Chief Financial Officer

Working closely with and serving as the key strategic advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Trudy Coxe, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will lead the organization’s financial management strategy and ensure it supports and executes on the overarching strategic goals of the organization. The CFO is the chief financial, business, and administrative officer of the institution and a strategic and operating partner to the CEO. As an integral member of the senior management team, they will ensure a sound financial underpinning and put in place the necessary infrastructure to shape the Society of the future. They will be a purpose-driven, mission-focused, forward-thinking executive who will lead the business direction to deliver on the overall mission of the Preservation Society.

With direct oversight of finance, technology, human resources, and compliance, as well as playing an integral role in ensuring that the facilities function operates at the highest level, the CFO will develop and execute a financial strategy, enhance and strengthen business operations, optimize the institution’s systems, and ensure the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and support. The incoming CFO will bring a strong focus on data-driven decisions. They will collaborate with senior leaders across the organization to ensure that the finance function is aligned on best practices, provide consultative support on all planning initiatives, and address financial challenges as they arise. The CFO will identify and focus on key metrics and technology systems to drive and scale the organization’s work and impact, ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

The CFO will advise on all fiscal matters and provide leadership to guide the organization’s financial activities, including annual and long-term planning/forecasting, accounting, budgeting, risk management, compliance, analysis, tax, and the real estate portfolio. This executive will play a key role in ensuring that the Society has the right tools and systems in place to support a dynamic work environment and a culture that supports growth and evolution.

Candidates with diverse professional backgrounds will be considered, although ideal candidates will have demonstrated experience and success in many of the following areas:

• Work in collaboration with the CEO to develop the Society’s strategic goals and drive the execution of those objectives, guiding the overall implementation of plans across the organization.
• Oversee the management of financial resources, including the development of annual and long-range operating and capital budgets, and advise the CEO and other key members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, investments, and policy matters.
• Ensure that financial, capital, and operational resources and controls are in place and are deployed with integrity and are aligned with the mission and ambitions of the Society.
• Provide regular financial planning reports to the CEO and Board of Trustees, including analysis of financial results and relevant recommendations to assist in the development of business initiatives.
• Create predictive models and resource-based financial analyses to provide information into the organization’s operations and business plans. Facilitate the use of key performance indicators (KPIs), metrics, and institution-wide financial analysis to inform decision making.
• Ensure the maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures, including the timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that is aligned with the Society’s values, including learning and a commitment to quality, while mentoring and developing staff using a supportive, collaborative approach.
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals. Assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments.
• Prioritize modernizing and updating the technology platform to improve workflow productivity and enhance data and information flow through the organization.
• Focus on modernizing processes and policies to simplify workflows and internal controls with the goal of making the operating organization more efficient and streamlined.
• Oversee audits and the proper filing of tax returns; ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions.
• Support the delivery of high-quality HR services and compliance with all relevant federal, state, and city laws. Ensure the recruitment, development, recognition, and retention of a diverse, high-performing, and engaged workforce.
• Staff the appropriate committees of the Board and work to develop sound management approaches that best position the institution for financial security, rigorous compliance, and efficient operations.
• Foster a culture and work environment that values commitment, collaboration, integrity, continuous improvement, diversity, and inclusion.

The Preservation Society has retained the leadership advisory firm Spencer Stuart to support it in the search for the next Chief Financial Officer. If you wish to submit your own application or nominate a candidate for this position, please send an e-mail message with supporting materials to PS_CFO@spencerstuart.com.

The Preservation Society provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity or expression, results of genetic testing, physical or mental disability, or service in the military. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.