Chief Finance Officer

Job Description

Job Description

About the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC / the Center)

The Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) is a nonprofit headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. We bring science, policy, and proven solutions directly to the partners and communities working to protect and restore the health and climate integrity of the planet through large-scale conservation. CLLC is a leader in the fast-growing global movement to apply connectivity conservation to reverse landscape fragmentation, restore nature's resilience to climate change, and support community-led action. We are now moving from stabilization to defined growth and expanded impact. We have strong financial discipline and internal controls, and we are building a blended funding model of individual philanthropy, grants, and fee-for-service work, alongside a new endowment and a strong Board-designated reserve. This moment calls for a sophisticated Chief Finance Officer who will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and help shape CLLC's next chapter. More than a steward of financial integrity, the CFO will build lasting confidence among our Board, donors, and funders. They will sharpen our decisions with forward-looking insight, make our financial systems more resilient, and shape an operating model that supports effective, mission-driven growth.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned financial leader who understands that our most important asset is trust: with donors, funders, partners, staff, and the Board. They know that in a mission-driven organization, governance and mission are inseparable, and they bring that understanding to every financial decision. The role calls for analytical rigor, strategic vision, and foresight in equal measure, along with experience managing restricted and unrestricted funds and government grants and agreements. Just as important, the CFO is a people leader who communicates clearly with diverse audiences and supports capable, collaborative teams that take pride in their work. They will join a close-knit and growing team of 23. About half of us work from offices in Bozeman and Missoula, and half work remotely. We offer a supportive, flexible, and dynamic workplace, and we value colleagues who bring diverse skills, backgrounds, and life experience, along with energy and a collaborative mindset. We work to build an inclusive workplace.

Position Overview

CLLC's Chief Finance Officer (CFO) leads our finance, operations, human resources, and information technology, so we can grow sustainably and deliver more conservation impact. The CFO reports to the CEO and serves on the Executive Team with the Chief Program Officer and Chief Development Officer as an active, creative, and collaborative partner. The CFO drafts the annual budget and prepares multi-year forecasts, gives the Board clear and transparent reporting, and leads the annual audit. They manage a blended mix of restricted and unrestricted funding, including growing federal awards, a new endowment, and our reserves. As our team grows, including staff and partner-hosted representatives who may live and work in landscapes around the world, the CFO strengthens the systems, workflows, and compliance that support them. They supervise a dedicated operations team of an Operations Manager and an Operations Coordinator. The CFO pairs strategic skill in forecasting, fund accounting, and reporting compliance with the hands-on approach a growing organization needs. They are a self-motivated leader with sound judgment, integrity, and strong interpersonal skills. They help guide CLLC's growth while protecting the culture and the passion for conservation that drive our work.

 

Work Location: Bozeman or Missoula, MT preferred.

Work Arrangement: In-person preferred; hybrid or remote option may be negotiable within the contiguous United States.

Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental & vision insurance, up to a 5% match on 401k contributions, generous PTO, and flexible scheduling

Application Deadline: Open until filled, with first consideration given to applications received by November 6, 2026.

Preferred start date: January 4, 2027 (Official record start date of January 1, 2027)

 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic financial planning, cash flow management, and annual budgeting, and provide analyses of long-term trends and risks to support financial sustainability.
• Maintain strong financial controls, accounting practices, and the Financial Policy Manual, and produce financial reports that guide management and Finance Committee decisions.
• Oversee grant and contract budgets, compliance, and expense tracking, and keep relationships with funders transparent and accountable.
• Manage payroll, timekeeping, and grant allocations with a third-party accountant, and oversee all bank, investment, and credit card accounts.
• Fulfill fiduciary duties, including the annual audit and tax filings, review and approve legal agreements, and manage organizational risk and insurance.
• Manage operations, systems, and technology, and supervise administrative functions such as office management, travel, retreats, and Board logistics.
• Lead and supervise a team of 2 (Operations Manager and Operations Coordinator) to manage HR, compensation, and benefits, maintain the Employee Policy Manual, and foster an inclusive, equitable culture.
• Function as a key member of an active, collaborative, and mutually supportive Executive Team, along with the Chief Program Officer and Chief Development Officer.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required; advanced degree and/or CPA designation preferred.
• A minimum of five years of progressive fiscal and accounting management experience in the nonprofit sector; proven experience as a CFO, Finance Director, Controller, or similar.
• Understanding and demonstrated experience of best practices of nonprofit management in all facets of nonprofit business management, particularly as it relates to oversight and management of accounts and reporting of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, and philanthropic gifts.
• Deep expertise in nonprofit GAAP accounting, financial reporting, and audit management. QuickBooks (or similar) experience.
• Knowledge of investment oversight, endowment management, risk assessment, spending policies, and financial implications of managing restricted, unrestricted and board-designated reserve funds.
• Thorough understanding of nonprofit governance and fiduciary responsibilities, plus experience working with Board Finance and Audit Committees or similar.
• Demonstrable competency in strategic planning and business development
• Strong knowledge of employment laws, HR compliance requirements, and HR best practices
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly and effectively to non-financial audiences, including staff, senior leaders, board members, and partners.
• Strong change management skills demonstrated by a track record of establishing new systems, processes, and policies and the ability to take concepts to action in an effective manner. Experience supporting and scaling an organization in a time of growth would be a plus.
• Expertise with multi-year budgeting, scenario planning, and forecasting and the ability to align financial planning with short-term and long-term strategic goals.
• Experience managing relationships with auditors, financial institutions, investment advisors, and other external financial partners.
• Demonstrated success in building, developing and leading teams. Strong candidates will exhibit a highly collaborative and compassionate management style.
• Experience overseeing or supporting complex projects involving grants and contracts, or other highly structured financial arrangements.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong interest in and commitment to wildlife conservation and community-based conservation approaches.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising

Successful Candidate Expectations

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the conservation community, respectfully and across cultures. Including the flexibility to work with people across all U.S. time zones
• An intrinsically motivated, personally accountable leader who brings a working knowledge of nonprofit business infrastructure, excellent interpersonal and writing skills, and sound decision-making ability grounded in a collaborative, team-oriented approach to problem-solving.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the Center for Large Landscapes’ rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Occasional evening and/or weekend hours
• Willingness to travel within North America
• Valid driver’s license
  

 

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to accomplish each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Ability to lift event materials and office supplies
• Ability to climb three flights of stairs