Finance Director

Finance Director

• Reports to: COO
• Location: 100% work-remote
• Employment type: Full-time with benefits
• Start Date: Summer 2026
• Salary Range: $108,000 - $125,000 USD

What’s the job and who is Nuru?

The Finance Director’s job is to lead the Nuru U.S. finance department and collaborate with finance colleagues across the Nuru Collective (Nuru organizations in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Niger, and Togo) , to maintain effective and compliant financial systems. Acting as a strategic partner and manager to the Senior Accounting Associate, they aggregate and analyze financial data across all Nuru entities to support streamlined decision making and accurate budget forecasting. By bridging annual planning with day-to-day grant accounting and internal controls, the Finance Director ensures that Nuru’s evolving financial needs are met with adaptive, effective systems that steward the organization’s assets and support its long-term mission.

Nuru is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the capability to hire employees globally. Founded in 2008, Nuru is a global collective of locally-led NGO’s working to break cycles of unjust poverty in marginalized communities across the Nuru Collective. We achieve this by helping smallholder farmers transition from subsistence to professionalized farming. While Nuru staff work across separate and locally led organizations in different countries, we are united by a shared vision to expand meaningful choices for the communities we serve.

A pioneer in remote work, Nuru has been fully remote since 2008. Our team members work from the locations that suit them best, and we remain committed to this flexible, remote-first model.

While Nuru is a remote-first organization, this role requires significant collaboration with teams in West and East Africa. Candidates should have the flexibility to maintain a schedule that allows for consistent collaboration with counterparts operating within GMT and West/East African time zones.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead the Nuru U.S. finance department, and collaborate with Finance staff across the Nuru Collective to maintain highly effective financial systems.
• Manage all monthly and quarterly financial reports, dashboards, and board slides with a focus on budget forecasting, cash flow, and reconciling projections.
• Aggregate and analyze financial data for all Nuru entities to support streamlined decision-making, staying informed on activities across the Collective to create accurate projections and respond effectively to donor requests.
• Execute annual budgeting and planning processes, providing quarterly feedback to support strong financial management.
• Develop and track key financial metrics, create donor budgets, and deliver comprehensive financial reports for internal and external audiences.
• Manage grants accounting, ensuring expenditures align with program budgets.
• Oversee payroll processing and general accounting activities.
• Maintain internal controls and safeguards for revenue, costs, program budgets, and invested assets in line with Nuru policies.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP standards, audit requirements, and organizational insurance coverage.
• Build and adapt financial systems to support the organization's evolving needs and long-term strategies.
• Provide strategic and operational support to Nuru Collective leadership and finance teams while managing their external finance contractors.
• Approve and manage contracts with vendors, contractors, and partners to ensure compliance and efficiency (e.g.,Paychex, MDG, Remofirst).
• Build and maintain a network of peer finance professionals to share knowledge and maintain organizational best practices.
• Travel to Nuru organizations in Africa 2-3 times annually (typically lasting 1 week per trip).

What you bring to the team:

• Required Experience
  • Alignment with Nuru's mission and readiness to travel to Africa.
  • 5-10 years of U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit finance experience, including a track record of department leadership at the manager or director level.
  • Deep practical experience in U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit accounting, financial planning, audits, and donor reporting.
  • Experience designing or implementing internal control systems.
  • Experience working in the U.S., across multiple entities, and country locations.
• Bonus Skills (Please apply even if you don’t check every box!)
  • Proficiency in Google Workspace, QuickBooks, NetSuite.
  • Active U.S. CPA license or equivalent professional finance credentials/experience.
  • Direct experience leading or managing external audits.
  • Working proficiency or fluency in French.

Who you are:

• Systems Thinker: You enjoy building and refining financial structures. You can synthesize data across multiple global entities and translate it into a clear narrative that helps leadership make informed decisions.
• Adaptive Leader: You are comfortable working independently and leading a remote, international team. You manage multiple priorities with a solution-oriented mindset and navigate ambiguity with ease.
• Clear Communicator: You share information proactively and transparently. Whether in English or French, you communicate with clarity and empathy, ensuring that staff, vendors, and donors feel supported and informed.
• Cross-Cultural Partner: You are committed to Nuru’s mission and values. You approach global work with humility and respect, eager to learn from and collaborate with our local leadership and teams. You are enthusiastic about international travel, whether joining our annual team retreat or visiting our Collective organizations across East and West Africa.
• Principled & Precise: You take pride in the accuracy of your work and maintain a strong commitment to professional ethics, financial compliance and internal controls.

What Nuru offers you:

• Culture of Wellbeing: A 100% remote, flexible work environment that prioritizes personal resiliency and a healthy work/life satisfaction.
• Commitment to Growth: Access to professional development, clear paths for career advancement, and a leadership team dedicated to mutual feedback and coaching.
• Global Collaboration: The opportunity to work alongside a diverse, purpose-driven team of professionals dedicated to Nuru’s mission.
• Inclusive Environment: A workplace that actively values diversity and ensures you have the resources and training needed to thrive.
• Competitive Compensation: We provide equitable, data-driven salaries and a comprehensive benefits package - including medical/dental/vision. 401(k) matching, paid parental leave, and generous time off.

Note: We prioritize transparency and will discuss compensation and benefits during our first interview.

How to apply:

Please submit your application “here”.

Nuru is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. Through our Diversity@Nuru and Lean-In initiatives, we prioritize continuous learning and an environment where every team member belongs.

What happens next:

After you apply, you will immediately see an automated confirmation message. While we do not provide individual feedback during the initial review, we will contact you directly if you are advancing to the interview stage. To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process for all candidates, please do not contact our staff members directly via social media or email regarding your application. Our goal is to follow our interview process, and review candidate applications through the official portal.

Our Interview Process:

1. Initial Screen: Interview with People & Culture team.
2. Technical Interview: Interview with the Hiring Manager.
3. Work Simulation & Panel: A final interview with the team that includes a practical work simulation exercise.

All interviews are conducted via Google Meet. We are happy to discuss any accommodations you may need to participate fully in our process.