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Finance Director

New York City, NY

Finance Director

OceanX

About OceanX:

OceanX is a nonprofit working to unlock the ocean’s sustainable potential. Through a dual focus on science and education, we’re building a new paradigm where humanity and the ocean mutually thrive. Our approach is fueled by exploration, leveraging advanced research, multimedia educational programs, cross-sector partnerships, and advanced technology to help transform how people understand and value the ocean. Our work strives to fortify biodiversity and increase the sustainable use of ocean resources to help ensure the ocean remains a foundation for human wellbeing and potential. OceanX is a nonprofit operating program of Dalio Philanthropies.

For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.   

Position Summary:

OceanX is seeking a Finance Director who will serve as the senior financial and accounting leader across OceanX, responsible for both strategic financial planning and the integrity of the organization’s accounting infrastructure. This role will oversee enterprise budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting operations, compliance, financial reporting, internal controls, and systems transformation.

In addition to leading ongoing financial operations, the Director will drive a comprehensive financial transformation initiative, modernizing the financial operating model, strengthening technical accounting rigor, and building scalable systems to support OceanX’s growth. The Director will manage a small team while remaining hands on across BAU financial workstreams and transformation priorities, partnering closely with senior leadership and Dalio Family Office Accounting.

OceanX is an entrepreneurial environment which values team players who can manage priorities and workstreams simultaneously. To thrive and succeed within our unique culture and work environment, you must demonstrate humility, innate curiosity, and openness to new ideas/approaches. You also must be hard working, composed and goal oriented. All employees are expected to be honest, excited about providing and receiving objective feedback, constantly striving for self-improvement, and committed to the pursuit of excellence.

Position Location:

New York City

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Lead the enterprise-wide annual budgeting process and oversee monthly actuals reporting, including review of variances against budget to ensure disciplined financial management throughout the year.
  • Serve as the organization’s senior accounting authority, ensuring full compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, and multi-entity reporting requirements.
  • Lead and execute financial transformation initiatives including design of entity P&Ls, compliance and grant reporting, systematic inter-entity resource allocation processes, and a streamlined accrual process within a mixed accounting environment.
  • Develop multi-year financial plans, advanced forecasting frameworks, and scenario analyses to guide strategic decision making.
  • Manage financials for a related set of nonprofit entities in the US and internationally.
  • Create and maintain financial dashboards, analytics, and decision support tools using advanced modeling techniques.
  • Leverage AI, Agentic AI, and data-first technologies to enhance financial reporting, strengthen forecasting accuracy, and improve operational efficiency across the finance function.
  • Partner with Dalio Family Office Accounting to optimize inter-entity structures, chargebacks, eliminations, and compliance with philanthropic and nonprofit standards.
  • Direct procurement, vendor management, expense management, and implementation of financial controls that meet nonprofit stewardship expectations.
  • Manage and coach a small finance team, fostering technical rigor, accountability, and strong cross-functional partnership.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, translating financial and accounting insights into actionable guidance for mission delivery and long-term sustainability.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings or late evenings, to support cross-time zone collaboration.
  • Adaptable to varying workloads, balancing periods of focused execution with lighter operational phases.
  • Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Professional Experience:
    • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or a related field required; MBA, CPA, or comparable advanced credential preferred
    • 12+ years of progressive experience in accounting and finance with substantial depth in technical accounting and financial operations.
    • Demonstrated experience leading full-scale financial transformations, including accounting clean-ups, internal control redesign, and financial model re-architecture.
    • Expertise in US GAAP, international and nonprofit accounting standards, fund accounting, multi-entity structures, consolidations, and audit readiness.
    • Proven ability to build disciplined close processes and strengthen financial governance in complex organizations.
    • Experience serving as a key accounting authority within a nonprofit, philanthropic, or mission-driven organization is preferred.
    • Strong background in financial planning and analysis, forecasting, and executive-level reporting.
    • Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex accounting concepts to executive and program stakeholders.
    • High proficiency in Excel, accounting systems (Intacct preferred), AI, and BI tools.
  • Personal Attributes:
    • Determined, resourceful and practical. An independent, self-starter, with a “roll up your sleeves” attitude and strong work ethic
    • Agility, with a track record of getting things done
    • Organized, reliable, and meticulous
    • Ability to prioritize, meet tight deadlines, anticipate needs, and maintain high quality work
    • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
    • Comfortable with ambiguity
    • Maintains high standards
    • Highly collaborative
    • General curiosity and passion for the Ocean

Illustrative Benefits:  

  • Access to a World Class Exploration Vessel 
  • 100% company paid medical premiums 
  • 17 company paid holidays 
  • Friday summer hours 
  • Monthly community happy hours  
  • Hybrid work environment  
  • 2 One-Month Periods of Remote First Work 
  • Free catered food services for in-office Thursdays 
  • Generous PTO offering 
  • Casual dress code 
  • 150% 401(k) match up to $7,500 and 100% match above $7,500 ($15k match limit) 
  • Gym reimbursement, back up childcare services, insurance, financial, and legal services, and much more! 

Compensation:

Compensation for the role includes a competitive salary in the range from $205,000 - 240,000 (inclusive of a merit-based bonus, dependent on years of experience, level of education obtained, as well as applicable skillset) and an excellent benefits package, including a comprehensive employer paid medical plan and generous employer match for 401k.

Please note that we do not provide immigration sponsorship for this position. OceanX is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All correspondence will remain confidential.

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