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 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.

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, members of the senior leadership team and the Board of Directors on the financial performance, planning, and opportunities of the overall organization.
• Develop, implement, and monitor financial strategies, plans and forecasting models in conjunction with leadership and the Board.
• Guide financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with appropriate Generally Acceptable Accounting Principles standards and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the organization’s annual budget process.
• Manage all financial aspects of the ongoing relationship with the State of North Carolina.
• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements.
• Protect assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls and financial management policies and procedures.
• Communicate clearly and regularly with the Board Finance and Audit, Investment, and Executive Committees, and present to the full Board at meetings and events.
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree from four-year college or university in business, accounting or finance; or six to eight years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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 have 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…