Senior Finance Manager

Job Description: Senior Manager Finance

About Foundation for Excellence (FFE)

Foundation For Excellence Inc. (FFE) is a U.S.-based publicly supported charitable organization founded in 1994. Its Indian entity, Foundation For Excellence India Trust (FFEIT), was established in 2003 as a Public Charitable Trust in India. FFE's mission is to empower economically underprivileged yet academically talented students to complete higher education in Engineering and Medicine through a scholarship program, enabling them and their families to transition from low to middle-income levels within a single generation.

Since inception, FFE has awarded over 28,000 scholarships totaling INR 528 Cr, supporting bright minds in higher education and skilling for employability. We provide holistic support including scholarships, skills training, mentoring, and placement readiness to ensure our scholars become self-reliant professionals. Our Circle of Giving is sustained by alumni pledges and global donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Website: ffe.org

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager Finance to lead the financial strategy, operations, and compliance for FFE's global operations. Reporting directly to the CEO and collaborating with the Board of Trustees, this role will oversee financial planning, budgeting, reporting, auditing, and donor compliance across FFEIT (India) and FFE (U.S.). The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with expertise in nonprofit finance, ensuring fiscal responsibility while scaling our impact to support thousands of scholars annually.

Location: Bangalore, India

Employment Type: Full-Time Reports To: CEO

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Planning

Develop and implement comprehensive financial strategies aligned with FFE's mission to maximize scholarship disbursements and program impact.

Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial planning processes, including scenario modeling for donor funding and program expansion.

Monitor financial performance, analyze variances, and provide actionable insights to the leadership team and Board.

Financial Operations & Reporting

Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, banking, and cash flow management.

Prepare accurate financial statements, management reports, and dashboards in compliance with Accounting Standards and nonprofit regulations.

Manage grant accounting, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of restricted/unrestricted funds from global donors.

Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

Ensure full compliance with FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act), Income Tax Act, GST, and other applicable laws in the U.S. and India.

Work closely with the Statutory auditor to coordinate and ensure annual ITR (including FCRA) returns are filed in time,

Coordinate internal and external audits, including preparation for annual ITR filings, and donor-specific audits.

Implement robust internal controls, risk assessment frameworks, and policies to safeguard assets and mitigate financial risks.

Fundraising & Donor Management

Collaborate with the donor team to support fundraising efforts by providing financial projections, cost analyses, and impact reports for donor proposals.

Manage donor-restricted funds, ensuring transparency and accountability in reporting to individual donors, corporations, and foundations.

Optimize treasury management, including foreign exchange, investments, and liquidity to support timely scholarship disbursements.

Team Leadership & Systems

Lead a high-performing finance team (3-5 members), helping in professional development and a culture of excellence.

Implement and maintain financial software & ERP (Salesforce, QuickBooks, Tally, or similar) for efficient operations and real-time reporting.

Drive process improvements, automation, and technology adoption to enhance efficiency and scalability.

Stakeholder Engagement

Present financial updates, budgets, and strategic recommendations to the Board of Trustees during quarterly meetings.

Liaise with banks, auditors, legal advisors, and government authorities as needed to ensure seamless operations.

Support impact measurement by integrating financial data with program outcomes for annual reports and donor communications.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

Experience: Minimum 12-15 years in finance/accounting, with at least 5 years in leadership roles (Non-profit/NGO experience preferred).

Technical Expertise: Proven track record in nonprofit financial management, including grant accounting & compliance.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Finance, Accounting, or related field; MBA or Postgraduate Diploma in Finance preferred.