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Executive Director of Global Finance Operations & Controls

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

Position description

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean.  We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence.  Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:  Executive Director, Global Finance Operations and Controls

Reports to:  Vice President & Comptroller, Vice President of Global Finance

Position Managed:  Regional Controllers

Location:  United States (Flexible)                          

Program/Sector:  GCP/Global Finance\S                                                     

Scope:  Global

Position Type:  Full-Time

Job Summary:

The WCS Global Finance team is responsible for ensuring that key financial management accountabilities are in place across WCS’s 11 regions, in over 50 country programs and Global Conservations Program Headquarters (HQ) thematic based programs with a combined operating budget of nearly USD $250 million.

Executive Director, Global Finance Operations and Controls ensures the integrity of Global Conservation Program financial accounts and financial management processes, oversee compliance with WCS policies/procedures, and lead the audit and financial compliance function across the global regions of WCS.  This position also has responsibility for assessing and building capacity of the regional and country finance teams by providing appropriate financial management training where necessary.
 
Major Responsibilities:
 

  • Provide operational leadership for global finance policies by translating approved standards into country and regional implementation across core accounting, cash management, grants, and cost allocation processes.
  • Directly manage Regional Controllers, providing technical leadership, performance oversight, and ensuring consistent financial management quality across regions.  Maintain a functional reporting relationship with country finance leads, ensuring alignment on financial management standards, technical guidance, and execution support.
  • Serve as the primary field finance authority for donor compliance, reviewing budgets, grant submissions, cost allocations, and compliance risks, with escalation of institutional issues to the VP Comptroller.
  • Coordinate and monitor execution of WCS internal audit activity in the field, including audit readiness, documentation, management responses, avpnd corrective action tracking.
  • Develop and maintain country and regional financial risk profiles, identifying control weaknesses, compliance risks, and operational gaps to inform management prioritization.
  • Design and deliver finance capacity-building programs, including training, onboarding of senior finance staff, regional workshops, and ongoing professional development initiatives.
  • Oversee the quality and timeliness of financial reporting from country offices, including review of reconciliations, reports, and donor submissions prior to escalation.
  • Support ERP and systems implementation by gathering field requirements, coordinating testing, and driving change management across global finance operations.
  • Maintain escalation oversight for high-risk or institutional issues, including fraud risk, material control weaknesses, regulatory matters, donor audit proceedings, and policy exceptions requiring VP-level review.
  • Conduct periodic visits to WCS regional and country programs to support financial oversight, strengthen internal controls, build finance capacity, and foster strong partnerships with field leadership.

Qualification Requirements

  • Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) in accounting, finance, or a related field required. Bachelor’s degree with CPA certification may be considered as an equivalent qualification given the seniority of this role.
  • 10 years of progressively senior international finance and accounting experience in a complex global nonprofit organization, including demonstrated expertise in multi-country operations, donor compliance, and field finance management.
  • Solid computer skills with respect to Word, Excel, email and developing technologies in financial management.
  • Experience with ERP systems.
  • Experience with grants management.
  • Models WCS’s Core Values: Integrity, Respect, Accountability & Transparency, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Collaboration, and Innovation.
  • Leads effectively in a global matrixed environment.
Preferred:
  • CPA Strongly Preferred.
  • Professional qualification such as Master of Business Administration (MBA).
  • Proficient in Spanish or French language.
  • Grants management experience with at least one of the following institutions: United States Government, United Nations, European Union, World Bank.
Licenses & Certifications:
  • Certifications such as Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA), Associate Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) strongly preferred.
Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates.

The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies. Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.
 


 

Salary Range

$230,000-$265,000

Application instructions

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