Chief Financial Officer

The Morton Arboretum (the Arboretum) seeks an experienced, strategic, and mission-oriented leader to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Building on a century-long commitment to tree-focused science, conservation, and education, the next CFO will be a key partner to the President and CEO, Jill Koski, as well as the Arboretum’s Board of Trustees in achieving the organization’s vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

For more than a century, the Arboretum has played an increasingly prominent leadership role as an organization that shares meaningful scientific research and leads global conservation work. Located just 25 miles west of Chicago, the Arboretum offers an oasis of natural beauty and tranquility just minutes from one of the country’s greatest cities. Its 1,700 acres of beautiful tree-filled landscapes are a place of enjoyment, a vibrant hub for nature education, and a world-renowned center conducting scientific research to ensure healthy and resilient trees. More than 400 employees have chosen to advance the Arboretum’s mission and are committed to inclusion, responsible stewardship, collaboration, continuous learning, and delivering an exceptional experience to patrons. For the last five years, the Arboretum has been named a "Top Workplace" by The Chicago Tribune, and this year was also named nationally as a top workplace by USA Today.

As a nonprofit organization, the Arboretum’s mission is to collect, study, display, and conserve trees and other plants from around the world to inspire learning, foster enjoyment, benefit communities, encourage action, and enhance the environment. The Arboretum plays an increasingly prominent role in global conservation. The Arboretum and the Chicago Botanic Garden have been selected to partner with Botanic Gardens Conservation International in hosting the 10th Global Botanic Gardens Congress in Chicago in 2030, cementing the Arboretum’s place as a world-class institution.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Chief Financial Officer will provide strategic leadership for core functions of finance and financial planning, legal and contracts, and new business development. The CFO will also provide organizational coordination of Illumination, an annual immersive holiday experience. The organization is financially strong with diverse revenue streams and an endowment valued at more than $300M. The total approved 2026 budget is $66M ($54.5M 2026 operating budget, and $11M in restricted grant funding, infrastructure investments, and a campaign budget). The CFO will support the organization, including the Vice President of Operations and Planning and Vice President of Development, in advancing a comprehensive site plan as well as an anticipated $125M fundraising campaign which will transform operations and create more accessible, inclusive, and functional spaces for visitors and researchers.

The expected hiring range for this position is $275,000-$350,000. The position is located in Lisle, Illinois. Hybrid work schedules are available for the CFO.

Jeff Kessner is leading this search with Hayden Lizotte and Jenny Rubin.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.