Chief Financial Officer

World Education Services • New York, NY

20d • Remote

About The Position

World Education Services (WES), a nonprofit social enterprise supporting the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students, is seeking a Chief Financial Officer. The CFO is accountable for administrative, financial, investment, and risk-management operations across WES entities in the United States, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. WES has approximately $100 million in annual revenue and more than $300 million in net assets.

Reporting to the CEO and Executive Director, the CFO provides strategic counsel to the CEO and collaborates with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), Board of Trustees, department leaders, and staff. The role develops and embeds financial and operational strategies, controls, processes, and metrics to support effective governance, organizational growth, and WES’s social-enterprise mission. The CFO oversees accounting and controllership, financial planning and analysis, mission-aligned investment management, procurement, and contract and vendor management. The role also helps lead organization-wide strategy and change, and manages and develops the Finance and Investment teams.

The CFO oversees strategic and long-term financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial management, audits, compliance, financial systems, contracts, and investment activities. The role works with the CEO, ELT, Board committees, Chief Investment Officer, Chief People Officer, and other stakeholders on matters including growth opportunities, M&A, investment policy, pension investments, and real estate financing. The position is full-time and remote in the United States, with domestic and international travel as required. Compensation is $290,000–$320,000 USD.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and/or commensurate experience demonstrating exemplary strategic and financial acumen.
• At least 10 years of financial and operations management experience with a major company, a large corporation’s division, or a nonprofit organization.
• At least 5 years of progressive senior responsibility developing and building 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.
• Experience managing an investment portfolio, including working with external investment providers.
• Experience managing grants and funding regulations, impact investment, structured finance, or tax-credit finance, such as New Markets Tax Credits.
• Track record of building and leading effective teams and developing an outcomes- and data-driven team culture; ability to coach and develop others.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with varied internal and external stakeholders.
• Honesty, integrity, credibility, commitment to quality, and dedication to WES’s mission.
• Ability to influence a wide range of people and work with cross-cultural teams while building rapport and aligning expectations.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO and ELT to develop organizational strategies, initiatives, and approaches, including M&A strategy and evaluation of inorganic growth opportunities.
• Set financial strategy and lead long-term financial forecasting and operating-budget planning aligned with WES’s enterprise strategy and priorities.
• Lead the annual budgeting and planning process, administer financial plans and budgets, monitor progress and changes, and keep the ELT informed of the organization’s financial status.
• Identify international financial and tax-system opportunities and challenges, and develop strategies and solutions to support impact.
• Serve as a strategic business partner to the ELT, department heads, and leaders across the organization; use FP&A insights and analysis to inform action and decisions.
• Review financial systems and processes and recommend improvements that help employees assess the costs and benefits of strategic and operational decisions.
• Oversee fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities in coordination with the CEO, Board of Trustees, and Board committees focused on Finance, Audit, and Investment.
• Lead the Finance organization, including its activities, planning, programs, workforce and resource planning, initiatives, and projects.
• Implement best practices, systems, and processes to deliver appropriate and effective financial services and outcomes.
• Lead financial and tax due diligence for M&A; build, review, and stress-test financial models; oversee financial and accounting systems integration; track synergies; and monitor post-close ROI against targets.
• Partner with the Chief Investment Officer on M&A deal terms, purchase agreements, escrow arrangements, earn-outs, and transaction financing.
• Partner with the Chief People Officer on real estate and facilities capital needs and financing for acquisitions and development as needed.
• Oversee pension fund investment options and arrange debt financing as necessary.
• Oversee the annual audit and liaise with external auditors and the Board’s Audit Committee.
• Manage and mitigate financial and compliance risks across WES entities, including reporting and operating requirements in the United States, Canada, India, and future operating countries.
• Develop and refine financial and operational systems and standard operating procedures to support WES’s social-enterprise development and organizational structure.
• Ensure accounting and reporting accuracy and compliance, and lead WES’s financial affairs in accordance with GAAP and applicable government regulations.
• Negotiate and execute contracts, maintain WES trademarks, and manage contractual frameworks, core documents, and processes.
• Set vendor and external-partner management standards to support effectiveness, cost efficiency, and risk management.
• Provide executive oversight of the Investments team and investment portfolio, including support and counsel from external investment firms or advisors.
• Work with the Board Investment Committee to manage and revise investment guidelines addressing impact, return, and risk.
• Monitor investment portfolio progress and activity against accountability standards; partner with the Chief Investment Officer on policy compliance, investment policies and controls, adjustments to investment practices, and reporting to the Board and senior management.
• Lead organizational strategy and cross-functional issues to resolution as a member of the ELT.
• Build relationships and coordination with the ELT and senior leaders, and communicate and present critical financial matters to executives, Board committees, and the full Board of Trustees.
• Manage, coach, and develop the Finance and Investment teams to help them achieve their goals.
• Represent WES internally and externally, model its values, and support a healthy, feedback-driven organizational culture.
• Operationalize WES’s DEIB commitment and help advance its multi-year plan for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Benefits

• Flexible scheduling and remote-work options.
• Generous time-off policies.
• Wellness programs.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.
• Recognition and rewards for contributions.
• Personal and professional development opportunities and training programs.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, and volunteer opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive