[Remote] Vice President of Finance, FESI (Remote, DC Preferred)

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI) is a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating innovative solutions for American energy security. The Vice President of Finance will lead the financial operations, planning, and stewardship of the Foundation, ensuring that financial systems support mission delivery and operational excellence.ResponsibilitiesOversee all core finance operations, including accounts payable and receivable, cash management, payroll coordination, and expense reimbursementLead and manage rigorous fund accounting across all revenue streams—including federal-adjacent philanthropic activity, restricted donor funds, and unrestricted operating capital—ensuring traceability, accuracy, and compliance at all timesMaintain and continuously improve finance systems, workflows, and internal controls; current systems include Sage Intacct, Martus, and Bill.comEnsure timely, accurate processing of payments, invoices, and financial transactionsSupervise finance staff and external bookkeeping or accounting partners as applicableEnsure timely, accurate reporting for the board, donors, partners, and regulatorsLead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with the COO and leadership teamDevelop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts aligned with strategy and program plansSupport ongoing budget management, variance analysis, and re-forecastingProvide decision-making financial insights to support program execution, advancement strategy, and commercialization timelinesDevelop and oversee the organization’s financial strategy in alignment with mission, programmatic priorities, and commercialization activityLeads implementation and day-to-day management of the Foundation’s investment strategy in accordance with the IPS (investment policy statement), including cash management, reserves, and any mission aligned or catalytic investment vehiclesServes as the primary internal expert on investment structures, risk, liquidity, and financial performance, advising the COO, CEO, and Board as appropriateCollaborates with the VP of Commercialization Platform to evaluate, structure, and execute mission aligned investment opportunities that support commercialization, deployment, or market activation, ensuring consistency with the IPS, financial controls, and risk parametersOver time, advise senior leadership on philanthropic capital strategy, including blended and braided financing structures that combine government funding, philanthropic capital, and earned revenueOver time, ensures that investment activity (enterprise or program adjacent) supports organizational sustainability, protects public trust, and reinforces the Foundation’s role as a credible philanthropic partner to the U.S. Department of EnergyEnsure strong financial controls, audit readiness, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, GAAP, and all applicable regulatory requirementsManage compliance related to restricted and donor-advised funds, grants and awards, and DOE-adjacent philanthropic activitiesTrack and report on multiple grants, donors, and fiscal reporting requirements with precision—maintaining clear documentation across all funding streamsPartner with the COO to manage organizational risk and strengthen financial governancePrepare financial materials for board and committee review; support a culture of transparency and accountability at the leadership levelSkillsBachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field; CPA or Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) strongly preferred10+ years of progressive financial management and leadership experience, preferably in nonprofit, philanthropic, or mission-driven organizationsStrong knowledge of nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, and GAAP - with hands-on experience managing restricted and unrestricted funds across multiple grants and donor relationshipsDemonstrated experience working with boards, audits, and complex financial structuresExperience in public-private partnership finance: blending or braiding public and private capital from the nonprofit side of the house; candidates from community foundations, hospital foundations, or similar intermediaries are encouraged to applyExceptional analytical, communication, and leadership skills; executive presence with the ability to build trust across government, philanthropic, and private sector stakeholdersComfort operating in ambiguity and designing systems and processes from scratchExperience in energy technology scale-up, demonstration programs, or early market deployment environmentsDemonstrated experience working with both private sector operators and public-sector decision makersExperience working in or alongside foundations, nonprofits, or other mission driven intermediaries with complex capital structuresStrategic systems thinking: the ability to see the full financial picture while managing the operational detailsMarket and commercialization fluency: an understanding of how capital flows through innovation ecosystemsStrong judgment in politically and commercially complex environmentsFamiliarity with mission-related investment (MRI) or program-related investment (PRI) structures is a signal of the strategic range we're looking for, though not required at this stageBenefitsHealth, dental, and vision insurance403(b) retirement plan with employer matchShort- and long-term disability and life insurancePaid time off (15 days) and all federal holidays, plus the week between Christmas and New Year9sFlexible work schedule and hybrid optionsFESI will cover reasonable, job-related travel expensesCompany OverviewThe Foundation for Energy Security & Innovation (FESI) was created to help accelerate innovative solutions in support of American energy security, prosperity, and leadership. It was founded in 2022, and is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, USA, with a workforce of 2-10 employees. Its website is https://fesi.org.