Finance Business Partner, Equity Initiative

Overview

Work for a first-class institution that is innovative, multi-dimensional, and dynamic by joining AIR as a Finance Business Partner, Equity Initiative .

We hire talented and forward-thinking professionals to build our cross-functional teams and support our clients in solving complex problems.

Our people problem-solvers, changemakers, and creative thinkers are experts in their craft who rise to meet today’s challenges.

The Finance Business Partner, Equity Initiative will play an integral role in delivering on some of the most meaningful projects in communities across the United States and the world.

You’ll collaborate with our teams of motivated and passionate visionaries, where your input will be valued and your contributions vital to our success.

We value the experiences of every member of our institution, from entry level to executive. As part of our collaborative, learning-oriented team, you’ll be encouraged to grow in your career, develop additional skills, and progress professionally.

AIR’s Program Finance team is seeking a Finance Business Partner, Equity Initiative to join its innovative group. This position reports to the Vice President, Program Finance.

In this position, you will partner with the Vice President & Executive Director of the AIR self-funded Equity Initiative (EI), the EI management team and other support units to oversee the management of all internal and external grants authorized and awarded by the AIR Equity Initiative.

You will ensure consistent grant processing, accurate and timely financial monitoring and reporting, and financial compliance with AIR policies and practices.

The successful candidate will provide guidance on compliance issues and financial best practices in the grant-making industry.

You will be expected to serve as the source of financial expertise to the EI management team for all aspects of a grant’s life cycle, including but not limited to proposal price evaluation, financial planning, program execution and shutdown and closeout of the award.

You will work with a dynamic team and have opportunities to pursue mutual, long-term career development goals. If you are excited to be part of a dynamic team in a hands-on, impactful financial capacity, this role is for you.

This position can work at any AIR DC, MD, VA office and is a flexible hybrid.

About AIR :

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.

S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment.

At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities / disabilities, racial / ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement.

Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by .

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for the position include :

Lead the annual financial planning process for the EI unit including indirect operating budget request and grant revenue plan.

Upon finalization, analyze grant portfolio actual financial performance against the annual plan including key indicators such as award values, funded values, revenue, associated cost components and cash flow.

Report status, concerns and recommendations to EI and Finance division leadership.

• Assess the financial and organizational health of grantee organizations through financial documents review and discussions with partners and other finance staff.
• Provide guidance on grant structure to optimize cash disbursements in consideration of operational risks.
• Support negotiations with grantees, subgrantees and major vendors and subsequently track and manage their post-award financial performance.
• Ensure Program compliance with governing procurement regulations (state and federal) and corporate financial policies and procedures.
• Provide financial basics training, promote financial knowledge among the EI operations and management staff in support of project budgets and increase financial understanding via outreach and communication.
• Provide support, insightful analysis, and proactive business advice to the EI team on a set of diverse and sophisticated grants with approximate annual awards and execution volumes of $25 million and $35 million respectively.

The AIR EI program is currently funded at $105 million and is in the process of increasing funding by up to $120 million for issuance over the next five years.

• Provide proactive feedback to team members and potential partners related to factors such as grant structure, effectiveness of the partners, business operations, and pricing strategy and more.
• Proactively support organizational assessments / due diligence of key grantees / partners, and partner with EI leadership and grantees to develop appropriate mitigating strategies addressing financial and organizational risks of partners and grants.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time based on business needs.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field.
• MBA or equivalent preferred but not required.
• At least 8 years of relevant work experience in a similar role at a grant-making organization such as a private foundation or federal agency.

Skills :

• Effective communicator with the ability to work with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds in a virtual work environment demonstrating sensitivity to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Communicates sophisticated financial concepts to partners with a diverse set of backgrounds, including leadership, program staff, and grantees.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently, and collaboratively as needed, while prioritizing multiple objectives and projects to consistently meet established timelines.
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Highly motivated with good organizational, mathematical, analytical, and reasoning skills and ability to multi-task.
• Strong project management and organizational skills. Thinks strategically but stays on top of tactical execution.
• Proficient using standard Microsoft 365, including OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel (advanced), Word, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Knowledge of grant management software and knowledge of Submittable grant management software preferred.
• Strong synthesizing skills and ability to absorb and quickly distill significant amounts of information.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial documents.
30+ days ago