audit and Risk Management

• Provide support to the Audit and Risk Management Committee on all matters relevant to its charter.
• Continue the development and implementation of an Enterprise Risk Management Framework that supports accomplishment of the agency strategy, coordinates risk identification and management on an agency-wide basis and ensures robust ownership and management of risks.
• Ensure the acquisition of a robust and cost-effective insurance program consistent with the Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
• Ensure the timely implementation of all audit recommendations and closure of audit findings.
• Work closely with the external audit partner to facilitate successful annual agency financial audits, Global Fund audits, and uniform guidance single audits as received by governmental organizations.

Leadership and Staff Development

• Empower finance, and audit teams to pursue a "One Agency" vision of collaboration and support in working with all other divisions.
• Support the development of a strong understanding of agency values and Catholic identity among staff.
• Ensure the alignment of all divisional objectives and activities to Agency mission, values, and strategy.
• Structure and lead the Finance and Internal Audit departments. Ensure that department structures are agency focused and supportive of high levels of collaboration, communication, sharing and learning.
• Recruit, train, and manage a diverse and talented staff to deliver exceptional services to the organization. Develop, manage, and evaluate staff performance plans consistent with the agency's strategic objectives of talent and performance management.
• Ensure the active participation of staff on agency-wide working groups, task forces and other initiatives.
• Guide and reinforce the highest level of service quality and support from all managed departments.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in accounting, Economics or Finance or equivalent experience in a directly related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of financial management experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior management role, preferably as CFO, and preferably with experience in a global operation.
• Demonstrated experience in building and leading teams.
• Track record of reliable and consistent performance and strong customer service.
• Knowledge in working with ERP systems deployed on a global/international scale.
• Hands on financial leader capable of financial modeling and analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA and CPA a strong plus.
• Experience in nonprofit management: strong knowledge of US government grant-making, regulations, investments, non-profit fundraising, and risk management.
• Experience in financial and compliance management of USG resources strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Solid knowledge of GAAP, GAAS, not-for-profit accounting. Strong knowledge of U.S. Government funding and grant-making regulations, investments, non-profit fundraising, risk management, audit, and tax regulations for non-profit organizations.
• Strong finance, accounting and audit knowledge with superior analytical/problem solving skills.
• Strong project management, process enhancement, and change management skills.
• Broad base of general finance and accounting skills.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Creativity, flexibility, highly analytical, problem solving, results orientation.
• Responsive and service oriented.
• Strongly strategic in perspective.
• Highly functional in communicating with both financial and non-financial managers, executives, and Board.
• Strong interpersonal and team process skills. Collaborative and inclusive.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, presentation and listening skills.
• Culturally sensitive and patient.
• Focus on efficiency and optimization of resource utilization.
• Shares the agency's values and vision. Knowledgeable of Catholic Social Teaching.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational learning and development.
• Strong motivation skills, with high level of dedication and commitment.

Required Languages - Fluency in English required.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 15-25% visiting country finance teams and key global partners.

Supervisory Responsibilities - Director of Treasury, Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, Sr Director Global Finance, Sr. Director Global Controller, and Sr. Director Internal Audit.

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: CEO; ELT; Senior Managers; Board Treasurer and members of Budget and Finance Committee, Audit and Risk Management Committee, and Investment Subcommittee.
• External: CFOs and audit executives from donor agencies; senior staff of finance, investment, benefit and insurance service providers, external auditors; CFOs of other NGO's.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability - consistently takes responsibilities for one's own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others - works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn - seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies

• Lead Change - continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others - builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset - understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team principles.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS' processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.