Head of Finance and Compliance

ABOUT NEW ENERGY NEXUS

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international not-for-profit organization that supports clean energy entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators and networks. We started in California and have expanded operations into China, India, Southeast Asia, East and West Africa, and Australia. Our mission is to support diverse entrepreneurs to drive innovation and build equity in the global clean energy economy. Our goal is to support 100,000 startups to succeed by 2030 – a decisive decade to surface and support as many climate solutions as possible. Through our global network, we directly boost hundreds of entrepreneurs annually while uplifting thousands more. Since 2004, New Energy Nexus (up until recently known as California Clean Energy Fund) has leveraged $1.5 billion in investment, supported over 900 clean energy startups, and launched industry-leading centers for solution collaboration.

ABOUT THE ROLE & OPPORTUNITY

New Energy Nexus California (NEX CA) is seeking a strategic and hands-on Head of Finance and Compliance to lead our financial operations through a pivotal phase of growth and operational independence. This critical leadership role encompasses financial planning, analysis, grants management, and compliance, requiring a detail-driven individual with deep non-profit accounting expertise. The ideal candidate is someone with a “can-do” and "roll-up-the-sleeves" attitude, ready to drive efficiency, ensure financial sustainability and solvency, and contribute to our plan and strategize for growth in order to scale NEX CA. As a key member of the leadership team, you'll provide strategic direction on budgeting, forecasting, and process optimization. If you have a passion for clean energy, entrepreneurship, enjoy finance, process design, operational excellence and enabling organizations and people to succeed, this position may be for you! 

A TYPICAL DAY

The Head of Finance and Compliance at New Energy Nexus California plays a critical role in ensuring financial sustainability, transparency, and adherence to legal and ethical standards, making their daily responsibilities essential to the organization's success. A typical day for the Head of Finance and Compliance involves managing the organization's financial resources efficiently. They will often handle a wide range of responsibilities, including maintaining financial records, overseeing the processing of transactions and budget preparation, while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Additionally, they will be responsible for grant management, people management, and donor relations. The Head of Finance and Compliance will work closely with their team and handle many of these tasks independently, requiring adaptability and a hands-on approach to financial management and compliance. They will also work closely with the Cross-Team Leadership Council to drive organizational change management initiatives and cross-vertical projects.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic financial guidance to the Managing Director and leadership team to proactively chart a growth path for  impact that is both ambitious and financially realizable
• In concert with Managing Director, provide financial leadership role for project structuring and financial sustainability modeling for multi-stakeholder coalitions looking to unlock funding for clean energy and just transition efforts
• Serve as a member of the Cross-Team Leadership Council, co-leading and supporting the successful implementation of change management initiatives 
• Participate as an active leadership team member in the  annual planning process, ensuring financial considerations are integrated into strategic and operational goals
• Be a champion of a well planned, yet flexible program operations
• Contribute to the development of fundraising strategies and grant proposals
• Provide financial training and support to staff and board members.
• Act as a liaison with key partners and stakeholders

Financial Management

• Ensure the financial sustainability (solvency) and on-going liquidity/healthy working capital position  (liquidity) of the organization, including but not limited to overseeing the budgeting, financial forecasting, and cash flow management to directly support strategic and operational decision making
• Ensure strong internal controls and regulatory compliance
• Ensure all accounting processes, ledgers, and reporting systems comply with appropriate jurisdictions
• Prepare and present accurate and timely financial reports to leadership
• Serve as the subject matter expert on not for profit fund accounting, including donor invoicing and US GAAP compliance
• Provide technical expertise on restricted and unrestricted grant budget management and reporting. 
• Conduct final review and approval of invoicing packages to ensure quality and compliance in line with funder terms and conditions
• Develops, updates, and manages levels of approvals and delegations of budget authority
• Lead in providing guidance, training, tools, and templates for Accounting-related processes including, but not limited to, independent contractor,  budgetary development and contract execution.

