Vice President, Program Finance
Company: American Institutes for Research
Location: Chicago
Posted on: May 17, 2024
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Job Description:
Overview
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, VA, the
American Institutes for Research (AIR) is an independent,
nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral
and social science research and delivers technical assistance and
capacity building services in the U.S. and internationally in
health, education, workforce development, and social and community
development. AIR's mission is to generate and apply evidence to
contribute to a better, more equitable world. In alignment with our
mission, AIR provides services to and works in partnership with a
growing roster of clients and stakeholders, including federal,
state, regional, and local organizations, foundations, and AIR's
ownEquity Initiative
(https://www.air.org/air-equity-initiative-bridge-more-equitable-world)
.
AIR is seeking an experienced Vice President, Program Finance to
join our dynamic team. The Vice President, Program Finance position
plays a key role in steering and optimizing all client-facing
financial functions and is at the forefront of AIR's financial
strategy, ensuring robust compliance, operational efficiency, and
alignment with the goals of AIR. This Vice President position
offers a unique opportunity for a seasoned financial leader to make
a substantial impact on the financial health and strategic
direction of AIR, contributing to our institution's mission of
advancing evidence and improving lives.
This position can work hybrid from any ofAIR's U.S. office
locations (https://www.air.org/locations#alloffices) and must be
able to travel as needed.
Responsibilities
As a key member of the leadership team, the incumbent will be
responsible for financial oversight of a diverse portfolio of
approximately 700+ Federal, State/Local, Foundation, Commercial,
and International contracts and grants as well as operating
division indirect cost management. Responsibilities of the Vice
President position include:
Client-Facing Financial Leadership:
Oversee and lead all aspects of financial support to AIR's client-
and internally-funded projects, including client-directed audits,
financial reviews and negotiations with clients regarding key
institutional financial policies and practices.
Ensure compliance with applicable funder, U.S. and international
governmental and institutional financial regulations, policies,
requirements and goals.
Manage approximately 40 domestic and international finance team
members responsible for financial management and accounting,
project billing, cash receipts, financial analysis, budgeting,
forecasting and cost control for international and domestic
projects including fixed price and cost reimbursable contracts and
federal and commercial grants.
Project Management:
Ensure the effective execution of financial processes over the
project portfolio life cycle including compliant setup in AIR's
financial systems, project data and reporting quality control and
project closeout activities.
Manage and advance the institution's project budgeting and
forecasting system and related processes including pulsation of
changing industry best practices and institutional information
needs.
Business Development Support:
Develop and promulgate institutional financial pricing policy and
guidelines to the proposal development team.
Collaborate with business development and pricing teams to provide
financial insights, strategies and support to the proposal
development effort.
Lead a cross-functional team to develop, execute and maintain
various forms of operational presence in various foreign countries.
Develop a risk-informed strategy to meet requirements related to
taxation, compliance reporting, audit, and mandatory filings.
Strategic Financial Planning:
Provide business and risk management advice to senior executives
and operations staff, contributing to strategic
decision-making.
Play a key role in financial planning and analysis for all
components of the organizational financial plan including revenue,
direct cost components, gross margin, divisional indirect costs,
contribution margin and cash flow.
Provide solutions to unique market cost and pricing idiosyncrasies
while maintaining compliance with funder and applicable regulatory
requirements.
Leadership in Mergers, Acquisitions, and Business Combinations:
Advise and support the leadership team regarding mergers,
acquisitions, and business combinations.
Lead major due diligence efforts, ensuring comprehensive financial
assessments, report results, assessments and recommendations to the
executive leadership team.
Oversee post-close program finance-related integration efforts to
ensure a seamless transition and realization of synergies.
Team Development and Management:
Lead, mentor, and develop the program finance team to enhance their
skills and capabilities, fostering a collaborative and
high-performing yet nimble team with a 'can do' mindset.
