About American Rivers
For over 50 years, American Rivers has been a leader in protecting and restoring rivers throughout the country. With climate change, unnecessary dams, water pollution, floods, outdated policies, and lack of stakeholder awareness, our rivers are in crisis. American Rivers tackles these challenges head on.  

American Rivers takes a practical, inclusive approach, which starts with collaboration and delivers results that improve people’s lives and nature’s health. The work is based on the following pillars:

• National expertise with local presence 
• Solution-oriented innovation
• A comprehensive, integrated approach
• Collaboration and trust

They aim by 2050 to protect one million miles of river, remove 30,000 harmful dams, ensure clean water for every community, and champion a powerful river movement. You can find more about American Rivers’ impact here. 

In achieving their mission, American Rivers is guided by four core values. These core values are the foundation for the work and inform all of interactions and communications both inside and outside of the organization. The values are:

• Lead with collaboration and trust
• Infuse equity and justice 
• Deliver results
• Ensure staff and volunteers thrive

They envision a nation of clean, healthy rivers that sustain and connect us.

The Opportunity
As a national 501(c)(3) and an affiliated 501(c)(4) with offices across nine regions, American Rivers is on a significant growth trajectory. In the last three years, the budget has more than doubled, bringing the organization to a $50MM+ operating budget and 100 employees. Under the North Star of a new strategic plan and a $100MM, four-year comprehensive fundraising campaign to meet ambitious goals therein, American Rivers is actively searching for a strategic, forward-thinking Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to manage the financial and administrative functions through a significant period of growth and complexity. 

This leadership position presents an extraordinary opportunity to propel a 50+ year, national nonprofit organization into its next chapter of impact. As a member of the executive team, the CFO will report to the President & Chief Executive Officer, manage a team of six (Controller, Director of Grants Management & Financial Analysis, Director of Facilities and Technology, Senior Staff Accountant, Staff Accountant, Data Analyst, part-time payroll specialist and dotted line to a California-based finance staff member), and collaborate across field offices and departments to ensure high quality, timely financial and administrative compliance and best practices. In addition, the CFO will work closely with the Board of Directors’ finance committee (with subcommittees of investment and audit) and will be responsible for preparing, interpreting, and effectively communicating financial information and long-term, strategic analysis to the executive team and select Board members to facilitate sound financial decisions.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee all financial operations and activities of the organization.
• Develop and implement financial strategies, plans, and policies to ensure the organization’s financial health and growth.
• Create financial models to evaluate potential new development or investment opportunities. Models include project and portfolio level performance and structured finance.
• Oversee cash & investments to appropriately balance risk, return and liquidity in alignment with American Rivers mission and values.
• Monitor and analyze financial performance, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements and projections.
• Manage the organization’s financial forecasting and budgeting process while ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and financial regulations.
• Oversee grant, contract, and funding management, ensuring compliance and effective administration.
• Evaluate and enhance financial policies, procedures and systems.
• Innovate and implement financial policies and technological improvements that increase efficiency. 
• Oversee regular audits to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
• Collaborate with other departments to develop and implement strategies for revenue and resource management.
• Oversee the financial-related work of the People & Culture department.
• Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing and compliance with payroll regulations.
• Stay updated on changes in accounting standards, regulations, and best practices, including nonprofit GAAP.
• Prepare and present financial reports to the executive team and Board of Directors.
• Provide strategic recommendations and counsel to the President & CEO, executive team and Board of Directors on financial matters.
• Oversee the organization’s risk and compliance management framework.
• Provide consistent and empowering leadership to the Finance & Administrative team, fostering cross-departmental collaboration. 
• Help guide the newly launched American Rivers Action Fund to develop and manage efficient, legally appropriate fiscal systems to help grow the organization.
• Oversee enterprise-wide administrative and technological operations, including the development and execution of IT strategy aligned with American Rivers’ business objectives.
• Supervise IT management, vendor relationships and tech solutions.
• Coordinate with external accounting firms and consultants regarding annual audits and regulatory reporting. 
• Infuse equity into finance and administrative policies and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within the organization.

Candidate Profile
While no one candidate will possess every quality outlined for this position, strong candidates will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

Financial Acumen
The CFO will have deep experience leading finance in a complex environment. They will also have the technical abilities and confidence to ensure that American Rivers’ financial oversight is of the highest caliber. A strategic finance leader with the tactical ability to “deep dive” with their staff into the details with strong quantitative and analytical skills, this leader will be able to transition seamlessly between the “big picture” and minutia. They will bring a high level of intellectual horsepower with a collaborative, inventive, and service-oriented mindset. Moreover, the CFO must have proven experience in budgeting, strategic forecasting, and planning, and in overseeing the financial, accounting, compliance, and risk management of a complex and growing organization.  

