Executive Director of Global Finance Operations & Controls

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, operating field programs in 60 countries and the global ocean. With more than 4,000 diverse team members in New York City and worldwide, WCS advances its mission through science, on‑the‑ground protection, world‑class zoos and aquariums, education, and strategic partnerships.

Location: United States (flexible) | Position Type: Full‑Time | Reports to: Vice President & Comptroller, Vice President of Global Finance | Managed staff: Regional Controllers

Job Summary

The Executive Director, Global Finance Operations and Controls ensures the integrity of Global Conservation Program financial accounts and management processes, oversees compliance with WCS policies, and leads audit and financial compliance across WCS’s 11 regions, 50+ country programs, and thematic headquarters programs with a combined operating budget of nearly USD $250 million. The role also builds capacity of regional and country finance teams through training and support.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for global finance policies by translating approved standards into country and regional implementation across core accounting, cash management, grants, and cost allocation processes.
• Directly manage Regional Controllers, providing technical leadership, performance oversight, and ensuring consistent financial management quality across regions.
• Maintain a functional reporting relationship with country finance leads, ensuring alignment on financial management standards, technical guidance, and execution support.
• Serve as the primary field finance authority for donor compliance, reviewing budgets, grant submissions, cost allocations, and compliance risks, with escalation of institutional issues to the VP Comptroller.
• Coordinate and monitor execution of WCS internal audit activity in the field, including audit readiness, documentation, management responses, and corrective action tracking.
• Develop and maintain country and regional financial risk profiles, identifying control weaknesses, compliance risks, and operational gaps to inform management prioritization.
• Design and deliver finance capacity‑building programs, including training, onboarding of senior finance staff, regional workshops, and ongoing professional development initiatives.
• Oversee the quality and timeliness of financial reporting from country offices, including review of reconciliations, reports, and donor submissions prior to escalation.
• Support ERP and systems implementation by gathering field requirements, coordinating testing, and driving change management across global finance operations.
• Maintain escalation oversight for high‑risk or institutional issues, including fraud risk, material control weaknesses, regulatory matters, donor audit proceedings, and policy exceptions requiring VP‑level review.
• Conduct periodic visits to WCS regional and country programs to support financial oversight, strengthen internal controls, build finance capacity, and foster strong partnerships with field leadership.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) in accounting, finance, or a related field (required).
• Bachelor’s degree with CPA certification may be considered as an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively senior international finance and accounting experience in a complex global nonprofit organization, with demonstrated expertise in multi‑country operations, donor compliance, and field finance management.
• Strong computer skills with Word, Excel, email and emerging financial‑management technologies.
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Experience with grants management.
• Ability to model WCS’s Core Values: Integrity, Respect, Accountability & Transparency, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Proven effectiveness leading in a global matrixed environment.
• Preferred: CPA certification.
• Preferred: Professional qualification such as an MBA.
• Proficiency in Spanish or French.
• Grants‑management experience with at least one of the following institutions: United States Government, United Nations, European Union, World Bank.
• Preferred certifications: Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA), Associate Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA), or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Pay

Salary Range: $230,000 – $265,000 (reflective of experience, skills, internal equity, work location, and country of work).