Chief Financial & Operating Officer (CFO/COO)

Frye Art Museum•Seattle, WA

13d•$240,000 - $260,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Frye Art Museum is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial Chief Financial & Operating Officer (CFO/COO) to serve as the chief steward of the museum’s business and operational enterprise. This role is central to realizing the museum's vision for institutional growth and will play a key part in shaping its next chapter. The CFO/COO will ensure the museum's financial and human resources, operational systems, technology, facilities, and business functions are aligned to advance the Frye's mission and strategic priorities. The ideal candidate will bring an entrepreneurial, systems-oriented mindset to build organizational capacity, financial discipline, and operational excellence, enabling innovation while safeguarding the museum's long-term sustainability. This is an opportunity for an executive who enjoys building organizations, leading through change, and partnering closely with an engaged Executive Director and Board of Trustees.

Requirements

Significant executive leadership experience overseeing finance and organizational operations.
Success partnering with CEOs, executive teams, and governing boards on strategic planning and institutional decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to lead through organizational growth, transformation, or change.
Strong financial acumen, including supervisory support of budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, treasury, and risk management.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams of represented and non-represented employees both independently and through other senior managers.
A systems-oriented mindset with exceptional organizational and project leadership skills.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear strategic recommendations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in nonprofit organizations, higher education, healthcare, museums, or other mission-driven institutions is valued but not required.
An MBA or comparable combination of education and executive experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Executive Director and Board.
Align financial planning, operational priorities, and organizational strategy.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen institutional performance.
Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across operational divisions.
Lead long-range financial planning, annual budgeting, forecasting, treasury, and cash management.
Ensure accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and effective risk management.
Partner with Board committees on financial strategy, investments, and organizational sustainability.
Steward the museum's financial resources with transparency, discipline, and long-term vision.
Oversee the museum's operational functions through capable department leaders.
Build efficient systems and processes that improve organizational effectiveness.
Ensure the museum's facilities, technology, security, and operational infrastructure support an exceptional visitor and staff experience.
Guide institutional investments in technology, facilities, and operational capacity.
Strengthen and diversify the museum's earned revenue portfolio.
Evaluate new business opportunities through thoughtful financial analysis and implementation planning.
Partner across the museum to develop sustainable models that support ambitious programming, public engagement, and institutional growth.
Develop a high-performing finance and operations division through clear expectations, coaching, and accountability.
Champion a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven workplace culture.
Support organizational change with transparency, sound judgment, and empathy.
Help cultivate an organizational culture that values continuous learning, innovation, and cross-departmental partnership.