Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Massachusetts Historical Society

Overview:

The Massachusetts Historical Society, is seeking a full time Chief Financial Officer. The CFO will oversee an annual operating budget of $10MM (including Payroll and benefits of $7.0 million), with revenue sourced 70% from endowments and 30% from grants and institutional fundraising.

The Massachusetts Historical Society, founded in 1791, is America’s oldest historical society. Located in the Back Bay of Boston, in a 48,000 square foot historically registered building, the MHS is home to priceless documents, art, and artifacts that pre-date the Revolutionary War, and collects items up to the present day.  Our mission is to promote understanding of the history of Massachusetts and the nation by communicating materials and resources that foster historical knowledge, which we believe is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. We strive to make our collections accessible to all, by offering an array of research opportunities, exhibits, programs, teacher workshops, and more. 

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for ensuring the Society’s business operations are managed in an efficient and cost-effective manner and support the mission of the MHS. Business operations include finance and accounting, information technology, and facilities/safety. This position reports to the President of the MHS and is a member of the Society’s Senior Leadership Team. The position is also responsible to the Treasurer and Board of Trustees through relevant board committees. The CFO directly manages the Controller, Chief Technology Officer, and the Director of Facilities and Safety, with a total staff of 8.

Work Site and Schedule:  This job is eligible for hybrid work, but regular on-site presence at the Society’s 1154 Boylston Street, Boston headquarters is required, along with in-person presence for staff meetings, Board and committee meetings, occasional Society events, and other programming or meetings as required. This is a salaried position working a 35-hour week; evenings, weekends, and hours outside regular business hours may be required to meet the needs of the job and the Society. Minimal travel required.

Major Responsibilities:

• Oversees all finance and accounting activities, including grant accounting. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining an appropriate system of internal controls to ensure the security of the Society's assets and the accuracy and completeness of reports to management, the Board of Trustees, and external entities; developing and managing the annual operating and capital budgets, and presenting to the finance committee and board for approval; and developing various reports including quarterly internal financial statements, financial projections and actual compared to budget results.
• Administratively manages the Society’s endowment including accounting, investment transactions, investment valuations and the investment-advisor relationship to protect endowment assets and help ensure the ongoing viability of the Society.
• Manages the Society’s cash/cash flow; maintains operating expenses and capital expenditures within budget.
• Manages the annual audit process including preparation of financial statements and footnotes and ensuring records are complete and accurate in preparation for the annual audit. Manage annual tax filings as well as required non-tax filings.
• Manages risk and protects the assets and interests of the Society by negotiating and managing contracts such as those for insurance, security, real estate, and legal services. Manages the lease of property owned by the MHS.
• Analyzes financial and legal aspects of major bequests and donor contracts to ensure bequests support the Society's mission and can be practically implemented.
• In collaboration with the Director of Human Resources, manages annual audits/statements/required filings related to the administration of employee benefit plans, including the budgeting/quoting of annual renewals, plan changes, and pension plan revisions as required by law.
• Oversees Finance functions, including payroll, retirement plan contribution compliance, and required financial and human resource filings and submissions requiring financial review and/or audit assistance.
• Oversees Information Technology Systems, including supervision of the CTO and ITS contractors.   
• Oversees the Facilities and Safety team, including the Director of Facilities & Safety. 

Requirements

Education/Certification

• Bachelor’s degree required, degree in Accounting or Finance preferred
• Certified Public Accountant required
• Master's degree in Accounting or Finance preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in finance and operations.
• Minimum of 7 years’ progressive nonprofit experience as a second-level financial manager or finance executive.
• Demonstrated success working with senior executives and board members from diverse backgrounds, as well as with active board committees.
• Well-versed in IT department management and fosters an inward service orientation in understanding user requirements and leveraging system functionality to support internal users.
• Knowledge of issues associated with endowment management.
• Understanding and sensitivity to human resource issues as they intersect with finance operations, and their organizational impact.
• Knowledge of facilities and environmental systems that support sophisticated and complex work environments preferred.
• Knowledge of security systems operations and management preferred.
• Significant experience leading the budgeting process and coaching managers through budget design and strategy.

Skills

• Strong planning and organization skills with ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Adept in using applications in Microsoft Office Suite and financial systems, including Microsoft Business Central, and experience overseeing the updating, migration, and/or implementation of new software and hardware systems to support finance, IT, and HR functions.
• Analytical skills and the ability to translate technical information, orally and in written form, to different audiences with varying levels of financial acumen.
• Collegial and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to introduce and implement change further to the sustainability of the organization’s financial and administrative health and sustainability.
• Management skills, including the ability to direct a broad operational portfolio through functional managers, and the ability to train and support direct reports and provide professional development opportunities.
• Strong internal services orientation.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary range is $155,000.00-$170,000.00/year. The MHS offers benefits-eligible employees competitive health and vision benefits to its employees, as well as 100% employer funded dental, life, short- and long-term disability insurance. A 403(b) retirement plan with Roth IRA options and a Safe Harbor employer contribution is available. A 457(b) plan is available to eligible employees. The MHS offers unlimited sick time, 13 paid holidays per year, and generous vacation and personal time off. 

Equal Opportunity Statement:

The MHS is an equal opportunity employer, and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds, races, religions, ethnicities, genders, sexes, sexualities, abilities, and any other protected class under federal or Massachusetts law. Candidates in need of accommodation during the application process may contact our Director of Human Resources, Erika Barrie, at erikabarrie@masshist.org or 617-646-0581, for further assistance.

How to Apply: 

Interested applicants should send their resume and a cover letter to the Director of Human Resources, Erika Barrie, via a single PDF, to cfosearch@masshist.org. A full copy of the job description is available upon request. 

Applicants who proceed to the final stages will be asked to provide three recent professional references, and the finalist(s) will be asked to complete a background check, including education and CORI/SORI verification.