Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer at California Academy of Sciences

California Academy of Sciences
Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer

Position Description & Candidate Profile

Location:

San Francisco (hybrid of in-office and remote work), with 3 days per week on-site

Reports to:

Executive Director

To Apply:
Heidrick encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, to Scott Atkinson, Global Managing Partner, Co-Head of Global Sustainability & ESG Practice, and Abby Rudman, Principal, Social Impact, Sustainability & Conservation, at [email protected].

The Organization

About the Organization

The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution dedicated to exploring, explaining, and sustaining life on Earth. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it is the only place in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum—as well as innovative programs in scientific research and education—all under one living roof.

The Academy is committed to cultivating a culturally inclusive environment where diversity of thought and expression are valued, respected, appreciated and celebrated. We believe in creating a culture where all individuals feel respected, are treated fairly, provided work-life balance, and have an opportunity to excel.

Mission: Regeneration

The Academy is transforming into a purpose-based organization that will focus beyond repairing and sustaining our ecosystems and climate. Instead, the Academy’s mission will center around Regeneration, which includes:

1. Reversing biodiversity and habitat loss to fight climate change
2. Restoring critical ecosystems—and our place within them
3. Reshaping environmentalism to welcome diverse voices
4. Remembering that we are part of, not apart from, the natural world

Whether it is at our magnificent facility in Golden Gate Park or online through digital programs, every day we bring to life the wonders of science and nature in ways that everyone can enjoy.

The Academy has launched three major initiatives under its Regeneration mission:

Thriving California - new Academy initiative that will harness scientific data and mobilize diverse communities to fight climate change, stop biodiversity loss, and advocate for nature in the Golden State. The initiative received $2.1 million in state budget funds to support its Environmental Learning Plan to close the science learning gap. The funding will provide families, communities, and K-12 students and teachers across the state.
Hope for Reefs, Phase II - Coral reefs support 25 percent of all marine life—and the livelihoods of half a billion humans. Hope for Reefs is a major initiative aiming to reverse the rapid decline of Earth’s reefs in this generation. Phase I of the initiative, launched in 2016, was focused on understanding, protecting and restoring global reefs. Phase II will take this work to scale and create pathways to see reefs on a trajectory of resilience and regeneration.
Islands 2030 - a new initiative that aims to halt biodiversity loss and habitat degradation on five key tropical island archipelagos by 2030 while empowering and benefiting local communities. Islands 2030 will focus on five diverse tropical archipelagos—the Galápagos, Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Philippines, and the Gulf of Guinea islands. Through three critical pathways—biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement—we will equip island communities with the tools, data, and resources needed to build green economies and boost biodiversity and ultimately create a blueprint for regenerating vital, vulnerable ecosystems.

History

On an evening in 1853—just three years after California joined the United States—seven men assembled in a candle-lit room in San Francisco and founded the first scientific academy west of the Atlantic seaboard. Local naturalists’ fieldwork generated a growing collection of research specimens, so a museum was opened on Market Street to display these scientific treasures. The California Academy of Sciences soon became one of the West's most popular destinations, drawing some 80,000 visitors annually to gaze at its giant wooly mammoth, taxidermized grizzly bears, native plant specimens, and rare artifacts.

But when the Great Quake of 1906 struck the city, the Academy's home—and all but a handful of its specimens—were lost. As luck would have it, however, a two-year Academy expedition was in the Galapagos Islands at the time, gathering material that would one day form the nucleus of the institution's new collections.

In 1916, the Academy found a new home in Golden Gate Park, where it grew over the decades to include North American Hall, Steinhart Aquarium, Simson African Hall, Science Hall, Morrison Planetarium, and more. But 1989, the Loma Prieta earthquake shook the area once more, causing major structural damage that left the Academy in need of another beginning.

The Academy used this as an opportunity to rethink the entire museum-going experience. The new vision: to create an institution for the 21st century—a premier destination of grand design that would bring the latest in scientific research to the public in the most engaging, educational, and inspiring ways imaginable. Now home to Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, and the Kimball Natural History Museum—as well as world class research and education departments—the Academy's mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Cultural Values

As a public cultural institution dedicated to inquiry, exploration, and education, the Academy has a responsibility to critically assess how we benefit from and contribute to inequity. Beyond assessment, we need to act: By listening to, learning from, and lifting up the communities in our midst that suffer disproportionately from systemic racism, structural inequality, and environmental injustice, we can help everyone feel welcomed by science, not just an elite few.

The Academy strives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and access at all levels of our organization, from our administrative offices and labs, to the museum floor, to research sites around the world.

Why DEIA?

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) are more than just Academy core values—they are requirements for protecting and regenerating our planet. By ensuring that all people, especially Black, Indigenous, Mixed-race People of Color (BIMPOC), LGBTQ+, women, and people with disabilities, feel safe and welcome as staff, guests, and partners, we nurture the new ideas and fresh perspectives that will help us fight climate change, stop biodiversity loss, and inspire current and future scientists, activists, and educators.

