Chief Financial Officer

Hogle Zoological Society•Salt Lake City, UT

8d•Onsite

About The Position

At Utah's Hogle Zoo, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is more than a financial steward, they are a strategic partner in shaping the future of the Zoo and driving its mission forward. This is a unique moment for zoos as they work to evolve their business models, expand mission impact, and explore innovative ways to generate sustainable revenue. We are seeking a forward-thinking financial leader who is excited to blend financial excellence with creativity, helping the Zoo thrive while advancing conservation, education, and community engagement. Reporting to the President/CEO, the CFO is the primary organizational liaison for the Board of Directors’ Finance Committee and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team. The CFO provides strategic business and financial guidance to support informed decision-making on issues affecting the organization as well as short- and long-term planning. The CFO is responsible for directing the fiscal functions of the Zoo in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and overseeing day-to-day finance and accounting operations. As an officer of the Zoo, the CFO sets operational standards, ensures compliance, implements budgetary controls, and manages toward financial sustainability and growth.

Requirements

Proven ability to serve as a strategic CFO and business partner to the CEO while simultaneously ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance in accounting.
Extensive working knowledge of GAAP.
Strong fiscal management and budgeting abilities.
Proven ability to develop reliable cash flow projections and reporting mechanisms which include minimum cash thresholds to meet the operating needs of the Zoo.
Proven ability to monitor and assess performance metrics for each operating division to ensure that they are aligned with the overall institutional goals and deliver on the plan.
Proven ability to initiate research to monitor and anticipate trends, opportunities, and obstacles to the business.
Ability to communicate orally with customers, vendors, management, and other co-workers is crucial.
Must be a person with the capacity to anticipate challenges and develop creative and practical solutions, sound judgment and technical skills, analytical ability, and ability to focus and prioritize multiple – and sometimes competing – projects. High moral, ethical standards, and ability to maintain confidentiality are required.
Must be able to think critically and demonstrate problem solving skills.
Must be organized, efficient, decisive, intelligent, and have effective communication skills.
Must have a minimum of 10 years of progressive financial management experience, including at least 5 years of related industry experience providing leadership to an accounting and finance department (Zoos, nonprofits, or similar organizations).
Small- to mid-sized business experience.
Capital budgeting.
Financial management of master plan implementations
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or another suitable field of study is required.
Must be proficient with MS 365 and be able to adapt well to various other computer programs.
Extensive working knowledge of accounting software.
Must be able to lift up-to 25lbs.
Fluent English proficiency both written and spoken.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration is preferred.
CPA preferred.
Blackbaud’s Financial Edge NXT
Sage Intacct
Workplace (Finance Portal)

Responsibilities

Provides strategic business and financial guidance to the President/CEO and other stakeholders for successful implementation of the Zoo's strategic plan.
Manages and oversees the organization’s financial health through ongoing analysis and taking action to ensure solvency and sustainability.
Proactively shares ideas and contributes to the diversification and optimization of revenue streams to support the Zoo’s long-term viability, sustainability and ability to achieve its mission.
Oversees finance and accounting operations and ensures that the CEO and management receives timely and regularly recurring reports, analysis, and guidance on financial operations.
Provides leadership, mentoring, and training to direct reports to ensure successful job performance and professional growth.
Oversees short- and long-term budget planning for operations, infrastructure maintenance, capital projects, and master planning implementation to ensure the Zoo remains a premier destination. Evaluates and provides insights on the impact of long-range planning and the introduction of new programs or strategies.
Assesses organizational opportunities and vulnerabilities and makes sound business recommendations based on analysis, forecasts, and financial models to facilitate informed decision-making.
Proactively works to strengthen interdepartmental trust and relationships through open, responsive, and informative dialogue to build partnerships and achieve organizational goals and objectives.
Develops policies and procedures in collaboration with the Executive Team by way of systems that will improve overall operations and effectiveness.
Oversees banking, investments, and audit, legal, and regulatory affairs.
Serves as liaison to the Finance Committee; regulatory bodies that have authority over the functional areas of responsibility, government funding partners; relevant vendors; and counterparts in other organizations.
Keeps relevant audiences apprised of the Zoo’s financial condition through timely and impactful verbal and written reports to help responsible parties make informed decisions.
Provides guidance from the financial perspective on any contracts into which the Zoo may enter.
Produces accurate, compliant, and timely financial statements each month and at year end.
Acts as primary contact for planning, preparation, fieldwork, and completion of annual financial; federal, state, and local tax preparations; and regulatory grant audits.
Serves as a visible leader and represents the organization professionally internally and, as needed, externally.
Manages day-to-day treasury activities and banking relationships, including lines of credit and debt service.
Ensures regulatory compliance within functional areas of responsibility.
All other duties as required of this position and assigned by the CEO.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and other supplemental insurance.
The Zoo is a part of the Utah Retirement System (URS) and contributes on the employee’s behalf.
Employees may opt to make additional contributions to a 401K plan within URS.
Relocation allowance for qualifying employees.
Vacation days: Generous paid vacation days.
Sick days: New employees annually accrue 10 days of sick time.
Nine paid holidays in the year.
Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families paid for by the Zoo.
Employee long-term disability insurance paid for by the Zoo.
Various employee reimbursements and contributions including wellness activities and professional development.
Every employee receives a free Zoo Employee Membership that allows admission to the employee and up to 5 guests. It also provides free carousel and train rides, as well as free admittance to ZooLights and BooLights.
Generous discounts on concessions and gift shops items.
Tickets at Work membership, which provides discounts and offers on theme parks, shows, sporting events, and travel.
Awesome coworkers who care about animals and each other!