The Chief Financial Officer

Company: National Museum of Wildlife Art
Location: Weymouth
Posted on: May 28, 2025

Job Description:

The Menil CollectionThe Menil Collection is a museum and neighborhood of art spanning 30 acres in the heart of Houston, Texas.The main gallery building anchors the campus and is surrounded by four additional Menil buildings: the Menil Drawing Institute, Cy Twombly Gallery, Richmond Hall, which features an installation by artist Dan Flavin, and the Fresco Building. Making art accessible is vital to the Menil's mission; no admission is charged, and public programs are free. All of the Menil's campus buildings are entered at ground level, symbolic of its democratic ideals. The Menil's philosophy is to foster each visitor's direct, personal encounter with works in the collection. The display of carefully chosen artworks in serene settings is a hallmark of the Menil.The Menil's public programs aim to attract, educate, and inspire diverse audiences and are vital to the life of the Menil. Exhibiting artists lecture and perform; curators and scholars explore exhibitions, collections, and artworks; music, dance, and poetry performances are held, and all are organized to foster conversation.The Menil is also marked by the activism and spiritual pursuits of John and Dominique de Menil. It is a museum engaged with art for life's sake, including the witnessing of civil rights photography, the overt spirituality of Byzantine icons, and the contemplative act of viewing an abstract painting. The museum and the campus aim to be an oasis amid daily life that offers each viewer a moment to pause, reflect, and reinvigorate.The Menil's collection is built around several types of art loved and collected from the 1940s to the 1990s by the Menil Collection's founders, John and Dominique de Menil. The permanent collection highlights Arts of Africa, the Americas and Pacific Northwest, Ancient World, the Pacific Islands, Drawing, Medieval and Byzantine, Modern and Contemporary Art, as well as galleries devoted to Surrealism.The Menil Collection does not aspire to be comprehensive. Instead, it strives for excellence in the distinct areas established by its founders and successive curators and directors. Rigorous intellectual independence and a commitment to humane values are key criteria for the Menil's program choices. Since its founding, the Menil Collection has supported substantial collaborations with contemporary artists who have used the collection as a jumping-off point for new work.Scholarship is at the heart of the Menil enterprise. A conservation studio and a research library symbolically flank the public exhibition spaces, and the de Menils themselves commissioned several major research efforts. The Conservation Department is known for its studies of modern art materials and techniques and helps train conservators. The Menil's publishing program contributes to the history and interpretation of art, provides intellectual contexts for artworks on exhibition or in the collection, and catalogues artists' entire bodies of work.Mission Statement
The Menil Collection is committed to its founders' belief that art is essential to human experience. Located in central Houston, the Menil fosters direct personal encounters with works of art, and welcomes all visitors free of charge to its museum buildings and surrounding green spaces.Values Statement
The Menil's institutional culture and actions are guided by the following core values:Inclusivity
We are committed to being equitable, inclusive, and welcoming to all people.Integrity
We strive toward transparency and accountability, and we actively work to combat bias and racism in all of our practices, interactions, and activities.Empathy
We are a small staff who work closely together. We listen to different points of view and are committed to acting with kindness, respect, and understanding towards one another.Excellence
We uphold the highest professional standards. We consistently strive to innovate those standards and exceed expectations.Intellectual Curiosity
Guided by our founders' vision, we are committed to being socially and culturally aware, to pursuing new and challenging ideas, and to advancing new scholarship and new perspectives.Community
We aim to contribute to the cultural vibrancy of our diverse community by being a site for learning, sharing, and the free exchange of ideas. We are a thoughtful and active member of the Montrose and greater Houston community; we are a good neighbor and responsible partner.Diversity and Inclusion Statement
"Houston, this is your museum." - Dominique de MenilFirm in the belief that art is essential to human experience, the Menil Collection remains free to all, always. From their philanthropic vision to their work with artists, our founders sought to combat prejudice and champion social justice. This legacy lives on in our work and mission, to which diversity, inclusion, and equitable representation are fundamental.True commitment to diversity and inclusion is an active process; we are dedicated to the work of listening, learning, and taking action that this ongoing commitment necessitates. It is our responsibility to reflect the diversity of our community, from our galleries and programming to our offices and green spaces. At the Menil, you are included, welcomed, and needed.The RoleThe Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Menil Collection partners closely with the Director and is an integral member of the Menil's leadership team. With primary responsibility for the Museum's financial operations, including creating the strategic direction, developing the annual operating budget, developing special budgets and forecasts, assisting in management of the endowment, and establishing the financial reporting system, the CFO is a critical member of the senior staff who recommends and implements appropriate policies and internal control procedures to protect institutional assets and ensure accountability.The CFO acts as the staff representative on the Investment Committee (which manages the Menil's endowment), the Audit Committee (which handles the budget and related matters as well as traditional audit matters), and the Employee Retirement Benefits Committee (which reviews and assesses investment options and performance of the Menil's 401(k) plan). The CFO collaborates closely with committee members, preparing reports and analyses for the meetings of the Menil's Board of Trustees.Primary Responsibilities
Financial Steward and Strategist

• Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Menil Foundation, balancing a vision for the future with fiscal responsibility.
• Develop and implement financial strategies that support the museum's mission and strategic plan.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to the board and executive leadership to inform strategic decision-making.Finance and Accounting
• Direct the accounting and related financial activities of the Menil Foundation to ensure sound financial administration. Recommend appropriate policies and establish internal control procedures to safeguard the assets of all its activities.
• With input from each department, prepare and direct the Foundation's annual operating and capital budgets, including income-producing property, and present them to the Menil's Board of Trustees. Serve as liaison to department managers on accounting/financial matters, including the operating and capital budgets.
• Review and analyze monthly financial reports to ensure the Foundation's finances are managed in accordance with the guidelines established by the Director, the Board of Trustees, and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Provide regular financial reports on the Foundation's financial status to the Audit Committee, the Board, and the Director.
• Direct the preparation, review, and analysis of special financial reports for the Director, Senior Staff, and the Board of Trustees. These reports include long-range financial forecasting, which is necessary to guide the Board and Advancement Department in their fundraising activities.
• Develop a keen understanding of the Foundation's operations and their impact on the entity's financial resources.
  Investment Portfolio/Endowment
• In communication and cooperation with the Investment Committee, monitor investment policy, allocation targets, and underperformance of investment advisors and recommend revisions when necessary and appropriate.
• Establish and maintain accounting control over the Foundation's restricted and endowment funds.
• Stay current with economic trends that impact the Foundation.Audit/Tax Returns
• Direct preparation for annual audit and other audit activities. Coordinate issuance of the audited financial statements.
• Manage the preparation of the annual Form 990, tax returns, and related reports to ensure compliance with governmental reporting requirements.Rental Real Estate
• Assist in safeguarding the unique needs of the surrounding neighborhood, including the campus and real estate portfolio. Develop relationships with neighboring institutions.
• In collaboration with the Director of Facilities, oversee the management of the Menil's rental real estate portfolio, which currently consists of over 80 units.
• Analyze and set rental rates and renewals with the outside property management company.Insurance /Risk Management
• Manage and participate in projects to enhance the safeguards and legal compliance over the Foundation's affairs, security programs, and capital and maintenance programs.
• Manage the financial risk management and insurance programs, including an annual review of all insurance policies, and recommend changes as needed or warranted.
• Report to the Director on all essential activities and issues on a regular basis.
• Secure insurance placement through consultation with the Director and the Director of Collection Management.
  Technology
• Oversee the implementation and utilization of financial technology to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Ensure the security and integrity of financial data.
• Oversee the selection and implementation of financial software and systems.
• Ensure the security and integrity of financial data.
• Utilize technology to automate financial processes and improve efficiency.
• Ensure that the IT Department provides support, software, and services to the internal team.Administration
• As a member of the Executive Team, contribute to the policy-making and management of the Foundation. Attend Board of Trustees, Audit Committee, Investment Committee, Collection Committee, Neighborhood Oversight Committee, and Employee Retirement Benefit Plan meetings.
• In cooperation with the Director of Human Resources, manage the preparation of all 401(k) plan amendments, monitor performance, test plan compliance, and direct preparation in the annual audit.
• Monitor and uphold the terms and conditions of lease agreements with tenants.
• Oversee monitoring of the annual budget, statistical reporting, and placement of all insurance programs.
• Identify, engage, and oversee outside counsel.
• Draft, review, and/or ensure the terms and conditions of contracts and agreements made by and between Foundation departments. Direct Reports
• Controller
• Financial and Budget Manager
• Director of Information Technology
• Menil Bookstore Manager
• Administrative Assistant, Chief Financial OfficerRequirements
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration, or relevant experience.
• CPA or CFA Certification or MBA preferred.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in financial management is required. Nonprofit financial management experience is beneficial.
• Minimum of five years of fund accounting experience; endowment management, grant management, budgeting, financial application software, and project management experience.
• Significant supervisory experience in a nonprofit environment and an ability to work with direct reports to establish goals for each year, coach, evaluate, and guide professional development.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking abilities and proven experience as a strategic partner. Experience in developing financial analyses that support strategic efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to form, lead, and develop high-performing teams.
• Significant experience working with external boards and committees.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting required.
• Superior analytical and project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently and effectively, with strong follow-through.
• Experience working with investment advisors and knowledge of invested assets.
• Ability to represent the Menil with a high level of integrity and professionalism, adhere to Museum policies, and support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.
• Ability to build and maintain effective positive working relationships with management, the Board of Trustees, donors, vendors, and visitors.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly to handle emergent requests.
• Hands-on experience with financial software.
• Expertise in MS Excel.
• Successful experience in grants management, specifically in the compliance and reporting of government, corporate, and foundation grants, is preferred.
• Experience managing technology teams that provide technical support for internal operations.
• Strong attention to detail and analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and process/project management abilities.
• Self-motivated to learn new concepts and participate in new projects.
• Must have excellent work habits, including a willingness to work the hours necessary to get the job done, especially when important deadlines cause greater than normal departmental pressures.BenefitsThe Menil offers a competitive salary and benefits package that includes medical and dental insurance (PPO), life insurance, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability coverage. Employees can participate in the 401(k) plan upon hire and receive an employer contribution equivalent to 5% of wages (3% Safe Harbor and 2% Profit Sharing) earned after one year.We also offer vacation and sick pay, and observe thirteen paid holidays yearly.How to Apply
  Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to:Suzanne MalochDirector of Human ResourcesThe Menil CollectionSmmaloch@menil.org
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Keywords: National Museum of Wildlife Art, West Hartford , The Chief Financial Officer, Executive , Weymouth, Connecticut