This is an interim backfill role to cover for an employee who will be out on parental leave. The duration of the assignment is targeted for 12 months starting in November. However, the start and end dates may change.
The Finance, Planning and Analysis team is seeking an energetic, collaborative Finance Manager to provide business and financial analysis support to Program Strategy Teams (PSTs). Key responsibilities include partnering with the US Program teams in grantee financial assessments and grant investment structuring, including complex transactions. Other key responsibilities include supporting the Program CFO in annual budget and financial planning, resource allocation and ad hoc projects.
Critical skills for success include solution-orientation and a proactive approach to responsibilities. Experience using financial/data analysis and modeling skills in an advisory role are necessary in building strong relationships with key partners, including the US Programs Leadership Team.
The Finance Manager must be effective at influencing with exceptional partnership and communication skills. Most importantly, s/he must be passionate about the Foundation’s mission, particularly in addressing the educational inequities that exist today.
Responsible for developing and tracking annual and long-term financial plans and forecasting. May manage program’s investment pipeline through monitoring of execution, financial forecasting and advice to team members. Leads operational improvement initiatives aimed at streamlining investment development, approval, and monitoring.
Strategy and Financial/Budget Planning (20%)
- Support annual budgeting and financial planning
- Work with the program team(s) to produce detailed, dynamic 4-year investment budgets, including risk assessment and scenario modeling
- Partner with the Strategy, Planning, & Management (SPM) team to optimize/allocate resources across portfolios of investments, using a fluid capital market approach
Forecasting Management (10%)
- Provide forecast support and portfolio allocation management
- Monitor actuals and forecasts to budget, with risk assessment and produce variance analysis
- Build tools and reports to plan and monitor workflow, and monitor forecast and payout performance
Investment Analysis (55%)
- Perform new grant and annual progress report budget reviews, conduct financial diligence, review grant proposal summaries, evaluate budget forecasts, and assess the financial health of organizations to ensure potential funding meets the Foundation's requirements, strategic goals, and programmatic missions
- Provide analytical support on complex analysis with a financial component and for complex financial transactions, including PRIs.
- Support the analysis of the financial health of organizations through market research, financial statement reviews and discussions with key finance members of these organizations.
- Present findings and analysis to senior leadership for decision making
Cross-Foundational / Project based (15%)
- Participate in PST-related and cross-foundation projects to develop financial analyses and best practices in support of effective investment-making
- Respond to internal and external portfolio data requests and analysis.
This role is responsible for high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with grantees and partners in the field.
- Knowledge of strategy development, business/financial planning, risk management, and general management practices.
- Project management and coordination of multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong analytics (especially financial modeling, investment/deal structuring).
- Knowledge and experience regarding relationship management.
- Knowledge of risk management and due diligence.
- Knowledge of systems and processes related to financial management.
- Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to partners with diverse backgrounds, including leadership, program staff, grantees and other foundation operational resources.