Vice President, Finance & Operations

Location: Arlington, VA
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Level: Vice President
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
Last Updated: November 2010
Travel: up to 10%

About Rare

Rare is a fast-growing, leading social enterprise that uses private sector marketing and strategy techniques to change the behaviors of communities that live in and around areas of important biodiversity. In the past five years, the organization has tripled its staff and quintupled its budget – a result of burgeoning demand throughout our sector for more innovative methods to engage local communities, and change the way they relate to dwindling natural resources. To that end, Rare searches the globe for replicable, sustainable environmental success stories, and then trains conservation leaders to develop and promote these proven practices to benefit both community livelihoods and biodiversity.

Rare’s impact is delivered via its Pride program, a powerful blend of local capacity building, the replication of technical solutions, and grassroots communications for behavior change that has been empowering local conservation leaders since 1988 at more than 200 sites around the world. Rare Pride focuses on building support for conservation at the community level and is centered on two-year intensive social marketing campaigns launched in collaboration with NGO, government, and international partners. By catalyzing in-country private and public sector funding, shifting behavior toward more sustainable practices, and focusing attention on critically threatened ecosystems and species, Rare’s Pride campaigns dramatically build momentum for conservation – ultimately creating the constituencies necessary for initiating legislative reform, creating new protected areas, and saving the habitats of those species on the brink of extinction.

The VP, Finance and Operations Role

The VP, Finance and Operations reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), and as a member of Rare’s Leadership Team, will help to shape the vision and direction of Rare. The VP’s key role is to manage the core functions of the organization and ensure that each department reaches its maximum potential in supporting our programs in the field. By continuously developing and enhancing internal processes, procedures and infrastructure, the VP, Finance and Operations will support Rare in its plan for ambitious growth and increasing conservation impact.

With a total staff of six, the VP will help Rare meet its goals by performing these key responsibilities:

 - Serve as a key member of the leadership team of Rare, with particular responsibility for advising the leadership team, COO and CEO, and Board of Directors on issues related to finance, investments, technology, legal, and global operations.
 - Deliver on both the tactical requirements for Rare’s operations, while also getting out in front of the organization’s needs, and anticipating new ways to help Rare meet its goals and manage its risks.
 - Ensure that each global operations team has the appropriate visions, strategies, talent, processes and resources to reach their goals; coaching and developing the leaders responsible for these teams to maximize their effectiveness; and broadly ensuring these teams achieve excellence in all they do.
 - Manage and ensure adherence to Rare’s Balanced Scorecard and annual global work plan.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Finance
Working with the Director of Finance, the VP will oversee all financial and business planning activities, including:
 -  Manage all financial planning and reporting for the organization, Board of Directors, and donors/partners
 - Create and implement global and country-specific business policies and accounting practices
 - Manage and prep the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors and provide reports and guidance on financial and governance issues
 -  Oversee the annual budgeting process and continuous forecasting of results throughout the year
 - Deliver a flawless annual audit and ensure compliance to key regulatory issues
 - Implement standard financial processes and help design a department that can handle an increasing number of complex transactions
 - Ensure successful integration of the strategic planning, budgeting, and performance appraisal processes (in conjunction with HR)
 - Support the fundraising team through clear cost and revenue accounting, reporting, grant management, accounting, and compliance
 

Information Technology
Working with the Director of Information Technology (IT), the VP will oversee all IT functions, including:
 - Develop and implement IT strategy, procedures, and practices
 - Ensure IT delivers superior solutions to internal clients while continually refining methods to increase staff satisfaction and ensure efficient collaboration across the organization
 - Plan for investments in IT assets with the Director of Finance
 - Ensure ongoing maintenance and updating of information systems and infrastructure across the globe, including hardware, software, backup and disaster recovery plans
 - Research, evaluate, and recommend new technology and best practices for the enhancement or re- engineering of IT systems, to lower costs and/or improve operating efficiency.

Global Operations
 - Lead all activities related to the Balanced Scorecard, which is Rare’s primary global, departmental and individual performance and strategy management tool
 - Liaise with the Human Resources team to coordinate issues relating to global and regional compensation, benefits, insurances, payroll and related initiatives
 - Manage and oversee risk management and legal activities. Own the creation and legal review of all contracts, grants, MOUs and other transactions
 - Oversee effective management of Rare’s offices, real estate, and insurances
 - Manage regional fiscal entities, including the establishment of new entities as required to support Rare’s growth

Required Competencies
We are looking for a highly motivated, energetic leader who excels in an entrepreneurial environment; (s)he will be a hands-on manager, who can move from 30,000 feet to the ground floor with ease. The successful candidate will have:
 - Demonstrated experience in financial planning and analysis, ideally with previous experience overseeing information technology and legal functions
 - Skills including organizational development, personnel management, budget and resource development, and strategic planning; demonstrated success developing and monitoring systems to improve both operational and programmatic work that involve high levels of collaboration
 -  Proven experience being able to multi-task and work effectively in a rapidly growing, entrepreneurial environment with shifting priorities
 - The ability to think strategically and broadly, while at the same time possessing a productive work ethic and acting as a hands-on manager when needed
 - A keen sensitivity, and demonstrated ability to establish respect, credibility, and trust in a multi-cultural organization at all levels including with staff, Board members, partners and donors
 - Strong problem solving and creative thinking skills
 - Enthusiasm for Rare’s mission and respect for its core values
 - A high level of personal and professional integrity with exceptional interpersonal skills
 - A record of creating and leading change, exemplifying stakeholder buy-in and related communication skills

Education and Experience Qualifications

 - Graduate degree or advanced certification preferred, e.g. MBA, CFA and/or CPA or equivalent experience in economics, business administration, math, finance or related field
 - Minimum of 10 years professional experience in a senior finance and operations role, preferably in a complex, global organization
 - Written and spoken fluency in English required; proficiency in other languages a plus, especially Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese or Bahasa Indonesia
 - Technical fluency in relevant IT and other systems as needed, including advanced proficiency in MS Office
Compensation

This position offers a package that includes a salary and bonus plan based on the applicant’s prior experience, and generous, industry-leading benefits.

To Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter, both in Word format, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity to Kristen Carson-Owens, Manager of Human Resources: humres@rareconservation.org. Subject line of the email should read, “VP, Finance and Operations.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Rare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.