Global Head of Finance

About the role

The Global Head of Finance will lead the financial strategy and operations of a multi‑entity, international organization operating across the United States and East Africa. Based in the United Arab Emirates, this senior leader will act as a strategic partner to the executive team and board, ensuring robust financial stewardship, compliance, and sustainability for donor‑funded programs.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership and the board to translate organizational strategy into financial plans, forecasts, and performance frameworks.
• Own and maintain multi‑year, multi‑entity financial models that incorporate program strategy, funding scenarios, headcount planning, and operational assumptions.
• Lead financial planning, scenario modeling, and investment analysis to support growth and expansion decisions.
• Oversee global financial operations across multiple countries, ensuring accurate reporting, GAAP compliance, donor regulations, and local financial laws.
• Manage audits, statutory reporting, and internal control systems, strengthening risk management and financial governance.
• Direct grant and donor financial management, including budgeting, reporting, compliance, and proposal costing.
• Lead, mentor, and develop distributed finance teams, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Develop financial dashboards, KPI/KRI frameworks, and reporting tools for leadership and board decision‑making.

Required profile

• 10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience in nonprofit, social‑enterprise, or multi‑country organizations.
• Strong expertise in nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP), donor compliance, and multi‑currency financial management.
• Proven track record managing complex grant portfolios of $5M+.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage financial models, forecasts, and scenario‑planning frameworks.
• Experience designing internal control systems and leading global finance operations.

Required skills

• Financial modeling
• Forecasting
• Grant and donor financial management
• Multi‑currency accounting
• GAAP compliance
• Internal controls and risk management
• Financial reporting and audit coordination
• KPI/KRI development and dashboard creation