Vice President of Finance

Job Type : Regular

The Vice President of Finance is pivotal in driving operational efficiency, responsively working with clients and providers, supporting strategic growth initiatives, managing through business challenges, ensuring compliance, and ensuring effective investment management practices.

Specific Duties

Financial Leadership

Hire, develop, and oversee the Finance team encompassing Finance Operations & Accounting, Treasury & Risk Management, Contracts & Grant Services, and Procurement & Subcontractor Compliance.

Sustain a collegial, collaborative, and intellectually challenging environment, encouraging agility and initiative while managing risk.

Develop and execute financial strategies that support RAND's mission and strategic objectives.

Provide financial insights to top leadership to inform decision-making.

Provide principal staff support to the Audit & Risk Committee and the Long-Term Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Financial Operations Management

Oversee all financial operations including accounting, billing, payroll, supplier payments, travel, treasury, tax compliance, and financial reporting, banking, contracts and grants administration, and purchasing.

Manage cash flow, investments, and financial risk (e.g., interest rate swaps), and insurance programs to optimize financial performance and ensure liquidity to support operations.

Ensure compliance with all regulatory and reporting requirements associated with being a non-profit and federal government contractor, including oversight of audit processes.

Drive digital transformation initiatives, particularly the use of AI, to automate and improve reporting and operations to increase efficiency and enhance the ability to deliver insights that aid strategy and business development.

Strategic Investment Management

Oversee RAND's investment advisors in support of the Long-Term Investment Committee and execute the investment strategy set by the committee.

Advise the Long-Term Investment Committee regarding risks, liquidity, and overall financial conditions and cash needs to inform investment strategy shifts.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate effectively with senior leadership, research division and operations department heads, and external stakeholders to achieve financial and operational objectives.

Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, continuous improvement, and agility across financial functions.

Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness

Implement best practices and standards in procurement, contract management, and financial operations.

Drive continuous process improvement to streamline processes, reduce overhead costs, and improve capabilities.

Candidate Profile

RAND is seeking a proven financial executive with experience as a leader in a complex organization, preferably in both the federal government contractor and not-for-profit sectors. The successful candidate will have strong experience in an organization subject to U.S. Federal Government contracting and compliance requirements, including the Cost Accounting Standards in the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as 75% of revenue comes from Federal Government contracts and grants. Experience with Workday would be a plus.

RAND values an open, collaborative culture that fosters community and a sense of belonging. The candidate must possess interpersonal skills to establish credibility and trust across all levels of the organization and share and promote RAND values. Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential, along with both a collaborative approach to decision-making and the managerial courage to move forward and make a decision with the best available information when the situation calls for it.

Performance and Personal Competencies

Setting Strategy

Ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization.

Inclination to seek and analyze data to support decisions and align others with the organization's overall strategy.

Executing Under Uncertainty

Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations, balancing analysis and timeliness.

A risk-aware leader who anticipates and manages risks successfully.

High degree of integrity and forethought in decision-making; acts transparently and consistently for the organization's benefit.

Leading Teams

Ability to attract, recruit, motivate, and manage top talent; viewed as a strong developer of others.

Perseverance in the face of challenges; steadfast resolve and commitment to high standards.

Leads by example and drives performance with a continuous improvement mindset.

Good listener; open to perspectives other than their own.

Relationships and Influence

Connects with others and builds strong relationships; demonstrates emotional intelligence and communicates clearly and persuasively.

Inspires trust and followership through actions that embrace RAND's values.

Encourages team success and creates a sense of purpose that engages others in the organization's mission.

Comfortable in a matrixed, non-hierarchical environment.

Education

An advanced degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field is preferred.

Location

Santa Monica, CA (preferred); Pittsburgh, PA; Washington, DC

Security Clearance

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance is preferred

Salary Range : $325,000-$415,000

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education / training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer