Vice President, Finance

About Environmental Defense Fund, Incorporated

Environmental Defense Fund, Incorporated (EDF) is a global nonprofit organization tackling climate change, the greatest challenge of our time. Its bold, science-driven and economically sound solutions put people at the center of all it does. With a global presence in more than 30 countries, EDF delivers results by partnering across sectors and communities to stabilize the climate, strengthen people and nature’s ability to thrive, and support people’s health.

Headquartered in New York City, EDF employs more than 1,000 staff in more than 30 countries, including scientists, economists, policy experts and attorneys, and is supported by more than 3.5 million members, supporters and activists. 

EDF’s work focuses on three areas:

• Energy transition: expanding clean energy, cutting methane emissions, scaling sustainable fuels and making transportation cleaner.
• People and nature: sustainable agriculture and fisheries, resilient water supplies, natural climate solutions, flood-risk reduction and healthy forests.
• Healthy communities: safer chemicals and cleaner air.

EDF began in 1967 out of the fight to ban the pesticide DDT, and it has spent nearly six decades turning ideas into lasting results: from the soil to the sky, and from local communities to corporate boardrooms, governments and even space. Under its Vision 2030 strategic plan, EDF is going all in on climate, centering people in its work and becoming a truly global organization rather than a U.S. organization working around the world. That is EDF’s mission: A vital Earth. For everyone.

Learn more about Environmental Defense Fund at https://www.edf.org/. 

The Opportunity

The Vice President, Finance, is a senior finance leader responsible for developing, implementing, and ensuring robust global financial forecasts, budgets, plans, and analyses in a manner that is consistent with regulatory requirements, sound practices, and the goals of the Environmental Defense Fund. The Vice President, Finance is responsible for budgeting, financial planning and analysis, grant accounting, revenue compliance and reporting. This position reports to the EVP and Chief Financial Officer and has three direct reports.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning & Analysis

Oversee all financial planning and analysis activities, including:

• Development, implementation, and communication of all annual budgets.
• Monitoring spending against budget, reporting on budget variances and risks.
• Responding to staff requests and queries related to the budget.
• Preparation of long-term financial projections, including cash flow forecasts.
• Preparation of monthly budget update reports for senior management and quarterly financial reports for finance committees.
• Supporting the CFO in written and oral presentations to finance committees on budgets, financial results, financial plans, and risks.

Grants Accounting & Reporting 

Oversee the Mission Finance and Revenue Compliance teams and ensure the following:

• Financial management of grants, including budgeting, tracking, reporting, and compliance.
• Ensure accurate allocation of expenses in accordance with grant agreements and donor restrictions.
• Prepare and review timely financial reports for funders, ensuring adherence to reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with Development and Program teams on grant proposals and funding strategies.
• Review of revenue and close coordination with Gift Processing in Development to ensure accurate and timely recording of revenue.
• Compliance oversight of government and private funding, including all government subaward compliance and support.

 Team Management 

• Lead, mentor, and develop Finance pillar staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear goals, provide coaching, and manage performance, including providing timely feedback throughout the year and through robust and timely evaluations.
• Monitor and analyze department work to develop more efficient procedures and use of resources while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Where appropriate, act as backup to the Vice President, Accounting.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s Organizational Effectiveness and Culture goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values.

Other

• Assist with year-end or agreed-upon procedure audits, as needed.
• Fulfill ad-hoc requests, as needed.

Candidate Profile

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every qualification outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional qualifications, personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• 15+ years of related work experience managing accounting and financial operations, including 5 years in a leadership role.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) strongly preferred.
• Master of Business Administration or related field preferred and can replace up to 2 years of required experience.
• Experience in a large nonprofit with complex funding structures required.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards, Uniform Guidance, and donor/grant compliance.
• Experience with nonprofit ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, NetSuite Planning & Budgeting).
• An unquestioned track record demonstrating sound judgment, integrity, and ethics.
• Professionalism in handling confidential information and sensitive situations.
• Ability to solve problems and work independently, handling and prioritizing multiple time-sensitive projects with a firm commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated comprehensive analytical skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions.
• Demonstrated sense of urgency to drive timely decisions, meet deadlines, and achieve goals in a complex environment.
• Proven time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities working with individuals across various time zones.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusiveness, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Strong proficiency in data analytics tools and Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
• Experience working with senior management and demonstrated ability to interact professionally with the Board and other senior managers.
• Participation in professional accounting societies and current knowledge of GAAP, FASB, and other relevant accounting standards.
• Commitment to EDF’s core values.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time domestically and internationally, as needed. 

Compensation and Benefits

EDF offers a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. The organization considers factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms. Salary for the role is anticipated to range from $248,000 to $268,000.

Contact

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan, Tyler Ridgeway and Rebecca Brodish. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.