Reflecting, Assessing, Listening

After police violence against African Americans and racist attacks on Asian American and Pacific Islanders roiled the nation in 2020 and 2021, the Academy invited Momentum Collaborative to assess our DEIA efforts by hosting a series of surveys, interviews, and workshops between January 2021 and April 2022. Often difficult, always illuminating, the conversations facilitated by Momentum brought our institutional blind spots to light and created a safe space for staff to air grievances, share stories, and find common ground.

Making science anti-racist

As a leading scientific institution, the Academy must cultivate an inclusive environment to conduct, share, and champion diversity in science for staff, visitors, and the global community. Read the statement drafted by scientists within our Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability (IBSS), along with updates on our progress toward making science equitable and actively anti-racist at the Academy—and within the scientific community—now and in the future.

The Position

Position Title

Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (MDCFO)

Reports To

Executive Director

Direct Reports

Chief Operating Officer and Head of Government Affairs; Chief Experience Officer; Chief People and Culture Officer; Chief Philanthropy Officer; Finance and Accounting teams

Location

San Francisco, CA

Position Summary

The Managing Director and CFO (MDCFO) will provide strategic financial and operational leadership for the Academy, a ~$70M organization poised for growth with a new purpose-based approach to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. In this newly created role, the MDCFO will be an instrumental business partner to the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and the Senior Leadership Team in leveraging the current assets of the Academy to the greatest efficiency while identifying additional revenue streams and opportunities aligned to new strategic priorities and fundraising goals. The Academy will be the first natural history museum to drive business strategy using a purpose-based approach and the MDCFO will be a critical force behind the Academy’s future success.
Overseeing the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Government Affairs, Chief People and Culture Officer, Chief Philanthropy Officer, and Chief Experience Officer and guiding the Finance and Accounting teams, the MDCFO will drive the successful outcomes of these teams to meet the goals of the Academy. The MDCFO will report to the Executive Director and serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and provide guidance to senior management and their teams.
The MDCFO will ensure a financially stable organization with excellent internal controls and business practices that are trusted and transparent. The MDCFO will analyze financial data and recognize strategic opportunities to increase effectiveness, always focusing on achieving impact.
As a pivotal member of the Senior Leadership Team, the MDCFO will gain a broad knowledge of the Academy and its activities; model the organization’s cultural values; ensure progress of the strategic plan; partner with the Executive Director on important business decisions; ensure work is achieved through dynamic and adaptable teams committed to culture and accountable to outcomes; and develop and utilize scenario planning processes to monitor and act upon external factors. Ensuring inclusion/belonging among staff is critical to the MDCFO’s success.

Responsibilities

The CFO is the key member of the senior leadership team and will be responsible for central coordination of all business operations including facilities and government affairs, philanthropy, people strategies, experiences, financial and legal activities of the Academy, including but not limited to:

Academy Leadership

Lead the Academy to fulfill the institution’s 5-year strategic plan; steward existing successful programs and initiate new projects.
Foster a culture of trust, belonging, and accountability; create brave spaces for equitable and mutually beneficial collaboration
Support the Academy’s efforts in antiracism work and DEAI culture shift
Distribute decision-making and leadership responsibilities while supporting individuals to meet goals

Financial Management

Ensure strong internal controls are in place and that the organization’s financial accounting policies are in compliance with US GAAP
Ensure that all financial audits and tax filings are completed on time and in compliance with all federal and state regulations.
Manage all matters relating to the Academy’s endowment including accounting and reporting as specified by US GAAP and UPMIFA.
Play a leading role in managing the organization's financial structure and balance sheet.
Design, manage, and continuously improve the processes and systems that enable financial management of the Academy in order to provide value added support to all business partners.

Strategic Financial Planning

Provide financial and strategic thought leadership for the organization, ensuring that the Academy’s operating revenue, expenses, capital expenditures, and endowment funds are correctly budgeted, managed, and reported.
Inform key donors of financial status and investment plans
Serve as internal consultant to the Executive Director, Board and key donors, Chief Philanthropy Officer and other stakeholders on all financial matters, making recommendations and suggesting proactive strategies
Manage the Academy’s capital budgeting and expenditure reporting
Develop strong financial analysis and internal reporting that helps to inform business decision making and allow the leadership team to have greater insight into key metrics of business performance.
Maintain and enhance a reliable cash flow projection process, revenue at risk and reporting mechanism which ensures adequate cash/working capital to meet operating needs.
Oversee banking and other advisory relationships. Ensure that the organization has adequate access to capital and manage the capital allocation process across the divisions/departments.
Drive development and planning for the Academy’s key long-term initiatives to maximize two things at the same time — funding of the Academy core costs and expansion of new initiatives. Make sure that the financial plans for both are clear and updated as actual funding is received.
Work with the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees oversee the investment related activities of the organization that are managed by our third-party investment managers.
To oversee and manage banking relationships.

