Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Museum of Science, Boston

www.mos.org

Innovation and creativity come from the unique perspectives of a diverse staff. We value your perspective.

THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ROLE

Reporting to the President, the CFO is responsible for overseeing the Museum's Finance and Building Operations Divisions, including Accounting, Facilities, Information Technology, Security, Accounts Payable, Business Services, Financial Data Services, and Events, ensuring proper financial accounting, internal controls, safe and compliant facility operations, and successful public and private events. The CFO has five direct reports including an Executive Assistant, Controller, Vice President of Facilities & Building Operations, Senior Director of Event Strategy, Sales & Operations, and Associate Vice President of information Technology & Security. The CFO serves as the Assistant Treasurer, the Authorized Organizational Representative for interactions with federal granting agencies, and they act as fiduciary for both the 403(b) and 401(a) retirement plans.

The CFO provides staff support to the full Board of Trustees, as well as to the Finance, Investment, and Audit and Risk Committees. The Museum of Science seeks a CFO with a bias for action, a change-agent with a start-up mentality who will partner with the President and other key senior leaders as the Museum embarks on its vision of developing a new breed of museum, one that is equally adept at delivering content via new and expanded curricula and digital channels as it has been over its 192-year history as a preeminent brick and mortar museum.

As the expert fiscal counselor to the President, members of the leadership team, and the Board of Trustees, the CFO will partner, collaborate, and engage in vigorous discussions, supported by data, metrics, and best practices to support decision making and strategic planning. They will develop financial and market analysis tools that support iterative methods and processes that allow the Museum to identify, prioritize, and pursue new programming and revenue generation opportunities.

The CFO will create the annual budget and is responsible for monitoring and reporting on operating results throughout the year to ensure financial health of the Museum. They will analyze long-range financial trends to project impact on future growth related to sales, compensation, and grants. The CFO also reviews and approves all contracts including but not limited to all third-party vendor relationships and requests for proposal to secure favorable terms, reduce risk, and to ensure compliance with internal and external policies. It is imperative that the CFO be able to focus on fiscal restraint while also supporting a level of risk tolerance in pursuit of the ambitious goals that the Museum has set.

KEY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

The major charge for the incoming CFO will be to expertly manage and prioritize the allocation of MOS fiscal resources in alignment with the Museum's bold revenue diversification aspirations and goals. The CFO will need to balance fiscal restraint with calculated risk, always focusing on how to help the Museum realize its 2030 Vision. MOS seeks a confident CFO, a person who is willing to debate, problem solve, and learn from colleagues. The CFO will be a critical strategic partner to the President and Board of Trustees, sharing wise financial counsel and recommendations on strategies to meet strategic goals and objectives.

The primary opportunities and challenges for the CFO will include but are not limited to the following:

Lead the effort to advance the Museum's mission and vision through strategic visioning, financial analysis, and collaboration

The Museum of Science is in an evolutionary moment as it seeks to greatly expand its capacity, in pursuit of reaching 500 million people via digital channels by 2030. To support the vision for new and diversified business models, the CFO will collaborate and engage deeply with the President, Board, and other senior leaders around this goal, developing sophisticated modeling and data-informed analyses while always keeping in mind a balance between mission and money and the return on impact. They will anticipate and provide forecasting and models necessary for decision-making, providing alternatives and comparisons, articulating the impact of major programmatic and capital decisions on the Museum's financial future, stimulating and supporting the very best strategic thinking in support of short and long-term Museum growth and vitality. The CFO will staff the Finance, Investment, and Audit and Risk Committees, and will provide expert financial analysis to support the Board of Trustees in their fiduciary oversight responsibilities of MOS's investment portfolio and endowment. They will be comfortable engaging in and supporting deliberative processes that inform and support investment decisions, ensuring that data, models, and other financial materials are grounded in well-vetted data, and when appropriate, provide for a range of potential actions and solutions.

Create a new finance culture and strengthen financial processes

The CFO will assess and re-envision how the finance function operates and interacts with the entire organization and redefine the budget process to allow for long term focus on identified strategic priorities. They will review and evaluate all financial systems, processes, procedures, and policies, engaging in a collaborative process with key stakeholders and seeking out and implementing operational and systems efficiencies that allow for a more streamlined and modern operation. They will also develop systems that can scale up as the Museum diversifies its programming and revenue streams, while always ensuring internal controls are based on best practices and support strategic growth imperatives. The CFO must possess strong change management skills to lead and implement these transformations, generating buy-in across the organization by prioritizing transparency and open communication, and balancing the needs of distinct stakeholders and initiatives.

