Chief Financial Officer

Join Our Team as Chief Financial Officer at the International Republican Institute (IRI)!

ABOUT IRI

The International Republican Institute (IRI) advances democracy and freedom. We link people with their governments, support politicians to be responsive to citizens, and motivate those citizens to engage in the political process.

At IRI, every employee plays a crucial role in advancing our mission across the globe. We’re looking for passionate individuals who embody our Core Values and are eager to contribute to our dynamic team. Our values include:

• Respect: We lead with trust, empathy, and dignity; empowering colleagues and partners.
• Teamwork: We collaborate across teams; solve problems together; are humble and ready to learn.
• Ownership: We take initiative; champion solutions; deliver results for IRI’s mission.
• Excellence through Execution: We balance thoughtfulness with timeliness; learn from results; prioritize progress over perfection.
• Transparency: We share information openly; give direct feedback; build trust through honest communication.
• Freedom: We are empowered to make decisions, try new approaches, and adapt as needed.

ABOUT THE ROLE: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for maximizing the efficient use of IRI resources by establishing, implementing, and overseeing financial policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems in line with compliance requirements and for the purpose of supporting IRI’s programs and operations. Works with executive management to plan for IRI’s financial health, including analyzing data and advising on strategic decisions on resource allocation and the organization’s future.

This position is located in Washington, DC. The CFO is expected to work in-office at least three days per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Management & Leadership

• Oversee all accounting processes, procurement, financial reporting, and other financial management functions across IRI headquarters and international offices.
• Provide strategic financial leadership, offering recommendations for improving systems, policies, indirect structure, and other IRI-wide equities
• Develop IRI’s long-term financial strategy in close partnership with Senior Management, aligning costs with forecasted revenues
• Provide innovation and leadership in pursuit of improved efficiency, ending manual processes, increasing standardization and automation, and reducing friction
• Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, service, and innovation
• Ensure that financial systems, processes, and talent effectively support IRI’s programmatic and operational needs
• Contribute as a senior institutional leader, modeling collaboration, integrity, and respect across the organization

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Work with IRI Senior Management to develop the annual indirect budget and prepare presentations for the IRI Board of Directors and the Board Finance & Audit Committee
• Engage with IRI Board and other senior stakeholders on IRI financial reporting
• Work with the teams to ensure budget compliance and maximize indirect cost recovery, within a diverse portfolio of awards and funder expectations
• Collaborate with the Financial Planning & Analysis team to develop short-to-medium term projections and forecasting, and improve accuracy and timeliness
• Conduct analysis and develop recommendations for longer-term IRI financial planning

Financial Compliance, Policy, & Internal Controls

• Oversee cash management, liquidity, investments, banking relationships, and, as applicable, debt and other financial obligations
• Oversee financial obligations and compliance for IRI field operations globally
• In collaboration with IRI Senior Management, supervises the refining, maintenance, and implementation of internal financial controls and policy for smooth and accountable operations in full compliance with USG and other donor requirements
• Constantly seek efficiency in policy and process, balancing compliance with effectiveness in implementing IRI’s mission
• Provide determinations related to cost reasonableness, allowability, and allocability
• Stay current on accounting systems, practices, and trends, including changes to 2 CFR 200, FASB standards, and U.S. GAAP, and ensures that IRI policy is updated appropriately
• Lead internal IRI staff education on constantly evolving compliance requirements, ensuring that policy is implemented fully across a global organization

Audit Management & Cost Recovery Oversight

• Oversee the annual audit process, including the preparation of schedules, document collection and review, and responses to auditor questions; support the Controller as primary liaison to external auditors
• Ensure the timely preparation and submission of annual NICRA proposals

Note: This post is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required in this role. Further details of the role will be shared during the recruitment process.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We seek a passionate, resourceful, and technically fluent individual with:

• Masters in Business Administration or similar, and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
• 15+ years of progressively more senior and complex financial leadership roles in an international, non-profit environment
• Significant experience leading accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Extensive experience in overseeing grants and cooperative agreements from a variety of donors, including USG, foreign governments and private foundations
• Experience with contractual mechanisms as a recipient a plus
• Technical accounting expertise, including ASC 842 leases, revenue recognition, investments, fixed assets, and contingencies
• Strong understanding of nonprofit accounting, including net assets with and without donor restrictions
• Strong technical experience with financial statement audits, Single Audits, internal controls, risk management, and remediation of audit findings
• Working knowledge of nonprofit tax and regulatory compliance, including Form 990 and related federal and state reporting requirements
• Strong leadership skills that include the ability to mentor, coach, and develop team members while holding them accountable for meeting their responsibilities and job duties in a professional manner
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and people skills
• Experience working with diverse financial management platforms, including JAMIS Prime, Vena, Concur, and Agiloft.
• Experience with AI, Cybersecurity, and Cryptocurrency a plus
• Innovative, creative, and enthusiastic approaches to overall work
• Detail-orientated and highly organized

IRI TOTAL COMPENSATION

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $200,000 to $225,000 USD.

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education and other business needs along with internal equity considerations.

WE OFFER

An empathetic and dedicated work environment with generous benefits that demonstrates IRI’s commitment to all dimensions of employee wellness, including:

• Health and Wellness Support: Significant coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance costs. Meaningful assistance programs through an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) and Rula (access to mental health experts).
• Long-term Financial Health: Retirement plan with generous employer contribution (vested after 12 months).
• Hybrid Work: Employees typically work in-office three days per week and telework two days per week.
• Time Off: Company-paid holidays, parental leave, generous vacation, sick, and personal leave days.
• Family Support: Dependent Care FSA
• Learning and Development Opportunities: Annual allowance for professional development courses and seminars along with access to world-class e-learning via eCornell.
• Compensation Equity: Regular competitive review of internal and external equity to ensure fairness in pay for employees working in similar jobs requiring comparable knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits, professional development, and flexibility offerings may vary based on employment classification and location.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS – RESUME, COVER LETTER, REFERENCES

In your application, please include a copy of your most up-to-date resume along with a cover letter that outlines your background and explains why you are interested in this opportunity. Additionally, please include the contact details of at least 2-3 professional references. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact your references before the final interview.