Director, Innovative Finance

Location: Remote (United States)
Organization: Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Work Type: Full-Time
Application Deadline: Not specified

Job Overview

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is seeking a visionary Director of Innovative Finance to lead the agency’s strategic efforts in mobilizing capital through new and blended financial mechanisms. This leadership position plays a key role in developing scalable financial solutions that align with CRS’s global humanitarian and development mission, currently reaching over 190 million people in 110+ countries.

The successful candidate will shape CRS’s innovative finance strategy, create and manage a portfolio of impact-driven investment vehicles, and lead a team of experts driving public-private partnerships, social impact bonds, climate finance, and venture development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Design and implement an organization-wide innovative finance strategy.

• Lead internal change management to ensure CRS is positioned for non-traditional financing approaches.

Capital Mobilization & Business Development

• Cultivate relationships with donors and investors to mobilize capital through blended finance and social investment.

• Support the creation of proposals that include innovative finance mechanisms.

• Lead the development and management of the CRS Venture Fund.

Technical Leadership & Program Support

• Provide technical support to country, regional, and HQ teams to design and execute financial innovation models.

• Oversee fund structuring, due diligence, investment analysis, and measurement of both financial and social returns.

Portfolio & Risk Oversight

• Monitor CRS’s investment portfolio to ensure performance and alignment with strategic goals.

• Manage compliance and risk processes associated with innovative financial structures.

Team Management

• Lead and mentor a team of finance professionals, fostering collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Develop a learning framework to assess the effectiveness and impact of financial innovation initiatives.

• Share best practices internally and externally to inform future efforts.

Representation & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent CRS in external meetings with donors, investors, development banks, and key partners.

• Provide regular updates and reports to CRS leadership and Board committees.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in finance, economics, business administration, international development, or a related field.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in finance, investment management, or international development, with significant focus on innovative finance.

• Proven track record in mobilizing capital and managing impact finance portfolios in the social sector.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with development finance institutions (e.g., DFC, IDB, ADB, AfDB).

• Fluency in French or Spanish is an asset.

• Experience working across Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Middle East.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Expertise in impact investing, blended finance, and capital structuring.

• Strong analytical and risk assessment capabilities.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and communication skills.

• Ability to lead cross-functional and multicultural teams.

• Deep understanding of social return measurement frameworks.

Travel Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% internationally.

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. With more than 75 years of global impact, CRS delivers innovative programming in emergency response, health, agriculture, education, peacebuilding, and finance.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and promoting a safe and inclusive work environment. The agency welcomes applicants of all faiths and backgrounds who share its mission and values.

Note: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.