Chief Financial Officer

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for leading the overall financial strategy of the organization and oversees all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for both the United Nations Foundation and its sister organization the Better World Fund. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role is a key member of the UN Foundation Leadership Team responsible for both strategic and operational oversight of the organization’s accounting, financial planning, budgeting, functions in order to maximize impact across the Foundation.

This position is based in Washington, DC (hybrid/in-person work schedule). 

Essential Functions

Financial Planning and Analysis

• Plan, develop, implement, and oversee the organization's annual and long-term financial performance, including revenue forecasting and cost management in support of UNF’s mission and in alignment with the organization’s strategic plans
• Work with executive leadership to support all related board processes, including relevant support, the audit and investment committees, and analysis and decision-making around issues, trends, and changes in the Foundation’s financial model
• Manage cash flow and forecasting and develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs
• Optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions
• Oversee the relationship with the Foundation’s investment advisor, working closely with the COO and President and CEO to ensure Board mandates are appropriately reflected in the Foundation’s portfolio
• Assess and evaluate the financial implications of new initiatives in partnership with the Foundation’s Strategic Planning and Incubation team

Accounting and Reporting

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, regulatory requirements, and budget audit requirements.
• Maintain internal control safeguards and coordinate all audit activities.
• Oversee the month-end closing process, including schedules and assignments. 
• Lead the Finance Department in maintaining and implementing policies, processes, and procedures that enable a hard general close by the 7th to15th day of the following month.
• Review month-end account analyses and reconciliations analyses at a level adequate to ensure that all general ledger accounts are reasonably stated.
• Review month-end account analyses and reconciliations analyses at a level adequate to ensure that all general ledger accounts are reasonably stated.
• Review monthly reporting and financial reports.
• Manage the annual financial audits, IRS Form 990s and 1099s submissions.
• Manage the timely and accurate preparation of the organization’s annual audited financial statements.
• Plan and supervise the annual external audit in conjunction with the external auditors.
• Serve as a steward for the financial integrity of the Foundation by insuring the accurate and timely implementation and accounting of the Foundation’s finances and investment policies and procedures.
• Work with UNF’s external legal counsel as needed.

Team Management

• Manage all components of the finance team (financial planning, budgeting, accounting;), including work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and the building of an effective team dynamic
• Evaluate the finance team’s ongoing delivery with an emphasis on continual improvement, efficiency, and effectiveness of both the group as a whole and the individuals within the team.
• Seeking opportunities where relevant to provide professional development and growth opportunities for team members
• Other duties as assigned

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or Finance required. Master’s degree and/or CPA preferred
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience with at least 3-5 years of experience as CFO or equivalent, experience in a nonprofit environment required
• Strategic leader, a thoughtful problem-solver who is effective at leading change and can successfully support growth through innovation
• Experience in a senior financial-management role, partnering with executive staff, external auditors; regulatory agency personnel; banking and investment personal; contractors and consultants; and donors is preferred
• Significant experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team
• Ability to lead by influence
• Experience in legal, audit, compliance, budget, and resource development preferred
• Exceptional qualities of integrity, credibility, and a professionalism
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Extensive knowledge of financial policies, practices and systems are required
• Familiarity with various types of investments and charitable trusts, and the appropriate accounting reporting required, is strongly preferred
• Strong work ethic, resilience, and ability to work under pressure and handle stress

Benefits & Compensation 

For full-time, benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:

• a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
• group term and supplemental life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• health club discounts
• commuter subsidy
• back-up care
• employee assistance program

Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.

**Application deadline: April 14, 2023**

The United Nations Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative-action employer. The United Nations Foundation provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.