Chief Financial Officer

WES is seeking an outstanding financial leader to be their Chief Financial Officer (CFO). You will be accountable for the administrative, financial, investment, and risk management operations of a social enterprise with $100M in annual revenues and over $300M in net assets. You 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. You will be strategic in orientation, demonstrate a "can-do" mindset, with a proven track record of strong and effective delivery. You will be a strategic leader who supports and guides teams through change and evolution, thriving in a dynamic environment where you can identify and manage risks while maximizing opportunities. As a highly effective member of the ELT, you will provide counsel to and collaborate with your ELT colleagues to help the organization make and implement enterprise-wide decisions.

The Chief Financial Officer reports directly to the CEO and Executive Director, Esther Benjamin, and works with the wider ELT, the Board of Trustees, department leaders, and staff across the organization. You will provide strategic counsel to the CEO and drive effective delivery of all elements of financial strategy, management, and planning. You will be responsible as a member of the ELT for leading and governing WES as a social enterprise. You will oversee a Finance department that includes accounting and controllership; financial planning and analysis; mission-aligned investment management; procurement and contract/vendor management. You will be a champion and rally the team on driving business and social impact priorities, managing through from conception to execution.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategic and Financial Planning:

• Act as a thought leader and partner within the ELT, 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 for WES' operating budget that support the Enterprise Strategy and strategic priorities, partnering with the CEO, Finance Team, and wider leadership team to develop and execute.
• Oversee, evolve, and lead the annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the ELT; review and administer all financial plans and budgets; monitor progress and changes and keep the ELT abreast of the organization's financial status.
• 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.
• Serve as a strategic business partner to the ELT, department heads, and leaders across the organization.
• Work with the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team to deliver effective insights, data analysis and resulting actions in line with organizational objectives.
• 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.
• Raise items for discussion or decision, engage in executive discussions and key decisions, including decisions that have an enterprise lens, representing and supporting approaches that are in the best interests of WES meeting its strategic and enterprise goals as a social enterprise.

Financial Management and Oversight:

• Oversee all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization, in conjunction with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and Board Committees focused on Finance, Audit, and Investment.
• 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. Implement best practices and manage 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 Trustees have sufficient insight and context to make informed decisions.
• Work in partnership with the Chief People Officer to plan for real estate or facilities 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 U.S., Canada, and India (and any future operating countries).

System Design and Contract Management:

• Review, refine, and develop financial and operational systems, as well as standard operating procedures that WES needs 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/provincial, 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.
• Set the standards to manage vendors, providers, and outside partners to ensure effectiveness and cost efficiency, managing and minimizing risk to WES.

Investment Management:

• Provide executive oversight to the Investments team ensuring that the investment portfolio is effectively managed and the necessary support, counsel and services are received from external investment firms or advisors.
• Work with the Board Investment Committee to manage and revise, as necessary, broad guidelines for WES's investment portfolio linked to impact, return, and risk.
• Monitor the progress of the investment portfolio and investment activity based on accountability standards.
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Investments, review investment reports for investment policy compliance; develop investment policies, procedures, and controls for review and sign off through the Investment Committee; adjust investment practices as needed to reflect changing investment markets, economic conditions, and portfolio size; and provide investment reports to the Board and senior management.

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.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with the ELT and other senior leaders to identify and support their needs and ensure collaboration and coordination.
• Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the CEO and the ELT, broader senior leadership, the Board Committees, and the full Board of Trustees.
• Manage and develop the team to ensure each team 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.

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to the CEO and Executive Director.
• You will supervise Chief Investments Officer, Controller, Sr. Director Corporate Finance, Sr. Director of FP&A, and an Administrative Assistant.
• You will frequently collaborate with Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Board of Trustees, and department leaders.

You will be a proven financial leader accustomed to managing a complex portfolio who can apply your experience and expertise towards WES' mission of supporting people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. You will have deep experience and evidence of sound financial leadership and counsel along with innovative and dedicated ways of fulfilling strategic priorities and identifying areas for operational innovation and efficiency. You will also be passionate about developing and evolving WES as a social enterprise, being an influential team and culture leader, building effective relationships across diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders, and operating in line with our values and behaviors.

• A bachelor's degree and/or commensurate experience that demonstrates exemplary strategic and financial acumen.
  
• Minimum of 10+ years of financial and operations management with a major company or division of a large corporation or non-profit organization.
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive senior responsibility in developing and building out financial reporting structures.
• Experience as a trusted member of an organization's senior leadership team.
• Experience partnering with an executive team and knowledge of working with a Board.
• Knowledge of financial planning and management systems.
• Knowledge 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).
• Track record of building and leading effective teams; evidence of building an outcomes/data-driven team culture and coaching/developing others to maximize their potential.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Personal qualities of honesty, integrity, credibility, commitment to quality, and dedication to the mission of WES.
• 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.

Preferred qualifications:

• MBA, MPA, or MS in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA or Certified Management Accountant designations considered highly desirable.
• Multisector experience across public sector, nonprofit, or for-profit organizations.
• Experience of working and managing across multiple geographies, including outside North America.

Location and Work Environment

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.

Expect to travel 8-10 times a year.

About Benefits

Our people are the foundation of our success, and we place a high priority on offering a wide range of benefits that make our team happier and healthier:

We look for people who embody our values:

• Opportunity – We open doors so people can build better futures.
• Inclusion – We become stronger, more creative, and more resilient when we embrace diversity.
• Equity – We uphold fairness and justice in our work and actions.
• Enterprising – We are resourceful, inventive, and driven.

World Education Services is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities in the U.S., Canada, and India. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring, to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at hiring@wes.org, we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is available to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.wes.org