Chief Financial Officer

Summary

Join The Planetary Society as their Chief Financial Officer, reporting to the COO and collaborating with the CEO and Board of Directors. Lead all financial and human resource functions, setting financial policy and direction. Actively participate in and drive the organization's overall strategy. Serve as a staff liaison to the Finance and Audit Committees. This role requires strategic financial planning, budgetary oversight, compliance management, team leadership, and fostering a high-performance culture. The position offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in progressively responsible financial leadership roles
• Successful track record of progressive responsibility in accounting and financial management, including managing an annual operating budget greater than $3M and the supervision and management of financial staff
• Excellent working knowledge of financial software such as Quickbooks
• Advanced spreadsheet (Excel) skills with experience building complex budgets and models
• Demonstrated experience in managing finance, accounting, compliance, budgeting, internal control, and financial and investment reporting
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and relate well to staff, Board members, advisers, members, donors, and others
• Experience with examining, developing, reengineering, and recommending financial and HR policies and procedures and maintaining HR compliance
• Integrity, honesty, and a strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality
• A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality

Responsibilities

• Provide vital input into short- and long-term strategic and operational planning within the organization
• Provide strategic recommendations based on financial analyses and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with the Society's strategy and priorities
• Work with the Chief Development Officer to align financial management with short- and long-term financial planning and projections
• Inform the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors about issues, trends, and changes in the operating model and operational delivery
• Work with the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors to establish and maintain sound investment policies
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and laws
• Work with CEO/COO to manage annual planning and budgeting for the organization and develop financial forecasts and cash flow projections to ensure the availability of funds for the organization’s programs, general operations, and long-term stability and growth
• Oversee the implementation of budgets, to monitor progress and present operational metrics both internally and externally
• Ensure that finance staff maintains financial record systems in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and monitor the use of all funds
• Oversee the preparation and approval of all financial reporting materials and metrics for funding organizations, The Planetary Society's Board of Directors, and the Society’s leadership team; prepare and communicate monthly and annual financial statements
• Manage cash flow and forecasting; direct all financial, project-based, and departmental accounting
• Ensure timely completion of annual audits, financial statements, and ensure proper filing of tax returns and state registrations
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions
• Coordinate all audit activities
• Foster smoothly operating finance and HR functions through timely and effective resolution of disruptions
• Evaluate current financial processes and tools and implement improvements as needed
• Ensure finance and HR technologies are used efficiently, cost-effectively, and securely
• Evaluate and oversee all benefits negotiations
• Manage banking and investment manager relationships
• Ensure vendors are paid on-time and services remain within budget
• Plan and direct the work of the organization's finance and HR employees and contractors, and establish overall objectives and priorities for finance and HR
• Recruit, onboard, manage, and mentor finance and HR team members, including leading regular one-on-one meetings, encouraging professional development, setting and monitoring annual goals, conducting performance reviews, and administering salary adjustments for all direct reports
• Embody and promote The Planetary Society's core values: passion, credibility, optimism, integrity, effectiveness, and inclusion
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality
• Engage other members of the staff leadership team to facilitate cross-department collaboration that ensures that all financial and HR solutions positively support the organization's evolving strategy, operations, and data collection needs

Preferred Qualifications

MBA and/or CPA

Benefits

• Competitive salary of $194,300
• 7% employer contribution to a 403(b)-retirement savings plan
• Paid employee healthcare with a variety of plan options
• A generous PTO plan
• The ability to work hybrid or remote