Chief Financial Officer

Position Summary

If you have a broad command of operational and financial best practices and want to serve as a visionary leader, this position will empower you to contribute meaningfully and make a difference in significant ocean conservation efforts. Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) seeks someone whose experience, personal values, and interests align with our mission. We embrace our inclusive culture and encourage candidates of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

SFP is growing and diversifying our business, funding, and financing structure and is seeking a seasoned and experienced CFO to help lead these efforts and ensure that the requisite internal financial systems, processes, and internal and external reporting are established and maintained to support these new business initiatives. This includes routine financial management and ensuring the organization meets the requirements of demanding international public funders and government agencies. 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for overall financial management, annual planning and budgeting, and administrative matters. This position has primary responsibility for building and managing effective and streamlined financial and administrative processes and controls, including accounting and associated infrastructure.

Reporting to the CEO, the CFO is a member of senior leadership, participating in and contributing to strategic planning to set overall strategic and business objectives for the organization. This includes researching, considering, and advising management and the Board of Directors on alternative funding strategies and corporate organizational changes. The CFO also manages critical external relationships with banks, accounting firms, and auditors, and internal relationships with senior management, Board members, and SFP staff.   

Key Responsibilities/Activities

Financial Operations 

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance and Accounting functions of the organization, including accounting, cash management, budgeting, financial reporting, planning and analysis, donor and grant reporting, and tax reporting. 
• Ensure the continuation of effective internal controls, and that appropriate policies and procedures are in place. 
• Ensure continued compliance with GAAP and all applicable federal, state, and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting and corporate governance. 
• Ensure the credibility of SFP’s finance-related functions by providing timely and accurate analysis of financial statements, budgets, financial trends, and forecasts to the CEO, COO, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.
• Engage with relevant Board committees (Finance & Development Committee and Audit Committee) to provide regular reports to the Board of SFP’s financial status and health, including short-term and long-term cashflow/financial outlook, tax issues, financial sustainability, etc.
• Adapt current financial practices, procedures, policies, and reporting to better align with and support the requirements of federal and development agency funders.
• Lead needs assessment, search, procurement, and implementation of comprehensive accounting and financial reporting system(s) (e.g., time tracking, expense reporting, budgeting, etc.) that provides a timely financial reporting tool for program leaders, the COO, and CEO. 

Budgeting 

• Establish and sustain financial objectives for the organization to ensure continued growth and sustainability. 
• Work closely with budget holders to plan for, anticipate, and manage the financial impact of their programs, and mentor staff on budget development and management. 
• Work closely with the Director of Development to develop budget proposals and donor reports and to evaluate new funding opportunities.
• Work closel with the People & Culture Director to budget compensation data for staff positions.

Administration and Management 

• Provide leadership, training, and implementation of a cohesive development process to direct reports and all finance staff.

• Contribute to developing SFP’s global strategy, long-term objectives, and organizational priorities. 

• Review proposed contracts for audit and related requirements and collaborate with the People & Culture Director to establish and implement required personnel policies and programs. 
• Oversee and manage the internal IT/Tech support team.  
• Review, prioritize, and improve existing or proposed practices, procedures, and policies associated with Finance and Operations functions. Other administrative matters and assigned projects as they arise.
• Oversee SFP’s timesheet, expense, and project reporting tool(s) to ensure that operation, functionality, and data are accurate, timely, and robust. 

Senior Leadership Expectations

• Maintain a good understanding of SFP’s overarching goals, main challenges, and opportunities, working with other leaders to establish a shared perspective.
• Liaise effectively across SFP teams, supporting their work to achieve organization-wide results and goals.
• Serve as an external ambassador for SFP, and in partnership with SFP’s Marketing and Communications team, lead external relations and marketing for your program. 
• In concert with the CEO, liaise with the Board, and steward Board discussion and decisions concerning your function. 
• Oversee the development of business models (with the CEO) and fundraising (with Development), and conduct financial planning and budget management (with Finance). Financial planning includes understanding your program’s financial situation projections 2-3 years out and acting proactively to develop business models and fundraising programs to address shortfalls and meet growing targets. 
• Develop staffing and resourcing plans (with P&C and aligned with budgets), and capture plans and progress made against them in SFP’s reporting systems (with M&E). 
• Incorporate targets into staffing and resourcing plans to build team capacity in a way that will promote effective delegation and provide deputy-level support for Leadership Team members. 
• Oversee implementation and reporting by your program, and partner with M&E to ensure timely and effective adjustments in strategy and management.
• When appropriate, share senior leadership information and decisions with your respective staff.
  

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, MBA strongly preferred.
• CPA or CMA is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience, including managing finance and administration of a high-growth organization.
• Minimum 10 years of nonprofit accounting experience.
• Experience managing federal development and agency grants, with knowledge of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) and standard cost rates. 
• Solid financial and evaluation skills.
• Experience creating and driving the analytic framework for planning and managing organizational change in a highly entrepreneurial organization. 
• Experience managing insurance policies for an organization and coordinating reviews with insurance agent.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English (speaking, reading, and writing).
• Demonstrable team management experience .
• Personal qualities of honesty and integrity and a commitment to conservation.
• Flexibility to effectively balance independent initiative with team collaboration.
• Ability to work within a framework of responsibilities, objectives, and deadlines without (or with limited) in-person supervision.
• Ability to work comfortably and effectively in a remote environment: work-from-home arrangements.
• Strong practical knowledge of productivity software and platforms (i.e., Word, Excel, email & other standard business communication tools), ability to easily learn new technology, etc.
• Global cultural awareness to work and communicate effectively with diverse colleagues
• Scheduling flexibility to facilitate interactions with globally dispersed colleagues.
• TRAVEL REQUIRED: up to 9 days per year, domestic or international travel (e.g., Europe or Southeast Asia) for the annual general meeting.

Application

If you think that this job would benefit from your skillset and background, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t think you’re the “perfect fit.” This position is part of a highly diverse team, and we are always looking for new talent to contribute from unique or under-represented perspectives. As an equal-opportunity employer, SFP encourages candidates of all ages, races, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, religions, physical abilities, and other diverse attributes to apply.

This position will be open until filled. All inquiries will be kept in the strictest confidence. Qualified candidates, please select the link below to apply and attach the following:

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest (no more than 1 page)

https://sfp.hrpartner.io/jobs/chief-financial-officer-eddzm