Chief Financial Officer

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Chief Financial Officer

Cleveland History Center / Posted December 10, 2025

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the organization’s chief administrative and financial officer, responsible for directing and coordinating vital systems underpinning the Western Reserve Historical Society’s organizational functions: financial systems and management, information systems and technology, and human resources. Reporting to the President & CEO, the CFO will be a key member of the leadership team by providing both strategic and operational leadership, balancing vision and planning with hands‑on operational excellence.

Founded in 1867, Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) is the oldest cultural institution in Cleveland. WRHS is an American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Accredited (2025) American history organization with seven sites across a four‑county area of Northeast Ohio and the trusted steward of Northeast Ohio’s documented and material history. WRHS safeguards and shares Cleveland, Northeast Ohio and American history through experiential programming and groundbreaking exhibitions. WRHS engages the community through its Library and Museum collections that together represent one of the country’s finest collections relating to the American experience.

WRHS is regularly open to the public at two locations: the Cleveland History Center (CHC), home to the Library and Archives, the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, the Chisholm Halle Costume Wing, the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel, the historic Bingham‑Hanna and Hay‑McKinney Mansions, and Museum Galleries for permanent and rotating exhibits. WRHS’s nearly eight acres in the heart of University Circle is known for its architectural, artifact, and archival treasures. Hale Farm & Village (HFV), located in Bath, Ohio (Summit County) in the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is a 90‑plus‑acre outdoor living history museum with 34 historic structures. WRHS’s other properties are available by appointment.

The CFO will have leadership responsibility for critical areas of the organization that provide the foundation for programs and services and the realization of its mission. They will be responsible for WRHS financial reporting, budget and oversight, annual audit, human resources management and facilities and security at the Cleveland History Center. The CFO is the chief liaison to the Board finance, audit and investment committees.

ORGANIZATIONAL REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS:

The CFO reports to, and works closely with, the President & CEO of WRHS regarding overall and strategic fiscal matters, human resources, IS/IT, and other matters as deemed necessary by the President & CEO. He/she will serve on the Senior Management Team of WRHS and will serve as staff liaison to Board of Directors’ committees focused on financial management and WRHS’s fixed assets, including the audit committee and investment committee, and works closely with the Board Treasurer. The CFO is expected to attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Reporting, Budget, & Oversight

• Provide leadership in the development of short and long‑range financial plans and goals and projections;
• With input and advice from the other members of the Management Team, develop the annual budget and oversee systems to ensure that the budget reflects the strategic goals of the institution;
• Work collaboratively with the President and CEO and Chief Historic Preservation Officer on the accounting of and accurate, complete and timely financial reporting for all WRHS capital projects;
• Oversee fiscal staff, manage annual audit with staff and audit partners, strengthen and enhance fiscal functions and reporting systems, fulfilling all deliverables;
• Manage the financial function so that financial reports are accurate and timely, reports to both public and private funders are completed on schedule; and timely and accurate financial analysis is provided to the President & CEO, senior management, relevant board committees, and the Board of Directors;
• Ensure all tax filings are accurate and timely;
• Ensure best practices in nonprofit management are implemented and consistently applied;
• Responsible for risk assessment and management.

Human Resources Management

• Provide leadership to and supervision of human resources in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal and tax requirements; provide leadership to achieve and maintain a highly functioning and creative staff that is passionate about the work of the organization;
• Help enhance recruitment, progressive staff development, and effective performance management and evaluation in accordance with best practices;
• Oversee the performance of the Director of Human Resources, a direct report;

Information Technology/Information Systems Leadership & Management

• Oversee the performance of the IS/IT Manager;
• Working with the IS/IT Manager:
• Identify, analyze and report to Senior Management, the current and emerging IS/IT issues and needs of the organization along with their fiscal implications;
• Ensure regular, consistent, high quality input and output of information essential to the organization’s function and accountability;
• Oversee management of WRHS’s IT infrastructure and data security.

Cleveland History Center and Macedonia Warehouse Facilities & Security

Provide leadership to and supervision of the facilities and security functions of the Cleveland History Center and the Macedonia warehouse;

• Oversee the performance of the security manager and the facilities manager;
• Assess the operational facility and security systems readiness of the of the Cleveland History Center and Macedonia warehouse and communicate to Senior Management the assessment and recommendations for actions.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related subjects; Masters degree preferred, CPA required;
• A record of success in financial management, including reporting, managing audits and reporting to private and governmental funders; Experience in a not‑for‑profit environment and/or not‑for‑profit accounting required;
• Demonstrated success as a manager motivating talented staff and building a strong infrastructure within a complex organization;
• Demonstrated skill at working in close and effective partnership with organizational leadership;
• Experience in middle‑and long‑range planning, combined with the intellectual and emotional flexibility to change course when appropriate;
• Ability to work congenially with others while assuring staff accountability and making difficult decisions when necessary;
• Ability to prioritize and handle many tasks in a fast‑moving, complex environment;
• Basic knowledge of IT/IS Systems preferred;
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written; comfortable with public speaking;
• A down‑to‑earth personal style coupled with high standards of performance.

The critical success factors for the WRHS CFO require someone who:

• Possesses strong conceptual and analytical problem‑solving abilities, and sound business and personal judgment;
• Has the ability to quickly grasp and communicate the short and long‑term ramifications of operational decision‑making;
• Acts as a change agent and role model capable of representing not only the financial function but also the entire organization;
• Possesses a wide range of competencies, e.g. strategic assessment & long‑range planning and risk management, information technology management, and metrics and benchmarking;
• Is supportive of, and attends, WRHS programs and events whenever possible;
• Is willing to roll up one’s sleeves to ensure all deliverables and expectations are met in a timely and professional manner.

This is a full time, salaried, exempt position per the Department of Labor guidelines. The salary range is $125,000–$140,000. Agreed upon salary will be dependent upon experience and skillset of the candidate.

If interested, please send your cover letter and resume to Jennifer Dukes, HR Manager at jdukes@wrhs.org