Chief Financial Officer

National Endowment for Dem•Washington, DC

15h•$130,000 - $234,500

About The Position

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for NED’s financial strategy, planning, and operations, ensuring resources are managed with integrity, transparency, and discipline in support of the mission. As a core member of the Enterprise Leadership Team, the CFO serves as a key strategic advisor to the CEO, COO, and Board on resource allocation, financial risk, and long-term sustainability, enabling NED to maximize its impact while maintaining the highest standards of accountability. The CFO oversees all finance functions. This includes budgeting, forecasting, accounting, treasury, and compliance while seeking to strengthen systems, processes, and controls to support NED’s performance and accountability. This role will lead efforts to modernize our financial infrastructure and improve the alignment of resources to institutional priorities. This role is central to NED’s effectiveness, and the ideal candidate will be able to foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization. The CFO will ensure responsible stewardship of NED’s public and private resources, including approximately $315M in annual appropriations and will lead an integrated financial planning and forecasting process to ensure alignment with Institutional Goals. The CFO is expected to identify and advance opportunities to strengthen financial sustainability, including new funding models and financing approaches. The CFO will also drive financial innovation, financing mechanisms, investment strategies, and digital-first approaches to optimize financial performance and support NED’s mission. In support of NED’s goal to “make freedom investible,” the CFO will serve as a strategic partner on financial initiatives across NED. To this end, the CFO will serve as an advisor to NED’s effort to develop and raise philanthropic resources for its Venture Fund for Freedom and explore alternative investment vehicles capable of mobilizing capital for our mission. This effort also includes helping NED make grants that generate income and developing refundable grants. This role is central to building the critical infrastructure that ensures NED serves as the SWIFT system for global freedom: a trusted, resilient financial infrastructure that moves resources safely and legally to democracy champions on the frontlines, delivering critical support and protecting partners from retaliation without compromising due diligence and accountability in more than 90 countries. This is a unique role inviting the CFO to contribute to an ambitious strategy to modernize how freedom is financed.

Requirements

CPA, MBA or equivalent advanced degree in accounting, finance, or business; relevant experience may be considered as an acceptable qualification.
15+ years of experience as a senior financial manager and team leader, with nonprofit financial and/or grant management leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience leading financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and investing in complex organizations.
Experience supporting and advising executive leadership and Boards on financial strategy and decision-making.

Nice To Haves

Experience in grantmaking, or mission-driven organizations, particularly those managing public funds
Familiarity with U.S. government funding, including Congressional appropriations or similar funding structures.
Experience developing or implementing innovative financing approaches (e.g., blended finance, impact investing, or similar models).
Experience operating in international contexts, including navigating cross-border financial and compliance environments.
Experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, or capital strategy efforts.
Demonstrated track record of working with digital currencies and AI to enhance business operations.
Experience exploring or implementing innovative financing approaches.

Responsibilities

Lead NED's financial strategy, ensuring responsible stewardship of public and private resources.
Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning to support organizational priorities and drive impact.
Provide the Board of Directors and senior leadership with clear financial insights to guide key decisions.
Drive financial innovation, exploring new funding models, investment strategies, and digital-first approaches to optimize financial performance.
Advise on efforts to raise philanthropic resources, including NED's Venture Fund for Freedom, with experience catalyzing private and philanthropic capital alongside public funding.
Engage credibly with external stakeholders and philanthropists to help make freedom investible.
Explore and advance innovative financing approaches to ensure NED expands the pool of capital available for freedom.
Oversee all core finance functions, including accounting, treasury, accounts payable, and other financial reporting responsibilities.
Ensure effective internal controls and compliance with all relevant government, GAAP, and regulatory requirements.
Act as principal liaison between external auditors and oversee audit processes.
Develop, maintain, and implement risk management strategies to mitigate potential risks and ensure financial stability.
Navigate complex international financial environments, including cross-border payment challenges and compliance requirements.
Leads and manages the Finance Department to ensure efficient, cost-effective, accurate and customer service-oriented operations to achieve NED’s mission of effectively strengthening democratic institutions around the world.
Champions the adoption of forward-looking technologies and automation to optimize finance operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
Evaluates and implements new financial systems, tools, and processes to enhance financial planning, analysis, and reporting, and to support data-driven decision-making.