Regulatory Compliance:
Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations, program
accounting principles, and government requirements. This includes
remaining current on changes in regulations that may impact
financial operations. Financial Risk Management:
Develop and implement strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate
financial and project execution risks associated with the
institution's projects and operations.
Benchmarking and Continuous Process Improvement:
Periodically benchmark AIR's program finance-related processes,
policies and systems against industry and peer best practices
Identify and implement process improvement initiatives to enhance
the efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Considerations:
Stay informed about emerging ESG trends and integrate relevant
considerations into financial decision-making processes.
Qualifications
Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration,
or a related field with relevant professional certification (CPA,
CMA) or a master's degree (MBA).
Substantial experience in financial leadership roles at a senior
level, with a demonstrated track record of success in financial
management and strategic decision-making at a growing global
organization.
Strong understanding of the nonprofit sector, and experience with
federal, state/local, foundation, commercial, and international
funding mechanisms, and regulations; in depth knowledge of FAR,
AIDAR, GAAP, and Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards is
critical.
Proven experience managing financial aspects of a diverse portfolio
of contracts and grants, including expertise in project budgeting,
forecasting, all aspects of the cash cycle and financial
analysis.
Experience providing financial insights and support in the
development of project proposals.
Recent experience in mergers, acquisitions, and business
combinations, including due diligence efforts and post-close
integration.
Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to
mentor and develop a high-performance finance team.
Experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial
risks associated with government and foundation-funded projects and
operations.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability
to effectively communicate financial information to diverse
stakeholders, including senior executives and non-finance
staff.
Proven ability to contribute to strategic decision-making through
financial planning and analysis, providing business and risk
management advice to senior executives.
Relevant, recent body of knowledge regarding financial systems and
technology, and the ability to leverage advancing technology for
process improvement and efficiency gains.
A commitment to continuous process improvement and a proactive
approach to identifying and implementing best practices in
financial operations.
High ethical standards and a commitment to upholding the
institution's values and governance policies.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment, adapting
to new challenges and opportunities.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate
efficiently in a virtual work environment.
Disclosures:
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a
full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B
sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on
project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain
residency requirements.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment
without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion,
sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation,
national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected
candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and
principles and will therefore undergo reference and background
checks.
AIR's Total Rewards Program , is designed to reward our staff
competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission.
This position offers an anticipated annual salary of $240,000 -
$260,000. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within
the institution and external equity with competitive markets.
Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are
based in the United States.
AIR maintains a drug-free work environment
(https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Workplace-Drug-Policy-2023.pdf)
.
Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:
AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR
representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive
information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be
aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an "@air.org"
domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email
address, for example jdoe @air.org is correct and jdoe
@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address . If you are
unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received,
please reach out to recruitment@air.org .
If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov . You can
also report it to your state attorney general . Find out more about
how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams .
#LI-AS1 #LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid
Submit an interest application
(https://jobs-airdc.icims.com/jobs/13069/vice-president%2c-program-finance/job?mode=apply&apply=yes&in_iframe=1&hashed=1374627785)
Please note, each section of the application is required in order
for you to be considered for this opportunity. If you do not
complete the required screening questions, or if you close your
browser before completing each section of the application, your
application will not be submitted for this position.
American Institutes for Research is an equal employment
opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence
through diversity. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities
and veterans are encouraged to apply.
American Institutes for Research's commitment to Diversity goes
beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy,
operations and work environment. Diversity is valued and Inclusion
is reflected in all efforts to recruit, develop, and engage the
diverse staff needed to accomplish our mission.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for
any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental
disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.org
or call 202.403.5000.
Job Location US-VA-Arlington - US-IL-Chicago - US-NC-Chapel Hill -
US-TX-Austin - US-MA-Waltham - US-CA-Sacramento -
US-MD-Rockville
Job ID 13069
Job Location United States
Category Finance/Accounting
Keywords: American Institutes for Research, Milwaukee , Vice President, Program Finance, Executive , Chicago, Wisconsin
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