Senior Program Finance Manager

Internews Job Description

Senior Program Finance Manager 

Job Title:                         Senior Program Finance Manager

Career Level:                   Level 5, M2/P4

Salary:                              $120,000 - $130,000

Department:                     Business Operations

Job Family:                      Finance

Job Sub-Family:              Multi-Discipline

Location:                          Remote in United States

Worl Location:                 Fully Remote (Washington DC)

Term:                                 Non-Term

Funding:                           Projects – 100%

Status:                              Exempt

Supervisor:                      Chief Finance Officer

Supervises:                      Project Finance Staff, or other assigned finance personnel

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Senior Program Finance Manager provides strategic financial leadership and operational oversight for the organization's portfolio of grant-funded projects, strategic initiatives, and capital investments. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this position partners with executive leadership, program directors, and project managers to develop financial strategies, lead project budgeting and forecasting, monitor project performance, and ensure sound stewardship of organizational and grant resources.

The Senior Program Finance Manager serves as the primary financial advisor for projects throughout their lifecycle, balancing strategic financial planning with oversight of complex project financial operations. The position is responsible for strengthening financial governance, improving project financial performance, ensuring compliance with grant and contractual requirements, and supporting informed organizational decision-making.

This role collaborates closely with the Controller, Finance Officer, Procurement, and Program Leadership to integrate project finance into the organization's overall financial strategy while overseeing key operational finance functions that support successful project execution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following, with other duties upon request:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as the primary finance business partner to executive leadership, program directors, and project managers.

• Lead the financial planning and management of the organization's project and grant portfolio.

• Develop annual Project budgets, multi-year forecasts, and funding strategies for major initiatives.

• Prepare Project financial models, scenario analyses, and cost-benefit evaluations to support strategic decision-making.

• Monitor project portfolio performance and recommend resource allocation adjustments to maximize organizational impact.

• Present Project financial analyses, performance metrics, and recommendations to executive leadership.

• Identify Project financial risks and develop mitigation strategies to support organizational sustainability.

Project Financial Management

• Provide financial oversight throughout the entire project lifecycle, from proposal development through project closeout.

• Develop, review, and maintain project budgets and budget modifications.

• Monitor project expenditures, analyze budget variances, and recommend corrective actions.

• Perform cash flow forecasting, cost-to-complete analyses, and funding availability assessments.

• Partner with project managers to ensure projects remain financially sustainable and aligned with approved funding.

• Support project startup and closeout activities by ensuring appropriate financial planning, reporting, and compliance.

Grant and Restricted Funding Management

• Oversee the financial administration of grant-funded and restricted funding programs.

• Review proposal budgets for new funding opportunities and provide financial guidance during proposal development.

• Ensure compliance with grant agreements, donor regulations, and organizational policies.

• Review and approval of grant financial reports and reimbursement requests prior to submission.

• Monitor funding utilization, indirect cost recovery, and grant spending trends.  

• Provide financial guidance regarding grant modifications, funding reallocations, and budget revisions.

Operational Financial Oversight

• Provide oversight and guidance for complex project financial operations while coordinating routine transactional activities with Accounting and Project Finance staff.

• Review and approve project budget modifications, funding requests, and significant financial transactions.

• Evaluate contracts, change orders, procurement activities, and vendor agreements for financial impact and funding availability.

• Coordinate with Finance and Program teams to resolve complex financial issues affecting project implementation.

• Support internal and external audits by ensuring project financial documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant.

• Provide financial oversight during project startup, implementation, and closeout to ensure strong financial controls and successful execution.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead organization-wide project forecasting and financial planning processes.

• Develop program and portfolio dashboards, key performance indicators, and reporting tools.

• Analyze project financial performance, resource utilization, and funding trends.

• Identify opportunities to improve financial performance, operational efficiency, and resource allocation.

• Support organizational strategic planning through financial analysis and long-range forecasting.

Risk Management and Financial Governance

• Establish and maintain financial controls and best practices for project financial management.

• Evaluate financial risks associated with projects, grants, contracts, and funding sources.

• Recommend improvements to project financial policies, procedures, and governance practices.

• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), grant requirements, and organizational financial policies.

• Support responses to audit findings and implement corrective actions when necessary.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Collaborate with the CFO, Controller, Finance Officer, and department leadership to align project finance with organizational financial objectives. 

• Provide financial guidance and training to project managers and non-financial staff. 

• Mentor project finance staff and promote continuous professional development.

• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve financial reporting, budgeting, and project management processes. 

• Foster strong working relationships across Finance, Programs, and Executive Leadership.

Process Improvement and Systems

• Lead initiatives to improve project financial management processes and reporting capabilities.

• Standardize budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting methodologies across projects.

• Recommend enhancements to QuickBooks, reporting tools, and financial dashboards.

• Improve data quality, financial transparency, and decision-support capabilities through automation and process improvements

In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of Belonging, Dignity, and Justice.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in project finance, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), grant administration, nonprofit finance, or related financial leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex grant-funded programs, project budgets, and financial forecasting.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting, funder compliance, and grant management with varied and complex funders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or related required; Masters Degree in Business Administration, or similar preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and project financial management.
• Ability to develop executive-level financial analyses and recommendations.
• Experience with QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, financial reporting, and business intelligence tools.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met or may be encountered by an employee performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include normal color perception and close vision for use of computer terminal and reading printed and electronic materials. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to the risk of radiation from regular exposure to computer VDTs.

Expected office hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of their position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.