Chief Financial Officer

Job Description:

Are you an experienced senior leader who wants to use your extraordinary financial acumen to help one of the world's foremost clean energy think-and-do tanks maximize its global impact? Are you a dynamic collaborator ready to contribute equally your inspiration and insight to a diverse and global leadership team? Do you challenge yourself and others with your continuous improvement and learning mindset? Are you willing to take risks by exploring and testing innovative ideas even as you manage effectively against downside outcomes? Do you have the keen ability to structure and oversee analytic and strategic problem solving? Can you create impact through influence? If yes, then join our team! 

We highly encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply!

Please Note: Review of applications and screenings with the recruiter will occur through early January 2025. Panel interviews will follow thereafter.

Position Overview:   

RMI is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to serve in a key leadership position in a strategic and functional role in the overall leadership, management, and execution of RMI’s global finance, accounting, financial planning and management, audit, procurement, compliance, and risk management.  As the CFO, you will drive financial transformation, enhancing RMI's role as a financially robust and growth-ready organization at a global level. We will look to you as a key partner in ensuring sustainable financial health and resource alignment with RMI’s mission, while delivering financial and resource accountability across all RMI outcomes and geographies. As a member of RMI’s executive team and reporting to the CEO, you will provide overall financial direction and strategic recommendations to our programs and departments by developing and implementing short- and long-term strategic plans not only meet but exceed business plan targets when possible.

Your collaborative leadership and executive presence will serve you well to enhance our revenue-generating capabilities through strategic partnerships and alliances within and outside the organization. You will demonstrate your innate ability to work closely with managing directors across RMI to develop and implement sustainable, financially-sound strategies within RMI's revenue portfolio, including institutional foundation funding, international bilateral and multilateral grant revenue, US government revenue (state and federal) philanthropic support from individuals and corporations, consulting revenue, market investments, and a dynamic portfolio of mission-related investments in RMI’s market affiliates that include non-profit and for-profit business models.  You have experience in optimizing diverse funding sources and developing innovative revenue models for nonprofit sustainability. As an engaged people leader, your compassion and high emotional intelligence will create an inclusive and psychologically-safe work environment where your team members can develop, grow and thrive.   

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management

• Develop or refine scalable systems, processes, and internal controls that support sustainable growth and donor engagement, leading in the design of internal controls that are both robust and flexible to adapt to RMI’s expansion
• Develop and execute financial models and strategies aligned with the company’s goals and objectives
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems
• Establish and oversee internal audit processes to ensure that financial operations adhere to internal controls, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with programmatic and operational teams to ensure compliance with grant, contract, and regulatory requirements through periodic internal audits and reviews.
• Manage cash flow planning process and ensure funds availability and compatibility with operations, including overseeing cash, investments, and asset management.
• Maintain all banking relationships.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Develop and oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with managing directors and other stakeholders to develop realistic and achievable budgets
• Monitor actual performance against budget and provide regular updates and analysis to the CEO and Board of Trustees
• Develop and maintain financial forecasting models that support long-term financial planning and decision-making
• Work closely with the Chief Development Officer to forecast and optimize the organization’s philanthropic revenue pipeline.

Strategic Planning and People Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO and senior leaders to develop and implement strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision
• Collaborate with other executive committee members to provide strategic financial guidance and support to the organization
• Lead the financial aspects of RMI's operational and strategic transformations, leveraging financial systems (i.e., Workday) for operational improvements, increasing analytical capabilities, and evolving the finance function toward a data-driven, strategic partner role.
• Lead a Finance Team of 21 members to achieve long-term operational excellence and foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development
• Identify and develop future leaders within the finance team through mentoring, training, and career development opportunities, building a robust pipeline of talent to ensure long-term sustainability of RMI’s financial leadership.
• Collaborate with the People Team to create and implement succession plans for key finance roles, ensuring organizational resilience and continuity in financial operations.