Supervisory duties

In addition to managing, developing and mentoring the Director of Finance and the Controller who manage a team of seventeen they will have the responsibility in mentoring and developing the leadership capabilities for the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Government Affairs, Chief People and Culture Officer, Chief Philanthropy Officer, and Chief Experience Officer who manage a combined staff of 380+ FTE employees.

Organizational Leadership

Establish strong working relationships with colleagues; strengthen and sustain a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, communication, teamwork and integrity.
Act as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), advise the Executive Director regarding all financial considerations, and serve as a strategic thought partner around financial growth.
Serve as executive sponsor for facilities and government affairs, philanthropy, people strategies and experiences.
Act as an executive lead for the Finance, Investment and Audit/Risk Board of Trustees committees and leads the Executive Strategic Planning process.
Develop familiarity with institutions, national and international, offering similar programs. Through collaboration, analysis and, if necessary, organizational change, work closely with the Executive Director and other SLT members to position the Academy to increase its stature, revenue base and competitive advantage.
Manage the relationships with government fiscal leads and other key government parties to ensure the Academy receives the maximum allocation of funds and is in compliance with government regulations governing the award of funds.

Compliance and Risk Management

Ensure that the Academy is in compliance with relevant federal, state and local regulations and laws.
Ensure that the Academy maintains and monitors their ERM practices.
Ensure that the Academy has adequate insurance in place.
Ensure compliance with corporate governance related to the Board of Trustees bylaws and legal regulations.
Ensure that an organizational policy regarding contract reviews is maintained so that all contracts are reviewed by the legal department and routed for approval to the CFO.

The Person

Pivotal Experience & Expertise

The ideal candidate should have the following:

Financial Leadership & Acumen: At least 15 years of significant management and administrative experience in the private and non-profit sectors successfully managing organizations of comparable complexity and size. Experience working with public officials (especially at the city level) and accompanying funding processes for operating and capital expenses. MBA or CPA required.
Strategic Financial Planning: Proven ability to proactively identify opportunities for improved efficiencies to increase effectiveness and impact. A willingness to “get behind” the numbers to effectively provide guidance to develop and implement effective financial strategies that will enable the company to make sound business decisions.
Stakeholder Engagement & Management: Demonstrated ability building relationships across all levels of an organization with the communication and influencing skills to explain technical terms and concepts broadly and across multiple disciplines. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and motivate staff, volunteers, external consultants, and vendors.
Mission-Driven Leader: Commitment to the Academy’s mission and ability to connect financial presentations to strategic plan impact areas. Consistently demonstrates the Academy’s cultural values and operating principles.
Goal-oriented: Must be able to set and lead the strategic direction for the accounting, finance and legal departments with a focus on executing a long-term revenue model and an integrated financial and business plan to meet the Academy’s goals related to the initiatives.
Influential Business Partner: Proven track record of successfully building effective relationships with leaders, internally and externally with public officials. The ability to play the business partner/advisor role for the organization and accomplish goals through influence.

Culture Fit

Team Leader: A proven managerial leader that advocates of team members with the ability hold them accountable to maintain high standards that are commensurate with best in class practices
Transparent Communicator: Works to build and uphold a culture of trust through direct communication and transparency. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate a decision as well as the “why” behind it.
Collaborator: Highly collaborative and effective at building strong cross-functional relationships with staff, volunteers, Board members, and other stakeholders. Serves as a strategic partner to CEO and other senior leaders while demonstrating the ability to support the ongoing development of the finance and accounting teams.
Integrity and Professionalism: Proven champion of the highest workplace integrity, especially as it pertains to financial processes and decision-making.

Salary

The Academy offers a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits. The hiring range for this role is $400,000-$425,000. Offers are based on the candidate’s years of experience and the practice of maintaining salary equity within the California Academy of Sciences.

To Apply: Please do not apply on this website directly. To be considered, Heidrick encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly, to Scott Atkinson, Global Managing Partner, Co-Head of Global Sustainability & ESG Practice, and Abby Rudman, Principal, Social Impact, Sustainability & Conservation, at [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Earlier applicants may receive priority consideration.

Heidrick & Struggles serves the executive leadership needs of the world’s top organizations as a trusted advisor for leadership consulting, culture shaping and senior-level executive search services. Our data driven solutions empower senior executives and boards of directors to transform their organizations by leveraging top talent and accelerating performance across all layers of the business.

This position is based in San Francisco, California with expectations to be onsite 3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs

Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination, including receiving a booster shot, as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

The California Academy of Sciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to ensure that all employees and applicants receive equal consideration and treatment, regardless of race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), religion, marital or domestic partner status, age, place of birth, national origin or ancestry, physical, mental or medical disability, height or weight, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.

Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer

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