Director - Finance & Operations - Startup

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Finance and Operations Director, you will work jointly with the Head of Office based in New Delhi and the Global Finance team based in NY to develop and implement the India Office strategy ensuring its financial sustainability while keeping the organisation accountable and disciplined internally. You will also be responsible for making sure the organization has the resources it needs to run its daily activities.

You will report to the Head of Office, based in the New Delhi office, with a dotted line of reporting to the Finance Team in NY. This is a full-time position offered at the Director tier with a competitive salary and benefits.

Essential Functions the Finance and Operations Director will exercise independent judgment regarding the following 4 areas of significance:

1. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:

- Support India HoO by providing recommendations to support sustainable growth for the organization while minimizing risk;

- Support the organizations budgeting and long-term financial planning processes in all its stages: planning, review, approval, and implementation of budgets; cash-flow management;

- Preparing contract/proposals, financial documentation and reviewing estimators with the organisation's financial team in New York and customer reports in conformity with requirements and internal policies and procedures;

- Process payments and monitor international wire transfers, supervise the work of accounting consultants in all accounting-related tasks, review and approve monthly balance sheets;

- Ensure financial and accounting records are in compliance with GAAP's requirements, local and national government regulations, and the organisation's policies and procedures;

- Support the local team in the preparation of budgets, commercial proposals, financial reports and accountability for clients and financiers, ensuring that the processes and proposals created in India are in accordance with the parameters/methodology used by the global team;

- Ensure accurate submission of financial and customer's reports to the NY Finance department in compliance with the organisation's policies and procedures and systems;

- Monitor budgets, ensuring that India's year-round expenditures are utilized based on the approved allocations and provide financial analysis and interpretation to management, NY Finance team and project managers as required;

- Manage the relationship with bank establishments, accounting firm, law firm, insurance, rental and other relevant service providers and financial team in New York and the local team;

- Manages activity-specific budgets through periodical monitoring of payments, in charge of the monthly update of India Country P&L and Projects Performance Report to support business decisions; provides guidance to staff on logistic-related expenses, ensures activities are properly funded in accordance with accounting and organizational best-practices.

2. CONTRACTS AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT:

- Draft legal contracts and agreements, liaise with legal counsel and overseas colleagues to ensure contracts are in compliance with local laws and the organisation's global standards;

- Negotiate and manage contracts related to local service providers and consultants, customers and collaborations with partners, and other operational activities in compliance with the organisation's policies and procedures;

- Support all changes in the organization- s institutional documentation with local government and membership with relevant agencies in India, liaising with local legal support and notaries;

- Manage and coordinate all the required work in India regarding national authorities' due diligences, ensuring that India is complying with India's law for organizations (labor law; tax and fiscal laws);

- Review all service-provision contracts negotiated by staff considering the organisation's best interest.

3. OPERATIONS RESPONSIBILITY - TALENT/HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT:

- Monitor and support the management of services and benefits related to human resources, serving as a bridge between the local team, Global HR/Talent team and the hired accounting company for matters such as implantation / alteration / exclusion in the health plan, admission / dismissal / health periodicals, etc;

- Ensure compliance with local labor laws and regulations and the organisation's global policies and practices;

- In coordination with Global HR/Talent team in NY, assess policies and practices that increase staff safety and awareness with the local environment;

- In coordination and alignment with the Global HR/Talent team, identify and recommend best policies and practices in accordance with India's culture and best cost & benefit services available, in order to retain talents.

4. OPERATIONS RESPONSIBILITY - IT AND OFFICE MANAGEMENT:

- Facilitate compliance with IT global policies and support local staff with their IT needs;

- Maintain efficient use of organizational resources making sure that administrative services are provided in a timely and cost-effective way;

- Oversee any office space-related changes to accommodate staff's needs in a growing environment, including identifying contractors, service providers and additional office space as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

We think you will be a successful candidate if you:

- Have a Bachelor's degree minimum, Masters degree preferable and 6+ year finance or business administration in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating a consistent ability to manage financial and operational processes and influence business decisions and experience with financial accounting with exposure to administrative functions strongly preferred

- Proven financial management skills and experience in budget preparation and management (US$ 1 million-plus) and demonstrated ability to accurately and efficiently review and analyze detailed information.

- Ability to work independently

- Knowledge of local fiscal and labor requirements

- Ability to be diplomatic and solutions-oriented under stress; demonstrate impeccable communication skills (written/verbal) and interpersonal skills (listening/empathy)

- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues and information.

- Excellent track record of time management, systems organization, and follow-up

- Agility and flexibility towards evolving responsibilities and last minute project changes

- A confident facilitator to coordinate discussions between multiple internal and external stakeholders

- Collaborative and inclusive about working with global teams that are from diverse backgrounds

- Critical thinker, have high integrity, a team player with a hands-on attitude, and a passionate problem-solving spirit

- Proficiency in creating spreadsheets (Excel and Google Suites) and using word-processing programs (primarily in Google Suites)

- Fluent in English

- We think you will be an exceptional candidate if you have:

- A demonstrated track record in social sector organizing and advocacy

- An experience with diverse funding environments including US and European governments, multilateral, and large foundations

- A demonstrated track record in a business sector, particularly professional services

- Committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment