Operations Director, Conservation Finance Division

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in Arlington, VA

The Operations Director, Conservation Finance Division (CFD) is a key position within the CFD leadership team and will oversee the operations of a diverse portfolio of programs within the division. This position will be responsible for the financial, human resources, and administrative management of the division, overseeing and developing the necessary financial and reporting systems, and ensuring that the division’s human, financial, and operational resources are aligned and maximized for the greatest conservation impact.

Responsibilities

In engaging with the private sector, CI may establish, manage, or invest in loan programs, private sector-developed investment funds, and other equity investments in businesses that will further our mission to benefit both ecosystems and human well-being. The Operations Director will support the pre and post-award due diligence in evaluating and monitoring of these investments as well as developing tools and systems to support tracking and accounting for them. This position also advises on operational procedures and closely partners with division leadership to ensure the successful implementation of division-wide strategies, objectives, and short and long-term financial work plans. The Operations Director will also support the division’s work in designing, executing, and financing CI’s expanding carbon credit program globally, which involves selling or retiring credits on behalf of high-quality partners to channel investments to protect, manage, and restore critical landscapes.

In addition to division-wide financial management, the Director is responsible for the division’s human and operational resources and serves as the primary division resource and liaison with HQ staff and/or field staff, ensuring compliance with CI’s policies and procedures while adequately managing the risk associated with these areas.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office environment.
• Flexibility to work under pressure and beyond normal office hours to meet the deadlines required.
• Occasional travel may be required
• This position follows a hybrid work structure, working some days from the office and some remotely. Guidance will be shared during the interview process.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7 or more years of directly related work experience.
• 2 or more years of experience supervising others.
• Proven working experience and a strong background in project management, budgeting, and reporting.
• Proven experience managing multi-donor and public funding portfolios.
• Proven experience managing finance and accounting needs of a lending and equity portfolio, knowledge of investment management.
• Experience with cash flow modeling, financial statement analysis, and investment valuation methodologies
• Experience in commercial sector business analysis.
• Strong analytical skills. Skilled in trends analysis and developing projections.
• Strong communication and presentation skills including the ability to effectively convey complex details or technical information.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a dynamic environment.
• Advanced skills with ERP, data management systems, and MS Office.
  
  

Preferred

• Masters degree
• French, Spanish, or Portuguese language ability preferred.
  
  

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.

As a science-based organization, CI follows CDC recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines. Accordingly, for the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community, subject to applicable local law, all Conservation International staff are expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, vaccination is no longer a mandate or condition of employment and employees are not required to provide proof of vaccination. This means we will not require an individual to be vaccinated to enter a CI office, attend CI events or travel on CI-related trips. This applies for our community partners as well. This vaccine expectation applies to all team members working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Job applicants are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.