Regional Finance Director

The Regional Finance Director role requires an individual with key skillsets and expertise in finance, procurement, compliance and operations to strategically support several countries within the assigned region to implement Operation Smile programs effectively and efficiently. Key functional responsibilities of this role include financial planning and budgeting, fiscal oversight, and management support to country-level leadership, program and operational teams to fund and implement world-class clinical, educational and other programs.   

Specific duties include preparation of comprehensive budgets aligned with strategic priorities, cash flow analyses and forecasts, periodic reconciliations, operating finance analysis, preparation of management accounts and reporting, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. Further, the Regional Finance Director will support risk management and audit activities to maintain appropriate operations and reporting. From an operational standpoint, the Manager/Director Regional Finance will drive effective procurement and contracting to ensure value for cost for all regional and country-level initiatives. 

The Regional Finance Director also supports the region and countries with preparation of various reports and analyses including donor, partner, and other periodic reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities:  

Portfolio & Program Management and Internal Communication 

• Maintain a quarterly tracker of financial key performance indicators including these examples: 

• Timeliness of internal and external financial reports across specified countries/programs covered to meet deadlines 

• Budget performance tracking: Actual spending vs. budget with rationale for variations, analysis of implications and recommendations for future improvement.  

• Working capital and financial viability to support ongoing operations at the regional and country level 

• Cost analytics including assessment of unit, program and project costs vs. baseline and benchmark indicators with implications and recommendations for improvement  

• Other performance reporting for region and country against additional key performance indicators.  

• Provide periodic reporting and analytics to region and country-level colleagues to promote greater financial expertise and support continuous operational improvement. 

Accounting, Bookkeeping and Billing 

• Support in-country finance teams to plan activities and work schedules necessary to perform all required accounting functions related to accounting receivable, claims and accounts payable, general ledger and financial reporting. 

• Ensure the timely and accurate recording and reporting of revenue and authorized expenditures per country to provide management with a regular overview of the financial conditions of the region. 

• Review for submission reports and reconciliation of non-operating pass-through funds received through capitation. Manage the translation of reports as needed with foundations.  

• Review pertinent financial HQ reports prepared by staff for accuracy and control purposes. 

• Review and ensure that all monthly subsidiary account balances agree with the respective general ledger control balance per country. 

• Provide mentorship, training, and other support to the accounting/administrative staff within the region. 

Financial Management 

• Monitor and support programmatic activity implementation and ensure budget adherence and leverage opportunities to find efficiencies. 

• Support procurement activities to ensure optimal pricing and payment terms and ensure adherence to procurement policies are implemented at a country level.  

• Conduct remote and in-person financial reviews to support various operational assessments of countries/programs covered. 

• Prepare statistical reports and perform analysis of administrative expenses and medical costs utilization to explain budget variances. 

• Guide financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures in coordination with regional leadership and staff. 

Internal and External Reporting 

• Develop and maintain internal and external financial reporting workplan/calendar for all countries and programs in region to support timeliness and quality while providing information on ways to improve coordination processes and planning. 

• Hold periodic calls with Region and Country representatives to assess financial reporting performance and discuss solutions to challenges, if any. 

Compliance, Assurance Risk Management and Asset Management 

• Develop and support risk management function and processes for the Region including compliance, regulatory and fraud as necessary.  

• Ensure audit function works effectively and all audits and reviews are completed on time and with actionable findings.  

• Ensure that paperwork trails are of sufficient quality for third party review. 

• Further ensure compliance and controls are in place and appropriately maintained for recording and reporting financial data in accordance with relevant international and local financial reporting standards, billing and accounts receivable, claims and accounts payable, bank reconciliations, cash disbursements, and financial statement preparation and reporting. 

• Serve as a liaison for financial and other audits by external auditors and actuarial consultants and prepares or coordinate their information needs and work schedules. 

• Maintain central database of assets and values across countries/programs and work with local staff to ensure that asset management practices are in line with Operation Smile and local policies.  

• Ensure implementation of annual inventory levels, values, and quality.  

Training and Mentoring  

• Conduct trainings and financial reviews for staff in the region 

• Work in accordance with company policies and procedures regarding employment, safety, quality, legality, security, code of conduct and regulatory compliance as applicable 

Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects 

• Collaborate with the regional and program country executive teams, boards, and external stakeholders on high-level engagements & strategic initiatives, like country assessments and country business plans. 

• Support special projects on an as needed basis.  

• Degree in Finance or Accounting required; CPA or MBA preferred 

• Minimum +7 years industry experience or Operation Smile experience preferred  

• Fluent in English and other regional Languages 

• Strong knowledge of financial software and cost analysis 

• Proficient/Extensive knowledge in QuickBooks 

• Financial analysis and presentation expertise and experience 

• International Nonprofit experience is highly desirable 

• Advanced computer skills such as MS Office (Excel advanced) is a must 

• Highly capable verbal and written communicator with the ability to influence across multiple functions is critical to success in this role– must be able to sell the mission of Operation Smile.  

• Experience in change/adaptive and conflict management in a multicultural context 

• Highly motivated with proven ability to lead, analyze, coordinate, and facilitate projects and teams in a fast-paced environment 

• Proven ability to work across cultures exercising diplomacy and tact and ability to travel in the region and internationally