senior director, finance - waldronfrom the david and lucile packard foundation and the william and...
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Senior Director, FinanceCourtesy Dennis Schroeder/NREL
Energy Foundation | Senior Director, Finance
About Energy Foundation
Energy Foundation’s (EF) mission is to serve the public interest by building a strong clean energy economy. EF supports education and analysis to promote non-partisan policy solutions that advance renewable energy and energy efficiency while opening doors to greater innovation and productivity—growing the economy with dramatically less pollution. We are a complex, multi-site, multicultural nonprofit organization with big plans for the future. Now into the tenure of a new CEO, EF has embarked on a major strategy refresh, a prioritized commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and rapid geographic expansion.
For more than 25 years, Energy Foundation has supported grantees to help educate policymakers and the general public about the health and economic benefits of a clean energy economy. Our grantees include business, health, environmental, labor, equity, faith, and consumer groups, as well as policy experts, think tanks, universities, and more.
Our comprehensive approach advances energy efficiency and renewable energy in the power, transportation, and buildings sectors. Working together, our Policy and Public Engagement programs focus on developing innovative policies and campaigns to help propel clean energy development in these sectors, while our Strategic Communications Program develops powerful narrative and communications strategies designed to build support for our work regionally and nationwide. Our States and Regions Team is a cross-disciplinary team of policy, communications, and campaign experts dedicated to advancing strong state and regional climate and clean energy policies.
Energy Foundation’s founding office is in San Francisco, CA, with regional offices in Raleigh, NC; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; and Las Vegas, NV.
Energy Foundation | Senior Director, Finance
The Senior Director, Finance is responsible for all finance, budget, audit, and compliance matters organization-wide. As one of the most cross-functional roles at EF, the Senior Director, Finance has the opportunity and responsibility to build strong relationships with leadership, the Board, and the Program, Policy, Communications, and Strategic Partnership teams in all of EF’s locations. The Senior Director, Finance reports to the COO and collaborates with the Director of DEI and peers on the Operations Team, including the Senior Director of Human Resources, Senior Director of Grants, and the Senior Director of Knowledge Systems. The Senior Director, Finance leads a finance team of five: Controller, Revenue Analyst, Accounts Payable and Payroll Coordinator, Finance and Grants Assistant, and EF China Finance Manager.
The position calls for a cohesive, “whole organization” approach that prioritizes collaboration, proactive engagement across the organization, and flexible, cooperative problem-solving to ensure that EF’s headquarters, regional, remote, and international offices have the support they need on the budget process, compliance, financial systems and reporting, donor reporting, and financial questions.
The Senior Director, Finance also serves as a key resource to the Management Team and supports the Audit Committee of the Board by providing positive engagement, annual budget analysis, timely financial statements and reports and accurate input on financial matters.
Position Summary
Courtesy Joah Bussert
Energy Foundation | Senior Director, Finance
Key Priorities
Key PrioritiesFinancial ManagmentThe Senior Director, Finance holds accountability for the complex financial picture of the entire organization. Central to this is managing the books for EF’s four, interconnected organizations: Energy Foundation U.S.; Energy Foundation International; Energy Foundation China; and the 501(C)(4) advocacy arm, Green Tech Action Fund. Responsibilities include leading the annual budgeting cycle, delivering a clean annual audit, and ensuring compliance across departments and offices. They review and approve all financial transactions, including journal entries, bank reconciliations, and revenue recognition. The Senior Director, Finance evaluates proposal budgets and reviews and classifies contribution agreements.
Team and Systems ManagementWith oversight of the functional activities of accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll processes, the Senior Director, Finance should model excellent management skills while leading the Finance team, instilling cohesiveness and engagement with the broader EF team in order to provide support to staff across all locations. The Senior Director, Finance also ensures all financial team members have clarity about their roles and follow nonprofit accounting best practices and requirements for accurate and compliant data.
The Senior Director, Finance manages bank and key vendor relationships including NetSuite, Concur, Vanguard, and Adaptive. They guide the use of those systems, including maintenance, troubleshooting, and system build-outs. The Senior Director, Finance trains staff across the organization in the latest enhancements and encourages adoption of standards for consistent use throughout EF.
Financial CommunicationsThe Senior Director, Finance communicates and presents critical financial matters to the CEO, COO, and the Board of Directors, and translates complex financial information to staff across the organization, including the EF China and international teams for whom English may be a second language. They will coach and educate all staff across EF about the finance function and the need for financial processes and constraints, as well as ensure that shared systems and practices are understood, adapted, and institutionalized across the organization.
