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SalaryDEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer
CLASSIFICATION: Executive 1
SALARY: $253,000 - $279,000
FLSA: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Finance
LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, DC
REPORTS TO: President/ CEO
NUMBER OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT REPORT(S): 9
LAST REVISED: March 2024
POSITION SUMMARY
The Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for supervising and directing the operation and implementation of the financial management and compliance functions of Defenders of Wildlife and Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund. They report to the President & CEO and work closely with the Vice Presidents of Marketing and Philanthropy and other senior staff to provide accurate, timely, and strategic financial counsel to the organization.
The Vice President of Finance /CFO provides leadership and strategy for financial management and control. They identify and implement best practices; solves business challenges; strives for continual improvement; optimizes relationships with banks and other external service providers; and is a strategic partner with the President’s Office. They are also is the primary support staff contact for the Audit and Finance committees of the Board of Directors
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Key strategic advisor to the President and CEO on financial issues related to Defenders of Wildlife and Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.
- Senior officer in charge of strategic financial planning and management for Defenders of Wildlife
- Key member of Defenders of Wildlife senior leadership and primary staff support contact to the Board of Directors Audit and Finance Committees
- Optimizes relationships with bankers, auditors, and other service providers
- Maintains internal controls to safeguard assets, provide necessary checks and balances, and ensure integrity of financial data
- Responsible for preparation of quarterly financial presentations for the Board of Directors
- Prepares monthly internal GAAP financial statements and budget comparisons
- Manage the development, maintenance, and enhancement of annual organizational budget process
- Monitors compliance with the Board Approved Organizational budget
- Responsible for overall Organizational cash management
- Oversees annual financial statement audit, and annual pension plan audit
- Oversees the completion of annual Form 990 and related tax returns as well as Form 5500 and related pension filings
- Supervises Finance and Compliance staff, and regularly monitors staff activities to assure that all issues are receiving appropriate attention
- Responsible for leadership of the Finance team handling the accounts payable, payroll, revenue, cash & investment management, and restricted grants management functions
- Responsible for the leadership of the Compliance team handling state solicitation registrations, state CGA registrations, state registration to do business, state personal property tax filings, and contract management functions
- Develop short- and long-range operating objectives, organizational structure, and staffing requirements for Finance and Compliance Departments
- Ensure optimum performance of group function. Recommend and implement techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, cut costs and maintain state-of-the-art practices
- Recommend, review and approve departmental employment actions, including interviewing, hiring, promotions and raises, in conjunction with Human Resources. Partner with Human Resources in the handling of disciplinary issues
- Ensure communication of duties and responsibilities to direct reports and monitor performance. Provide regular coaching and counseling. Identify training needs. Prepare and deliver salary and performance reviews; review and approve performance and salary appraisals as necessary
- Assist with the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan
- Performs all other related duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: 15 years; 7 years supervisory; 5 years managing 2+ layers. CPA required.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders
https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Executive 1
Administrative
- Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
- Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service
Communication
- Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
- Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
- Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders’ interests in external environments
- Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders
Critical Thinking
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
- Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
- Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
- Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders’ work
- Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
- Strategic thinker with the ability to create high-level strategy, identify organizational-level impact, and translate strategy into relatable points and action steps.
Project Management
- Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
- Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests
- Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues
- Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment
- Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues
- Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion
- Ability to create and implement programs, initiatives, and/or systems which will result in organizational-wide impact; assess specific needs; design oversee implementation; establish benchmarks and track key performance indicators; provide recommendations for improvements; advocate and champion the program internally.
Coalition and Community Engagement
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders’ members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and/or the general public.
- Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate issues impacting Defenders’ mission and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions.
- Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations.
Conservation Knowledge
- Familiarity with Defenders’ legal, scientific, and/or political issues
- Familiarity with national and regional social, political and ecological landscapes
Leadership and Management
- Ability to foster a team and organizational culture which models the tenets of the Commitment Statement
- Ability to connect employees and their work to Defenders’ mission
- Ability to set and maintain clear expectations, ensuring clarity of roles, accountabilities, and responsibilities
- Ability to ensure that staff have the skills and support required to perform at the highest level
- Expert-level knowledge of Defenders’ business and people systems and processes
- Ability to create and maintain a diverse, inclusive, and high-functioning environment
- Ability to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in department and organizational-level decisions
- Ability to manage employee conflict and resolve escalations in an inclusive and healthy manner
- Ability to effectively lead and manage change
- Ability to develop mid-level leaders and staff to their highest capabilities, through delegation, coaching, empowerment, and professional growth opportunities
- Ability to provide effective feedback in real-time
- Ability to create and implement team and organization-wide strategies in support of Defenders’ Strategic Plan
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
None
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical Activities
Check all that apply
Frequency
(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.
N
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
N
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
C
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
O
Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.
O
Communicating with others to exchange information.
C
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
C
Operating machinery and/or power tools.
N
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
N
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
C
Environmental Conditions
Check all that apply
Frequency
(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Low temperatures.
O
High temperatures.
O
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
N
Noisy environments.
O
Hazardous conditions.
N
Poor ventilation.
N
Small and/or enclosed spaces.
N
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Physical Demands
Check only one
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
X
Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.
Visit www.defenders.org to apply.
All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Defenders of Wildlife requires employees who engage in in-person work activities, including business travel or onsite work, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. An applicant (i) who is disabled or pregnant or who has a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination or (ii) who objects to being vaccinated on the basis of a sincerely held religious belief, observance or practice may request an exemption from this vaccination policy. This determination will be made on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with applicable law. Any medical information concerning an applicant's disability will be treated as a confidential medical record in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.
Please be advised this position is non union-eligible.
