Director of Finance and Operations

Job Description

Job Description

About Hildene -

Located in southwestern Vermont, Hildene was the seasonal residence of Robert Lincoln and his wife, Mary. Mr. Lincoln was the only child of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood. Between 1905 and the death of their granddaughter Mary Lincoln Beckwith in 1975, more Lincolns (three successive generations) lived at Hildene than at any other place in the world. In 1978, the nonprofit Friends of Hildene purchased and preserved the estate, which is open to the public year-round. 

Hildene is among Vermont’s top cultural heritage sites and tourist destinations. The rich tapestry of the Lincoln family legacy and Abraham Lincoln's enduring greatness are woven into the fabric of contemporary life at Hildene. Our nonprofit attraction is comprised of Lincoln’s 1905 Georgian Revival home, formal and working gardens, restored Pullman railcar Sunbeam, agricultural operations, cheesemaking facility, twelve miles of trails, and year-round programming, all on 412 acres in beautiful Manchester, Vermont. Learn more at: hildene.org.  

Position Overview -

Hildene seeks an experienced and strategic Director of Finance and Operations to provide leadership across financial management, business operations, data systems, and physical infrastructure.

Reporting to the President and serving on the leadership team, the Director is responsible for the financial strength, operational effectiveness, and organizational infrastructure necessary to advance Hildene’s mission. This is a strategic and hands-on role requiring financial expertise, sound judgment, systems thinking, and collaborative leadership.

The Director oversees financial planning and reporting, supervises key finance staff, leads Hildene’s enterprise data strategy, and provides oversight of facilities, grounds, equipment, and other physical assets.

Key Responsibilities -

Financial Leadership

• Serve as Hildene’s senior financial leader and strategic advisor to the President and leadership team.
• Develop and manage the annual budget and provide long-range financial planning, forecasting, scenario analysis, and financial modeling.
• Monitor financial performance, cash flow, reserves, investments, risks, and opportunities.
• Provide clear financial reporting and analysis to the President, Board of Trustees, and Finance Committee.
• Oversee audit, tax filings, insurance, compliance, internal controls, and financial policies.
• Advise leadership on the financial implications of programs, capital investments, and strategic initiatives.
• Supervise the Staff Accountant and AP/AR/HR professional and ensure effective, accurate, and efficient accounting operations.

Data, Systems & Technology

• Lead implementation and ongoing development of an enterprise-wide data management solution.
• Establish effective standards for data governance, integrity, security, accessibility, and reporting.
• Coordinate the integration of financial, operational, visitor, fundraising, membership, and other organizational systems.
• Champion effective use of data and technology for planning, evaluation, forecasting, and decision-making.

Operations & Physical Assets 

• Provide leadership for operational functions supporting Hildene’s property, programs, staff, and visitors.
• Oversee stewardship, maintenance, and lifecycle management of facilities, grounds, equipment, vehicles, and other physical assets.
• Establish priorities and budgets for maintenance, capital improvements, deferred maintenance, and equipment replacement.
• Monitor operational risks and ensure appropriate contracts, insurance, safety practices, and procedures.
• Promote responsible stewardship of Hildene’s historic property and resources.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the President and senior leadership team.
• Translate organizational strategy into sound financial and operational plans.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen efficiency, accountability, systems, and organizational sustainability.
• Participate in strategic planning and present financial and operational information to the Board and appropriate committees.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and represent Hildene professionally with auditors, advisors, financial institutions, vendors, contractors, and community partners.
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

Qualifications - 

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, operations, or related field; advanced degree or professional certification is a plus.
• Significant progressive experience in finance, accounting, operations, or a combination thereof, preferably in a nonprofit, cultural institution, museum, historic property, educational organization, or similarly complex environment.
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, internal controls, and strategic financial analysis.
• Experience supervising staff and implementing or managing organizational technology or data systems.
• Experience with facilities, physical assets, vendors, contractors, or capital projects is desirable.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project-management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex financial and operational information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• High integrity, accountability, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Ability to move comfortably between strategic planning and hands-on problem-solving.
• Commitment to Hildene’s mission and stewardship responsibilities.

Leadership Attributes - 

The successful candidate will be:

Strategic — connects financial and operational decisions to Hildene’s long-term mission and sustainability.

Analytical — turns financial, operational, and organizational data into useful insight and action.

Systems-oriented — connects people, technology, data, and processes to improve organizational effectiveness.

Collaborative — builds productive relationships across departments and with staff at all levels.

Practical and solutions-focused — balances strategic thinking with the realities of day-to-day operations.

A strong communicator — conveys complex information clearly to staff, the President, Board members, and external stakeholders.

TO APPLY: Please apply with a letter of interest and resume to Craig Gemmell, President, via Indeed or our website, hildene.org.