Chief Financial Officer

Houston, Texas, The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the leadership team and a strategic partner to the President & CEO. This role goes well beyond financial oversight. The CFO will help guide organizational strategy, support major capital initiatives, and ensure the Conservancy is positioned for long-term financial sustainability and growth. The CFO oversees all aspects of financial management while also playing a central role in decision-making—helping leadership and the Board understand tradeoffs, evaluate opportunities, and plan for the future. The Conservancy operates with a diverse revenue model that includes contributed revenue, public funding, and earned income from programs, events, and venues. The CFO has primary responsibility for financial strategy and oversight, financial planning, policies, and systems, in alignment with the President & CEO. The CFO will also provide oversight of key administrative functions, including financial compliance, risk management, and financial technology infrastructure, ensuring the organization operates with discipline and clarity as it grows. The organization currently operates with an annual budget of approximately $9M and is undertaking a capital campaign of approximately $300M. The finance function is expected to scale alongside the organization’s continued growth and increasing complexity. Success in this role will include strengthening long-term financial sustainability, improving financial systems and transparency, supporting the successful execution of the capital campaign, and building strong confidence with staff and the Board. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership

Serve as a strategic advisor to the President & CEO and a contributing and supportive member of the leadership team

Lead long-range financial planning aligned with the Conservancy’s strategic plan, master plan, and capital campaign

Develop financial models and scenarios to support major capital projects and organizational growth

Provide clear, actionable financial insight to inform decision-making across the organization

Partner with leadership to evaluate new initiatives, earned revenue opportunities, and operational investments

Contribute to organization-wide planning and prioritization, helping align resources with strategic goals and strengthening cross-functional decision-making

Financial Management & Planning

Oversee all financial, treasury, and accounting operations, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and financial reporting

Lead the annual budgeting process in close partnership with the President & CEO, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities

Monitor financial performance against budget and provide timely, thoughtful analysis of variances and trends

Produce clear, decision-oriented financial reports for leadership and the Board of Directors

Ensure strong internal controls and sound financial practices across the organization

Ensure compliance with nonprofit financial reporting requirements, including Form 990, fund accounting standards, and grant and donor restrictions

Ensure the proper accounting and recording of the books and records

Provide compliance reports to the banks as required

Team Leadership & Oversight

Provide leadership and oversight to the Accounting Manager, who is responsible for day-to-day accounting operations including bookkeeping, invoicing, project accounting, grant tracking, and required reporting to the City

Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency of financial data while maintaining appropriate separation between transactional and strategic functions

Establish clear roles, workflows, and accountability across the finance function as the organization grows

Mentor and develop finance staff while contributing to a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement

Financial Systems & Data Infrastructure

Lead the continued development and optimization of financial systems, including Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT and related tools

Ensure financial data is structured to provide clear visibility into operations, capital projects, and restricted vs. unrestricted funds

Partner across the organization to improve reporting clarity, including the use of project codes and other tools to better track performance by program, venue, and initiative

Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce manual work, and improve accuracy through thoughtful use of technology

Build systems that support a growing and increasingly complex organization

Investments, Audit, and Board Engagement

Oversee endowment and investment tracking; serve as liaison to investment advisors

Lead the annual audit process and serve as lead contact for external auditors

Partner with the Finance Committee, Investment Committee, and Board to present financial results, investment results, forecasts, and key strategic considerations

Translate complex financial information into clear, accessible insights for non-financial stakeholders

Capital & Business Operations

Support financial planning and cash flow strategy for the Conservancy’s capital campaign and major projects

Ensure strong alignment between capital investments and long-term operating sustainability

Partner with the COO and leadership team to ensure financial systems and processes support a growing organization

Oversee financial aspects of contracts, vendor relationships, and business operations as needed

Partner closely with the Development team to support fundraising strategy, including capital campaigns, donor reporting, and financial positioning for major gifts and institutional funding

Risk, Compliance & Administration

Oversee organizational compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including nonprofit filings and reporting obligations

In coordination with the COO, ensure appropriate insurance coverage across the organization, including regular review of policies and coordination with brokers and advisors

Partner with COO in organizational risk management practices, identifying and addressing areas of exposure

Partner with legal counsel, auditors, banks and external advisors to ensure the Conservancy operates with strong governance and sound practices Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; CPA, MBA, or equivalent experience strongly preferred 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, with several years in a senior leadership role Demonstrated senior-level financial leadership experience, including direct engagement with a Board of Directors, independent responsibility for major financial processes, and a proven ability to serve as a strategic advisor and collaborative member of an executive leadership team. Experience overseeing financial and accounting operations in a complex organization with multiple revenue streams Experience overseeing treasury and banking relationships Demonstrated ability to operate as a strategic partner, not just a functional leader Strong financial modeling, forecasting, and analytical skills Ability to communicate financial and accounting concepts clearly to non-financial audiences Experience with nonprofits, public-private partnerships, and capital campaigns strongly preferred High level of integrity, sound judgment, and collaborative leadership style

The ideal candidate is both strategic and practical--someone who can move easily between big-picture thinking and day-to-day realities without losing sight of either. Equally important, this person will contribute positively to the culture of the organization. The Conservancy values a workplace that is collaborative, supportive, and grounded in mutual respect. We are looking for a leader who is:

Collaborative and team-oriented

Positive and solutions-focused

Compassionate and respectful in working with others

Modest, approachable, and confident in their expertise

Steady, thoughtful, and capable of navigating complexity with good judgment

This is a highly visible leadership role, and the CFO is expected to model these qualities within the finance function and across the organization. Compensation and Benefits This is a full-time, salary-exempt position with a targeted salary range of $150,000–$200,000 annually, based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and alignment with the responsibilities of the role. Hermann Park Conservancy provides a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and generous paid time off.