Senior Manager, Finance and Operations, Brand Partnership

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Conservation International

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Arlington, VA, United States

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Senior Manager, Finance and Operations, Brand Partnership

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Arlington, VA

The Senior Manager, Finance and Operations, is responsible for effectively managing the Brand Partnerships Program’s financial, administrative, procurement, sub-granting/contracting, and legal matters in compliance with the donor agreement and CI policies. Reporting to Vice President, Finance and Operations for the Global Programs Division, this position will work cross-divisionally with field offices and divisions, and cross-functionally with program and operation staff to ensure the Program achieves its deliverables timely, effectively, and efficiently. They will perform all aspects of financial operations, including maintaining the project budget, reviewing transactions, reporting to the donors and internal stakeholders, and liaising with other CI divisions on the operational aspects of the program. The position will support the Vice President, Brand Partnerships – who leads the Program – in executing and maintaining all funding agreements and cause-related marketing campaign agreements initiated by coalition partners, and be a key partner in liaising with donors and coalition partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Management

  • Oversee the timely, complete, and accurate recording of accounting transactions. Request payments for vendor and contract invoices and review contract agreements. Review expense reports and timesheets for the cost center. Ensure compliance with CI policies and procedures and donor reporting requirements.
  • Develop annual budgets aligned with work plan for approval by the donor.
  • Review the Program’s detailed transaction list on a monthly basis to ensure costs charged to the Program are complete, reasonable, allowable and allocable based on donor agreement and CI policies.
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement cost-control measures.
  • Monitor the Project cash flow (actual vs projected)
  • Prepare invoices for donors and monitor the Program’s cash receipts and cash flow to ensure sufficient funds are available to meet operational and strategic needs.
  • Develop and implement financial strategies, plans, and budgets aligned with the program’s goals and objectives. Conduct financial analysis, forecasting, and modeling to support decision-making.
  • Ensure financial management system is updated with all amendments, reporting, and important donor communication.
  • Work directly with auditors and manage program audits required by the donor.

Financial Reporting

  • Generate Program financial reports for internal parties, external parties, and the donor from CI’s financial system to track budget versus actuals on a monthly basis and review with internal stakeholders.
  • Update Project expenditure projections on a monthly basis as required by donors throughout the period of the project.

Grants Management and Procurement

  • Coordinate or execute procurement process including development of terms of reference, scopes of work, requests for proposals, and quotes ensuring compliance with donors and CI’s procedures for various types and thresholds.
  • Collaborate with relevant Grants and Contracts staff to ensure an understanding of subawards issued under the Project, including subaward life cycles, amounts committed, paid, outstanding balances due to grantees, timing grant payments, and their impact on the overall budget.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

  • Support any human resource-related administrative actions as required and directed by the Vice President, Brand Partnerships, such as supporting the recruitment process, including assisting in developing and posting Program-related job descriptions, preparing personnel actions, supporting the annual performance appraisal process, etc.

Other Duties

  • Together with relevant team members and Finance, Grants Management and Risk Management staff, identify and assess financial risks, develop risk mitigation strategies, and follow established internal controls to safeguard coalition assets. Assist in identifying and addressing issues of high risk.
  • Represent Conservation International in financial discussions about the Program.
  • Collaborate with General Counsel on funding documents and legal agreements pertaining to the program.
  • Process and track funding agreements related to promotions initiated by Partners.
  • Maintain the Program’s fundraising data, including funds committed, raised, received, and pending.
  • Support the onboarding of CI into partner payment systems and manage those systems for payments and invoicing ongoing.
  • As time permits, support other operational projects within the Global Programs Division as required.
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • 5 to 7 years of direct work-related experience.
  • International nonprofit experience.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills including the ability to effectively convey complex details or technical information.
  • Highly familiar with etiquette, protocol, and employing cultural awareness and sensitivity.
  • Proven team player.
  • Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
  • Proven track record in financial planning, reporting, budgeting, and analysis.
  • Proficiency in financial software and systems.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred

  • Experience with Business World ERP system.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.