Global Director, Finance

About WWF International

All around the world, people are waking up to the deepening crisis of nature loss. We’re experiencing a growing realization that nature is our life-support system and that no one will be spared from the impacts of its loss. 

Here at WWF, an independent conservation organization active in nearly 100 countries, we are working to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. 

Working with many others – from individuals and communities to business and government – WWF urgently seeks to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable. 

More about WWF on our website.

The Role

Major Functions: 

Responsible for leading all financial operations of the organization including accounting and treasury, financial planning and analysis, contract and grants management and procurement.  Playing a hands-on role in stewarding the elevation of the finance function to support the evolving needs of decision makers in the global Secretariat, Regions, and Countries that WWF-International operates in.    

Responsibilities 

Strategic Financial Advice and Business Partnering: 

• Provide strategic financial analysis, advice and insights to the Executive Team (ET) on all finance, accounting, and resource allocation related matters, 
• Present regular financial updates, recommendations and strategic insights to management  and sub-committees of the International Board (IB) 
• Drive a client-centric business partnering model with respect to financial advisory and support services provided to managers and budget owners  

Financial Risk Management: 

• Develop and implement robust financial risk management and mitigation strategies. 

• Ensure internal controls, assurance mechanisms, finance related policies and audit processes are fit-for-purpose to provide effectively fiduciary oversight of the global operations of WWF-International   
• Manage relationships with internal and external auditors and ensure timely implementation of agreed recommendations arising from assurance engagements 

Accounting Practices, Statutory Reporting, and Regulatory Compliance: 

• Ensure adherence to agreed accounting and statutory reporting standards 
• Oversee timely preparation of consolidated financial statements and supporting reports 
• Drive increased transparency in public disclosures of financial information for the organisation 
• Ensure continuous compliance with relevant regulatory requirements with respect to reporting and disclosure of financial information  

Financial Planning and Analysis: 

• Accountable for overseeing integrated institutional planning and budgeting processes to create annual and rolling multi-year budgets aligned with strategic plans, priorities and objectives of the organisation 
• Oversee processes and teams supporting the development of budgets for funding applications 
• Manage teams leading on providing financial insights and advisory services for decision makers within the organisation 
• Steward the development and ongoing refinement of interactive information dashboards for management, funders and governance oversight stakeholders 
• Collaborate with leaders across the organisation to institute rolling forecasting systems and processes  

Grant Management and Procurement: 

• Oversee financial contract management processes 
• Manage procurement activities in alignment with organisational goals. 

Relationship Building: 

• Build and manage internal and external networks 
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within the WWF Network finance community. 

Systems, Technology and Data: 

• Commit to continuously streamline business processes, systems and tools in support of  best-fit value-for-money practices in the financial management of the organisation. 
• Partnering closely with the Global Technology and Digital Solution (GTDS) teams, to ensure effective and cost-efficient utilisation and maintenance of financial systems and technology to democratise access to data and information for decision makers. 

Team Leadership and Development: 

• Participatory leadership in ensuring the best fit-for-purpose organisational structure of the finance teams is in place to support the strategic objectives of WWF-International 
• Ongoing management, recruitment and development of key finance roles to ensure sustainable high-quality delivery of key services and support. 
• Drive a continuous improvement culture supported by transparent and outcomes based performance management. 
• Disseminate information and promote an inclusive culture aligned with organisational values. 

• Excellent leadership and managerial skills with a demonstrated ability to drive change and influence positive organisational culture; 
• Demonstrates strategic foresight and global systems thinking approach;  
• Strong political, interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills; 
• Superior presentation and communication skills,  with a broad spectrum of individuals across a range of cultural environments; 
• Excellent proven track record of prudent financial management and executive decision making; 
• Prior experience of engaging and working with diverse funding streams including contracted agreements with Public Sector Partners; 
• Excellent  organisational and planning skills; 
• Works to the highest level of integrity and confidentiality; Fluency in English is essential. Knowledge of French would be an advantage; 
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration. 

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA) is essential;
• A post-graduate University degree (Masters (MBA) or higher) in finance, business administration or a related subject is an advantage;
• At least 15 years of experience in a senior financial management role in a complex, global international environment;
• Ideally prior experience of working in a leadership role in an International Non-Government Organization (INGO) with scope of responsibilities across multiple legal jurisdictions;
• Good understanding and prior experience of improving or implementing a globally integrated financial system or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) I system.

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