Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

Job Description:Pay range: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the starting range for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $189,223.00 - $210,247.78 annually. An offer within this range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer, in alignment with Oakland Zoo's compensation philosophy. Position SummaryOakland Zoo is a conservation organization, and its mission depends on sound financial stewardship. As our next CFO, you will be the strategic financial voice at the leadership table, helping the CEO, the leadership team, and the Board of Trustees make decisions that shape how we care for animals, serve the Oakland community, and sustain the Zoo for generations. The Conservation Society of California, dba Oakland Zoo, is a $34 million nonprofit. You will report to the CEO and lead the Finance and IT teams, including accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury and investments, and risk management. You will also be the Board’s primary staff partner on finance and risk, and the steward of Measure Y, the City of Oakland parcel tax that supports our work. Few nonprofit CFO roles combine this much visibility, from public-funding stewardship to Board committees to technology leadership, and few give you this direct a line between your work and a mission you can see every day.Your role has three sides:Steward: You protect the Zoo’s assets and the public’s trust through strong controls, compliance, and risk management.Operator: You run an accurate, efficient, service-oriented finance function that our colleagues rely on.Strategic partner: You bring the modeling, analysis, and judgment that help leaders and trustees make sound long-term decisions.If this describes the work you want to do, and you bring most of what follows, we’d love to hear from you.Application ProcessApplicants must submit a resume under the "Upload Additional Files" portion of the application. Applicants who do not submit this/these will be declined.The cover letter should include responses to the following: Describe a time you explained a complex financial issue, such as a deficit, a risk, or a major investment decision, to a board or committee of non-finance members. What did you present, and what did the board decide? Tell us about your experience managing restricted gifts, grants, or public or government funding (for example, a parcel tax, city agreement, or contract) with reporting and compliance obligations. What controls did you put in place? How have you built or rebuilt a finance team? Give one example of a person you developed or a process you improved. Describe a financial decision where you pushed back on or reshaped a CEO or leadership-team priority. What was your reasoning, and what was the outcome? Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting November 20, 2026.Essential Job DutiesStrategic & Executive Leadership Serve as a strategic financial partner to the CEO and leadership team, advising on financial operations, budgeting, investments, and the financial implications of major organizational decisions. Play a leadership role in annual and long-range strategic planning, proactively identifying and presenting financial requirements, risks, and options for decision. In partnership with the VP, Operations and other leaders, evaluate potential business opportunities, new programs, and capital projects, including revenue, operating and capital cost, cash flow, return on investment, and funding options. Recommend strategies to strengthen financial performance, diversify revenue, and build long-term sustainability and reserves. Represent the Zoo with banks, investment advisors, auditors, insurers, legal counsel, and City of Oakland partners.Financial Planning, Budgeting & Analysis Lead the annual operating and capital budget process in partnership with the CEO, leadership team, and the Financial Planning & Analysis Specialist Develop and maintain multi-year financial models that adapt as the organization changes and responds to external events and internal strategic decisions. Deliver timely forecasts and analysis of monthly departmental and organization-wide results, highlighting budget variances, emerging trends, and recommended actions. Equip department and program leaders with the information, tools, and training they need to manage their budgets, translating complex financial concepts into clear and actionable insights. Establish short- and long-range finance goals, policies, and procedures in support of the strategic plan.Accounting, Financial Reporting & Operations Oversee all accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for nonprofit organizations. Manage the month-end and year-end close and ensure timely, accurate, and relevant financial statements for the organization and individual departments. Ensure the accuracy of payroll and the timely filing of all payroll tax returns and deposits. Oversee accounting for restricted and unrestricted funds, partnering with the Development team to ensure accurate and compliant treatment of gifts, grants, sponsorships, and donor agreements. Support the financial aspects of grant applications, reporting, and compliance. Oversee cash handling operations and controls across admissions and other earned-revenue activities.Treasury, Investments & Public Funding Manage cash flow and liquidity to ensure the Zoo can meet its operating needs and strategic plan objectives. Oversee the organization's investment and endowment portfolios in partnership with the Investment Committee and outside advisors, including performance tracking and spending policy administration. Manage the Zoo's banking relationships, including its primary relationship with Fremont Bank. Lead financial stewardship of Measure Y, a City of Oakland parcel tax, and other public funding, ensuring accurate tracking and appropriate use of funds. Take responsibility for all reporting to the City of Oakland on Measure Y, and for compliance matters related to the Zoo's Management Agreement with the City of Oakland and to other local, state, and federal entities. Provide financial oversight and reporting for capital projects.Compliance, Internal Controls & Risk Management Develop, implement, and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls that safeguard assets and ensure the integrity of financial reporting. Manage the annual external audit and serve as principal liaison to the auditors; recommend changes to service