Position Title: Vice President – Finance and Controller
Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid, 2 days a week in the office)
Department: Finance
Reports to: CFO
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range for US Based Staff: $129,991 - $152,930
Organization Overview:
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.
Position Summary:
Reporting to the CFO, the Vice President/Controller will lead accounting and financial management operations for SOI’s consolidated global operations. The position is responsible for the accurate and timely compilation of all organizational financial information and will ensure that SOI maintains appropriate policies, systems, and controls that support accountability, stewardship, and compliance with all regulatory and private/public sector funding requirements. The position is responsible for the development and supervision of 3 direct reports and a total of 17 professional staff in HQ. The VP/Controller, in conjunction with the Sr. Director of Financial Planning &Analysis (FP&A), will also work closely with SOI’s programmatic service and support departments in providing strategic financial analysis, business decision support, and professional training to improve organizational effectiveness.
Responsibilities:
Accounting and Financial Management Leadership
- Direct and control all accounting and financial reporting functions for the organization which includes corporate headquarters and seven regional offices;
- Assess and implement required policies, procedures and internal controls in alignment with accounting standards and principles (GAAP and other requirements);
- Direct and coordinate the work of specialized accounting functions including payroll, treasury operations, accounts payable & receivable, general ledger, inventory management, investments, and indirectly grants/contracts management;
- Ensure the integrity of all financial transactions, coordinate consistent and compliant recording of transactions throughout monthly/closing periods, and oversee the implementation and effectiveness of internal controls;
- Coordinate monthly consolidated GAAP financial statements and collaborate with Sr. Director of FP&A on other internal financial reporting as required by SOI management and Board of Directors;
- Design SOI’s procedures, controls, and capacities to ensure effective compliance with dynamic local, state and federal grant and contract requirements;
- Coordinate the preparation and support for SOI’s annual financial statement audit, government compliance audit, IRS Form 990 compilation, and other regulatory reporting requirements;
- Oversee preparation and negotiation of SOI’s indirect cost rate proposal with the federal government, and implement updates to SOI’s cost allocation processes;
- Direct ongoing business process assessments and implement improvements to procedures, controls, and tools that result in greater operating efficiencies and cost savings;
- Manage balance sheet exposure to ensure liquidity, maintain optimal working capital deployment, and position for financing opportunities;
- Develop and implement planning to effectively manage foreign exchange exposure;
- Working with IT staff and external vendors, coordinate required system upgrades and other enhancements to SOI’s accounting, budgeting, expense reporting, effort reporting, and other financial systems;
- Serve as SOI’s primary contact for banking and audit relationships; and
- Maintain and provide regular periodic updates to the Accounting Manual, Travel & Expense Policy, and other operational policies and procedures.
Budgeting, Cash Flow Management and Forecasting
- In coordination with the Sr. Director of FP&A, regularly monitor Department and Regional actual performance to budget targets and assure compliance with budgetary limits and grant/contract obligations;
- Develop enhanced tools and procedures to maintain effective rolling cash forecasts that accurately project future cash receipts and disbursements and collaborate with Sr. Director of FP&A;
- Ensure timely and accurate draws against the Federal Letter of Credit;
- Manage SOI’s annual financial forecasting process and prepare periodic updates;
- Working with the CFO, define and monitor appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboard summaries, ROI assessments, trend analysis, and other required financial and business analysis;
- Evaluate financial performance data on a routine basis and summarize activities and recommendations to inform business decisions; and
- Participate in review of presentation documentation for SOI’s Leadership Team, Audit & Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.
Team Leadership & Training
- Build a highly effective client-focused team through training, mentoring, and development;
- Design and facilitate required accounting and financial management training for SOI/HQ and Regional Office staff;
- Leverage strengths of Finance team members by clarifying roles and responsibilities and engaging training programs that help staff excel in individual and organizational goals;
- Provide leadership by strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment;
- Work closely with Departments and Regions to continuously assess the financial efficacy of program operations and establish systems and controls that optimally support program operations;
- Provide guidance, technical support, and training for HQ and Regional staff in budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and other aspects of financial management and grant compliance;
- Contribute to the development and decisions supporting SOI’s Global Strategic Plan implementation;
- Actively participate on cross-departmental committees tasked with improving operational efficiency and continually explore ways that Finance can better support programmatic service and support departments; and
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic leader with ten plus years of relevant accounting and financial management experience. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in accounting and audit operations as well as skill leading decision support analysis and evaluation for executive teams, board members, and external stakeholders. Other qualifications include:
- 10+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, preferably within a large non-profit organization with international operations and multiple donor-funded programs.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field; CPA or advanced degree in accounting or finance preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may by accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and work experience listed above.
- Strong business analysis, performance monitoring, compliance management, and financial reporting skills.
- Proven ability to effectively recruit, develop, mentor, and lead diverse financial management teams.
- Annual planning and organizational budgeting experience.
- Extensive experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development, accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investment portfolios; government auditing standards experience preferred.
- Experience managing the financial reporting and compliance aspects of a diverse grants and contracts portfolio including government, corporate, foundation, and major donor funding.
- Experience with international accounting requirements and applications.
- Knowledge of uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal awards.
- Advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software and experience with system conversions, procurement regulations and optimal procedures, and technology skills including experience defining requirements, business case development, RFP processes, and overseeing vendor software installations.
- Exceptional analytic, organization and problem solving skills enabling strategic data interpretation and forecasting.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to clearly convey complex financial issues to different audiences; experience providing presentations to senior management, board members, and partners.
- Preferred experience with Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Dynamics 365, Power BI, Jet Reports, and Prophix software; advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Other Characteristics:
- Exceptional client service orientation and ability to build that strength across the Finance team.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
- Active listening, negotiation, facilitation, and reasoning skills.
- Ability to effectively supervise, delegate, and train individuals and teams; demonstrates flexibility and change management skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and consistently manage multiple priorities.
- Demonstrates the maturity and good humor necessary to meet the challenges of a fast-paced work environment.
- Willingness and ability to work outside normal business hours.
- Ability and willingness to travel on an occasional basis within the U.S. and overseas.
- Commitment to Special Olympics’ mission and goals, with an understanding of and commitment to the power and importance of persons with intellectual disabilities, the unique role and power of sports, and a vision of a more understanding, inclusive, and just world.
*For USA based staff: Special Olympics offers full-time employees a generous and comprehensive benefits package, which includes: medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life insurance, disability, retirement, legal resources, and PTO.
Special Olympics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
**Special Olympics is an E-Verify Employer**
