Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Russell Reynolds is leading this search for Vital Strategies (New York)
Vital Strategies works with governments and non-governmental organizations around the world to strengthen public health systems and advance policies that help people live longer, healthier lives. It partners with countries to turn data into action, combining technical expertise, strategic communication, and implementation support to address the world's leading causes of illness, injury, and death. We believe our programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by people with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, national origin, ancestry, actual or perceived age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for those seeking employment. Vital Strategies works with governments and non-governmental organizations around the world to strengthen public health systems and advance policies that help people live longer, healthier lives. It partners with countries to turn data into action, combining technical expertise, strategic communication, and implementation support to address the world's leading causes of illness, injury, and death. Guided by its vision of a world where everyone, everywhere is protected by equitable and effective public health systems, Vital Strategies works in partnership to reimagine evidence-based, locally driven policies and practices that advance public health. By helping governments design and implement solutions that can scale rapidly, the organization addresses some of the world's most important health challenges while improving the lives of millions of people. Vital Strategies employs a global team of more than 400 professionals working in more than 80 countries across six continents, with offices and affiliated entities in New York City, Addis Ababa, Jinan, New Delhi, Paris, São Paulo, and Singapore. Its priorities are driven by the greatest potential to improve and save lives. Programs are concentrated primarily in low- and middle-income countries throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, while also leading significant initiatives in the United States, including a comprehensive overdose prevention program supporting seven states. Vital Strategies’ main areas of impact include: Promoting Health: Vital Strategies works to reduce consumption of unhealthy products and apply proven strategies to reduce noncommunicable disease (NCDs). Areas of focus include tobacco control, food policy, alcohol policy, NCD prevention and treatment, and mental health. Protecting Communities: Vital Strategies addresses climate change and environmental hazards, which are among the fastest-growing threats to public health. Areas of focus include climate and environmental health, urban health, and lead poisoning prevention. Preventing Harm: Vital Strategies works to prevent injuries, which disproportionately affect youth and young adults. Areas of focus include road safety, overdose prevention, and gender-based violence prevention. Vital Strategies’ core approaches include: Data Systems & Public Health Intelligence: Building surveillance systems, modernizing civil registration, and creating digital tools that enable governments to make real-time, evidence-based decisions. Policy Solutions: Advancing and accelerating policies proven to improve health, using legal analysis, political mapping, and economic and health impact estimates. Strategic Communication & Advocacy: Designing strategic communication and advocacy campaigns that build public support and drive policy change. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and Board of Trustees while overseeing all aspects of global finance, grants management, compliance, enterprise risk management, and financial operations for a complex international nonprofit organization. The role requires a unique blend of strategic leadership, operational rigor, global nonprofit expertise, board engagement experience, donor stewardship, and the ability to manage financial complexity across multiple countries, funding streams, and stakeholder groups. The CFO must balance long-term organizational sustainability with operational excellence, ensuring strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, effective resource allocation, and high-quality financial decision support across the enterprise. While Vital Strategies welcomes candidates from across the globe, the CFO is expected to be an active, in-person member of the executive leadership team. The successful candidate will be based in, or willing to relocate to, the New York metropolitan area and be present in the New York office at least two to three days per week to foster collaboration, organizational leadership, and engagement with key internal and external stakeholders. Key responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to: Strategic Financial Leadership • Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees on financial strategy, organizational sustainability, enterprise risk, and resource allocation. • Lead long-range financial planning and scenario modeling to support organizational growth and strategic priorities. • Provide proactive financial insights and analytics to support executive decision-making. • Provide financial leadership and strategic analysis to support the development of new revenue streams, partnerships, and business models that strengthen the organization's financial resilience and mission impact. • Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with organizational mission and global operational realities. Board, Finance Committee & Audit Committee Engagement • Prepare and present financial reports, dashboards, forecasts, and strategic analyses to the Board of Trustees. • Serve as primary management liaison to the Finance Committee and Audit Committee. • Translate complex financial information into clear and actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders. • Support board governance, fiduciary oversight, and enterprise risk discussions. • Coordinate materials and presentations for board and committee meetings. This includes Finance, Audit and Board meetings for 501(c)(3) and 501(c)4 entities. Global Finance & International Operations Oversight • Oversee global financial operations across multiple international offices and entities. • Ensure strong internal controls, financial accountability, and compliance across all country operations. • Partner with international office leadership to strengthen financial management capacity and operational efficiency. • Oversee multi-currency financial management, global banking relationships, cash flow management, and treasury operations. • Ensure consistency in financial policies, procedures, and reporting across international offices. • Provide fiduciary oversight and guidance to international offices as needed Audit, Compliance & Risk Management • Lead all organizational audits, including consolidated audits and audits for international offices. • Oversee preparation and coordination of approximately six international office audits annually. • Ensure compliance with U.S. and international regulatory requirements, donor regulations, and nonprofit accounting standards. • Oversee enterprise-wide risk management related to financial operations, compliance, grants, and internal controls. • Maintain and strengthen systems of internal control and financial governance. • Oversee the organization's insurance program, including policy renewals, coverage adequacy, and broker relationships, to protect organizational assets and manage risk exposure globally. Grants, Contracts & Donor Financial Management • Oversee a newly formed Grants Management department, ensuring strong financial stewardship of foundation, government, and donor funding. • Ensure compliance with federal grant regulations, donor restrictions, and contractual obligations. • Lead negotiations and financial review of donor agreements and funding arrangements. • Review and approve budgets, contracts, proposals, and grant submissions. • Partner with program leadership to ensure accurate financial planning and grant implementation. • Provide leadership, oversight, and operational management of the organization’s entire portfolio of grants and contracts. • Ensure all funding proposals, budgets, and financial submissions adhere to organizational cost principles, donor requirements, and industry best practices, while promoting consistency and financial sustainability across all awards. • Oversee financial compliance, reporting, and risk management for all externally funded awards, ensuring adherence to the requirements of private foundations, government agencies, and multilaterals. • Work with the newly hired VP, G&C to design, centralize, and continuously strengthen grants and contracts functions, including policies, procedures, systems, training, and implementation frameworks to support compliant and efficient award management, while overseeing sub-awards, sub-contracting and procurement- related activities and building staff capacity through clear guidance and technical resources. • Play a key role in the proposal development process, including analys
