Chief Financial Officer

The successful candidate will combine deep nonprofit financial expertise with strong commercial judgment, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to influence decisions across a complex global organization. They will be equally comfortable engaging the Board of Directors on long-term financial strategy, coaching senior leaders through difficult resource decisions, and building a finance organization capable of supporting MSH's next phase of growth. 

This position is US-based remote position with Arlington, VA as a preferred location.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  
  

Strategic Enterprise Leadership 

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, helping shape and execute MSH's strategy, growth agenda, and long-term sustainability plans. 

• Act as the President and CEO's principal advisor on financial strategy, business performance, organizational investments, strategic pricing, enterprise risk, and capital allocation. 

• Provide independent, data-driven counsel that improves strategic decision-making and promotes accountability for organizational performance. 

• Evaluate strategic opportunities, investments, partnerships, restructuring initiatives, and business models to ensure alignment with MSH's mission and long-term financial sustainability. 

• Partner with senior executives, country leaders, and operational teams to strengthen business performance and improve decision quality. 

• Challenge assumptions, evaluate trade-offs, and ensure that leadership decisions are informed by sound financial analysis. 

• Advise on resource allocation and investment priorities, balancing mission impact, financial performance, and organizational capacity. 

Financial Strategy, Planning, and Performance 

• Lead the development and execution of MSH's long-range financial strategy and multi-year financial plans. 

• Establish the vision and systems necessary for robust organizational financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, scenario modeling, and performance management capabilities. 

• Establish financial and operational performance metrics that enable leadership to assess organizational health, profitability, efficiency, and growth. 

• Provide forward-looking analysis and recommendations regarding financial trends, funding risks, cost structures, and revenue diversification opportunities. 

• Develop financial scenarios and strategic options that support informed decision-making under changing market and donor conditions. 

Growth, Innovation, and Revenue Strategy 

• Collaborate with executive leadership to identify and evaluate new revenue streams, partnerships, and funding opportunities. 

• Ensure pricing, cost recovery, indirect cost management, and business development strategies support organizational growth and sustainability. 

• Partner with business development and program leaders to evaluate market opportunities and ensure financial viability of strategic initiatives. 

• Foster an entrepreneurial culture that encourages innovation, disciplined risk-taking, and continuous improvement. 

Financial Stewardship and Risk Management 

• Ensure the financial integrity, stability, and sustainability of the organization through effective stewardship of resources. 

• Maintain effective systems of internal control that safeguard organizational assets and ensure accountability. 

• Oversee cash flow, treasury management, investments, liquidity planning, and working capital optimization. 

• Continuously assess financial risks and develop mitigation strategies to strengthen organizational resilience. 

Compliance, Governance, and Board Relations 

• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, donor regulations, tax requirements, and all applicable legal and regulatory obligations. 

• Provide strategic financial guidance and analysis to the Board of Directors and Audit Committee. Serve as the liaison with the Board Finance Committee. 

• Present financial performance, forecasts, strategic investments, and enterprise risks in a clear and compelling manner to governance bodies. 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Board on financial sustainability, growth strategy, capital deployment, and risk oversight. 

• Oversee external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings and management recommendations.  

Global Financial Operations 

• Provide executive oversight of accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury, payroll, financial systems, grants financial management, and related finance functions. 

• Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial reporting for leadership, donors, regulatory bodies, and the Board. 

• Drive standardization, simplification, and harmonization of finance processes across MSH's global operations. 

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and customer service within the finance function. 

Leadership and Talent Development 

• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing global finance organization. 

• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and development opportunities for finance staff. 

• Strengthen leadership capabilities across the finance team and develop succession plans for critical roles. 

• Promote collaboration and strong partnerships across functions, geographies, and organizational levels. 

• Model MSH's leadership values and organizational culture while fostering an inclusive and accountable work environment. 

• Advanced degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance required.  

• Minimum of 20 years of experience of progressive financial leadership experience  

• Experience working in a complex, high-performing non-profit organization with the ability to make timely decisions and obtain effective buy-in from colleagues and staff. Experience with diverse donors required.  

• Proven experience successfully working with boards, audit committees, and executive leadership teams.  

• Demonstrated success leading complex budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes. 

• Proven cross-functional leadership and business partnership skills 

• Strong budgetary experience including developing budgets for organizations with multiple segments and diverse funding streams  

• Ability to review and communicate financial results, balance sheets, statements of cash flows, and to build financial models.  

• Strong understanding nonprofit accounting principles, financial controls, and regulatory compliance.  

• Experience managing and/or coordinating global partnerships and collaborative working relationships at both executive and operational levels among multiple organizations, donors and international counterparts. 

• Experience in international development preferred.  

• Ability to work in an office environment; ability to travel to and work in countries in which MSH operates (10%).