Chief Financial & Administrative Officer - Christel House México

Selection process developed by matteria

Location and Work Mode

Mexico City, Mexico.Hybrid.

Who we are

Christel House Mexico is part of Christel House International, a global education organization committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education, holistic support, and long-term human development.

For more than 25 years, Christel House has supported children and young people from underserved communities through an integrated model that combines high-quality education, nutrition, healthcare, socio-emotional development, family engagement, and pathways to higher education and meaningful employment.

Mexico holds a distinctive place within the Christel House network as the first international site established outside the United States. Over the years, the organization has evolved from a complementary education center into a fully integrated K–12 educational institution serving hundreds of students and their families.

Today, Christel House Mexico is entering a significant new stage of institutional growth and expansion. With the development of a second campus in Mexico City and increasing expectations around governance, compliance, financial sophistication, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability, the organization is seeking a senior financial leader who can combine strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and a strong commitment to mission.

Our impact

 More than 25,000 students served globally across the Christel House network.

• Presence in multiple countries, including Mexico, India, South Africa, Jamaica, and the United States.

• More than 27 years of educational and social impact.

• A comprehensive support model integrating education, healthcare, nutrition, social services, and character development.

• 97% of Christel House graduates continue their education, enter employment, or participate in professional development opportunities.

• Christel House Mexico currently operates a K–12 educational model serving hundreds of students and families.

• The organization is expanding through the development of a second campus in Mexico City.

• A long-term commitment to educational equity, social mobility, community development, and sustainable impact.

Purpose of the Position

Lead the financial strategy, administrative operations, compliance, and long-term sustainability of Christel House Mexico, ensuring financial excellence, operational discipline, sound decision-making, and institutional accountability to support the organization’s mission, growth, and long-term impact.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Planning

• Lead the organization’s financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow management processes.

• Develop financial models, scenario analyses, and projections to support strategic decision-making and long-term sustainability.

• Translate financial information into clear insights and recommendations for the CEO, Board, and senior leadership team.

• Monitor financial performance and proactively identify risks, opportunities, trends, and corrective actions.

• Support strategic resource allocation and ensure alignment between financial priorities and organizational objectives.

• Oversee the Endowment Fund and contribute to investment monitoring and financial sustainability initiatives.

Financial & Administrative Operations

• Lead the accounting, treasury, payroll, procurement, budgeting, and financial reporting functions.

• Ensure reliable, efficient, and disciplined financial and administrative operations across the organization.

• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing processes.

• Ensure timely, accurate, and decision-oriented financial reporting.

• Strengthen administrative processes, operating standards, and internal service levels.

• Identify opportunities to increase efficiency, simplify processes, and improve organizational effectiveness.

Compliance, Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with Mexican tax, labor, regulatory, and nonprofit requirements.

• Strengthen internal controls, policies, procedures, and governance mechanisms.

• Lead relationships with auditors, tax advisors, financial institutions, legal advisors, and regulatory authorities.

• Oversee organizational risk management and the implementation of mitigation plans.

• Ensure proper financial management, control, and reporting of donor funds and restricted resources.

• Promote a strong culture of compliance, accountability, and responsible stewardship.

Leadership & Organizational Capability Building

• Lead, develop, and strengthen the Finance and Administration teams.

• Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.

• Strengthen systems, processes, structures, and capabilities required to support institutional growth.

• Improve financial discipline, reporting quality, organizational controls, and execution standards.

• Develop team capabilities and create clarity around roles, expectations, and decision-making.

• Foster transparency, ownership, and responsible management of organizational resources.

Executive Financial Partnership

• Serve as the primary financial advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Finance Committee.

• Present financial information, analyses, forecasts, risks, and recommendations to executive and governance bodies.

• Bring a financial perspective to strategic conversations, organizational priorities, and investment decisions.

• Build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Partner effectively with Christel House International and ensure alignment with global governance and reporting expectations.

• Support senior leadership in balancing mission, growth, financial discipline, and long-term sustainability.

