Vice President for Finance

What You'll Do

Climate Central seeks an experienced Vice President for Finance to play a critical role in setting the strategy for our financial health, sustainability, and growth of a $10M+ organization, as we work to advance our mission. This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior finance leader with a proven track record of creative problem-solving and change management to join a growing, mission-driven organization. The VP for Finance is a hands-on leader who will ensure Climate Central has the infrastructure, systems, and processes that enable us to sustainably manage our organization. A successful VP for Finance will bring strong technical accounting knowledge, keen insight on financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and the desire to improve processes and implement best practices.

Financial Strategy, Vision, and Leadership (50%)

• Provide tactical and strategic financial input and leadership for Climate Central's financial modeling and planning, budgeting, cash flow, and investment priorities.
• Lead robust and transparent strategic budgeting and monitoring processes, in conjunction with the executive, department, and program leadership teams, that will foster collaboration and accountability between Climate Central and its stakeholders.
• Optimize deliberate financial modeling, reporting, and analysis to provide senior-level leadership with access to data and information that enables them to make timely decisions.
• Oversee the development of best-in-class financial infrastructure, including processes and systems to ensure the organization maximizes business efficiencies.
• Serve as the management liaison to the Board's Finance Committee; prepare timely and accurate board and committee materials and effectively communicate and present critical financial matters at select board of directors and committee meetings.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the CEO informed of all critical issues.
• Represent the organization externally, as necessary, particularly in collaboration with the VP for Administration on banking and lease negotiations.

Financial Operations (40%)

• Oversee all functions of accounting, including responsibility for financial reporting, financial operations, and financial planning, including payables, receivables, payroll, financial reporting, annual reporting, tax preparation, and auditing.
  
• Oversee monthly close tasks including, but not limited to, preparation of journal entries, account reconciliations, and other miscellaneous analysis. Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and completeness as it pertains to the close process.
• Own timely and accurate audit preparations and ensure a smooth annual audit process; also own annual 990 preparation, state filings, and 5500 testing for the 401(k) plan.
• Work with the development team and program directors on budgets for new/ renewing grant proposals and financials for donor reports.
• Ensure all accounting processes, reporting, and operations are in compliance with US GAAP and other federal, state, and local requirements.
• Identify and analyze variances and unusual transactions as identified. Communicate and resolve as appropriate.
• Recommend, establish, and maintain controls to ensure accuracy and provide safeguards.
• Establish and maintain the reporting systems and controls to ensure compliance with consolidation and reporting requirements, regulatory compliance, and effective risk management.

Organizational Effectiveness (10%)

• Define, drive, and track strategic objectives and key performance indicators in support of healthy and sustainable finances.
• Drive decisions on initiatives affecting the organization's operating performance while effectively managing risk and overhead.
• Contribute to the implementation of cross-collaborative, organizational business improvements and strategies.
• Manage staff supporting the above functions, as applicable.

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to the Chief of Staff.
• You will supervise 2 external consultants.
• You will frequently collaborate with the Department Leadership Team, which includes the Chief Technology Officer, VP for Admin, VP for Content Creation, VP for External Communications, VP of Engagement and the Executive team (CEO, Chief of Staff, Chief Program Officer, and SVP for Development).

• An undergraduate degree in accounting, business administration, finance, economics, or related fields is required; public accounting and/or CPA license is strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of senior professional experience in a senior financial leadership position.
• Experience with oversight and responsibility for the finance and accounting functions of a non-profit with a budget of $10M+.
• Expertise in strategic planning and financial management, including the ability to identify growth opportunities, effectively align resources with organizational goals, and instituting change management initiatives.
  
• Deep understanding of data driven financial planning and analysis, risk management, financial forecasting/reporting, budgeting, and systems integration.
• Ability to "roll up your sleeves" and dig into tactical work; Extensive experience creating project and grant proposal budgets, funder reports, and releasing funds; Deep knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and financial reporting standards.
• Strong executive presence and outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

This position can be mostly remote, in accordance with Climate Central organizational policy. Presence at headquarters or other U.S.based locations is required periodically for team and organizational meetings, events and retreats. Climate Central's headquarters are in Princeton, N.J., operating under standard U.S. Eastern time business hours. Preference will be given to candidates who are able to be present in our Princeton, NJ office, at least twice per month, ideally once per week. Candidates must be eligible for employment in the United States.

We are committed to investigating and communicating the unequal burdens of climate change, to engaging with affected communities, and to building an organization that represents the audiences and communities we strive to serve.