Through large-scale restoration and rewilding, NATURAL STATE secures biodiversity, sequesters and stores carbon, and helps achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Director of Finance & Capital is a critical leadership role that provides strategic financial oversight, operational management, and deal-structuring expertise. The successful candidate will lead the finance team in Nanyuki, oversee compliance for global non-profit entities, and architect the financial models for environmental markets and new commercial spin-offs.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership, Control & Strategy
- Provide direct leadership and mentorship to the finance team in Nanyuki, including creating professional development plans to build long-term capacity.
- Assume ultimate responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial management, reporting, and compliance for all affiliated nonprofit entities, including the US 501(c)(3), Kenyan entity, and any future entities established under the organization's umbrella.
- Partner with the Director of Systems to ensure financial and operational systems are fully aligned with the needs of a growing organization. Own the organizational budgeting and long-range planning process: develop templates, consolidate submissions, and hold authority to challenge/reject budgets. Develop and maintain a robust multi-year financial model.
- Develop and manage detailed cash flow forecasts to ensure operational liquidity.
- Enforce budgetary discipline through monthly Budget vs. Actual analysis and has the authority to implement spending controls to prevent overspending.
- Develop, document, implement, and enforce robust internal controls, procurement policies, and financial risk management frameworks.
- Ensure optimal stewardship of all funds, overseeing all financial reporting and compliance for donor grants.
- Serve as the primary authority for all audit and tax compliance matters in both jurisdictions.
- Act as a key financial representative to external partners, including auditors, banks, and major donors.
- Provide strategic financial analysis to the VP, President, and program leads to guide strategy and identify efficiencies.
- Oversee the financial aspects of legal and insurance matters (e.g., contract review, policy management), in close coordination with external counsel as needed.
- Partner closely with the Head of Development & Global Partnerships to ensure accurate budgeting, grant financial reporting, and donor compliance across all funding streams.
External Capital & Venture Strategy
- Partner with the Director of Nature Finance to design, model, and develop bankable financial products, focusing on blended and outcomes-based finance (e.g., carbon, biodiversity credits).
- Serve as the lead financial architect for the creation and spin-out of a new, standalone for-profit entity, developing all associated financial models, capitalization strategies, and investor materials.
- Co-lead, with the Director of Nature Finance, the cultivation of relationships with capital providers and market participants (impact investors, carbon buyers, commercial lenders).
- Translate market intelligence, regulatory shifts, and project methodologies (provided by the Nature Finance team) into financial strategy, risk analysis, and valuation models.
- Conduct financial due diligence, risk assessment, and valuation for new ventures and pilot projects.
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of financing opportunities and strategic partnerships.
- Ensure financial models and ventures are built to track, report, and verify conservation impact alongside financial performance.
- Structure, negotiate, and execute financial agreements, ensuring alignment with Natural State’s mission and financial guardrails.
Qualifications and Experience
- Sector-Spanning Expertise: 10+ years of financial leadership. Must demonstrate hands-on mastery of US 501(c)(3) financial management AND provable experience in structuring commercial financial deals (e.g., project finance, venture capital, impact investing).
- Deal-Structuring Track Record: A documented history of structuring and executing blended finance mechanisms, project finance, or early-stage venture investments. Must be able to present examples of built financial models and term sheets.
- Environmental Market Credibility: Direct experience with voluntary carbon market (VCM) economics and standards, and an understanding of emerging environmental asset classes.
- Multi-Jurisdictional Operational Command: Demonstrated experience building and leading finance teams in East Africa, with specific, recent operational experience in Kenya, including managing compliance and controls across entities and a proven ability to identify and mitigate complex operational and financial risks.
- Professional Credential: A CPA, CA, CFA, or equivalent advanced degree in Finance or Business is required.
Core Skills & Competencies
- Expert-level financial modeling, valuation, and strategic analysis.
- Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership and governing bodies (e.g., Board of Directors), presenting complex financial strategies, and influencing high-stakes decisions.
- Superior communication and diplomacy.
- An entrepreneurial, builder's mindset with high tolerance for ambiguity.
- Advanced proficiency in financial management software (MS Dynamics proficiency is a strong plus).
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