Job Description

Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

Executive leader responsible for financial strategy, operational shared services, and the enabling infrastructure needed to scale IREX’s impact and diversify revenue.

About IREX

For over five decades, IREX has built a track record of delivering results amid complexity, bringing together governments, civic institutions, businesses, and communities that rarely talk to each other. We solve problems through collaboration, bridge divides where interests conflict, and develop leaders committed to impact. The youth we empower build stronger economies. The educators we support improve learning for countless students. The critical thinking skills we advance help people make informed decisions about their futures. Our documented impact demonstrates that, at our best, we build conditions for durable progress, not just run programs.

IREX is at a transformative moment. Achieving our 2040 Ambition will require strong financial stewardship and a modern, responsive support-services operating model. We must maintain cost structures that keep us competitive across USG and non-USG opportunities, while evolving our financial models to support foundations, corporate partnerships, and earned revenue—not only USG frameworks. In parallel, we will streamline processes and integrate new technologies to free capacity for mission-critical work and strengthen execution across the organization.

The Opportunity

The Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) will play a pivotal role in transforming finance and operations at IREX from a predominantly compliance-focused function into a strategic enabler of organizational growth and a platform for sustainable revenue diversification — while upholding the highest standards of financial integrity, transparency, and stewardship.

As a core member of the CEO’s executive team, the CFAO sets the organization’s financial strategy and stewards operational excellence and long-term sustainability. The CFAO leads IREX’s Enabling Services Hub—one of the organization’s three core structural hubs—ensuring high-quality, responsive services across Finance; Accounting & Compliance; Global Operations; and Facilities/Administration.

The CFAO will work in close partnership with the Chief Impact Officer (CIO) to ensure she has the maximum financial flexibility, visibility, and resources needed to deliver first-class programmatic results. The CFAO will also partner closely with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and the Global Human Resources Director, both of whom are members of the Executive Team and will maintain that status while reporting to the CFAO.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth Leadership

• Develop and execute comprehensive financial and operational strategies aligned with the IREX 2040 Ambition and organizational vision
• Lead IREX’s Enabling Services Hub by directly overseeing core shared services and aligning cross-functional planning across enabling functions:
  • Finance, Accounting & Compliance (direct oversight)
  • Global Operations & Facilities/Administration (direct oversight)
  • Information Technology (strategic partnership with the CTO)
  • Human Resources (strategic partnership with the Global HR Director)

Revenue Diversification

• Oversee the Finance & Accounting Unit while supporting the strategic expansion of non-USG revenue streams
• Translate the Chief Growth Officer (CGO) pipeline into probability-weighted forecasts and scenario-based budgets aligned to hiring and investment plans
• Build financial models, pricing/costing tools, and cash-flow plans to ensure new revenue streams are scalable and sustainable
• Structure and review partnership terms to manage financial risk and ensure compliance, controls, and performance reporting across non-USG and earned revenue

Global Impact Partnerships

• Provide financial diligence and deal support for strategic partnerships with foundations, corporations, and other non-USG donors
• Structure partnership agreements and operating models to manage financial, compliance, and risk exposures
• Align budgets, forecasts, and internal capacity plans to ensure partnerships are deliverable at scale.
• Establish partnership financial reporting and performance dashboards to support timely decision-making

Market-Facing Enablement

• Partner with the CEO, Chief Growth Officer (CGO), and Chief Impact Officer (CIO) to strengthen market-facing value propositions through financially sound business cases, budgeting, and operational support
• Ensure communications and customer engagement initiatives are appropriately resourced and operationally supported to achieve growth objectives
• Provide data-backed financial narratives and donor-ready materials that clearly translate performance into credible impact stories

Team Leadership & Culture

• Build, lead, mentor, and manage the Enabling Services Hub team
• Shape a culture of agility that advances initiatives with purpose, speed, and results
• Integrate technical expertise effectively into revenue growth and diversification efforts
• Foster an entrepreneurial mindset throughout the organization

Executive Partnership

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Team
• Collaborate with the executive leadership team to drive revenue growth aligned with the IREX 2040 Ambition
• Provide strategic counsel to the CEO and support effective engagement with external audiences

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated success as a transformation leader with a track record of reengineering finance and operations to support significant organizational growth and revenue diversification
• 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience in finance and operations, with at least 7 years in senior executive roles
• Strong financial acumen and experience with diverse funding models, cost structures, and financial planning for organizational sustainability
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business financial management, or related field; CPA certification is highly preferred; MBA or master’s degree strongly preferred
• Proven ability to build, lead, and manage high-performing teams in dynamic, mission-driven environments
• Experience working in international development, global affairs, or cross-border initiatives preferred
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities

Must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in international development or global nonprofit sector
• Experience leading enterprise digital transformation and technology integration across enabling services
• Demonstrated success building and scaling shared services functions across IT, Finance, HR, and Operations
• Knowledge of education, civic engagement, leadership development or technology sectors
• Familiarity with US Government grant-making
• Experience working with boards and committees on fundraising and growth strategies

Compensation & Benefits IREX offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including comprehensive health and retirement benefits. The estimated salary range for those who work in the Washington, DC area is $275,000 - $325,000. This range represents IREX’s good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting and is competitive with similar executive roles in the international development and nonprofit sectors.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification.

Please note that this role is an in-person position based in Washington, DC. Position will be open until it is filled. IREX is an E-Verify employer.

To Apply Please submit your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this role to recruitmenthr@irex.org Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

IREX is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

IREX brings together a distinctive combination of specialized expertise and proven talent, working across continents to deliver results in complex development challenges. We excel as both a solution provider and neutral convener, successfully bridging diverse sectors even in the most sensitive environments. Our ability to build trust and advance human agency is essential currency for the future.