POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive leadership team and serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and Board of Directors, overseeing the financial health and sustainability of the organization. This role is responsible for managing a diverse funding portfolio—including donor contributions, corporate partnerships, public grants, and private funding—while ensuring financial integrity across all project-based initiatives. The CFO plays a critical role in aligning financial operations with the organization’s mission and long-term strategic goals. The CFO serves as a key liaison to the Board's Finance Committee, ensuring robust financial governance and strategic alignment through regular coordination and partnership. The CFO brings a visionary and hands-on leadership approach, enabling high-performing teams and cultivating a culture of accountability and innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and multi-source funding model.
• Act as a thought leader in financial modelling, risk management, and strategic planning, and collaborate with executive leadership to guide high-impact decision-making.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to the CEO and Board to guide strategic decision-making.
• Lead long-term financial planning, forecasting, and scenario analysis for project-based work.

Financial Operations & Management

• Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and cash flow management across all programs and projects.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements and grant reports.
• Develop and maintain timely, accurate, and comprehensive financial statements and reports in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for non-profits.
• Monitor financial performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Supervise the organization's financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting activities.
• Supervise and mentor the finance team, encouraging a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere.
• Provide insightful financial analysis to support decision-making by the executive team.
• Coordinate the preparation of financial statements and reports for internal and external collaborators.
• Manage donor funding, corporate revenue generation, and funding from public and private sources.
• Oversee foreign exchange, currency risk hedging instruments, and work with the Director of Treasury & Investment Management on liquidity management.
• Oversee the financial aspects of all donor funding (restricted and unrestricted) and public and private grants, ensuring strict compliance with grant requirements, regulations and reporting deadlines.
• Partnering with the Chief Commercial Officer on revenue opportunities for certification royalties and monitoring performance across our sector.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate financial risks across the organization.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including IRS requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Team & Operational Leadership

• Lead and inspire a high-performing, globally distributed finance and accounting teams, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability, and continuous learning and developing across all finance and accounting functions.
• Oversee payroll, benefits, and financial aspects of human resources.
• Collaborate cross-functional teams in budgeting and financial planning for projects.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the finance and accounting team, ensuring high-quality performance and clear development pathways to build internal capacity and leadership succession.
• Serve as a change leader by driving organizational alignment, resilience, and adaptability in the face of shifting global landscapes.
• Oversee and be responsible for the management of the Technology department, which is directly managed by the CIO.
• Oversee 5 direct reports: Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial & Business Insights, Global Accounting, Treasury & Investment Management and CIO.

Board Engagement

• Prepare and present financial reports and strategic analysis to the Board of Directors and Finance Committee.
• Provide financial training and support to board members as needed.
• Partner with Chair of the Finance committee and the Chair of the Investment committee.
• Maintain ongoing coordination with the Finance Committee, serving as the primary financial advisor and ensuring timely communication on all material financial matters, risks, and strategic opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• A Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• CPA certification or equivalent.
• 5-10 years prior experience as a CFO.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, in both a commercial and nonprofit environment.
• Extensive experience developing and maintaining timely, accurate, and comprehensive financial statements and reports in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for non-profits is essential.
• Extensive experience in financial modelling and forward-looking forecasting, insights and business direction.
• Experience managing diverse funding sources including grants, donations, and earned income.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Collaborative management and working style with a diverse workforce
• Strong leadership and managerial skills with ability to delegate, train, coach and motivate staff
• Proficiency in financial software (e.g., NetSuite).
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, and grant compliance.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization.

Deadline: 28 November 2025

Salary: $250,000 - $300,000 per annum

Notes: Only candidates legally authorized to work in the US will be considered.

If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department: recruitment@ra.org

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability and any other protected group.