Requirements and competences to work with us

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.

• CPA, Chartered Accountant, MBA, Master’s degree in Finance, or an equivalent advanced qualification is strongly preferred.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in Finance and Administration.

• Proven experience overseeing budgeting, accounting, treasury, compliance, audits, financial reporting, and financial planning.

• Strong experience in financial modeling, forecasting, scenario planning, and strategic decision support.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and organizational transformation initiatives.

• Experience in nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, foundations, international NGOs, or other mission-driven organizations is highly valued.

• Experience working directly with Boards of Directors, Finance Committees, donors, auditors, or international governance structures.

• Experience operating in environments of growth, change, or increasing organizational complexity.

Technical Knowledge

The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong expertise in:

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Budgeting and forecasting

• Treasury and cash-flow management

• Financial modeling and scenario planning

• Financial reporting

• Internal controls

• Enterprise risk management

• Audit and compliance management

• Mexican tax and regulatory frameworks

• Donor and restricted-fund management

• Human Resources oversight

• ERP and financial management systems

• Financial governance and Board reporting

Languages

• Fluent English – mandatory

• Professional Spanish

Fluent English is essential given the frequent interaction with Christel House International, international governance structures, and global stakeholders.

Core Competencies

• Financial Leadership

• Strategic Financial Thinking

• Financial Planning & Analysis

• Financial Intelligence

• Administrative Management

• Compliance & Risk Management

• Executive Communication

• Sound Decision-Making

• Team Leadership & Development

• Accountability & Execution

• Stakeholder Management

Our team profile

Christel House Mexico combines the professionalism, rigor, and accountability of a growing international organization with the purpose and human commitment of a mission-driven institution.

We are looking for a leader who understands that financial discipline and social impact are not competing priorities; they are mutually reinforcing responsibilities.

The successful candidate will be expected to bring both professional excellence and a genuine commitment to the mission.

Key cultural traits include:

• Mission before ego

• High integrity and transparency

• Humility and continuous learning

• Collaboration and shared accountability

• Commitment to excellence

• Respect for people and communities

• Long-term thinking

• Service-oriented leadership

• Adaptability and resilience

• Strong sense of ownership

• Responsible stewardship of resources

• Deep commitment to students, families, and communities

Key interests for working with us

The ideal candidate will be genuinely motivated by the opportunity to place financial leadership at the service of meaningful and sustainable social impact.

Key areas of alignment include:

• Educational equity

• Poverty reduction

• Social mobility

• Child and youth development

• Institutional strengthening

• Sustainable social impact

• Access to opportunity

• Community development

• Long-term systems change

• Responsible stewardship of resources for social good

We are looking for someone who sees Finance not only as a control function, but also as a strategic enabler of mission, impact, and institutional sustainability.

Reasons to join our team

• The opportunity to lead the financial and administrative function of a highly respected international education organization.

• Direct partnership with the CEO, Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and Christel House International.

• Meaningful influence over the organization’s financial sustainability, governance, and operational excellence.

• Exposure to international leadership and governance structures.

• The opportunity to strengthen institutional capabilities during an important stage of growth and expansion.

• A role with significant visibility, responsibility, and strategic impact.

• Purpose-driven work with measurable social impact.

• A collaborative, mission-oriented, and values-based culture.

• Competitive compensation and benefits.

Relevant details before applying for this vacancy

This position combinesstrategic financial leadership with hands-on administrative and operational oversight.

Success in the role requires the ability to balance financial rigor, strategic thinking, operational execution, compliance, governance, and organizational stewardship.

Christel House Mexico is experiencing a period of significant growth and increasing operational complexity. The incoming CFAO will therefore play an important role not only in managing Finance and Administration, but also in strengthening the institutional infrastructure required for the organization’s next stage.

Strong governance, accountability, internal controls, and regulatory compliance are essential components of the mandate.

The position requires regular interaction with the CEO, Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Christel House International, auditors, donors, regulators, advisors, and senior leadership.