Director, Capital Budget

Position: Director, Capital Budget

Department: Budget and Financial Planning

Reports to: Vice President, Budget & Financial Planning

Location: Bronx Zoo / Hybrid

Category Type: Full Time, Exempt

Schedule &

Hours:

Monday to Friday

Scope: NY Zoos and Aquarium

Travel: Occasional Travel to other NYC locations

Pay Range: $155,000-$185,000

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results  run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation:
Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

The Director, Capital Budgets provides financial leadership for and oversight of WCS’s capital plan, ensuring resources are effectively managed to support the organization’s facilities, infrastructure, and long-term priorities. The Director leads capital budget development, quarterly forecasting, financial analysis, and monitoring of capital projects from initial funding through completion. The role serves as a key financial partner to project teams and leadership, providing insight into capital spending, funding needs, risks, and opportunities.

They serve as a key liaison with government agencies and funding partners. The Director oversees a team of three staff, including one direct report. They will play a crucial role in defining the requirements for future development of and enhancements to capital planning systems.

• Lead the annual capital planning and quarterly reforecasting processes, ensuring accurate oversight of capital investments, expenditures, commitments, and available funding.
• Analyze capital budgets and project spending, identifying financial risks, opportunities, trends, and funding needs to support informed decision‑making.
• Partner with senior leadership and key stakeholders on long‑range capital planning and investment priorities.
• Monitor the financial performance of capital projects from initial funding through completion and closeout.
• Collaborate with the in‑house and external design and construction teams, architects, construction managers, and project managers to manage project budgets, spending, and available funding.
• Oversee the financial components of government funding applications, including budgets, narratives, and required supporting documentation.
• Serve as WCS’s financial liaison with government agencies and other funders throughout the lifecycle of funded capital projects.
• Oversee reimbursement requests, financial reporting, and supporting documentation to ensure timely payment and compliance with funding requirements.
• Partner with the Office of General Counsel on contractual, financial, and compliance matters related to capital projects.
• Identify and implement opportunities to strengthen capital planning, forecasting, reporting, and financial processes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in capital budgeting
• Strong finance and accounting acumen with demonstrated experience managing complex capital budgets and forecasts.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a…