Chief Administrative Officer

BSR works with its global network of nearly 300 member companies to build a just and sustainable world. From its offices in Asia, Europe, and North and South America, BSR develops sustainable business strategies and solutions through consulting, research, and cross-sector collaboration. We are proud to say that we have a team of some of the most talented and motivated people in the industry working in our offices around the globe with offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, New York, Paris, San Francisco and São Paulo.

Position Overview:

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provides leadership and oversight for BSR's main administrative functions: Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology. The CAO is also the primary person responsible for ensuring that BSR's overall operations run smoothly, and that the organization complies with all relevant legal requirements.

The CAO reports to the President and CEO, and is a member of a 6 person management team. The CAO's direct reports include a Finance lead, IT Director, and shared responsibility (with the President and CEO) for the Human Resources Director, each of whom are based in San Francisco.  The CAO will also maintain oversight of shared services functions operating from BSR's offices outside San Francisco, working closely with BSR's New York, Paris and Hong Kong-based Vice Presidents, as well as South America Director based in Sao Paulo.

The CAO position is a newly-created position that is designed to support BSR in a period of ongoing growth globally.

BSR is seeking the most qualified candidate to serve in its San Francisco office, working closely with colleagues in other BSR offices.

Responsibilities:

This newly-created position is designed to oversee BSR's finance and operations functions and activities to position the organization for a period of continued growth and global expansion. This position represents a unique opportunity to serve as a valued partner for the rest of the organization to enable it to deliver on its mission to work with business for a just and sustainable world. This position takes the lead on cross-organizational functions including Finance, IT, and Human Resources, as well as general organizational priorities.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Serve as a member of the BSR Management Team, contributing to the development of the organization's strategic direction.
• Lead the development and implementation of a global plan for improving administrative and operational functions, working in close partnership with geographical and unit leaders.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the Finance function, including 
  • ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis,
  • reviewing and providing analysis of financial reports,
  • reporting and monitoring of organizational performance metrics, 
  • reporting of relevant financial data to management team
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance in all jurisdictions in which BSR operates, and input into the development and execution of contracts with member companies, consulting clients, and funders (charitable foundations, corporations, and government entities).
• Oversee risk management and legal activities: letters of
  agreement, contracts, leases, and other legal documents and agreements
• Provide guidance and oversight (shared with the President and CEO) of the Human Resources function, ensuring that the organization can attract and retain high quality talent, steward its culture of collaborative leadership, and operate efficiently.
• Oversee the Information Technology function, ensuring the ongoing maintenance and updating of information systems and infrastructure, including hardware/,software, and ASP applications
• Leadership of the annual budgeting process, working with members of the management team and other budget "owners."
• Reporting to the Board of Directors on finance matters, and overseeing timely execution of the annual independent financial audit
• Full participation in management team activities, serving as the lead management team member on finance and operations, and contributing fully to development and oversight of strategic vision for the organization.
• Communication of key finance and operational matters to the entire BSR staff.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will embrace the opportunity to lead a combined finance and operations function for a growing, global, entrepreneurial, mission-driven organization.  He or she will have the ability to ensure exceptional quality and attention to detail, while also operating in a mission-driven organization with people passionately committed to the content of their work.

The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, with demonstrated expertise in financial management and oversight, and the ability to oversee Human Resources, Information technology, and contractual and legal compliance.  The CAO will have a strong track record in working with global teams, and be proactive and consultative in his or her approach.

• Strong operational experience: ideally has worked in a senior
  management role for 10+ years in a professional services-based organization with progressive experience leading to at least 5 years' experience in operational/administrative management
• Excellent people skills, with an ability to work collaboratively with a diverse leadership team
• Demonstrated experience overseeing global administrative functions for an organization comparable to BSR in size and complexity.
• Skills should include organizational development, personnel
  management, budget and resource development, and strategic planning; demonstrated success developing and monitoring systems to manage both operational and programmatic work that involve high levels of collaboration
• Excellent financial oversight skills and experience managing finance, preferably in an organization engaged in both commercial and charitable activities.
• Advanced degree in finance and/or administration.
• Strong understanding of Human Resources and Information Technology functions.
• Strong communication skills.
• Understanding of the dynamics and interactions of the public, private and non-profit sectors.
• Master's degree, or an additional advanced degree, in a subject relevant to job responsibilities.
• Strong ability to balance efficient, consistent policies and practices adapted to the cultures in which BSR operates.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a mission-driven global team concerning operational excellence.
• Written/spoken fluency in English is required. Fluency in additional language(s) such as French, German, Mandarin or Spanish a plus.
• Willingness to undertake occasional business travel.
• Demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace.
• Capacity to work and thrive in a growing, fast-paced entrepreneurial organization with a collaborative environment.
• High ethical standards and commitment to BSR core values of Leadership, Respect and Integrity.

BSR is committed to developing an inclusive work environment where diversity of thought, style, culture and skill and is valued in support of individual performance and potential, as well as our business goals and mission. BSR is an EEOC employer.