providers as warranted. Ensure all tax and regulatory requirements are met, including the Form 990, 501(c)(3) obligations, business licenses, state registrations, and lobbying regulations. Oversee the 403(b) retirement plan in partnership with the third-party fiduciary, including the annual plan audit and Form 5500 filing. Manage the property, casualty, and liability insurance programs and lead ongoing analysis of organizational risk. Review significant contracts and agreements to protect the organization from undue risk and liability, coordinating with outside legal counsel as needed. Ensure purchasing and procurement practices balance quality, cost effectiveness, and sound vendor relationships.Technology & Business Systems Partner with the the VP, Operations, in directing the IT team to set priorities, coordinate resources, and ensure technology serves the whole organization. Direct data analysis of financial operations, including the work of the Business Systems Analyst, Lead the continuous improvement of financial and business systems, in coordination with the VP, Operations, so that leaders have reliable, accessible data.Board of Trustees & Board Committees Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Finance, Investment, Audit, and Risk Management Committees, working with committee chairs on agendas and materials. Prepare and present clear, timely financial reports to the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. Support the Board's fiduciary oversight of the annual budget, audit, Form 990, and investment performance. Keep the CEO and the Board informed of emerging financial risks and opportunities, with analysis that informs Board decisions.Supervisory Responsibility: Manages the Finance Team and IT function.Who you are: Minimum of 14 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and finance, including at least 10 years leading finance teams or functions in a senior role such as CFO, Vice President of Finance, or Controller. Expert knowledge of GAAP for nonprofit organizations, including fund accounting, restricted gift management, and 501(c)(3) compliance. Demonstrated strength in budgeting, forecasting, long-range financial modeling, and cash management. Firm understanding of internal controls, audit, and risk management. Experience working with a governing board and its committees, with a proven ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-finance audiences. Proven people leader with a record of hiring, developing, and retaining strong teams. Demonstrated ability to partner and influence at all levels of an organization as a credible member of the leadership team. Advanced proficiency with accounting systems and spreadsheets. High degree of integrity, sound independent judgment, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Able to work flexible hours on occasion, including weekends, evenings and holidays.Bonus if you have: Prior experience in nonprofit, cultural, educational, environmental, conservation, or other mission-driven organizations with multiple revenue streams. Bachelor's or advanced degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field. Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and/or prior public accounting experience. Experience in a zoo, aquarium, museum, or other mission-driven organization with significant earned revenue. Experience managing public funding, such as tax measure proceeds or government contracts, and working with municipal partners. Experience managing or reporting on investments and endowments, including spending policy administration. Experience with business systems and data analysis, insurance programs, and contracts. Sage Intacct proficiency and experience leading an accounting system implementation.Work Environment - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. Primarily office-based with occasional Oakland Zoo grounds visits. Standard business hours with some flexibility. Limited remote work may be available after an evaluation period and is dependent on ongoing performance assessments.Physical Considerations- The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Sustained computer-based administrative and analytical work, using standard or assistive technology for extended periods every day. Ability to communicate and exchange information effectively and to review, interpret, and work with digital or written materials, using verbal, written, or assistive methods as appropriate. Ability to navigate Zoo grounds.Knowledge/Skills/Qualities - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position. Analytical and Conceptual Aptitude – engages in and facilitates broad organizational strategic thinking/planning with awareness of equity, inclusion, accessibility, and cultural relevance. Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility. Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing. Enjoyment – finds joy in one's work, approaches tasks with thoughtfulness & intentionality, and fosters collective well-being by embracing the unique skills and qualities of colleagues. Inclusive Culture – fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued. Leadership – mentors, advises, and develops people across identities with consideration for cultural relevance and responsiveness, self-awareness around implicit bias and understanding of the power dynamics that exist in organizations. Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo's mission and PRIDE values at all times. Project management – effectively prioritizes commitments, driving forward multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously with flexibility, resourcefulness, and agility to adapt to shifting organizational needs. Self-motivated – effectively navigates multiple, simultaneous tasks with excellent attention to detail and deadlines. Enthusiastically identifies and approaches opportunities without regular supervision. Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department. Technological Aptitude – able to quickly understand, develop and maintain functional digital systems. Wildlife Aware – understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at the Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife.BenefitsOakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package which begins on 1st of the month following the date of hire. The package includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, optional 403b retirement plan, Paid Time Off, Employee Assistance Program, and Zoo Membership options.