General Description

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for overseeing different, but inter-related, core operations of the CHS. These include, 1) CHS’s financial management, including acting as the staff liaison to the Finance, Investment and Audit Committees of the Board, as well as liaison to the CHS’s investment management firm(s), 2) facility administration including oversight of collections housing and security and IT infrastructure, and 3) revenue generation & special projects. S/he is responsible for making sure that the systems, policies, and procedures required to support these operations are in place and kept current, and for hiring, supervising, evaluating, and guiding the staff responsible for carrying out the duties listed below.

About Connecticut Historical Society and its Opportunities

The CHS has always worked to understand the past and encourage historic inquiry. Through permanent and groundbreaking temporary exhibitions such as Common Struggle, Individual Experience, An Exhibition about Mental Health, the CHS has worked to ensure that Connecticut residents feel connected not only to the history and culture of Connecticut but, through a shared understanding of history, with each other. The public programming of the CHS serves school groups, families, teachers, curious life-long learning adults, researchers, and the State of Connecticut. The CHS is the only state historical organization that offers a folklife program, the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program, to ensure the collection is an inclusive and true representation of the diversity of the state. The adoption of the state folklife program in 2015 resulted in bringing more than 60,000 objects, mostly photographic and video content, of the diverse cultural groups that are in Connecticut.

The CHS is at an exciting moment in its history. As the organization prepares for its 200th Anniversary in 2025, the CHS is committed to a five-year strategic plan to enhance its impact by elevating work with diverse communities across the state to develop engaging programs, events, and exhibitions. The CHS is in discussions with the State of Connecticut regarding a potential public-private capital project which is currently in its early stages of conception. In support of this capital project, the CHS anticipates launching a comprehensive fundraising campaign. In preparation for this anticipated campaign, the CHS has completed a campaign readiness assessment, an extensive development assessment, and wealth screen of its prospects. The CHS has also completed an institutional rebrand which will launch to the public mid-2023.

CHS’s Work Culture

CHS is proud of its culture that attracts and retains a professional, ambitious, and innovative staff. We are inspired daily to collaboratively and supportively work to further its mission: “To cultivate deep understanding of the history and culture of Connecticut, and its role in America and the world, through reflection of the past, active engagement with the present, and innovation for the future through our collections, research, educational programs, and exhibitions,” with its vision: “Working with an inclusive audience to promote historical and cultural perspectives as essential tools to connect with others, shape communities, and make informed decisions.” The right candidate to fill this role – made available by the retiring long-serving CFO – will bring to their colleagues their high standards and love of often fast-paced and challenging work.

Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management and Oversight 

The incumbent’s specific duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Overseeing all business and financial affairs and staff, including payroll, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, contract administration, bank accounts, and investment portfolio management;
• Managing the relationship between the CHS and its various investment managers as dictated by the CHS Investment Policy Statement;
• Coordinating the deposit and withdrawal of investable assets as budgeted and appropriate
• Working collaboratively with the Director of Human Resources to ensure CHS compliance with applicable 403 (b) regulations and employee benefit offerings; while assisting in the management of the various plan designs and their budgetary impacts
• Preparing the annual budget in conjunction with the CEO, senior staff, and the board’s Finance Committee;
• Devising ways and means to provide clear, succinct financial reports to keep the CEO, senior staff, and Finance Committee/Audit Committee and board of trustees informed about CHS’s financial status on a monthly basis;
• Providing financial information for inclusion in grant proposals;
• Ensuring grant compliance – namely, supervising proper tracking of grant income and expenditures and supplying financial information required in compliance reports needed by senior staff to manage grant projects;
• Directing the annual audit process, working with the Audit Committee, and soliciting appropriate advice from the auditors for ways in which to streamline and simplify accounting procedures;
• Complying with all government requirements as to the submission of tax returns, and other filing reports;
• Representing CHS’s interests in all matters involving trusts and estates which name the CHS as a beneficiary (or potential beneficiary);
• Serving as primary staff liaison to the Finance, Investment and Audit Committees.

Collections, Facility and IT Infrastructure

• Work with the Chief Curator of Collections and staff to ensure collections security including environmental conditions, safety awareness, collections housing, and work/study activities in all storage and public service spaces;
• Assist in the development and monitoring of the annual operating budget for Collections, including the various funds restricted for collections management;
• Manage the Facilities staff to ensure the functionality of collections access security systems and the maintenance of HVAC-related standards to support an optimal collections environment;
• Manage institutional computer services (with the exception of discipline specific applications), including the hiring and monitoring of an outside IT service vendor, if applicable;
• Oversee staff responsible for daily maintenance of the facility and long- and short-term maintenance and repair schedules;
• Ensure that the short-term, mid-term, and long-term capital needs of the CHS facility are continually documented and addressed;
• Oversee all facility staff and systems, including access rights and camera surveillance.

Revenue Generation and Special Projects 

• Work with senior staff and the CEO to devise revenue generating strategies that complement the CHS Strategic Plan.
• Work with the CEO to investigate potential alternative expansion or relocation possibilities for the CHS, including appropriate due diligence tasks;
• Devise strategies, policies, and forms for building space rentals as other priorities allow and administrative help is available.
• Other tasks and duties as shall be assigned from time to time by the Executive Director & CEO.

Qualifications

The CFO should be an experienced professional with substantial experience in financial and building management, administrative best practices, and information technology management.  S/he should be a self-starter, detail oriented, and a team player.

Specific qualifications for the position include:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field required, advanced degree in business or non-profit management or a related field preferred;
• At least five years’ experience in a senior non-profit (preferably arts and culture) finance/administrative position;
• A keen mind for numbers and significant experience in non-profit financial management;
• Excellent communications skills;
• Superior computer skills;
• Experience and proven ability to supervise employees;
• Experience and ability to negotiate with and supervise outside contractors;
• The ability to work with diverse staff members, members of the board of trustees, and representatives of outside funding sources;
• Facility for finding creative solutions to seemingly difficult problems.

Schedule

Full time, Monday through Friday.

Compensation

$125,000 to $135,000 per year.

Benefits

Eligible for generous full employee benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, employer contributions to 403(b) plan, and paid vacation and sick days.

How to apply

Please email cover letter and resume to Susan Presutti, Director of Human Resources, [email protected], by April 10, 2023. Finalist group of candidates will provide three references (preferably current or former managers) with telephone numbers and email addresses.

CHS is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.