Additional ResponsibilitiesFinancial Planning and ReportingThe Senior Director, Finance manages the 990 IRS tax return process, all expense reporting, and retirement benefits plan. Additionally, this role analyzes, prepares, and presents regular financial reports and statements to keep EF’s leadership abreast of the organization’s financial status. As the size and complexity of the organization grows, the Senior Director, Finance provides data and forecasts to guide financial planning, business modeling, and strategic decisions of the organization.
China Services AgreementThe China Sustainable Energy Program, now known as EF China, was initiated as an EF program in 1999 with funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. While EF China is a legally separate entity, it maintains a Services Agreement with EF. The Senior Director, Finance works closely with EF China’s Finance staff and COO and ensures strong management of all the financial aspects of EF’s relationship with EF China, including the asset transfer between the U.S. and China entities and hiring and managing staff to support those operations.
Energy Foundation | Senior Director, Finance
The Ideal Candidate
EF seeks a Senior Director, Finance who is a functional expert who can see beyond the numbers to why they matter. As someone who thinks holistically about the organization they serve, the ideal candidate is a relationship-builder who will proactively interact and share information across EF locations and staff. They are service- and solutions-oriented, and a collaborative problem-solver who is at home in a diverse, dynamic, complex environment with a combination of local, regional, and international staff. Ever curious and inquisitive, the ideal candidate will connect with people individually, ask the right questions, and be able to provide the right analysis and data to inform decision-making. The flexibility to consider other points of view and meet people where they are will be critical for success.
Functionally, a successful track record of rigorous financial management—along with very strong accounting, compliance, audit, and financial analysis skills—is essential. Prior experience holding final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial data, reporting, and audits is valued. The ideal candidate is confident in their knowledge and not afraid to collaborate with peers to make decisions that will improve methods or policies for all.
Excellent communications skills are required. The ability to build strong, collaborative, working relationships with a very diverse group of colleagues and external partners is critical to success. Candidates need to demonstrate success navigating multi-cultural work environments that have distributed, international, and remote teams. Their combination of financial acumen and interpersonal skills will build the trust and confidence of all staff and ensure they have the support they need to succeed.
The Senior Director, Finance must operate with the highest standards and integrity. Attention to detail and accuracy are critical. The position requires keen analytical, organizational, and team management skills to manage competing priorities, as well as a strong fluency in technology and systems.
As a manager, the ideal candidate is inclusive, open, and transparent; follows-through; listens to the team; engages them in planning and problem-solving; and fosters their growth. Their expertise allows them to identify ways to help the finance team optimize their work so it can operate at the highest level.
Energy Foundation | Senior Director, Finance
Candidates should bring a minimum of 8–10 years’ experience in progressively responsible, hands-on accounting and financial management roles. Proven success working with and across teams in a high performing, complex, multi-site and multi-cultural organization is important. Excellent accounting, budgeting, and team management skills are essential. Certified Public Accountant status would be an asset. Candidates need a working familiarity with systems including Salesforce, Concur, Adaptive, NetSuite, Fluxx, Box, Google Docs, and advanced Excel expertise.
The Senior Director, Finance must have an understanding of nonprofit accounting practices and regulations, including the 990-tax return process, revenue recognition, and current requirements for determining proper classification. Some understanding of grants management in a philanthropic context is helpful, but not required. Ideally, work experience includes some combination of philanthropic or nonprofit organizations, private sector, government, and/or social enterprises across diverse cultures and geographies.
The Senior Director, Finance role is located in EF’s San Francisco office.
Qualifications
Energy Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To be considered, please go to Waldron’s Candidate Portal and submit your resume and a cover letter expressing your passion for the mission and fit for the role.
The search for a Senior Director, Finance is being assisted by a team from Waldron:
Mikela TopeySenior Search Associate
Direct: 415.646.4026
Melissa MerrittPrincipal
Direct: 206.792.4300
To Be Considered
waldronhr.com
Waldron is honored to work with Energy Foundation in the search for a Senior Director, Finance. We
believe in and support the work of Energy Foundation, and we are doing our best to recruit a talented
leader who will accelerate this mission. As the consulting partner strategic leaders choose to help
attract, engage, and inspire effective leaders, Waldron provides a unique combination of executive
search, leadership development, and career transition services across sectors and industries. Our
passion is helping people and organizations realize their full potential and increase their impact.
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