Director, Finance

The Organization

Panthera, founded in 2006, is devoted exclusively to the conservation of wild cats and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global conservation strategies for the most imperiled large cats – tigers, lions, jaguars, snow leopards, cheetahs, pumas and leopards – and small cat species. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera works in partnership with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities and governments around the globe to achieve its mission. For more on Panthera, visit www.panthera.org.

Position title: Director, Finance

Location: United States, specifically Washington State, California, Nebraska,

Texas, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, Oregon or Florida

Reports to: Chief Financial & Operating Officer

Position Overview

The position leads organizational financial planning and analysis, providing oversight of budgeting and forecasting, financial modeling, reporting, analysis, and subcontracting procedures. The position partners with executive leadership and program leadership to ensure financial sustainability and compliance with relevant laws and donor requirements while maximizing conservation impact.

The position interacts closely with the Chief Financial & Operating Officer, Controller, Regional Hub Directors, Regional Hub Finance Leads, and directly supervises one or more finance coordinators/manager.

Principal responsibilities and duties

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead organizational budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Support CFO with long-term financial models to support strategic planning, resource allocation, and risk management.
• Provide financial insights to leadership to drive data-based decisions.
• Conduct in-depth financial analysis, variance analysis, and scenario planning to assess financial health and sustainability.
• Prepare and present financial reports for leadership, donors, and partners.
• Monitor key performance indicators and financial metrics to track progress towards targets.
• Lead and/or manage financial management functions for global thematic programs in coordination with Species Directors and/or Thematic Directors, including program-specific budgeting and forecasting, reporting, analysis, and contract management.

Awards & Subrecipient Management

Donor Contracts

• Lead financial management for a portfolio of critical institutional donor awards including budget management and donor financial reporting.
• Advise staff on donor-specific financial reporting and analysis to ensure high standards of donor aware financial management are met across the organization.
• Provide guidance to staff on the development of cost proposals to donors in coordination with Business Development.
• Advise staff on negotiation tactics and objectives with donors to achieve the best possible outcomes for Panthera.
• Lead negotiations with donors on critical projects as required.
• Lead and advise on donor-specific audits and evaluations as required.

Sub-recipient Contracts

• Lead organizational implementation of procurement and sub-recipient monitoring policies and procedures in close coordination with legal team and regional operations staff.
• Advise staff on compliance with procurement policy and sub-recipient monitoring policy.

Finance Systems

• Lead optimization and enhancements of financial planning tools, dashboards, and systems to improve efficiency and accuracy of financial data.
• Collaborate with Controller and other finance staff to optimize integration and reporting capabilities between the accounting system and planning system.
• Coordinate review and improvements in system workflows for planning and expenses.

Qualifications and experience required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a similar field;
• At least seven (7) years of work experience in financial management;
• Experience with budget development and oversight;
• Experience in a nonprofit environment;
• Experience in accounting practices and donor compliance, preferably with restricted donors;
• Highly effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills in English;
• he ability to present complex financial information to non-financial audiences;
• Proficient computer skills, notably with the Microsoft Office suite and particularly with Excel.

Attributes

• Integrity, detail oriented, analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, resourcefulness, innovation;
• Ability to coordinate and manage staff globally;
• Task management and ability to meet tight deadlines;
• Inspirational, team leader.

Compensation

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, ranging from $110,000 - $140,000, with an excellent benefits package. Compensation varies by geographic location.

How to Apply

Interested applicants may submit their most updated CV, along with a cover letter describing their interest in the role to the Panthera Careers Page. The application closing date is Monday, April 14, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.