Job Opportunity – Chief Financial Officer

Title:   Chief Financial Officer
Division:   Executive
Classification:   Salary, full-time, exempt
Directly supported by:   Executive Director
Directly supports:   Accounting, Facilities & IT, HR, Visitor Services
Salary Range:   $115,000/year + depending on experience

About us

Since opening in 1982, HIGH DESERT MUSEUM has brought together wildlife, cultures, history, art and natural history to promote an understanding of North America’s High Desert country. We do so through indoor and outdoor exhibits, wildlife in natural habitats, living history demonstrations and dynamic programs on a beautiful, 135-acre campus in the pine forest. The Museum is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was awarded the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Services. During the 2018-19 fiscal year, 195,000 visitors enjoyed the Museum.

The Museum is located in Bend, Oregon, a fast-growing, charismatic city nestled against the Cascade Range at the edge of the High Desert. We strive to be inclusive, culturally humble, relevant, curious, and mindful. As a team, we work together to wildly excite and responsibly teach, creating connection to and dialogue about the High Desert.

About this job and what you’ll do

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the CFO is a key member of the leadership team, providing guidance in all aspects of the Museum’s finance and operations administration. Responsible for the overall financial health of the Museum, you play an active role in accounting oversight, financial planning, and financial reporting. You develop and lead an internal team, supporting Accounting, Human Resources, Administration, Facilities, Events, Admissions, Store, Café, and Information Technology.

You strategically plan the museum’s annual operating budget and works with the museum’s Accounting Manager to oversee daily, monthly, and annual accounting processes to monitor and report fiscal progress to department managers, the Museum finance committee, and board of trustees throughout the year. You’ll be involved in every aspect, from accounting entries in QuickBooks to presentations to the board.

You will utilize your investment knowledge by managing the Museum’s short-term cash holdings, as well as long-term endowment funds with our investment managers. You will mitigate risk in many areas beyond financial investments, from overseeing the Museum’s liability insurance plans to working with the Museum team on its forest management plan.

While much of the job involves numbers and dollars, the most important resource at the Museum is its people – the employees and volunteers who bring the mission to life every day. You’ll work with the Museum’s People and Culture Coach, and human resources consultants, to connect with our staff and promote a thriving workplace culture where team members are supported, heard, and nurtured.

About who you are

The Chief Financial Officer at the High Desert Museum is a dynamic individual, able to navigate spreadsheets as well as personal relationships. You balance a day in front of your computer monitors with time spent on the Museum floor, engaging with employees and visitors alike. You possess an attention to detail and financial wisdom gained by years spent leading mission-driven organizations. Combining a sense of humor, an ability to remain calm amid adversity, and compassion, you support Museum employees and connect with constituents. Your background extends beyond the world of finance – you understand how to support café and retail workers, educators and camp counselors, curators and exhibit preparators, and more.

Want to learn more?

For a detailed job description listing the essential functions of this position and the education, experience, and skills requirements, click here.

Importantly, we recognize and honor that the qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experiences. In the job description we describe what we believe to be important qualifications for a candidate to have while remaining open to the diversity of experiences that can lead to these skill sets. Position descriptions are often presented in a way that leaves qualified candidates feeling unwelcome, intimidated, uncomfortable and/or unqualified to apply. Recognizing that, we strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.

Want to apply?

Please send a resume & cover letter to: jobs@highdesertmuseum.org

The Museum provides an equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Mission

The High Desert Museum wildly excites and responsibly teaches through innovative, interdisciplinary experiences, creating connection to and dialogue about the High Desert.