Description:

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer

Reports To: President and CEO

FLSA/Status: Exempt

Prepared By: Ray Vandiver

Prepared Date: June 2026

SUMMARY

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for leading the Saint Louis Science Center’s (the Science Center) financial strategies, providing operational oversight and strategic leadership across funding streams, investments, and budgetary processes. This position partners with leadership across the organization to align organizational strategy with financial goals to help achieve the Science Center’s mission and long-term objectives. The role of CFO at the Science Center is key to ensuring a continued financially sustainable future that is data-driven and rooted in best practices; they will drive improved business acumen across the organization by providing actionable insights, operational transparency, and financial frameworks that support efficient, informed, and financially disciplined decision making across the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as a strategic financial advisor to President/CEO by providing decision support analytics, financial modeling, operational insights, organizational performance analysis and strategy, and growth initiatives.
Lead the Science Center’s long-range financial planning, annual budgeting for operations and capital projects, forecasting, scenario modeling, and multi-year financial planning processes.
Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the Science Center’s finance and IT departments; modeling organizational and leadership values.
Lead, mentor, and develop finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
Serve as Staff Liaison to the Board of Commissioners through designated committees, including Finance Committee and Audit Committee, attending all committee meetings, presenting monthly financial reports, and supporting committing in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities.
Responsible for the preparation of the annual audited financial statements. Work directly with independent certified public accountants to ensure compliance with AICPA standards.
Oversee preparation and timely filling of IRS form 990 and any other local, state, or federal required regulatory filings.
Work directly with attorneys or consultants to ensure compliance and the financial integrity of all applicable contracts and commitments.
Oversee financial staff to ensure the general ledger is maintained to support reporting requirements for both a publicly and privately funded entity.
Responsible for overall risk management and maintenance of adequate commercial liability insurance coverage.
Directs and coordinates the Science Center’s IT contractors, managing the business partnership and is responsible for the short and long-term technical infrastructure to meet the technological needs of the organization.
Work with HR and departmental leaders during annual workforce planning to ensure the Science Center attains its financial goals.
Oversee the administration of the Science Center’s retirement benefits.
Perform other duties as requested.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in finance required, master’s degree and/or CPA preferred, with strong non-profit finance experience
Minimum 10 years’ experience leading financial operations
Experience working in an organization in growth phase and planning capital budgets preferred
Excellent planning and organizational skills
Exceptional attention to detail
Experience planning and managing financial investment strategies
Experience overseeing 457 (b) retirement plans
The ability to use good judgment, and communicate with tact, and diplomacy
Proven people management and collaboration skills
The ability to motivate and lead a high-performance management team
Proven skills in financial planning, budgeting, and analysis
Working knowledge of GASG, GAAP, and FASB

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization's facilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The duties of this position are performed in a typical office environment. May be required to work some weekends and/or holidays.

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Chief Financial Officer