Chief Financial Officer

Association of Academic Museums & Galleries.; Salem (MA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Peabody Essex Museum seeks a Chief Financial Officer to provide strategic, operational, and fiduciary leadership for PEM's financial, investment, and IT functions. The CFO reports to the COO and serves on the Executive Team, guiding financial strategy, risk management, and organizational performance.

The role oversees budgeting, FP&A, accounting, endowment operations, contracts, and cybersecurity governance, with responsibility for IT and enterprise-wide initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in nonprofit financial management, endowment operations, and compliance.
• Strong ability to translate complex financial concepts for diverse stakeholders, including boards and leadership.
• Experience overseeing large endowments, investment-related operations, and multi-entity structures.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for PEM's financial management, sustainability, liquidity, and governance.
• Oversee accounting, reporting, compliance, and internal controls.
• Lead endowment oversight, investment operations, cash management, and liquidity planning.

Skills

Nonprofit finance

Endowment management

Investment oversight

FP&A

Internal controls

Strategic partnerships

Board communications

Cybersecurity governance

Technology leadership

Executive leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

MBA or equivalent (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems

Data analytics

Audit software

Job description

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides strategic, operational, and fiduciary leadership for the Peabody Essex Museum’s comprehensive financial, investment, and administrative functions. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as a key member of the Executive Team, the CFO is a trusted advisor to the Board of Trustees, Executive Team, and senior staff on matters related to financial strategy, sustainability, governance, institutional risk, and organizational performance.

The CFO has enterprise-wide responsibility for financial planning and analysis, accounting and reporting, treasury and cash management, endowment and investment operations oversight, contracts oversight, compliance, and selected enterprise-wide initiatives. The role also oversees PEM’s Information Technology function.

This position requires a highly engaged, hands‑on finance executive who combines strategic judgment with operational rigor and partners closely with colleagues to support PEM’s mission, long‑term financial resilience, and institutional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership for PEM’s overall financial management, ensuring long‑term financial sustainability, liquidity, and alignment with institutional goals.
• Partner with the Executive Team to integrate financial planning with strategic initiatives, programmatic priorities, and capital investments.
• Lead multi‑year financial planning, forecasting, and scenario analysis to support informed decision‑making by senior leadership and the Board.

Accounting, Reporting & Compliance

• Oversee all accounting and financial reporting functions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of internal and external financial information.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, tax, audit, and reporting requirements, including GAAP, IRS regulations, and donor restrictions.
• Develop, implement, and strengthen internal controls, policies, and procedures to support strong governance and institutional risk management.
• Serve as the primary executive liaison to external auditors and accounting advisors.

Endowment & Investments

• Provide executive oversight of PEM’s endowment and investment operations in partnership with the Board Investment Committee and external investment advisors.
• Oversee accounting, reporting, cash flows, distributions, capital calls, and redemptions for PEM’s endowment, currently valued at approximately $690 million.
• Ensure accurate stewardship, documentation, and reporting of restricted and unrestricted endowment funds, including accumulated unspent distributions.
• Support the implementation of investment decisions approved by the Investment Committee, including subscription documentation review, execution as an authorized signer, and coordination of capital calls and liquidity activity.
• Lead institutional cash management and liquidity planning across operating, capital, and investment accounts.
• PEM’s finance team performs all endowment accounting and financial reporting internally.

Budgeting, Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the annual operating and capital budgeting processes and ongoing forecasting across all departments.
• Direct financial planning and analysis (FP&A), including variance analysis, performance monitoring, and multi‑year modeling.
• Translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for Board members, senior leadership, and staff.

Contracts & Institutional Risk Oversight

• Partner with the COO in providing executive oversight of institutional contracts and procurement practices.
• Review and approve significant contracts in collaboration with external legal counsel and the COO.
• Partner with the COO and Audit & Risk Committee leadership on institutional risk considerations, insurance coverage, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support the implementation of risk‑related actions approved by the Board.

Information Technology, AI & Cybersecurity Oversight

• Oversee PEM’s Information Technology department, ensuring reliable, secure, and effective technology infrastructure.
• Provide executive oversight of institutional network systems, hardware, device‑based software, phone systems, copiers, and data‑storage solutions.
• Ensure the security and resilience of PEM’s technology environment, including network security, access controls, data protection, and cybersecurity monitoring.
• Oversee preparedness for and response to cybersecurity incidents, coordinating with internal teams and external vendors.
• Serve on PEM’s AI Governance Team and contribute financial, governance, and risk perspectives to institutional AI strategy and policy development.
• Ensure technology resources support day‑to‑day operations and institutional resilience.

Governance & Board Relations

• Serve as executive liaison to the Board’s Finance Committee, Investment Committee, and co‑executive liaison with the COO to the Audit & Risk Committee.
• Provide financial, accounting, and implementation support to committee chairs and external advisors.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Trustees on financial sustainability, institutional risk, and long‑term planning.
• Serve as the primary financial advisor to the Board, effectively communicating complex financial and operational issues through compelling presentations and strategic recommendations.

Candidate Profile

Ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• Brings deep, expert‑level command of nonprofit finance, including complex endowment management, restricted vs. unrestricted funds, investment oversight, and multi‑entity structures, enabling effective partnership with the board, development, and program teams.
• Demonstrates exceptional ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear, accessible insights for diverse stakeholders, including trustees, non‑financial leaders, and development teams, ensuring alignment and informed decision‑making across the organization.
• Leads with high emotional intelligence and a relationship‑centered approach, building trust, demonstrating empathy and professionalism under pressure, and operating as a connector who strengthens collaboration rather than functioning as a siloed financial operator.
• Reporting directly to the COO, serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring that financial strategy, resource allocation, and risk management are aligned with the institution’s mission, long‑range goals, and evolving priorities; provides forward‑looking analysis and scenario planning to support executive decision‑making and organizational sustainability.
• Embodies strong cultural adaptability and leadership presence by aligning with a mission‑driven, collaborative environment, engaging effectively with a sophisticated board, and building and developing a high‑performing, engaged finance team that supports organizational goals.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

• 15+ years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, ideally within complex nonprofit or cultural institutions.
• Deep expertise in nonprofit financial management, accounting, treasury, endowment operations, and compliance.
• Significant experience overseeing large endowments and investment‑related operations.
• Strong financial planning and analysis (FP&A) capabilities, including multi‑year modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis.
• Ability to function as both a strategic advisor and a hands‑on operational leader.
• Experience strengthening internal controls, governance, and institutional risk management practices.
• Executive‑level oversight of technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems in collaboration with IT professionals.
• Experience contributing to enterprise‑wide initiatives, including emerging technology and AI governance.
• Exceptional communication skills and a collaborative leadership style.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Graduate degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) strongly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000 to $250,000 with a generous benefits package.

PEM is an equal‑opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. The institution is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals living with a disability. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.