Board and Stakeholder Relations

• Prepare and report on the financial performance of the organization to the CEO and Board of Trustees, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities
• Provide staff leadership to the Board of Trustees’ Financial, Audit and Investment Committee.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board of Trustees to develop and implement financial policies and procedures that align with the organization’s values and strategic goals
• Communicate complex financial insights to the Board and other executive audiences effectively, supporting broader strategic goals
• Represent the organization at internal and external events and meetings, providing financial guidance as needed

Governance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, audits, and grant reporting requirements.
• Audit Oversight:
  • Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of annual financial audits, ensuring compliance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor requirements, and regulatory standards.
  • Act as the executive liaison with external auditors, providing necessary documentation, financial data, and responses to inquiries promptly and comprehensively.
  • Ensure that audit findings and recommendations are addressed promptly and incorporated into improved financial practices and internal controls.
  • Regularly communicate audit outcomes, risks, and progress on corrective actions to the CEO, Board of Trustees, and Audit Committee.
• Manage and strategically leverage risks, with an eye on long-term organizational resiliency
• Develop a sufficient level of understanding of how RMI programs, which serve as individual profit and loss centers, operateto shape policies and guidelines appropriate to the institution.
• Manage relationships with external partners, including banks, auditors, and other financial service providers
• Responsible for the integrity and enhancement of internal controls, ensuring these adapt to RMI’s growing complexity and geographic footprint.

Financial Systems and Process Optimization

• Serve as the executive owner of RMI’s financial systems, including Workday, ensuring these systems align with organizational goals and enable efficient, accurate, and scalable financial operations.
• Oversee the strategic use and enhancement of financial systems, ensuring alignment with financial reporting, compliance, and operational needs.
• Partner with the Chief Technology and Operations Officer (CTOO), who oversees the administration of Workday and related ERP functions, to drive cross-functional system improvements, increase analytical capabilities, and ensure the ERP supports the evolving needs of the finance function and broader organization.
• Provide strategic guidance on financial systems priorities, while delegating day-to-day operational management and technical execution to appropriate team members.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree (e.g., MBA) or equivalent experience preferred.
• 20+ years of progressive financial experience with at least 5 years, preferably as CFO, and experience in a global matrixed operation.  
• Proven experience in strategic financial planning, risk management and financial reporting in a global organization with a $100M+ budget.

• Proven skills in team building and leadership
• Demonstrated leadership in data-driven decision-making and financial modeling with tools such as Adaptive Insights or other advanced financial planning software
• Hands-on financial leader capable of financial modeling and analysis.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting principles and grant and donor compliance.
• Extensive experience in leading finance transformation in a complex global organization

Compensation      

RMI compensates based on the level and requirements of the role. Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The salary range of this position is $275,000-$325,000. You would also have an additional 25% bonus target!    

Location     

We are a remote-ready company with team members around the globe. Our beautiful and welcoming offices are available for meetings or focused work, whether you are traveling through or living nearby. Our U.S. offices are in New York City; Washington DC; Oakland, California; Boulder, Colorado, and Basalt, Colorado. This role can be located from anywhere in the continental United States. 

We provide you with the essential IT equipment plus a one-time home technology payment and a monthly work from home/commuter allowance to ensure you have a comfortable home office set up and necessary supplies.  

We love seeing each other in person! We gather for shared time together like retreats and learning experiences. Be ready to travel for occasional in-person meetings (and of course, we cover travel costs). Some roles may require more travel, which will be discussed during the hiring process.  

Benefits  

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:  

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance    

• 403b Retirement Options (5% match, with no vesting schedule)   

• Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long-Term Disability    

• Commuter and Wellness Benefits  

• Professional and personal development (including LinkedIn Learning access)    

• Generous paid time off  

• Parental leave  

• Casual work environment    

Diversity  

We strive for a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of ability, race, ethnicity, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, veteran status, socioeconomic class, educational attainment or other social identities—is critical to the success of each RMI-er and collectively as an organization. This ensures that we:      

• Have the different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges     

• Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating others with dignity, respect and appreciation enabling them to feel welcomed, supported and valued  

• Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with decision makers, stakeholders and constituents within diverse communities    

RMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

RMI is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.