Chief Financial Officer

University Circle is one of the largest employment drivers in the state of Ohio. With strong anchor institutions and an abundance of arts & cultural, non‑profit, as well as private sector and small businesses, there may be an opportunity waiting for you here in University Circle.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the organization’s chief administrative and financial officer, responsible for directing and coordinating vital systems underpinning the Western Reserve Historical Society’s (WRHS) organizational functions: financial systems and management, information systems and technology, and human resources. Reporting to the President & CEO, the CFO will be a key member of the leadership team by providing both strategic and operational leadership, balancing vision and planning with hands‑on operational excellence.

• Reports to the President & CEO and works closely on overall and strategic fiscal matters, human resources, IS/IT, and other matters as deemed necessary.
• Serves on the Senior Management Team and as staff liaison to Board of Directors’ committees focused on financial management, including the Audit Committee and Investment Committee.
• Attends all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

• Provide leadership in the development of short and long‑range financial plans and goals and projections.
• Develop the annual budget and oversee systems to ensure that the budget reflects the strategic goals of the institution.
• Work collaboratively with the President & CEO and Chief Historic Preservation Officer on the accounting of and accurate, complete and timely financial reporting for all WRHS capital projects.
• Oversee fiscal staff, manage annual audit with staff and audit partners, strengthen and enhance fiscal functions and reporting systems, fulfilling all deliverables.
• Ensure all tax filings are accurate and timely.
• Implement and consistently apply best practices in nonprofit management.
• Responsible for risk assessment and management.

• Provide leadership to and supervision of human resources in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal and tax requirements.
• Help enhance recruitment, progressive staff development, and effective performance management and evaluation in accordance with best practices.
• Oversee the performance of the Director of Human Resources, a direct report.

• Oversee the performance of the IS/IT Manager.
• Identify, analyze and report to Senior Management the current and emerging IS/IT issues and needs of the organization along with their fiscal implications.
• Ensure regular, consistent, high quality input and output of information essential to the organization’s function and accountability.
• Oversee management of WRHS’s IT infrastructure and data security.

• Provide leadership to and supervision of the facilities and security functions of the Cleveland History Center and the Macedonia warehouse.
• Assess operational facility and security systems readiness and communicate recommendations for action.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related subjects;
  Master’s degree preferred, CPA required.
• Record of success in financial management, including reporting, managing audits and reporting to private and governmental funders; experience in a non‑profit environment required.
• Demonstrated success as a manager motivating talented staff and building a strong infrastructure within a complex organization.
• Experience in middle‑ and long‑range planning and ability to adapt strategy when appropriate.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work congenially with others while ensuring staff accountability and making difficult decisions.
• Basic knowledge of IT/IS systems preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written; comfortable with public speaking.
• High standards of performance and a down‑to‑earth personal style.