Chief Financial Officer

About the North Carolina Aquarium Society

The North Carolina Aquarium Society is the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mission of the North Carolina Aquariums and Jennette’s Pier: to inspire appreciation and conservation of aquatic environments. The Society generates private funds to advance the Aquariums and enhance the aquarium experience for all visitors. The private support raised by the Society ensures the Aquariums can implement their priorities – opening new exhibits, nurturing aquatic life, and facilitating educational programs and conservation research.

The North Carolina Aquariums connect people of all ages with the wonders of nature and aquatic wildlife. As part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Aquariums are committed to inspiring appreciation, advancing education, and promoting the conservation of our aquatic environments.

Each year, these efforts support more than 1.3 million visitors, connecting people of all ages to the importance of aquatic science and environmental stewardship.

The Society leads a diverse portfolio of initiatives, including fundraising and donor relations, membership programs, grant acquisition, and retail operations, all with a shared focus on advancing the Aquariums’ statewide impact. Guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and a commitment to fiscal responsibility, collaboration, and transparency, the organization operates as a mission‑driven nonprofit with a strong culture of partnership and purpose.

For team members, the North Carolina Aquarium Society offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, visible work that supports education, conservation, and public engagement at a statewide level. Staff play a vital role in strengthening North Carolina’s connection to its aquatic environments while helping ensure the long‑term sustainability and growth of one of the state’s most treasured public institutions.

The North Carolina Aquarium Society is seeking a high‑level, strategic financial thinker with a spirit of collaboration to serve as their next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Reporting to the President and CEO, the ideal CFO will be an experienced leader with a passion for NCAS’ mission and a strong track record of managing the financial aspects of a complex organization.

The CFO is responsible for working strategically with senior leadership, managing a team of high‑performing professionals and overseeing a $7 million operating budget as well as a complex, public/private financial relationship with the State of North Carolina. Responsibilities include reporting, analysis, forecasting, and compliance. This leader also oversees human resources, information technology, operations, treasury management, purchasing, and risk management. This is a special opportunity for a CFO to apply extensive, strategic financial experience to ensure the current and future financial health and growth of a deeply impactful organization having a significant impact on the State of North Carolina.

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

The CFO will have significant experience leading financial functions in a nonprofit environment. This leader will bring the ability to serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and Board of Directors while also possessing the tactical ability to “deep dive” into the details with strong quantitative and analytical skills. The CFO must have proven experience in budgeting, strategic forecasting and planning, and in overseeing financial, accounting, compliance, and risk management of a complex organization.

They will have demonstrated experience managing diverse lines of revenue and a deep understanding of nonprofit finance.

A highly articulate and deft communicator, the CFO will bring the ability to simply and accurately convey the organization’s intricate financials to all relevant stakeholders including the CEO, Board of Directors, State of North Carolina, and donors, among others. This leader will clearly,…