This position description has been abbreviated to comply with this platform's length limitations. For the complete job prospectus, please visit our website at www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches.

The Opportunity

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens seeks a Chief Financial Officer to help advance its mission through strong financial leadership. Reporting to the President and CEO, the CFO will lead the finance function, partner with the executive team, and provide the analysis and judgment needed to strengthen financial resilience and support the Zoo’s continued development.

A full overview of the opportunity and expectations is included in the complete prospectus you can download at www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches.

Position Summary

The CFO is responsible for the organization’s financial policies and provides strategic direction for accounting, budgeting, credit, insurance, tax, treasury, and financial planning.

The position reports directly to the CEO, leads the finance function, and serves as a liaison to the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee. The CFO is ultimately responsible for financial leadership of an eight-figure budget and significant growth trajectory aligned with the Zoo’s revised master plan.

Working with executive colleagues, the CFO will connect operating plans, workforce decisions, philanthropy, and capital investment to a sustainable financial strategy. The role requires a leader who can move comfortably between long-term planning and implementation, exercise independent judgment, raise difficult questions, and develop practical solutions with colleagues.

Priorities for the next CFO include:

Strengthen financial resilience

Build a clear view of cash requirements, operating performance, and future commitments. Improve forecasting and scenario planning for seasonal attendance, variable earned revenue, public funding, and unexpected operating costs.
Develop a realistic approach to reserves, liquidity, financing, and investment oversight with the CEO and appropriate board leaders.

Support informed departmental ownership

Lead a collaborative budgeting process with clear assumptions, timely decisions, and useful reporting.
Help colleagues understand the financial implications of their plans and make appropriate tradeoffs. Establish consistent follow-up on results so accountability rests on information that leaders understand and can act on.

Advance financial systems and reporting

Guide the continuing modernization of accounting systems, purchasing workflows, and management reporting.
Assess system implementation and data quality, validate accounting processes and internal controls, and ensure staff use the tools effectively. Develop reliable financial and operating information that connects finance with departments and executive leadership.

Improve operating performance

Partner with operations and other leaders to evaluate pricing, attendance and membership trends, special events, partnerships, vendor agreements, and new business opportunities.
Assess financial contribution, return on investment, and mission value together. Help leadership determine which initiatives can be strengthened, funded differently, or deferred.

Plan responsibly for capital investment

Connect capital priorities with funding availability, reimbursement timing, financing, and the ongoing cost of operating and maintaining new facilities.
Work closely with development and public partners on restrictions, reporting, and stewardship.

Essential Responsibilities

The CFO will lead the following areas of responsibility, working closely with the CEO, executive team, and board to support the Zoo’s mission, financial performance, and future growth.

Financial management and stewardship

Direct all finance and accounting functions and establish financial policies that support organizational strategy and comply with applicable laws, regulations, and contractual requirements.
Generate and examine monthly financial statements, oversee annual accounting projects, and ensure timely, accurate reporting.
Lead external audits and required financial, tax, and charitable reporting, coordinating the implementation of auditor recommendations.
Maintain accurate nonprofit accounting and appropriate treatment of restricted contributions, grants, public funding, pledges, and releases from restrictions.
Monitor the accounting control environment and maintain effective policies, approval processes, and internal controls.
Oversee accurate, timely payroll and related financial processes in collaboration with People and Culture.
Manage financial risk and remain current on relevant regulations.

Planning and financial strategy

Develop a long-term financial sustainability plan aligned with the Zoo’s mission and values.
Direct preparation of annual operating and capital budgets with meaningful participation from department leaders.
Provide forecasting, scenario analysis, and recommendations that support organizational planning and informed decisions.
Establish useful financial and operating metrics, monitor performance, and help leaders address variances.
Evaluate revenue trends, expenses, proposed programs, partnerships, and investment opportunities.
Advise the CEO and board on capital budgeting priorities, financial capacity, reserves, and investment considerations.

Cash management and institutional relationships

Manage cash, treasury, banking relationships, and credit arrangements.
Forecast cash requirements across operations, philanthropy, and capital projects.
Evaluate financing alternatives and monitor repayment obligations, reimbursement schedules, and related costs.
Maintain contract files, secure and maintain appropriate insurance policies, and ensure compliance with financial obligations.
Work effectively with bankers, auditors, vendors, donors, public partners, and other external stakeholders.
Serve as a liaison to the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee, providing clear analysis and timely reporting.

Financial systems and operating information

Oversee effective financial software, reporting processes, and related controls.
Guide system implementation and improvement, including reconciliation, data quality, integration, and staff adoption.
Work with internal colleagues and operating partners to ensure accurate revenue reporting, settlement, and reconciliation.
Develop accessible reporting that helps executive and department leaders understand financial performance and manage their responsibilities.

Executive leadership

Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and a collaborative member of the executive team.
Work with colleagues to make timely, informed decisions and translate organizational priorities into financially sound plans.
Identify opportunities and risks arising from market, industry, technology, economic, political, and social developments.
Communicate financial strategy so employees understand how their work contributes to organizational goals.
Lead through change with clear expectations, effective communication, and support for employees.
Represent the organization when appropriate and develop relationships that advance its mission and institutional priorities.

Team leadership and organizational culture

Build and engage a high-performing finance team.
Mentor and coach direct reports and other leaders, ensuring they have the skills and resources to succeed.
Set clear goals, provide feedback, measure performance, and recognize employee contributions.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will bring the following experience and qualifications, along with the judgment, curiosity, and collaborative approach needed to lead finance in a complex, mission-driven organization.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, or business.
At least 12 years of progressive financial experience, including substantial responsibility for financial strategy, accounting, planning, and organizational performance.
At least ten years of experience managing teams.
Proven experience in a senior executive role, with demonstrated strategic and innovative thinking and the ability to execute and deliver results.
Proven experience managing an eight-figure budget.
Extensive experience with accounting and financial modeling software.
Experience leading financial systems implementation, improving integration and reporting, and supporting staff through change.
Experience using financial analysis to improve revenue, operating performance, vendor arrangements, and investment decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential and/or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.
Substantive nonprofit financial leadership experience, including nonprofit accounting, restricted funds, internal controls, and financial reporting.
Experience with public funding, appropriations, grants, and related reporting.
Experience with zoos, aquariums, museums, botanical gardens, or comparable institutions that combine earned revenue, philanthropy, capital investment, and public partners.

Direct zoo or aquarium experience is valuable but not required. Candidates should demonstrate an informed interest in the institution’s mission and a willingness to learn the operational realities of the Zoo.

Reporting Relationships

The Chief Financial Officer reports directly to the President & CEO and leads a team of five accounting professionals. A full listing of department staff is included in the complete prospectus you can download at www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches.

The CFO serves as a liaison to the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee and works closely with the COO and executive colleagues responsible for animal and plant care, education, conservation, philanthropy and marketing, and People and Culture.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is approximately $205,000 to $215,000. JZBG offers a comprehensive benefits package supporting employees’ health, financial wellbeing, and professional development. The full listing of benefits is included in the complete prospectus you can download at www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches.

Submission Instructions (read carefully)

Cooper Coleman is leading this search on behalf of the Jacksonville Zoo. To apply, please visit www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches. All expressions of interest should be made only through the online application.

A cover letter is not required with your initial application. Candidates invited for interviews will be asked to provide a thoughtful letter of interest indicating their specific qualifications for the opportunity, desire to join JZBG, and connection to its mission.

Cooper Coleman LLC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or identity, age, ability, veteran status, or any legally protected basis.

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