Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Philaculture seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead financial strategy and operations for the Please Touch Museum ecosystem. You will partner with the President/CEO and Board to advance the museum’s mission, ensuring fiscally sound and compliant operations.

The role oversees budgeting, forecasting, audits, and financial reporting, while guiding IT, facilities, and risk management as part of a collaborative executive team. Strong non-profit finance background is essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of non-profit financial reporting and governance.
• Experience with budgeting, cash flow, and grants management.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and compliance controls.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute strategic financial priorities with the executive team.
• Provide leadership on budgeting, forecasting and cash management.
• Oversee financial reporting, audits, and regulatory filings (990, 403(b), 5500).
• Manage legal affairs, vendor relationships, and IT/security areas as needed.
• Collaborate with President/CEO and Board on strategy and operations.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Non-profit finance

GAAP knowledge

Financial forecasting

Education

CPA or MBA

Undergraduate degree in finance or accounting

Job description

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive leadership team and, reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer, provides strategic, financial and operational leadership for Please Touch Museum (PTM). The CFO is responsible for strategic, financial planning and forecasting as well as fiscal, accounting, and operational activities. PTM delivers informal educational programming for children, caregivers, and educational professionals through a team of more than 60 full‑time staff plus a small seasonal workforce serving nearly 400,000 guests each year. PTM is located in a historic structured owned by the City of Philadelphia and leased to PTM

The CFO fosters key internal relationships with the President & CEO, members of the executive leadership team, direct reports, and the Board of Directors as well as other members of the management team. The CFO provides the leadership, management and vision necessary to ensure the Museum has a proactive financial and operational strategy, the appropriate financial and operational controls, and the financial, legal, compliance, and security reporting practices and procedures in place to effectively steward the Museum and to ensure financial and operational sustainability.

The CFO is a strategic thought‑partner to the President & CEO and provides critical information to the Board of Directors. This position plays a crucial role on the Executive Leadership Team, offering financial and operational acumen to the team’s strategic discussions, key decisions and business outlook, including with respect to Museum planning and decision making.

In addition to being adept at departmental leadership, the successful candidate will need to act as an effective and supportive member of the PTM Executive team with a particular focus on Finance, Information Technology & Systems, Maintenance, Security, and Facilities. The CFO oversees vendor partners to include, but not limited to, internal catering services and Museum rental activities. The CFO also leads the management of non‑employment related legal matters with outside counsel. The CFO will also be responsible for leading capital projects while collaborating with the President & CEO on government relations.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Partner with the President & CEO and Executive team to shape and execute strategic priorities that advance PTM’s mission, vision, and long‑term organizational goals.
• Model accountability by setting clear expectations, following through on commitments, and holding teams to high standards of leadership, performance, and professional conduct.
• Provide constructive feedback, coach team members through challenges, and lead practical problem‑solving that supports excellence, continuous improvement, and organizational success.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information, sensitive discussions, and matters requiring trust across the Executive team, Board, staff, and external partners.
• Lead in developing and executing the Museum’s financial and operations strategies.
• Ensure fiscal accountability across all aspects of Museum operations.
• Accountability for executing financial and banking transactions on behalf of PTM as defined by Museum policies.
• Oversight of the annual audited financial statements, 990 filing, 403(b) audit, and 5500 filing.

QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:

• Must possess an undergraduate degree in finance or accounting, a CPA, and/or an advanced degree such as an MBA or equivalent.
• A minimum of 10-15 years of progressive financial leadership/management experience, preferably in a non‑profit or mission‑oriented institution.
• In depth knowledge and understanding of non‑profit financial reporting, budgeting, risk management, forecasting, cash management, revenue enhancement strategies, grants management, and operations management, with a solid understanding of GAAP.
• Experience leading financial and operational management and reporting, including, but not limited to, budgeting, forecasting and cash‑flow management; managing contracts and legal affairs.

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
The Philadelphia Building
1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1101
Philadelphia, PA 19107
email: [e-mail]