Chief Financial Officer

Our client is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) that will play a pivotal leadership role, overseeing their finance, IT, and risk management functions. This role demands a hands-on, strategic leader capable of managing financial and operational complexities as the organization scales rapidly.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy:

• Develop and monitor the implementation of long-range financial plans in conjunction with the CEO, COO and the Finance Committee, including setting targets for organizational growth.
• Act as a strategic partner to the CEO and Executive Team.
• Collaborate to develop and execute annual budgets, track performance, and provide strategic financial insights that will support our client's expansion.
• Oversee financial planning, forecasting, and reporting, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and growth trajectory.
• Provide timely, accurate financial reports to the CEO, Board of Directors, and external partners, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Identify cost-saving measures that support our client's sustainability and impact targets.

Financial & Operational Oversight (Finance, IT, and Logistics):

• Lead our client's Finance, IT, Risk Management, and Internal Audit functions, ensuring sound financial management and operational efficiency across Zambia and US operations.
• Supervise the Finance Manager (Zambia) and US Administrator, ensuring robust financial controls, and the accuracy of financial operations.
• Oversee and strengthen our client's ERP system to enhance our supply chain management processes and reduce costs as we expand from 880,000 to 2.5 million students.
• Lead IT strategy development, ensuring data security, cybersecurity compliance, and smooth operational technology across all sites.
• Support the VP of Development in financial aspects of fundraising, providing critical financial reports and data for donor relations.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Develop and implement risk management strategies to mitigate financial and operational risks, ensuring robust internal controls.
• Lead the development and enforcement of financial, IT, and risk management policies, ensuring compliance with Zambian and US regulations.
• Balance the complexities of operating in dual-country environments by adapting policies to local regulatory requirements while maintaining global standards for financial transparency and operational efficiency.
• Oversee the organization's audit processes, working with external auditors to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Develop and implement comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to safeguard sensitive data and financial information across operations in Zambia and the US.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to build consensus and influence decision-making across senior management and operational teams.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement cost-saving strategies while ensuring long-term financial sustainability and mission alignment.

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience as a CFO or senior financial leader, with a proven track record of managing complex financial operations in nonprofit and multi-country settings.
• Expertise in financial management, budgeting, accounting, and risk management, with comprehensive knowledge of international financial regulations and compliance standards.
• Proven experience overseeing IT, supply chain, and logistics functions, including data protection, cybersecurity, and ERP systems to optimize operations.
• Familiarity with international financial compliance, audit processes, and regulatory standards, ensuring transparency and adherence to best practices.