Chief Financial Officer

Position description

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping immigrants, refugees, and international students achieve economic, social, and educational inclusion in the United States and Canada. Since 1974, WES has helped people learn, work, and thrive in new places and helped society recognize the value of people's education and experience.

As WES prepares for the next 50 years of its organizational journey there is a strong, dynamic focus on strategic growth, innovation, digitization, and driving as a thought leader in the sector. Alongside organizational strengthening of its capabilities and a focus on driving social impact outcomes, WES has developed strategic partnerships, closed a key acquisition in 2023, and developed new approaches to existing and potential future products. And as WES continues to evolve its social enterprise model, it seeks to deploy 100% of its resources in a mission-aligned way. At the enterprise level, the team is pioneering a mission-aligned investment approach to invest all its unrestricted reserves in service of financial and mission stewardship.

WES believes in a future where barriers to the understanding or acceptance of academic qualifications no longer exist, and internationally educated individuals, immigrants, and refugees are empowered to fully contribute their education and talents to their new communities, thriving anywhere.

For more information on World Education Services, their mission and their work, please visit https://www.wes.org/

ABOUT THE POSITION

As WES positions itself for deepened impact and scale, they are looking for an outstanding financial leader to be their next Chief Financial Officer (CFO) responsible for overseeing $100M in annual revenues. Accountable for the administrative, financial, investment, and risk management operations of WES, the CFO will develop, drive, and embed an effective and innovative financial and operational strategy, with control systems, processes, and metrics that enable the organization to effectively operate and govern as well as realize its growth potential.

Reporting directly to the CEO, Esther Benjamin, and joining as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the CFO will be the organization's key financial leader, responsible for providing strategic counsel, driving the effective delivery of financial strategy, management, and planning, and championing and rallying the team on driving business priorities, managing through from conception to execution.

This is an ideal opportunity for an exceptional financial leader with a strategic orientation, a "can-do" mindset, and a proven track record of strong and effective delivery. We're looking for an outstanding leader who supports and guides teams through change and evolution, thriving in a dynamic environment, and with the ability to identify and manage risks while maximizing opportunities.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Organizational Leadership:

• Drive organizational strategy and accomplishment of goals as part of the ELT, including leading organization-wide or cross-functional challenges, questions, and issues to resolution
• Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the CEO and the ELT, the Department Leaders, the Board Committees, and the full Board of Trustees
• Manage and develop the team to ensure each team member is coached, developed, and well positioned to achieve their goals
• Serve as an organizational ambassador internally and externally; model WES' values and focus on building a healthy and feedback-driven organizational culture
• Embrace and operationalize WES' commitment to DEIB, helping to drive success of a multi-year plan to strengthen diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

Strategic and Financial Planning:

• Act as a thought leader and partner to the ELT, department heads, and leaders across the organization, assisting in formulating future strategies, initiatives, and approaches to strengthen and evolve the organization
• Set clear financial strategies and lead long-term financial forecasting and budgeting that supports the Enterprise Strategy and strategic priorities, partnering with the CEO, Finance Team, and wider leadership team to develop and execute the plan
• Review financial systems and processes and recommend enhancements that will enable our people to easily understand the benefits and costs of potential strategic and operational decisions: including overseeing, evolving, and leading the annual budgeting and planning process and financial planning and analysis

Financial Management and Oversight:

• Oversee all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees and Board Committees focused on Finance, Audit, and InvestmentManage Real Estate and Facilities leases and vendors to plan for capital needs across the organization and structure financing for real estate acquisition and development as needed
• Oversee pension fund investment options and arrange any debt financing as necessary
• Oversee the annual audit process; liaise with external auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees
• Manage and mitigate financial and compliance risk across WES entities, including various reporting and operating requirements in the US and Canada (and any future operating countries)
• Oversee the Finance organization and all activities, planning, and programs including workforce and resource planning, initiatives, and projects to support sound financial operations and outcomes,.implementing best practices and managing systems and processes to deliver fit for purpose and best in class services
• Undertake financial and business due diligence on possible deals and acquisitions, ensuring that the best interests of WES are managed and that the ELT and Board of Directors have sufficient insight and context to make informed decisions
• Recognize and anticipate opportunities and challenges as they relate to financial and tax systems and operations internationally; generate ideas, strategies, and solutions to drive impact

