Chief Financial Officer

Summary

The Chief Financial Officer develops, recommends, and maintains fiscal policies, internal controls, and procedures governing banking, receipts, disbursements, and accounting. They manage the annual operating and capital budgeting process, develop multi-year financial models to support strategic planning and oversee all financial operations, reporting, and compliance with GAAP for nonprofit organizations. The CFO serves as financial liaison to the City of Memphis and local, state, and federal agencies and supervises information and communication systems supporting financial operations.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop, recommend, and maintain fiscal policies, internal controls, and procedures governing banking, receipts, disbursements, and accounting.
• Oversee all financial operations, reporting, and compliance with GAAP for nonprofit organizations.
• Prepare accurate, timely internal and external financial statements, budgets, forecasts, and cash flow analyses.
• Oversee external relationships with auditors, banks, investment advisers, and legal counsel.
• Manage the annual operating and capital budgeting process; develop multi-year financial models to support strategic planning.
• Advise the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board on financial performance, risks, and long-term planning.
• Manage property, liability, and employee insurance programs, including risk assessments and cost-control strategies.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Finance Committee and provide financial reports at Board and committee meetings.
• Provide fiduciary oversight of the Zoo’s 401(k) plan and other employee benefit programs.
• Ensure proper allocation and tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Support grant management through financial review, reporting, and compliance monitoring.
• Review and negotiate contracts, ensuring risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Supervise information and communication systems supporting financial operations.
• Serve as financial liaison to the City of Memphis and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Benchmark organizational performance against peer institutions.
• Participate in senior management coverage for weekends, holidays, and special events.

Minimum Education and Experience

Preferred Education and Experience

Required Skills

Personal Characteristics

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has approximately 3 direct reports.

Reporting Structure

Reports to Chief Executive Officer.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

Full‑time salary positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the CEO to fit the needs of the position.

This position is considered exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.

Scheduling Availability Requirements

Position is typical office hours, Monday – Friday. Occasional evening and weekend hours as required. This position will participate in senior management coverage for weekends, holidays, and special events as needed.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of the job, the employee will primarily work indoors within a typical office environment. This role is primarily a sedentary position but will occasionally require the need to travel across Zoo grounds with or without the use of a golf cart.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position requires frequent sitting and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Other Requirements

Benefits & Perks

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our page for details.

EEOC and Inclusion Statement

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World‑class zoos are comprised of world‑class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.

The Memphis Zoo participates in E‑Verify and is an EEO / ADA / Veteran employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre‑employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug‑free workplace.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Salary

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