Chief Financial Officer at EFI Foundation

Position Title: Chief Financial Officer

Reports to: CEO & COO

Position Status: Fulltime, exempt. This position will support the EFI Foundation’s (EFIF) hydrogen demand activities and is conditional upon EFIF securing additional funding.

Salary and Benefits: EFIF offers competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages.

About EFI Foundation: The EFI Foundation is a Washington-based registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the power of technology and policy innovation to accelerate the clean energy transition. Led by principals with decades of experience and proven track records in government, academia, and the private sector, the EFI Foundation conducts objective, fact-based, and rigorous analysis supported by a multidisciplinary network of experts.

EFI was founded by Ernest J. Moniz, who served as the thirteenth United States Secretary of Energy (2013-2017) during the Obama Administration. Former Secretary Moniz also serves as the co-chair of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and holds a position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Former Secretary Moniz and other principals of EFIF also are principals of EJM Associates, LLC, a Washington-based business consultancy.

Summary: The CFO will report to the Executive Director of EFIF’s Hydrogen Demand Initiative (H2DI). The CFO shall be responsible for ensuring that H2DI’s financial affairs, including its investments, budgets, annual financial statements, audits, IRS submissions, and fiscal procedures, are regularly reviewed and evaluated to determine that: (1) adequate fiscal controls and investment policies are in place; (2) H2DI is in good financial health; and (3) the H2DI maintains sufficient assets to meet its financial obligations, sustain its longer-term mission, and realize its purposeful objectives.

The CFO shall work with the Treasurer as well as the Finance and Audit Committee of the H2DI Board to direct the appropriate allocation of investments consistent with Board-approved fiscal controls and investment policies. They will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the company, including financial planning, management of financial risks, and internal financial reporting. This role will be instrumental in driving the company's financial strategy, ensuring financial stability, and supporting the overall business strategy through sound financial management.

Duties:

1. Strategic Financial Leadership: Develop and execute financial models and strategies aligned with the company’s goals and objectives. Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO, COO, and other senior leadership.
2. Financial Planning & Analysis: Oversee the preparation and analysis of internal financial reports, budgets, and forecasts. Monitor and report on financial performance against budget and targets. Establish systems, processes, and controls to satisfy all external reporting obligations.
3. Business Partnering: Collaborate with senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into actionable financial plans. Work closely with cross-functional teams, including program management, fundraising, and operations to align financial plans with organizational priorities. Act as a strategic partner to program leadership, offering financial guidance and support to achieve objectives.
4. Budgeting & Forecasting: The CFO will be responsible for:
   • Leading the annual budgeting process, working closely with staff across the H2DI team to develop accurate and realistic budgets.
   • Driving the ongoing forecasting process to monitor financial performance, identify trends, and mitigate risks.
   • Setting up and overseeing the company's finance and accounting IT system to ensure compliance with FASB guidelines and GAAP principles.
   • Overseeing the preparation of H2DI’s annual budget and other programmatic budgets as needed.
   • Overseeing disbursements to meet the obligations of the organization and tracking cash flow relative to budget targets.
   • Working with the Director of Operations to ensure that personnel policies reflect organizational policies and procedures for eligibility of employee travel and other expenses for reimbursement.
   • Overseeing the preparation of company-generated financial reports, including statements of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, balance sheets.
   • Supporting the work of the independent auditor in developing an annual audited financial statement and IRS Form 990 Report and other filings.
   • Reviewing the organization’s insurance coverage to ensure that its assets and people are appropriately protected and make recommendations for any changes.
   • Conducting longer-term financial planning, analysis, and strategy development to support H2DI’s goals.
5. Banking and Accounts: Lead the selection of banking and investment partners that offer capabilities and controls that will satisfy the unique needs of H2DI. Establish and manage depository accounts with financial institutions, consistent with the terms and conditions required by the Department of Energy or other Business Partners.
6. Risk Management:
   • Identify and manage financial risks, ensuring appropriate analysis, controls and risk mitigation strategies are in place.
   • Assessments of H2DI’s assets, liabilities and investment portfolio.
   • Transmission of reports to H2DI CEO, COO and the Board of Directors as requested.
7. Cost Management and Budget Control:
   • Analyze project performance data, trends, and metrics to identify insights, opportunities, and areas for improvement in cost management.
   • Implement cost control measures, variance analysis, and change management processes to mitigate cost overruns and ensure budget compliance.
   • Improve costing and allocation methodologies to optimize cost recovery.

General Time Breakdown:

Strategic Financial Planning 30%
Financial Reporting & Forecasting 40%
Financial Tracking & Staff Compliance 30%

Location and Travel: This role can be remote and located anywhere in the continental United States. Successfully fulfilling this role requires the ability to travel periodically. Travel expectations will be discussed in the hiring process.

What You’ll Need:

• Preferred: MBA or relevant advanced degree
• Preferred: CPA or CFA
• At least 10 years of progressive experience leading a finance team or an organization or large department’s finances
• At least 15 years managing one or more elements of the key responsibilities
• U.S. citizenship or authorization to reside and work in the United States

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. EFIF is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

TO APPLY:

• Short letter of introduction (Cover letter)
• Resume
• Finalists will be required to provide two personal references

STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY: EFIF is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans are encouraged to apply. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or accommodation for this job application due to a disability, you may contact us at info@h2di.org.