Vice President, Finance

Note : Flexibility regarding location of position as long as candidate is in and around New York City and be willing to be at our NYC office as required.

About EMpower:

EMpower, a global philanthropic organisation, is dedicated to improving the lives and horizons of marginalised young people ages 10-24 in 15 emerging market countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Turkey. Through grants and other support (learning exchanges, technical assistance, thought partnering etc.), EMpower partners with ~125 local organisations working to strengthen education and livelihoods of young people, and to build their resilience, self-confidence, and well-being. Empower has offices in Hong Kong, Delhi, Singapore, London, and New York, as well as program staff in Ghana, Istanbul, Mexico, Argentina, and South Africa. EMpower is at an exciting time in our evolution and organisational strengthening. In the past few years, we have grown in staff size and global footprint, with a deliberate focus on fostering a workplace that ensures diverse perspectives, opportunities for contribution, and belonging.

Our Vision: We are building a world where all young people at the margins, especially girls, have the skills, opportunities, and power to live their full potential.

Our Mission: We partner with local organisations in emerging market countries, and other change-makers, to enable marginalised young people to transform their lives and communities.

Our Values:

• We experience and build a trusting connection with each other.
• Our commitment is sustained by our integrity.
• Together we drive flexible innovation.

To learn more about EMpower, please visit. https://empowerweb.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to the CEO/President, the Vice President of Finance is responsible for leading and managing EMpower’s finances to meet the evolving needs of a global, dynamic, growing public foundation. A key member of the organisation’s senior leadership team, the VP of Finance provides strategic oversight to the finance function in continuing to build a resilient and sustainable organisation that can deliver on EMpower’s ambitions. This is an exciting opportunity to build on EMpower’s stellar record of financial management (10+ years of highest Charity Navigator ratings) while positioning for the future, including a supporting a growing Finance team in India. The VP of Finance will drive strategy to preserve, grow and deploy resources and financial management practices to advance the organisation’s long-term objectives in line with our values. In increasingly complex times and given EMpower’s global footprint: 6 in country entities, the VP of Finance will have a risk mitigation and problem-solving mindset and be adept at anticipating and managing change. As an organisation with a strong culture and highly collaborative nature, the VP of Finance will be an important culture carrier of our values and team leader.

Key responsibilities of the VP of Finance include, but are not limited to:

Organisational Leadership & Strategy

• Lead an important transformation of our Finance department as we re-organise.
• Lead the design and assessment of financial strategy and practice against annual and long-term budget and other performance goals, fostering organisational effectiveness and sustainability
• Proactively engage organisational leadership and Board around major external or internal finance issues, trends, and changes, by presenting analyses of potential significant repercussions or opportunities.
• Oversee long-term budgeting and scenario planning to maximise stability in grant-making and general organisational resilience focusing on forecasting and financial planning.
• Contribute to informed deliberation and decision making by staff and Board on strategy, resource allocation, and investments, with timely and accurate budgets, financial reports, analysis, and models
• Serve as management liaison and reporting to the Global Finance Committee of the Board of Directors, facilitating their input to and approval of high-level financial plans and projections.
• As a key member of the SLT (Senior Leadership Team), shape organisational priorities, model EMpower’s values, problem-solve collaboratively, and proactively engage with EMpower’s stakeholders.
• Spearhead cross-functional collaboration (Development, Influence and Impact, Finance, People and Operations) to facilitate teamwork and optimise organisational effectiveness.

Finance

• Review and manage (and establish as needed) internal systems, controls, processes, and procedures to ensure the integrity, accuracy, compliance, and usefulness of timely financial information and reporting
• Lead organisational budgeting, and budget monitoring, ensuring necessary supports for staff to effectively manage their budgets and ensuring compliance with grants management and contracting requirements
• Oversee the production and presentation of timely monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial reports and analysis
• Oversee successful completion of annual audits, IRS filings, and other mandated reporting; ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal government regulations and applicable laws governing our tax structure
• Manage/oversee and track performance of all reserve, and investment activities (endowment, Board designated reserves, working capital reserves)
• Manage risk mitigation with respect to foreign exchange and cybersecurity
• Remain up to date on nonprofit audit best practices and state and federal laws regarding nonprofit operations. Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Team Management

• Direct supervision of Controller and oversee the work and the professional development of the finance team including the Controller, Finance Manager and Accountants – all based in India.
• Promote a positive organisational culture of continuous learning and improvement upholding EMpower’s core values.
• Create and ensure meeting goals and metrics for success are reflective of how we define progress within self, organisation and our strategic plan.

Qualifications/Attributes

We are looking for a dynamic systems thinker, strong communicator, and excellent connector, with the ability to demonstrate superior people and management skills.

• 15+ years' work experience in managing organisational finance, with at least 5 of these in a senior role in a global non-profit organisation with responsibility for the implementation of fiscal controls.
• Demonstrated experience in managing global financial function of a complex non-profit organisation
• Unimpeachable ethical standards, confidentiality, and personal integrity
• Knowledge of accounting and financial requirements under GAAP, along with laws and regulations relating to US tax exempt organisations, preferably including public and private foundations
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial management systems and risk management including experience managing funds in multiple currencies and managing FOREX risk
• Excellent financial management acumen; knowledge of accounting procedures and protocols, budgeting, and financial analysis
• Strong process and planning skills with ability to lead, develop and continuously improve processes, such as budgeting, seeking efficient use of time as well as quality outputs
• Exceptional people management skills, and ability to lead and develop a high-performing finance team which will be in a different locale and time zone
• Cultural competence to manage a team based in India and to interact constructively with a diverse global team
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs.
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives.
• Gravitas and confidence to gain and maintain the credibility and respect of an engaged Board of Directors.
• Adaptive relationship building skills with an ability to build relationships and work with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Familiarity with investment management strategies, suited for global nonprofits
• Commitment to EMpower’s mission: building a world where all young people at the margins, especially girls, have the skills, opportunities, and power to live their full potential
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Desirable experience working with: Sage/Sage Administration, Sage Planning/Budgeting
• Business or Accounting degree mandatory, a master’s in business administration and/or CPA is preferred.
• International business travel may be required (1-2 trips per year).
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Compensation and Benefits

EMpower offers competitive wages, benefits, and growth opportunities consistent with industry standards. Flexible benefits packages include health insurance and other insurance; pension plan with employer contribution/match; time off; and work/life benefits. Depending on the location of the candidate, the salary range for this position will be between 150k-175k USD.

How to apply : Send your cv/resume along with your cover letter to hr@empowerweb.org by 3rd November, 2024.