ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping immigrants, refugees, and international students achieve economic, social, and educational inclusion in the United States and Canada. Since 1974, WES has helped people learn, work, and thrive in new places and helped society recognize the value of people's education and experience.
As WES prepares for the next 50 years of its organizational journey there is a strong, dynamic focus on strategic growth, innovation, digitization, and driving as a thought leader in the sector. Alongside organizational strengthening of its capabilities and a focus on driving social impact outcomes, WES has developed strategic partnerships, closed a key acquisition in 2023, and developed new approaches to existing and potential future products. And as WES continues to evolve its social enterprise model, it seeks to deploy 100% of its resources in a mission-aligned way. At the enterprise level, the team is pioneering a mission-aligned investment approach to invest all its unrestricted reserves in service of financial and mission stewardship.
WES believes in a future where barriers to the understanding or acceptance of academic qualifications no longer exist, and internationally educated individuals, immigrants, and refugees are empowered to fully contribute their education and talents to their new communities, thriving anywhere.
For more information on World Education Services, their mission and their work, please visithttps://www.wes.org/
ABOUT THE POSITION
As WES positions itself for deepened impact and scale, they are looking for an outstanding financial leader to be their next Chief Financial Officer (CFO) responsible for overseeing $100M in annual revenues. Accountable for the administrative, financial, investment, and risk management operations of WES, the CFO 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.
Reporting directly to the CEO, Esther Benjamin, and joining as a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the CFO will be the organization's key financial leader, responsible for providing strategic counsel, driving the effective delivery of financial strategy, management, and planning, and championing and rallying the team on driving business priorities, managing through from conception to execution.
This is an ideal opportunity for an exceptional financial leader with a strategic orientation, a can-do mindset, and a proven track record of strong and effective delivery. We're looking for an outstanding leader who supports and guides teams through change and evolution, thriving in a dynamic environment, and with the ability to identify and manage risks while maximizing opportunities.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
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
Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the CEO and the ELT, the Department Leaders, the Board Committees, and the full Board of Trustees
Manage and develop the team to ensure each team member 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
Strategic and Financial Planning:
Act as a thought leader and partner to the ELT, department heads, and leaders across the organization, 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 that supports the Enterprise Strategy and strategic priorities, partnering with the CEO, Finance Team, and wider leadership team to develop and execute the plan
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: including overseeing, evolving, and leading the annual budgeting and planning process and financial planning and analysis
Financial Management and Oversight:
Oversee all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees and Board Committees focused on Finance, Audit, and Investment
Manage Real Estate and Facilities leases and vendors to plan for 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 US and Canada (and any future operating countries)
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,.implementing best practices and managing 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 Directors have sufficient insight and context to make informed decisions
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
Investment Management:
Work with the Board Investment Committee to establish broad guidelines for WES's investment portfolio linked to impact, return, and risk
Manage investment activity and review investment reports for investment policy compliance
In partnership with the Board Investment Committee and internal investment specialists, develop investment policies, procedures, and controls and adjust investment practices as needed to reflect changing investment markets, economic conditions, and portfolio size
System Design, Legal, and Contract Management:
Review, refine, and develop financial and operational systems, as well as standard operating procedures that WES requires 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 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 to ensure effectiveness and cost efficiency, managing and minimizing risk to WES
Manage the internal legal counsel and oversee relationships with external legal counsel that supports WES in key geographies and operational areas, in partnership with Internal Counsel and the Chief People Officer for Employment Counsel
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