Director, Financial Planning

National Endowment for Democracy; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

National Endowment for Democracy seeks a Director of Financial Planning to lead financial reporting, budgeting, and systems in a hybrid role based in Washington, DC. You will partner with executive leadership, internal controls, and external auditors to ensure integrity of financial information and operational excellence.

The role emphasizes long-range planning, scenario modeling, and compliance with regulatory and donor requirements while driving continuous improvement in finance processes and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field required.
• Professional credentials such as CPA/CMA/MBA preferred.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
• Experience with audits, compliance, and donor-funded environments is valued.
• Strong analytical, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all financial reporting activities and management reporting.
• Oversee annual budgeting and forecasting processes with department alignment.
• Develop and maintain financial policies, dashboards, and KPIs.
• Manage audits, tax filings, regulatory reporting, and NICRA where applicable.
• Drive finance transformation, ERP implementations, and system modernization.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Internal controls

Communication & stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

CPA / CMA / MBA or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Financial reporting platforms

Job description

Salary Range: $103,000.00 To $185,000.00 Annually

Position Title: Director, Financial Planning
Grade Level: Level 7/ FLSA-Exempt
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

About NED

The National Endowment for Democracy supports freedom around the world.

At NED, we deliver on the belief that freedom is a universal aspiration. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NED is a private, nonprofit foundation, mandated by Congress, dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.

NED reflects an enduring American commitment to stand with those striving for dignity, justice, and opportunity. In 2025, NED made 1,552 grants totaling $271 million to support the work of nongovernmental organizations advancing democratic goals in more than 90 countries, including some of the world’s most challenging and repressive environments.

We seek talented, entrepreneurial professionals motivated by purpose and committed to excellence. At NED, you will join a dynamic team of experts who bring their skills, curiosity, and judgment to a consequential mission at a critical moment for democracy around the world. Our work is guided by our shared values: excellence, respect, empathy, accountability, and adaptability.

Position Summary

The Director, Financial Planning leads the organization's financial operations, financial reporting, budgeting processes, financial systems, compliance activities, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure the integrity of financial information, the effectiveness of internal controls, compliance with regulatory and funding requirements, and the efficiency of finance-related processes and systems.

The Director serves as a key business partner across the organization, collaborating with executive leadership, department leaders, external auditors, and other stakeholders to support organizational objectives through sound financial management and operational excellence.

This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC.

Primary Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Operations

Lead all financial reporting activities, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, external and internal, and management reporting.

Monitor organizational financial performance and provide actionable insights to executive leadership.

Develop and maintain financial reporting frameworks, dashboards, and key performance indicators.

Budgeting & Financial Planning Oversight

Lead the organization's annual budgeting process and ongoing forecasting activities.

Partner with departmental leaders to align financial resources with strategic priorities.

Review budget assumptions, forecasts, and financial analyses to support decision-making.

Provide financial guidance related to organizational growth, investments, and operational initiatives.

Support long-range financial planning and scenario modeling.

Finance Systems & Process Improvement

Develop and maintain the finance systems strategy and roadmap.

Oversee implementation, optimization, and integration of financial systems and technologies.

Partner with IT and business stakeholders to improve financial processes and reporting capabilities.

Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and strengthen controls.

Ensure appropriate system governance, security, and data integrity.

Compliance & Internal Controls

Support annual financial statement audits and other external reviews.

Oversee tax filings, regulatory reporting, and compliance requirements.

Manage NICRA development, negotiations, renewals, and monitoring activities, as applicable.

Establish and maintain effective internal controls and financial governance practices.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, donor, grantor, and contractual requirements.

Monitor implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions.

Develop, maintain, and periodically review financial policies and procedures.

Ensure policies remain aligned with regulatory requirements and organizational needs.

Strengthen organizational accountability through effective financial governance practices.

Provide guidance and training staff regarding financial policies and procedures.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

Lead, mentor, and develop finance staff.

Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, customer service, and collaboration.

Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership on financial operations and business process improvement initiatives.

Partner effectively with HR, IT, Programs, Operations, and other departments to achieve organizational objectives.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

12+ years of progressively responsible finance, accounting, or financial operations experience.

Minimum 5-8 years of management experience.

Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.

Demonstrated experience managing audits and compliance requirements.

Experience with ERP, accounting systems, and financial reporting platforms.

Strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred

CPA, CMA, MBA, or equivalent professional credentials.

Experience in nonprofit, government contracting, or grant-funded environments.

Experience managing indirect cost allocations and NICRA development.

Experience leading finance transformation, ERP implementation, or system modernization initiatives.

Project management certification (PMP or equivalent).

Talent in Action

Consistent with NED’s talent statement, and grounded in our values, the successful individual in this role will demonstrate the following competencies in the delivery of their work while supporting NED’s efforts to advance democratic change:

Purpose-Driven

Reliable

Expertise

Results-Oriented

NED Total Compensation

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $103,000 to $185,000 annually.

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education, and other business needs along with internal equity considerations. Employees are not typically hired at the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are based on the aforementioned circumstances.

NED also offers a generous benefits package that demonstrates its commitment to employee health and well-being.