Legal and Grants Compliance 

• Review legal and compliance requirements of new initiatives for go/no go decisions and feasibility evaluation for implementation
• Responsible for reviewing  all contracts, closely tracking requests and managing relationship with external counsel for operations and programmatic agreements
• Responsible for compliance with all contracted terms and embedded regulations, and preparation of reports, audit trail documentation and end-to-end management of program audits by funders, government agencies, and etc.
• Oversee contract compliance with donor/client for programs and projects that are in flight
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and reporting guidelines.
• Design and update smart, resource-efficient/effective workflows and controls that are additional to or separate from standard organizational processes
• Lead and manage the development and revision of policies, standard operating procedures and manuals
• Lead grants management team in the development of contracts and agreements for sub-awardees, contractors, and vendors
• Provide assurance to contract signers and board that all contractual obligations have been risk-reviewed and executed according to agreed-upon governance procedures
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including IRS regulations for 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Oversee the preparation and filing of all required tax forms (Form 990, etc.).
• Manage and maintain appropriate insurance policies.
  

Team Leadership and Management

• Oversee, lead, and manage a cohesive and collaborative team, fostering an environment where team members are inspired, engaged, and able to perform their best
• Ensure team has sufficient overlap for complex, highly specific workstreams to enable redundancy
• Conduct team meetings and hold 1:1 check-in with each direct report, providing feedback and support to team members, including completing performance reviews.
• Provide coaching and support to team members, utilizing leadership and management frameworks and practices
• Understand and utilize emotional Intelligence (i.e., the ability to understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others) in leading oneself, others, and teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical financial practices.

WORKING AT NEW ENERGY NEXUS

Working at New Energy Nexus California is an opportunity to make a positive impact in the clean energy industry and be part of a supportive and forward-thinking community. It offers an innovative and collaborative work environment, fostering networking opportunities and providing diverse roles that allow for personal and professional growth.

This job is located in Berkeley, CA. New Energy Nexus California offers a flexible work environment with this position being based in Bay Area, CA and with an expectation to work out of our physical office minimum 2 designated days a week. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is not available for this role.

REQUIRED SKILLS FOR THE ROLE

• Strong dedication to New Energy Nexus's mission, showcasing a profound understanding and alignment with organizational goals
• 10+ years of experience in leading finance, grants management, and compliance in nonprofit settings with diversified funding sources across public, private, and corporate funders.
• 5+ years leading a grants management team responsible for government funding, complex agreement packages, and managing compliance with flow down terms with clean audits
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and associated procedures.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Federal Cost Principles outlined in 2 CFR 200 and the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
• Prior experience with Single Audits and/or other program audits is a plus

• Expert user of Microsoft Excel including add-ins / syncs with accounting systems
• Experienced and capable of evaluating, implementing, and optimizing financial technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making
• Able to analyze complex fact patterns and distill them into simple and understandable concepts for internal and external stakeholder groups

• Experience overseeing sub-awardee contracting and invoicing
• Familiarity with cost allocation methodologies
• Experience in and capable of evaluating, implementing, and optimizing financial technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making
• Proven track record of successfully managed programs from inception (budget development and contract negotiation) to close-out and/or renewal
• Possess high level of attention to detail, with the ability to analyze and solve problems quickly and creatively with attention to detail
• Possess change management skills, remaining flexible in a constantly changing environment and work independently with strong planning and prioritization skills, able to succeed in a regularly expanding environment
• Possess excellent written and verbal skills to create internal and external communication pieces ranging from detailed audit trails to executive summaries
• Possess ability to appreciate, contribute and build on others’ entrepreneurial ideas with a lens towards financially feasible structuring and implementation
• Holds Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related discipline

WE HOPE YOU BRING ONE OR MORE OF THESE BONUS SKILLS

• Advanced degree in Business Administration or a related discipline
• Professional experience as an upper-level Accountant, experience working at a medium to large-sized not-for-profit organization a plus
• Experience in budget development for proposals
• Experience in reporting on match share requirements on grants

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

Competitive compensation of $165,000 to $185,000 annually plus benefits including, medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, paid holidays, and 401(K)

TO APPLY, TIMELINE, AND PROCESS

• Submit your resume, cover letter and responses to our application questions. 
• Application deadline: Priority deadline is April 28, 2025 and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled. 
• Interview process: Qualified applicants will participate in a series of interviews via Zoom. There will be 2-3 rounds of interviews.
• Accommodation: If you require accommodations during the interview process, contact us with your request.

New Energy Nexus is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, citizenship status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression of an otherwise qualified individual, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law. New Energy Nexus hires and promotes individuals on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. We strongly encourage diverse applicants to apply.