Bring expertise and leadership to areas of nonprofit finance and compliance

The CFO will bring a sophisticated level of understanding related to nonprofit finance and funding sources and proven experience working with and growing multiple revenue sources including grants, endowments, and earned. They will be informed about local, state, and federal funding and grant opportunities, taking advantage of external resources that can support and advance MOS initiatives. In all they do, the CFO will adopt a mission-oriented stance in relation to expenses and value generation, taking a creative approach when thinking about how resources can be leveraged to produce value, not only in the form of dollars generated, but also in terms of engagement, learning, and social impact.

Additionally, the CFO will be responsible for compliance and contract management and will possess a familiarity with grants, government contracts, and international agreements, especially as they relate to nonprofit finance and operations. They will work to streamline contract management while always striving to reduce risk, ensure compliance, and advance institutional goals.

Provide operational oversight and direction

In addition to financial responsibilities, the CFO will also provide operational leadership for areas including facilities, information technology, security, and events. The CFO will need to be attuned to the disparate needs and goals of these units, as well as how to align resources with operational needs. One specific challenge will be incorporating deferred maintenance and depreciation into budget models and financial planning. Given the Museum's digital ambitions, it will be of the utmost importance that the CFO adopt a creative and future-oriented stance on operations, looking beyond on-site challenges to plan for and implement infrastructural improvements that support digital transformation and expanded capacity.

Promote Diversity, Equity, Access, Inclusion, and Belonging

MOS is committed to diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging (DEAIB) through all the work it does, with a particular focus on the ways these values impact and effect public science learning. The CFO must be aligned with these values and bring a deep understanding of the educational value of a diverse and inclusive community, as well as the ways DEAIB is central to the mission and goals of MOS. Working in partnership with senior leaders, the CFO will lead and prioritize practices that expand and support DEAIB efforts that benefit staff, patrons, students, and communities. In particular, the CFO will be proactive and intentional embedding DEAIB into all the work they do, including procurement, hiring, retention, and promotion, safety, external partnerships, accessibility, and resource transparency.

Lead and manage Finance, IT, and Building Operations divisions

The CFO will provide leadership and supervision to diverse units that fall under their portfolio. They will inherit a committed, dedicated, and passionate staff, and will be expected to support this team, utilizing the institutional knowledge and expertise of seasoned members while providing mentorship and opportunities for professional growth and cross functional training. The CFO will foster an environment of inclusion, transparency, mutual respect, integrity, service, and accountability. They will lead by example, communicating clear expectations and encouraging goal setting for each department. Given the impact of the COVID pandemic on the world of work, the CFO will be thoughtful about leadership in a remote or hybrid context and will intentionally put into place best management practices to foster community, camaraderie, and collaboration.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will be a strategic financial and operational professional. Experience and core expertise in short and long-range financial modeling and forecasting, budget planning, endowment, control, and presentation are vital components of the role. Optimal candidates will be expressly committed to the mission, vision, and values of the Museum of Science, and will have the ability to manage effectively in a highly complex organization.

The successful candidate will bring many if not all of the following professional experiences and personal qualities:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science or Arts Degree
• 5 years of experience leading a financial department
• 8 - 10 years of experience working in accounting/finance
• Demonstrated and comprehensive knowledge of non-profit finance and accounting including business operations involving multiple revenue-generating business lines
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written presentation skills
• Experience collaborating with leadership on institutional strategic planning
• A track record of ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures, as well as local, state, and federal regulations
• Experience in or demonstrated ability to work in a museum environment
• Solid foundation in investment management/endowment management

Special Skills:

• Excellent management and supervisory skills
• Adept at delegating tasks to appropriate staff members
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Proficient in database application systems
• Experience managing an endowment is desired
Certified Public Accountant or Master's in Business Administration designation preferred

BENEFITS:

Benefits for full-time, exempt (salaried) staff include: free parking, T accessibility, commuter spending account, 23 vacation days, 12 holidays, 10 sick days, medical, dental, and vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, retirement and savings plan, health care/dependent care flex spending plan, a Museum Membership, employee discounts, employee referral program, tuition assistance, professional development, direct deposit, free admission, free Duck Tours, discounted movie passes, and much more!

VACCINATION POLICY:

Staff, interns, and volunteers will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. The Museum will consider an exemption from the vaccine requirement if they are unable to get vaccinated due to a qualifying medical disability or a sincerely held religious objection. The Museum is not required to provide an accommodation or exemption from the vaccine requirement if doing so would pose a direct threat to others in the workplace or would create an undue hardship for the Museum.

APPLICATIONS, NOMINATIONS, AND INQUIRIES

Please note that Isaacson, Miller executive seearch firm is overseeing the recruitment process for this role. If the committee is interested in your application, a representative of Isaacson, Miller will reach out to you directly.

Confidential inquiries, nominations/referrals, and applications (including resumes and letters of interest responding to the opportunities and challenges outlined above) should be sent electronically to the Isaacson, Miller executive search team via the link below.

The Museum of Science is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

No phone inquiries, please. Qualified applicants will be contacted within two to four weeks of initial application.