Investment Management:

• Work with the Board Investment Committee to establish broad guidelines for WES's investment portfolio linked to impact, return, and risk
• Manage investment activity and review investment reports for investment policy compliance
• In partnership with the Board Investment Committee and internal investment specialists, develop investment policies, procedures, and controls and adjust investment practices as needed to reflect changing investment markets, economic conditions, and portfolio size

System Design, Legal, and Contract Management:

• Review, refine, and develop financial and operational systems, as well as standard operating procedures that WES requires to support its evolution as a social enterprise and its organizational structure that includes business and social impact initiatives
• Develop systems to guarantee accuracy and compliance of accounting and reporting, as well as leading the financial affairs of WES in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and City, State and Federal government regulations
• Act as the senior executive responsible for negotiating and executing contracts, maintaining all WES trademarks, and managing contractual frameworks including core documents and processes to ensure effectiveness and cost efficiency, managing and minimizing risk to WES
• Manage the internal legal counsel and oversee relationships with external legal counsel that supports WES in key geographies and operational areas, in partnership with Internal Counsel and the Chief People Officer for Employment Counsel

Qualifications

• At least 10+ years of financial and operations management in a senior leadership capacity with a major company or division of a large corporation, social enterprise, or non-profit organization; multi-sector experience across public sector, non-profit, and for-profit organizations highly desirable
• At least 5+ years of progressive senior responsibility in developing and building out financial reporting structures ideally working and managing across multiple geographies, including outside of North America
• Experience partnering with an executive team, knowledge of working with a Board, and serving as strategic counsel
• Extensive knowledge of financial planning and management systems
• Track record of building and leading effective and geographically dispersed teams; evidence of building an outcomes/data-driven team culture and coaching/developing others to maximize their potential, ideally in a global setting
• Knowledge of and experience with management of an investment portfolio, including working with and engaging external investment providers
• Experience and management of grants management and funding regulations, impact investment, structured finance, or tax-credit finance (i.e., New Markets Tax Credits) highly preferred
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional strategic and analytical thinking skills, with an ability to leverage financial information to drive organizational decision making
• Able to work with and influence a wide range of people and with cross-cultural teams, gaining rapport whilst managing and aligning expectations
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, as required
• Personal qualities of honesty, integrity, credibility, commitment to quality, and dedication to the mission of WES
• A strong commitment to equity and experience cultivating work environments grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Commitment to WES' values of Opportunity, Inclusion, Equity, Enterprising, and Expertise
• A bachelor's degree and/or commensurate experience that demonstrates exemplary strategic and financial acumen; MBA, MPA, MS in Accounting or Finance, and/or CPA or Certified Management Accountant highly preferred

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Location: WES has offices in NYC and Toronto; while there is a preference for candidates local or within commutable distance to either of those locations, this opportunity is also remote

Compensation and Benefits: The salary range for this role is $270K-$315K. And because WES believes that their people are the foundation of their success, they place a high priority on offering a wide range of benefits that make their team happier and healthier, this includes:

• Flexible and supportive work arrangements with generous vacation time, paid parental leave and an ability to work remotely
• A comprehensive benefits package and 401a/403b plans that have competitive matching provisions
• Paid professional development, tuition reimbursement, professional fees reimbursement, student loan repayment, and a focus on skills development
• A focus on wellness with a suite of wellness activities, corporate gym membership, and EAP support

World Education Services (WES) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, World Education Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. 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.

Like WES, On-Ramps is deeply committed to equity. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose.

On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [email protected].

 

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