POSITION: Director of Finance and Operations

REPORTING TO: CEO, Sofia Breitholtz

WHERE: Stockholm, Sweden

COMMITMENT: Full time

DURATION: Permanent with initial 6 months probation

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 28th of May 2025, applications will be considered on a rolling basis 

STARTING DATE: At earliest availability, subject to notice period

About the role

The Director of Finance and Operations will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective management and growth of the organization in line with our 2030 vision. As a key member of the Management team, this role will oversee and lead all operational aspects, with a focus on Finance, HR and Governance.

The Director is expected to drive growth and change through continuous improvement of our tools and processes, ensuring efficiency, sustainable operations and compliance with internal and external guidelines. This includes developing, managing and monitoring operational and financial goals to ensure alignment with the strategic plan, and streamlining workflows and systems to improve the organization’s readiness for scaling. This position requires a strategic thinker, who is also comfortable working hands-on with day-to-day operations.

About Reach for Change

Reach for Change is a global non-profit founded in Sweden. Our vision is a world where everyone can shape their own future. We're working towards this vision by unleashing the power of local social entrepreneurs and enabling them to go from ideas to innovative solutions and sustainable organizations. We were co-founded by successful entrepreneurs in the non-profit and business sectors in 2010, and since then we have supported more than 1,600 social entrepreneurs in 18 countries across Europe and Africa. In order to guarantee that our activities are carried out as efficiently as possible and in accordance with our mission, vision, strategy and all applicable guidelines, agreements and regulations, we place a strong emphasis on having a robust governance system with all necessary internal and external controls in place. This includes, amongst other things, continuous quality assurance in strategy implementation, ongoing dialogue with partners, internal skills development and further development of processes and support. For more information about Reach for Change, visit our website www.reachforchange.org.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Global Operations Team Management

• Lead the Global Operations team and ensure efficient delivery of services (incl. but not limited to Finance, HR & Governance) across the organisation.

• Ensure compliance with local legislation and regulations in all markets and for all legal entities, particularly in areas relating to Finance, HR and Governance.

• Promote operational best practices across the team and facilitate knowledge sharing within the Operations function.

• Oversee and continuously develop all operational systems (incl. but not limited to Finance & HR) and ensure they are efficient, integrated and fit for purpose.

• Manage relationships with third party providers where functions are outsourced.

• Ensure that Reach for Change’s internal controls, policies and procedures are up to date, compliant and efficient across all legal entities.

Finance

• Oversee the organization's financial management across all markets, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

• Ensure compliance with tax laws, grant requirements, and nonprofit accounting standards.

• Oversee accounts, ledgers and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting principles and regulatory requirements.

• Optimize the use of financial resources to support both programmatic and operational goals.

• Develop strategies to improve financial sustainability and long-term planning.

• Work closely with the Partnerships team to ensure all proposal budgets align with strategy and meet quality standards.

Human Resources & Governance

• Support and oversee the HR team and functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management and learning and development.

• Be a thought partner to and support the HR team in developing and implementing HR strategies, planning and maintaining core HR processes.

• Support leadership in managing team dynamics, conflicts and grievances effectively.

• Ensure the organization remains compliant with regulations regarding employee rights and workplace safety.

• Oversee compliance with nonprofit regulations, bylaws, and governance requirements.

• Act as a liaison between the board, staff, and external stakeholders.

• Oversee the implementation of organizational policies and ensure adherence across all departments.

• Support risk management and ensure organizational policies are regularly reviewed and updated.

• Overall responsibility for the IT systems of the organization in relationship with HR.

Strategic Operational Development

• Drive strategic planning forward.

• Ensure the strategies for the different teams within the Global Operations team are aligned with organisation strategy and are appropriately resourced to deliver impact.

• Develop Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for the Operations team that are in line with the long-term overall strategy of the organisation and oversee the reporting on progress.

Organisational and Thought Leadership

• Embody and lead Reach for Change’s core values of smart, brave and passionate together with the rest of the Management team.

• Contribute to building the sense of “One Reach for Change” by promoting a collaborative culture and efficient sharing of resources across teams.

• Input into and drive the organizational evolution (e.g. business model, scenario planning, etc.), global strategy setting and review (including relevant OKR follow-up).

• Support the CEO in 1) strategic planning, 2) management of the day-to-day operations of the organization and 3) Management team meetings/functioning as part of the global management team.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of years of progressively responsible leadership or management positions, with a distinguished record of relevant accomplishments in the non-profit sector and/or business or private sector.

• Minimum of 5 years in a similar position within Finance.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide a team to reach strategic and operational objectives.

• Proven track record of empowering others and leading a team with strong results.

• Experience working in multicultural and managing relationships and activities remotely/virtually.

• A demonstrated ability to work with diverse people from different cultures.

• Knowledge on current thinking and practices in the field of social entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship, livelihoods, economic growth and development a strong plus.

• Ability to influence and engage a wide range of funders and influencers and build long-term relationships - the holder of this post must develop and nurture relationships across a wide spectrum of stakeholders (Government, Donors, INGOs and local NGOs, academic bodies, private sector entities and relevant local civil society etc.)

• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills in English and Swedish.

• Excellent IT computer skills and familiarity with Google Suite, MS Office and remote, cross functional online working.

Skills and Personal Attributes:

• Smart strategic leader who is passionate about social change.

• Brave entrepreneurial spirit and strong drive.

• Collaborative “can do” attitude and a desire for continuous improvement.

• Flexible and adaptable to change.

• Fast learner with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to quickly gain credibility internally and externally with senior stakeholders.

• Professional and resourceful; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple, sometimes conflicting priorities.

• Ambitious and passionate about Reach for Change’s mission.

Reach for Change recognizes that creating the change we want to see around us starts with ourselves, in our own organization. That is why it is important for us to strive to represent the change we want to see in the world. As a team, we strive to be diverse along many dimensions such as ethnicity, gender, language, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, beliefs, socio-economic status, physical and mental ability, thinking styles, experience, and education. We believe that the wide array of perspectives results from such diversity and promotes innovation and success. We therefore invite every candidate to bring their unique individual strengths.