Internews Job Description
Senior Program Finance Manager
Job Title: Senior Program Finance Manager
Career Level: Level 5, M2/P4
Salary: $120,000 - $130,000
Department: Business Operations
Job Family: Finance
Job Sub-Family: Multi-Discipline
Location: Remote in United States
Worl Location: Fully Remote (Washington DC)
Term: Non-Term
Funding: Projects – 100%
Status: Exempt
Supervisor: Chief Finance Officer
Supervises: Project Finance Staff, or other assigned
finance personnel
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Senior Program Finance Manager provides strategic financial leadership and
operational oversight for the organization's portfolio of grant-funded projects,
strategic initiatives, and capital investments. Reporting to the Chief Financial
Officer, this position partners with executive leadership, program directors,
and project managers to develop financial strategies, lead project budgeting and
forecasting, monitor project performance, and ensure sound stewardship of
organizational and grant resources.
The Senior Program Finance Manager serves as the primary financial advisor for
projects throughout their lifecycle, balancing strategic financial planning with
oversight of complex project financial operations. The position is responsible
for strengthening financial governance, improving project financial performance,
ensuring compliance with grant and contractual requirements, and supporting
informed organizational decision-making.
This role collaborates closely with the Controller, Finance Officer,
Procurement, and Program Leadership to integrate project finance into the
organization's overall financial strategy while overseeing key operational
finance functions that support successful project execution.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following, with other duties
upon request:
Strategic Financial Leadership
Serve as the primary finance business partner to executive leadership,
program directors, and project managers.
Lead the financial planning and management of the organization's project and
grant portfolio.
Develop annual Project budgets, multi-year forecasts, and funding strategies
for major initiatives.
Prepare Project financial models, scenario analyses, and cost-benefit
evaluations to support strategic decision-making.
Monitor project portfolio performance and recommend resource allocation
adjustments to maximize organizational impact.
Present Project financial analyses, performance metrics, and recommendations
to executive leadership.
Identify Project financial risks and develop mitigation strategies to support
organizational sustainability.
Project Financial Management
Provide financial oversight throughout the entire project lifecycle, from
proposal development through project closeout.
Develop, review, and maintain project budgets and budget modifications.
Monitor project expenditures, analyze budget variances, and recommend
corrective actions.
Perform cash flow forecasting, cost-to-complete analyses, and funding
availability assessments.
Partner with project managers to ensure projects remain financially
sustainable and aligned with approved funding.
Support project startup and closeout activities by ensuring appropriate
financial planning, reporting, and compliance.
Grant and Restricted Funding Management
Oversee the financial administration of grant-funded and restricted funding
programs.
Review proposal budgets for new funding opportunities and provide financial
guidance during proposal development.
Ensure compliance with grant agreements, donor regulations, and
organizational policies.
Review and approval of grant financial reports and reimbursement requests
prior to submission.
Monitor funding utilization, indirect cost recovery, and grant spending
trends.
Provide financial guidance regarding grant modifications, funding
reallocations, and budget revisions.
Operational Financial Oversight
Provide oversight and guidance for complex project financial operations while
coordinating routine transactional activities with Accounting and Project
Finance staff.
Review and approve project budget modifications, funding requests, and
significant financial transactions.
Evaluate contracts, change orders, procurement activities, and vendor
agreements for financial impact and funding availability.
Coordinate with Finance and Program teams to resolve complex financial issues
affecting project implementation.
Support internal and external audits by ensuring project financial
documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant.
Provide financial oversight during project startup, implementation, and
closeout to ensure strong financial controls and successful execution.
Financial Planning & Analysis
Lead organization-wide project forecasting and financial planning processes.
Develop program and portfolio dashboards, key performance indicators, and
reporting tools.
Analyze project financial performance, resource utilization, and funding
trends.
Identify opportunities to improve financial performance, operational
efficiency, and resource allocation.
Support organizational strategic planning through financial analysis and
long-range forecasting.
Risk Management and Financial Governance
Establish and maintain financial controls and best practices for project
financial management.
Evaluate financial risks associated with projects, grants, contracts, and
funding sources.
Recommend improvements to project financial policies, procedures, and
governance practices.
Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), grant
requirements, and organizational financial policies.
Support responses to audit findings and implement corrective actions when
necessary.
Leadership and Collaboration
Collaborate with the CFO, Controller, Finance Officer, and department
leadership to align project finance with organizational financial
objectives.
Provide financial guidance and training to project managers and non-financial
staff.
Mentor project finance staff and promote continuous professional development.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve financial reporting,
budgeting, and project management processes.
Foster strong working relationships across Finance, Programs, and Executive
Leadership.
Process Improvement and Systems
Lead initiatives to improve project financial management processes and
reporting capabilities.
Standardize budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting methodologies
across projects.
Recommend enhancements to QuickBooks, reporting tools, and financial
dashboards.
Improve data quality, financial transparency, and decision-support
capabilities through automation and process improvements
In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values
[https://internews.org/about/about-us/#values] and demonstrate commitment to
fostering a culture of Belonging, Dignity, and Justice
[https://internews.org/about/belonging-dignity-and-justice/].
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each
essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative
of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in project finance,
financial planning and analysis (FP&A), grant administration, nonprofit
finance, or related financial leadership roles.
Demonstrated experience managing complex grant-funded programs, project
budgets, and financial forecasting.
Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting, funder compliance, and grant
management with varied and complex funders.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public
Administration or related required; Masters Degree in Business
Administration, or similar preferred.
Advanced knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and project
financial management.
Ability to develop executive-level financial analyses and recommendations.
Experience with QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, financial reporting, and
business intelligence tools.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial
audiences.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-functional
initiatives.
Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of
those that must be met or may be encountered by an employee performing the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include normal color perception
and close vision for use of computer terminal and reading printed and electronic
materials. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While
performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to the risk
of radiation from regular exposure to computer VDTs.
Expected office hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00
pm.
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The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the
multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a
general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of their position. As the
nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this
position.