Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

About This Position
Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda maps a five-year blueprint for addressing the greatest conservation threats of our time – climate change, biodiversity loss, and the inequitable access to nature across our state. To effectively support our mission and the Action Agenda’s ambitious goals, Mass Audubon is seeking a Chief Financial and Administrative Officer who will be responsible for all core administrative, financial, human resource, facilities and Information Technology systems.

The Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) will report to the President and CEO. In addition, they will partner with the senior leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives across the organization. The CFAO will oversee all compliance with government (federal and state) contracts and private grants. They must be able to adapt to a continually evolving environment and thrive in an entrepreneurial and deadline-driven workplace. The CFAO will supervise four departments (finance, human resources, IT, and Capital Assets and Planning) and coordinate with 9 regional operations managers who work in the field.

Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and cover letter. Only applications with these materials will be reviewed.

Responsibilities

Success Attributes:

• Effective change management: due to the high level of growth over the past few years, this individual will need to assess and implement new systems and processes that are able to scale with the organization.
• Excellent communication skills: this individual will need to be an excellent communicator at all levels within the organization, including the Board and key Board committees such as the Administration/Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees. Also, they must provide external stakeholders with clear and concise communications when needed.
• Ability to see the big picture but also able to dig into and understand the details: this individual will need to establish a roadmap for each of their four departments that provides the overarching vision for the next 1-3 years. To do this effectively, they will need to understand the complexities of the Mass Audubon’s various business lines, funding streams, and mission elements.
• Effective team building skills: this individual will need to build and retain a high performing and highly motivated team that prioritizes a superb level of customer service throughout the organization.

Proven Track Record/Ability to:

• Build, implement, and manage financial systems, long-range financial planning, budgets, and capital spending plans
  • Build a high performing finance and accounting function evaluated against monthly close timing, monthly reporting at various levels (i.e. CEO, executive team, budget managers), and budget variance tracking
  • Monitor the implementation of long-range financial plans in conjunction with the President & CEO and the Administration/ Finance Committee in support of a multi-year strategy and fundraising goals
  • Oversee sound accounting practices, compliance with relevant accounting standards and controls
  • Lead annual budgeting and financial planning to support effective management and decision making by executive team
  • Manage risk exposure, including insurance, physical safety practices, public programs (including camps), capital investments and report to the Executive Team and the Board
  • Effectively track and manage the finances for a complex non-profit (federal funding, multi-year grants and donations, investment income, membership dues, earned revenue, etc.)
  • Develop systems and processes from the ground up including budget/planning, chart of accounts/dimension structure, Board reporting, restricted fund tracking/reporting
  • Monitor all legal activities and contracts, including working with in-house counsel
• Provide financial and operational reporting/analysis supporting our public disclosure and high-quality decision-making on important initiatives and capital projects
  • Provide financial reports and analysis that are easily understood by the executive team, staff, and the Board
  • Advise on pricing decisions (programs, courses, admission, membership, etc.) and provide supporting analysis
  • Develop and maintain internal financial-management policies and procedures, performance measures, and dashboards to track performance against strategic and financial goals
  • Implement systems and processes that facilitate sharing and analyzing financial information
• Provide leadership to administrative operations for the mailroom, front desk and headquarters maintenance
• Provide strategic oversight of Information Technology, Human Resources and Capital Assets and Planning to ensure our facilities, systems, and hiring and retention procedures are best in class
  • Provide oversight of and support for already initiated process to centralize our information technology systems and databases
  • Ensure the IT team supports organizational goals to centralize more functions—from financial management to program registration, etc., and ensure the team continues to identify technology solutions that advance organizational goals
  • Support the HR team in building systems and processes that enhance recruiting, onboarding, and employee satisfaction
  • Ensure all HR policies and requirements are met on an annual basis
  • Oversee 403(b) defined contribution plan
  • Provide support to Capital Assets and Planning to design and budget major capital projects (including state-wide maintenance and accessibility needs) and oversee their implementation
• Develop strong working relationship with the Governing Board, especially members of the Administration/ Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees
  • As member of leadership team, develop, present, and secure Governing Board approval for strategic organizational initiatives
  • Work with the Administration/Finance Committee to ensure long-range financial planning goals and targets are met and all Board policies for allocating resources are followed and examine ways to enhance overall effectiveness and efficiency in delivering on administration and finance priorities
  • Work with the Audit Committee to ensure compliance with all applicable financial, accounting, legal, and regulatory requirements and best-practice standards; ensure a system of strong internal controls
  • Work with the Investment Committee to ensure compliance with Governing Board–approved investment policies and serve as liaison to investment consultants

Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business, Management, or Finance
• 15+ years of experience in finance and administration with significant experience managing a large finance and/or operations team
• Strong analytical and financial modeling and forecasting skills as well as knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for nonprofits and government contract regulations; if coming from the for-profit world, significant nonprofit board experience is required
• Ability to be a strategic and operational thought partner to the President and CEO
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and report on financial data to inform decision-making and strategy
• Demonstrated experience in improving business effectiveness and efficiency and identifying and implementing best practices
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, proposing new ways of creating efficiencies, and guiding investment in people and systems
• Knowledge of human resources best practices and experience in HR policy development, including experience promoting and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and experience implementing strategic human resources initiatives
• Technologically savvy, with an ability to point to examples of having worked with Information Technology staff to develop and implement new processes and systems that increased efficiency in a fast-moving environment
• Exceptional judgement, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive situations and matters
• Leadership in executing strategy for dynamic and changing organizations
• Expertise in risk management for a complex enterprise
• Strong communication skills
• Experience in managing and improving capital assets
• A commitment to protecting the nature of Massachusetts and inspiring a love of nature in everyone

Compensation, Benefits and Perks
This position’s pay range is $230,000-$270,000 per year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements.
Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

Work Schedule
Full time schedule of 40 hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend obligations.

Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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