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CESR is Hiring a Director of Finance and Operations

Are you passionate about transforming the economic system? Are you a skilled and experienced finance and operations leader? Help us grow the capacity, diversity and reach of our vibrant global team working for a rights-based economy.
 
We are an international non-governmental organization that works to harness the power of human rights to inspire fairer and more sustainable economies. Our vision is of a world in which a just distribution of resources and power enables current and future generations to live with dignity, in full enjoyment of their economic and social rights.  With a budget of US$1.4m and a 14-strong staff team of human rights and economic justice advocates across four continents, we are currently embarked on a multi-year strategy aimed at envisioning a human rights-based economy and catalyzing collective action towards it.

CESR is seeking a dynamic Director of Finance and Operations with a passion for human rights and social justice to enable us to deliver on this goal by ensuring the effective oversight of CESR’s finances and operations. This is a strategic position with key responsibilities relating to the management of CESR’s people, processes and financial resources.  At a time of organizational expansion, the Director of Finance and Operations will play a crucial role in ensuring our robust and sustainable financial health, as well as in developing strategies and policies that enable CESR to grow in capacity, diversity and reach. This includes overseeing implementation of our Embodying Equity and Justice strategy, aimed at ensuring CESR’s values are reflected in all aspects of organizational culture and practice. 
 
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Finance and Operations contributes to the collective management of the organization as part of its Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity for a finance and operations leader to contribute to the sound governance of a well-respected, high-impact international organization that is working to advance a more just, equitable and rights-based economy in the wake of the global pandemic.

Specific responsibilities include:

A. Financial Management
  • Preparing and monitoring CESR’s operating budget; managing cash flow; and providing quarterly financial reports and periodic forecasts to CESR’s Executive Director and Board Treasurer
  • Monitoring financial risks and maintaining strong internal controls; ensuring adherence to CESR’s financial policies and procedures with periodic reviews to ensure compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements
  • Coordinating the annual audit process and serving as liaison with the external auditor
  • Ensuring timely preparation and filing of annual tax documents
  • Providing financial guidance and information for grant proposals and reports, as well as for annual development plans
  • Ensuring the integrity of CESR’s accounting and bookkeeping processes, including payroll, benefits and expenses, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

B. Operations Management
  • Designing, overseeing and continuously improving operational systems and processes that enable the effective functioning of an increasingly global staff team.
  • Strengthening the organization’s virtual infrastructure, including by ensuring appropriate IT, communications and information management systems
  • Ensuring compliance with legal, insurance and security standards and requirements
  • Managing relations with service providers and vendors in relation to the above

C. People Management
  • Developing and overseeing an integrated people management strategy, including: recruitment, performance management, professional development and compensation/benefits policies and processes that are aligned with CESR’s equity and Justice commitments, and adapted to the requirements of a global team with staff located in different jurisdictions
  • Promoting adherence to CESR’s human resource policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant non-profit legal and regulatory requirements across relevant jurisdictions
  • Overseeing implementation of CESR’s Embodying Equity and Justice commitments, aimed at ensuring CESR’s values are reflected across all aspects of organizational culture and practice.

Person profile

The ideal candidate will have:
  • An MA, MBA (or equivalent), preferably in non-profit management, finance and accounting, business administration and/or human services
  • At least seven years’ experience in non-profit financial and/or operations management, preferably in a social justice-oriented context
  • Close familiarity with US 501c3 operations, nonprofit finance and accounting regulations and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • A proven track record of leading the development of progressive and equitable people management strategies and policies
  • Experience of operations management in an international organization with staff based in different jurisdictions is desirable, as is experience of facilitating organizational change within a growing organization
  • Ability to think strategically and contribute effectively to sound organizational governance by the Leadership Team and Board, maintaining a big picture focus while paying close attention to the little things impacting our people, finances and operational effectiveness
  • Strong judgement, and superior management and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication, numerical skills and attention to detail
  • Proven professional integrity and commitment to human rights, equality and social justice, with experience of modelling these values in organizational practice
 
Location and terms
CESR is registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the state of New York, and currently retains an office in New York City. However, since 2020, its international staff team (based in the US, Latin America, South Africa and India) is currently working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the responsibilities of the position require familiarity with finance and accounting regulations in the US, the location is therefore flexible.
 
We believe that our current economic model disproportionately hurts the most disadvantaged people in our societies, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQI people, and those from working class backgrounds. In line with our commitment to embodying equity and justice in our work and workplace, we aim to center these communities in the work we do, and therefore strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other disadvantaged communities.

The salary range for this position is between USD85 – 100,000 if based in New York City, taking into account experience. If the successful candidate is based elsewhere, salary will be adjusted to account for relative cost of living, so as to ensure equity and comparability within the team. CESR also offers a range of benefits to payroll staff including health and dental benefits, participation in a 401(k) pension scheme with matching employer contributions, and 22 days of paid annual leave in addition to public holidays and end of year leave.
 
How to apply
Prospective candidates should send a CV and a short cover letter explaining their suitability for the position to jobs@cesr.org.  The deadline for applications is Wednesday 01 September 2021. Due to the volume of expected applications, we will likely be unable to respond to individual queries, but we expect to be in touch with shortlisted candidates by mid-September.
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