Chief Financial Officer
About The Position
Help Shape the Future of Discovery At W. M. Keck Observatory, our mission is to expand humanity’s understanding of the universe—while honoring our responsibility to the land, community, and future generations. As we look ahead to our Keck 2035 vision, we’re seeking a Chief Financial Officer to help guide the Observatory through its next chapter—ensuring we remain strong, sustainable, and ready to support world-class science. This is more than a finance position—it’s a leadership opportunity to help shape the future of an institution at the forefront of discovery. As CFO, you’ll be a key partner to the Director and executive team, helping align financial strategy with mission priorities. You’ll oversee the full spectrum of financial operations while also thinking ahead—bringing insight, foresight, and stewardship to every decision. Our Mission & Values At Keck Observatory, our work is driven by a shared commitment to advancing scientific discovery while honoring our responsibility to people, place, and community. We are guided by core values rooted in: Stewardship – We care for our people, facilities, environment, and community with integrity and long-term responsibility. Service – We prioritize collective impact, supporting one another, the global astronomy community, and our local Hawaiʻi community to achieve shared goals. Collaboration & Inclusion – We work across disciplines and perspectives to solve complex challenges and advance discovery together. Excellence & Safety – We deliver high-quality work while maintaining a strong commitment to operational excellence and safety in everything we do.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive senior financial leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit, research, or federally funded environment.
- Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Finance Department and establish priorities, performance expectations, and accountability for finance leadership roles.
- Partner with the Director and senior leadership to align financial strategy with organizational objectives and long-term plans.
- Identify, assess, and manage financial risks to protect organizational assets and sustainability.
- Lead and ensure the development of annual budgets, multi-year financial plans, forecasts, and scenario analyses.
- Review and approve planning assumptions, resource allocations, and financial strategies prior to presentation to the Board of Directors.
- Ensure clear, accurate, and timely financial reporting to leadership and the Board.
- Partners with the Chief Human Resources Officer to ensure compensation programs are financially sustainable and aligned with organizational and Board expectations.
- Maintain accountability for the accuracy and integrity of financial statements and financial reporting.
- Ensure a strong system of internal controls and compliance with GAAP, Uniform Guidance, applicable federal regulations, and organizational policies.
- Oversee audit readiness and support successful completion of external financial and compliance audits.
- Direct treasury strategy, cash management, liquidity planning, and financial risk management activities.
- Monitor financial position and ensure prudent stewardship of organizational resources.
- Ensure appropriate financial oversight of sponsored awards, grants, and restricted funds, including compliance with financial reporting and audit requirements.
- Maintain responsibility for indirect cost rate development, documentation, and approvals.
- Provide leadership over finance systems strategy to ensure systems support reliable financial operations, reporting, data integrity, and audit requirements.
- Ensure financial dashboards, analytics, and reporting tools effectively support decision-making.
- Serve as the primary financial staff liaison to the Board of Directors and its Finance and Audit & Compliance Committees.
- Support the Board in evaluating significant financial strategies and long-term commitments, including potential capital investments, partnerships, or operating arrangements.
- Ensure continuity of critical finance functions during periods of recruitment, onboarding, or staff development.
- Provide mentoring, guidance, and support to finance leadership and staff to build capability and confidence over time.
- When necessary, assume or support execution of key financial tasks to mitigate risk, meet deadlines, and maintain compliance, with the intent of transitioning responsibilities as organizational capacity matures.
- Serve as a fiduciary for the organization’s retirement plan, ensuring compliance, due diligence, and prudent financial oversight.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
