Comptroller and Project Finance Lead
The Nature-Based Solutions Foundation (NBSF) is seeking a Comptroller and Project Finance Lead to join our dedicated team of conservationists. Reporting to the National Conservation Director, this role blends long-horizon risk and scenario thinking, comptroller-level financial operations, and financial support across the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Stewardship endowment & pooled fund governance (core): Support the governance and oversight of NBSF’s pooled stewardship fund structures. Help design and maintain fund architecture and policies, such as fund separation/tracking, spending/distribution approach, inflation protection/retained earnings. Contribute to developing and implementing an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) aligned with mission priorities, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance, including responsible investing screens/exclusions. Help establish performance monitoring and risk management approach (scenario analysis/“what-ifs”) to support reliable, sustainable distributions across market cycles.
Financial management, reporting, and audit readiness: Support stewardship fund financial operations along with internal finance/admin, including strong internal controls, accurate fund accounting, and timely month-end and quarter-end reporting. Maintain stewardship fund administration tools and records (distribution tracking, documentation standards, and approval/signing workflows). Help manage cash and liquidity planning so distributions and stewardship commitments can be met on schedule (in line with the Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and spending/distribution rules). Coordinate annual audit requirements related to stewardship funds/endowment, working with internal finance/admin and external auditors as needed. Help produce clear board- and funder-ready stewardship fund reports.
Conservation finance innovation (impact investing & blended finance): Research and evaluate impact investment models relevant to conservation (e.g., outcomes-based approaches). Help build a blended finance strategy: identify where philanthropic capital, public funds, and private/impact capital can combine to unlock larger conservation and community opportunities. Support a fundraising approach tailored to long-term funds.
Skills and Experience
Professional designation required: CPA; CFA considered an asset.
Equivalent experience in finance/investments may be considered.
Experience with long-term funds (e.g., endowments, pooled stewardship funds, trusts, donor-restricted funds, or similar), including investment policy (IPS), spending/distribution rules, and fund reporting, is required.
Strong internal controls and financial management capability: fund accounting oversight, cash/liquidity management, month/quarter-end reporting.
Comfortable translating complex financial concepts for non-technical audiences; experience preparing board/committee decision materials.
High integrity, excellent attention to detail, and strong judgment when managing fiduciary obligations and large funds.
Qualifications
Some experience with long-term funds (e.g., endowments, pooled stewardship funds, trusts, donor-restricted funds, or similar), including investment policy (IPS), spending/distribution rules, and fund reporting, is required.
Strong internal controls and financial management capability: fund accounting oversight, cash/liquidity management, month/quarter-end reporting.
Comfortable translating complex financial concepts for non-technical audiences; experience preparing board/committee decision materials.
High integrity, excellent attention to detail, and strong judgment when managing fiduciary obligations and large funds.
Pay and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 per year, dependent on experience. Flexible hours are offered, with a full-time contract of approximately 40 hours per week.
Application Information
To apply, please send both a resume and cover letter to Joseph Sutton, Executive Assistant at operations@naturebasedsolutionsfoundation.org. Please mention you saw this opportunity at GoodWork.ca. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.