Institute for Sustainable Communities Vice President of Finance & Operations Montpelier, VT · Remote · Full time

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Who We Are

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), founded in 1991, is an international climate organization with a mission to create equitable, climate change solutions around the world. We do this by forming collaborative, people-focused partnerships that support communities disproportionately impacted by the global climate crisis. For more than 30 years, ISC has utilized a unique, bottom-up approach to ensure solutions emerge from within communities, rather than being imposed from the outside. 

Through a deep understanding of and commitment to communities that are the least likely to cause global climate change yet face the highest impacts, ISC develops creative and inclusive solutions, demonstrated in our work in the US and across Asia in China, India, the Mekong, and Bangladesh. We actively partner with frontline organizations, subnational governments, and the private sector to co-create programs that support underinvested communities, women, and people experiencing poverty who comprise the global majority. ISC remains cognizant of communities' varying needs, and we tailor our approach to support those needs. We believe equity and inclusion are fundamental to building healthy, prosperous, and peaceful communities and are committed to furthering equitable climate action.  ISC is implementing programs in the U.S., India, China, and Bangladesh. Learn more at sustain.org. 

VP of Finance & Operations

The VP of Finance & Operations (VP) will report directly to ISC’s President, serve on the Leadership Team, and work with Senior Leaders, Program Directors, and Managers in a multi-site, multi-country organization. The VP has primary responsibility to ensure ISC is maintaining financial health, compliance and meeting donor and other expectations. 

What You'll Do

The VP is responsible for implementing financial and operational systems, which includes a focus on compliance with donor and government requirements. These include but are not limited to:

• Hiring and leading a team of financial experts, with multiple country financial accounting obligations
• Lead all financial strategies, analyze and advise on the level of financial and legal risk for senior management decision-making
• Grant administration (including oversight, reporting and funding in seven countries)
• Ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding finance and operations
• Implement financial management systems enabling clear measurement and accountability
• Professional development for the program and other teams on grant and legal compliance 
• Lead change management strategies for internal and external work

Specifically, the VP will

• Serve as strategic advisor to the President, other members of the Leadership Team, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors to set and achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the organization
• Develop, implement, and revise all financial and managerial reporting (monthly, quarterly, annually) for ISC and ensure timely and accurate reporting for management decision making 
• In partnership with relevant department heads, supervise the development of ISC’s annual and rolling 3-year business plans and monitor progress against those plans on a monthly and/or quarterly basis
• Supervise development and approval of all project and proposal budgets and ensure their compliance with donor rules and ISC internal policies 
• Oversee selection of external financial auditors as well as periodic programmatic and annual organizational audits, including internal audits and the Federal Government’s “single audit”; maintain integrity of financial reporting in accordance with US GAAP 
• Develop, update, and maintain the financial and operational policies, procedures, and controls for the organization and ensure that all procurements and contracting meet ISC internal policies and procedures  
• Evaluate and advise on the level of financial and legal risk for senior management decision-making; develop and implement tax-efficient corporate structuring solutions to meet local international registration requirements
• Ensure ISC compliance with international and US federal and local registration, tax, and labor regulations, including maintenance of ISC’s core US non-profit status in good standing 
• Lead and manage a team of up to six US-based staff and in-country, international, field-based financial managers 
• Oversee the development, maintenance, and integration of ISC accounting, business planning, grant administration, and impact performance systems, metrics and dashboards to evaluate performance, improve learning, and drive mission growth and impact 
• Develop, implement, and maintain enterprise-wide facilities and office solutions; work in partnership with the head of People & Culture to develop policies and procedures around staff locations that improve operational effectiveness while increasing efficiency and savings
• Oversee ISC’s existing information technology (IT) systems strategy, procurement, implementation, integration, management, and maintenance and develop strategies to ensure that present and future IT needs are met
• Develop knowledge management policies, procedures, and systems to ensure critical organizational information is retained and easily shared across the organization in a secure manner
• Provide mentorship and guidance related to finance and operations 

What You'll Bring

Required

• 15+ years of comprehensive finance experience, including 5+ years of senior management experience
• Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on financial management or related fields or equivalent experience. 
• Experience working with or leading operations, process improvement methodologies to streamline operations workflows, optimize resource allocations, and improve efficiency and financial operational workflows
• Proficiency  with accounting softwares required such as Blackbaud Financial Edge
• History of interacting with a multi-functional leadership team on global strategic issues
• Experience coaching individuals at all levels of an organization
• Experience with non profit financial management with federal funding

Preferred:

• Master’s degree with emphasis on finance management or equivalent experience.
• CPA
• Experience working with international, governmental and other partners
• Experience in managing Non-governmental operations, financial reporting and government contracts. 

Location, Work, and Travel

• Flexible with a preference for Vermont or U.S. Eastern Time Zone. 
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and video platforms. 
• Less than 10% domestic and international travel is required.

What We Offer

Salary: $160,000-$195,000

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Medical Insurance with company-funded HRA
• Dental; Vision Insurance
• Flexible spending account for medical, dependent care, parking and transit
• 403(b) with automatic 2% ISC contribution and up to 4% matching contribution
• Life, AD&D, Short-Term and Long –Term Disability Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Professional development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Appreciation of work-life balance
• Casual and flexible work environment

ISC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. People from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.