Chief Operating Officer,(Crown Agents USA)- Employment, career opportunity in USA

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer
Organization: Crown Agents USA
Country: United States of America
Deadline: 01 Jan 2014

Crown Agents USA, Inc. (CA-USA) is seeking a Chief Operating Officer for our Washington, DC office.

Our Business
Crown Agents is an international development company employing over 600 personnel worldwide with a presence in more than 40 countries, subsidiaries in 12 countries, and permanent staff working on the ground in 22 corporate offices in Africa, Asia Latin America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Crown Agents provides direct assistance, management consulting, and human and institutional development for public and private sector clients in customs and trade facilitation, public financial management, procurement, logistics, and health systems strengthening.

Crown Agents USA (CA-USA), the U.S. incorporated subsidiary of CA Group, provides direct procurement services, technical assistance, and training to improve health outcomes, establish good governance, and stimulate economic growth across the developing world. Established practice areas include Health, Supply Chain Services, Food Security, and M&E. Since its incorporation in the United States in 1998, CA-USA has provided technical assistance services and support to U.S. Government agencies and international organizations such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), and the Gates Foundation.

Role & Responsibilities

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a member of the executive team based in the Washington, DC office of Crown Agents, reporting into the President & CEO of Crown Agents USA (CA-USA).

The COO is responsible for ensuring strong financial controls and compliance with government contracts; proper human resource functions, including staff recruitment, employment, training and evaluation, facilities that are safe and compliant with regulations and information technology systems that help CA-USA operate at a high level. In partnership with the CEO, the COO will work collaboratively with the senior management team and the Board of Directors to deliver on CA-USA’s mission and objectives. The COO must be a capable administrator and problem solver, with demonstrated staff leadership experience, excellent organization skills, financial acumen and proven success in recruiting, building, leading and managing a strong, diverse team within a complex organization.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategy, Vision and Leadership
• Advise the CEO on financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, operational and human resource policy matters.
• Serve as the management liaison to CA Group; effectively communicate and present critical financial and operational matters at select meetings.
• Contribute to the development of CA-USA’s strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
Financial Management and Oversight
Working with the Deputy Director of Finance, manage and oversee all financial and business planning activities, including:
• Direct and administer all financial plans.
• Oversee business policies and accounting practices.
• Review and analyze financial reports.
• Plan, coordinate and execute the annual budget process and work to ensure programmatic success.
• Oversee governmental and contractual compliance.
• Procure, monitor and manage business insurance and appropriate licenses.
• Oversee risk management and legal activities: contracts, letters of agreement, leases and other legal documents and agreements.
• Support and advise the CEO in decision making.
Human Resources & Recruiting
Working with the Managers of Human Resources and Recruiting, manage and oversee the HR and Recruitment functions, including:
• Recruitment, hiring and compensation.
• Benefits administration and oversight.
• Professional training and development, including new employee orientation.
• Provide regulatory oversight and legal compliance guidance for all associated HR and Recruitment matters.
• On an as needed basis, act as a liaison between HR, Recruitment, and staff to enforce existing and/or new policy issues, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operating environment of each department.
Contracts and Compliance
• Provide guidance in resolving complex contractual issues.
• Assist in providing contracts review of terms and conditions.
• Interpret, negotiate, review, and approve contract documents.
• Manage internal compliance of company policies and procedures.

Operations
Manage and oversee:
• Administrative and procurement functions.
• Facilities oversight, safety and cleaning of physical office location and equipment.
• IT operations, ensuring the ongoing maintenance and updating of the information systems and infrastructure.
Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business preferred.
• Demonstrated work history in the field of international development and/or US government contracting experience.
• Knowledge of the FAR strongly desired.
• Prior history of holding oversight for cross departmental functions including Finance, Human Resources, Contracts, and/or Information Technology.
• Extensive knowledge of donor financial and contract management processes required.
• Exceptional leadership ability and financial presentation skills.
• Proven critical thinking and problem solving skills along with the ability to work well under pressure within a highly demanding environment.
• Fluency in English is required; bilingual or multilingual ability is preferred.
• Ability to travel internationally up to 15% required.
• Minimum of ten or more years of progressively responsible experience overseeing operations within a US government contracting environment with a budget of $20 million or greater required.
• Previous related experience managing the finance function for a comparable organization required with preference for demonstrated oversight of multiple operational support departments desired.
• Sound written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate and interface with executive management team members, external audit agencies, and global accounting organizations.
• History of contributing to the successful financial and profitable growth of an international organization.
• Must demonstrate personal attributes such as loyalty and integrity in addition to being pro-active and committed to change, which is inherent in this position.

How to apply:

Application Process

To apply to this position, please email your CV to careers@crownagents.com. Include your name, along with the title of the position you are applying for, in the subject line. Visit our website at www.crownagentsusa.com for more information about our company. No phone calls, faxes or walk-ins please. Crown Agents USA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

Candidate must be able to demonstrate legal right to work in the United States.

Crown Agents USA will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualified disabilities in accordance with the ADA. If you require a reasonable accommodation for our application process, please contact our Recruiting department directly. Requests will be kept confidential and shared strictly on a need-to-know basis only.