Systems Builder and Results-Driven Management
The CFO will bring deep experience in effectively leading change management efforts, with a thoughtful, intentional approach to stewarding new initiatives and implementing systems that increase efficiency across the organization. As a result, they will be skilled at quickly establishing rapport, cultivating relationships, building confidence, and strengthening trust across all levels of the organization. A strong believer in leading by example, the CFO will also have an entrepreneurial spirit, a track record of fostering successful innovation, a willingness to roll up their sleeves, and a comfort with taking calculated risks. They will also exhibit strong management skills, including the ability to foster collaboration among team members, empower managers, act as an advocate for their team, foster adaptability and build systems of accountability. Most importantly, the CFO will also bring the skills necessary to build bridges across departments.

Strategic and Tactical Leadership
Key to success in this role, the CFO will have a proven track record of converting strategy into effective execution by leading with curiosity. This individual will bring a deep appreciation for complex business challenges, and excitement to be part of a team focused on identifying strategic and innovative solutions. To this end, the CFO will be a catalyst for change and growth, inspiring others to think entrepreneurially and inject new ideas. Moreover, the CFO will be an intelligent self-starter and finisher who is resourceful and innovative, while maintaining a collaborative, team-oriented approach. As a financial leader who plans for the future, they will also bring a tactical approach to their work, strong data and analysis orientation, and a proven ability to use metrics to drive decisions.

Values Alignment
Along with other members of the executive team, the CFO will help inspire and motivate others to push the organization’s vision forward. An empathic, confident leader, the CFO will treat others with respect and will understand that at times, empathy is an essential quality. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the mission and will also have an eye constantly focused on the future, including how to best adapt American Rivers to a changing environment. Most importantly, the CFO will be an individual of unquestioned integrity and ethics; someone who can be trusted and lives American Rivers’ values without reservation. You can find more on American Rivers’ core values here. 

Education and/or Experience

• A genuine passion for and alignment with the mission and values of American Rivers;
• 10+ years financial management experience, 5 years with a $25M+ organization; nonprofit organization experience required;
• At least 5 years of direct supervisory experience;
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or nonprofit management is preferred with a CPA and/or MBA a plus; 
• A change agent with demonstrated experience implementing sound financial systems and technology within a growing organization; 
• Demonstrated experience managing restricted resources, government grants (both state and federal), and deferred gifts;
• Exposure to 501(c)(4) structure preferred;
• Excellent track record in providing financial leadership;
• Hands-on knowledge of advanced computerized accounting and office software and equipment;
• Excellent organizational, problem solving and management skills;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Experience with lease and contract administration;
• Experience working across time zones and building relationships in a virtual environment; and
• An ability to travel and work off-hours when needed, to attend all-staff meetings, board meetings, and other events. 

Research overwhelmingly shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply to positions if they do not have 100% of qualifications listed. Please consider applying even if you do not have all of the qualifications noted above.

Compensation & Benefits
The annual salary range for the position is between $200,000 to $240,000 commensurate with experience. American Rivers offers a competitive compensation package with an organizational culture that supports staff well-being and professional development. Full-time employee benefits include health, dental, life, and disability insurance; a retirement plan, training budget, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, four weeks of paid vacation, employee assistance programs, travel assistance, FSAs/HSAs, paid sabbaticals every seven years, family and medical leave, parental leave, pre-tax transportation, and a 403(b) 3% retirement match. American Rivers offers TIAA-CREF Social Choice, including green impact, as an investment option.

Location
Washington, DC metro area preferred. Open to remote with easy ability to travel to headquarters where the majority of the Finance & Administrative team is located. 

Contact 
Kara Teising and her team at Calibrated Search, who specializes in partnering with mission-driven nonprofits and conscious companies, has been retained by American Rivers to assist in this confidential hiring process. To express interest in this role, please share your candidate materials HERE.

To nominate candidates and/or ask questions, please reach out to inquiry@calibrated-search.com. Please list “American Rivers-CFO Search” in the subject line.

Timeline
Calibrated Search is aiming to present a shortlist of candidates by the week of November 11, 2024. Interviews with the internal hiring committee will begin mid-November with the goal of making a selection no later than mid-December. The start date of the CFO will depend on the selected candidate’s transition needs but we are targeting after the holidays in January 2025. Please do not delay in expressing interest.

DEIJ Statement
For nearly 50 years, the mission of American Rivers has been to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers and conserve clean water for people and nature. Today, this mission is more vital than ever, and we envision a future of clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere. To achieve our mission and vision, we must cultivate diversity, promote equity and foster inclusion in all aspects of our work.

The DEIJ Staff Committee and the Board DEI Committee are charged with ensuring American Rivers continues to make progress toward achieving the DEIJ objectives and benchmarks. The Committees monitor the organization’s implementation of DEIJ strategies and ensure that the organization is accountable to its DEIJ values and commitments. For additional information on DEIJ at American Rivers, please contact Dr. Mel — Michelle Lewis, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.

American Rivers is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the process. Please advise in writing at the time of application.