Chief Financial Officer

keck; Waimea/Kamuela (HI); On-site; USD 183,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks of annual paid vacation.

8% employer contribution to 403(b)

Tuition assistance for dependent chil​

Comprehensive employer-provided health

Job summary

W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii seeks a Chief Financial Officer to guide the observatory through its next chapter—ensuring we remain strong, sustainable, and ready to support world-class science.

As CFO, you’ll be a key partner to the Director and executive team, helping align financial strategy with mission priorities. You’ll oversee the full spectrum of financial operations and bring insight, foresight, and stewardship to every decision.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy aligned with mission priorities.
• Oversee the full spectrum of financial operations with foresight and stewardship.

Job description

Help Shape the Future of Discovery

At W. M. Keck Observatory, our mission is to expand humanity’s understanding of the universe—while honoring our responsibility to the land, community, and future generations.

As we look ahead to our Keck 2035 vision, we’re seeking a Chief Financial Officer to help guide the Observatory through its next chapter—ensuring we remain strong, sustainable, and ready to support world‑class science.

This is more than a finance position—it’s a leadership opportunity to help shape the future of an institution at the forefront of discovery.

As CFO, you’ll be a key partner to the Director and executive team, helping align financial strategy with mission priorities. You’ll oversee the full spectrum of financial operations while also thinking ahead—bringing insight, foresight, and stewardship to every decision.

Our Mission & Values

At Keck Observatory, our work is driven by a shared commitment to advancing scientific discovery while honoring our responsibility to people, place, and community.

We are guided by core values rooted in:

• Stewardship – We care for our people, facilities, environment, and community with integrity and long‑term responsibility.
• Service – We prioritize collective impact, supporting one another, the global astronomy community, and our local Hawaiʻi community to achieve shared goals.
• Collaboration & Inclusion – We work across disciplines and perspectives to solve complex challenges and advance discovery together.
• Excellence & Safety – We deliver high‑quality work while maintaining a strong commitment to operational excellence and safety in everything we do.

Why Choose W. M. Keck Observatory:

• Competitive starting annual compensation ranging from $183,141 to $229,714.
• Generous benefits package, including 4 weeks of annual paid vacation.
• Robust 403(b) retirement plan featuring an 8% employer contribution with a 4% mandatory employee contribution.
• Tuition assistance for dependent children grades K-12 attending private school on Hawai’i Island.
• Comprehensive employer‑provided health insurance, with a variety of coverage options available to employees.
• Opportunity to be part of a dedicated team advancing the frontiers of astronomy