Controller

The Center for Reproductive Rights (the Center) is a global human rights organization using the power of law to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights. Our work has strengthened legal protections for 2.3 billion people worldwide, ensuring greater dignity, equality, and access to reproductive healthcare. We have experienced significant growth and are seeking a Controller with a high level of technical accounting, process improvement, and change management expertise to modernize our accounting function to support the increasing volume and complexity of our financial portfolio.

As Controller, you will report directly to and partner with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), work closely with the Center’s Management Team, and supervise 2 direct reports with a total team of 6. You will lead accounting operations and provide accurate financial data and analysis for our $60M+ organization with offices in New York, Nairobi, Bogotá, Geneva, and Washington, DC. This includes overseeing monthly closings, financial reporting, audits (both domestic and international), investment and grant accounting, and compliance. With a collaborative and problem-solving approach, you will partner with the CFO on process and system improvements, including the implementation of new ERP (Intacct) and AP systems. You will also manage banking and investment relationships to ensure sound financial oversight.

This role is as much about people as it is about finance. Your leadership in change management will be critical in ensuring new financial systems are accessible and functional for all staff. You’ll foster an open environment where team members feel comfortable asking questions and proactively build effective working relationships with local and international colleagues. With strong support from the Center’s leadership, you’ll have the freedom to drive change, enhance systems, and build a high-performing global team.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Building on the groundwork laid by the Center’s financial consulting partner, you’ll strengthen and streamline financial processes so our teams can focus on achieving our ambitious strategic goal—to ensure that by 2030, half of the world’s population has stronger protections for reproductive rights than they do today. Success over your first 6-18 months will be demonstrated by:

• Audit Readiness. Ensure financial accuracy, reconcile accounts, and prepare for the next audit. Validate existing records, mitigate risks, and ensure a stable foundation for future improvements.
• Relationship Management. Mentor and develop your accounting team, emphasizing collaboration across global offices. Gain a deeper understanding of each region’s operational workflows and build organization-wide financial literacy.
• Systems and Process Optimization. Ensure ERP and AP systems function seamlessly across global offices. Reduce inefficiencies caused by manual processes and decrease the monthly close timeframe. Ensure teams in all regions operate under a unified, transparent, and equitable financial structure while addressing the unique regulatory standards for international offices.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• You’ll enjoy a hybrid schedule with 3 days in-office weekly at our NYC location.
• This position offers a salary of $210K.
• We offer an outstanding benefits package, covering up to 95% of comprehensive health insurance with no in-network deductible and top-tier reproductive healthcare, including infertility. Additional benefits include dental and vision insurance, generous PTO (paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave), office closure during the last week of December, and a professional development stipend. After one year, the Center contributes 7.5% of your salary to a 401(k).
• You will be working with and learning from some of the top legal and operational minds, passionate about the mission of advancing reproductive rights around the world. You will also have access to Employee Resource Groups to connect to colleagues who share similar interests/backgrounds/views.

Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting Management

• Oversee daily financial operations, ensuring accurate and timely monthly reporting and closings.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Controller & Senior Global Accounting Manager to resolve accounting issues and execute key tasks.
• Review and approve U.S. and international payrolls, working with HR to address payroll system issues.
• Prepare accurate financial reports to support CFO decision-making.
• Implement, enforce, and update accounting policies as needed.
• Maintain and optimize financial systems, including the chart of accounts, for transaction accuracy.
• Ensure cost allocation aligns with organizational goals and auditor requirements.
• Identify financial issues and operational risks, keeping the CFO informed.

Banking Management

• Oversee investment accounts, track investments and endowments, and notify the CFO of maturing investments for reinvestment decisions.
• Develop relationships with banking and investment institutions to ensure proper management of the Center’s accounts, including banks, investments, credit cards, and brokerage accounts.

Audit Management & Compliance

• Oversee all external audits (domestic, international, and grant-related) and act as the primary liaison with auditors.
• Ensure timely, accurate completion of audits, tax filings (Form 990, Form 5500), and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Establish and enforce internal controls over financial reporting and resolve audit findings.
• Ensure GAAP-compliant financial statements and disclosures, including those for the Center’s defined benefit plan.
• Collaborate with HR on retirement plan audits and Department of Labor filings.
• Work with global teams to prepare financial reports and ensure compliance with local regulations.

Department Oversight and Team Leadership

• Supervise and develop the accounting team, aligning goals with the strategic plan while fostering individual leadership growth.
• Foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace by attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse team and ensuring fair decision-making and processes internally and externally. Recognize the many dimensions of diversity and?the particular harms of anti-Black racism and colonialism.
• Lead by example, demonstrating inclusive leadership, modeling organizational values, and continuously learning and improving.
• Cultivate teamwork and collaboration, ensuring a supportive and cohesive work environment while maintaining consistency in applying organizational policies.
• Manage the accounting department budget and prepare projections for the CFO’s review.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Capacity Building

• Provide accounting expertise in financial compliance, control, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the Development Department on the annual report and state filings.
• Work with Global Operations to implement policies and processes.
• Support international offices in adopting new financial systems.
• Enhance financial management capacity through training, coaching, and proactive communication.
• Foster strong relationships with internal teams, providing financial analysis to support programmatic and operational goals.
• Partner with Technology and other departments to implement new systems.
• Contribute to DEI initiatives, ensuring financial strategies align with the Center’s strategic plan and global inclusion efforts.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance (CPA or MBA preferred) with 15+ years of finance leadership, including audit oversight, reporting, and compliance in a complex, multi-entity, and international environment.
• Extensive global non-profit experience, managing $50M+ budgets across multiple offices, collaborating with regional finance teams, and ensuring international compliance.
• Proven expertise in financial systems, leading ERP implementations, GAAP-compliant policies, grant compliance, audits (Form 990), and reporting.
• Experience with investments, endowments, multi-currency transactions, and banking relationships, providing strategic financial guidance to leadership and the board.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing and developing small finance teams and improving financial literacy across an organization.
• A commitment to reproductive rights and women’s human rights issues.

About the Center for Reproductive Rights

The Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 230+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center’s human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has powered the Center’s exceptional growth to an operating budget of over $60 million and won the respect of law firms in countries around the world, with an additional $35 million annually of donated legal services, representing the work of countless lawyers from more than 46 countries.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.