Chief Financial Officer

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 85,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website.   

The Trustees is one of the largest non-profit institutions in the state of Massachusetts, welcoming more than 2 million visitors annually. The first private non-profit conservation organization of its kind in the country, the Trustees is recognized today as an innovator in protecting the distinct character of regional communities and inspiring a commitment to special places of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value.  

Salary: $269,500-$346,500

Please note that new employees are placed in the range between $269,500 and $308,000 to allow for an equitable starting salary process and continual salary growth during an employee’s time at the Trustees.  

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Job Type: Hybrid

Location: Boston, MA

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

We have entered a transformational chapter in our history through the implementation of For Everyone, Forever, our bold strategic plan to save, steward, and share Massachusetts’ special places for generations to come.  As a key member of the Trustees’ Executive Team and thought partner to the CEO, the CFO will be highly influential in helping to shape the future direction and impact of the organization. As CFO, you will have a passion for the Trustees’ mission and will embody the Trustees’ values of collegiality, integrity, resourcefulness, and results. The ability to forge collaborative relationships with the operational and programmatic sides of the organization and contribute to an open, team-oriented environment is also essential to this role. 

The Role:   

You will be a thought partner and strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, helping to shape the organization’s vision and dramatically elevating its financial acumen and decision-making capabilities through this pivotal phase of growth and evolution. You will lead the financial management strategy underpinning the Trustees' diverse state-wide network of protected lands, historic homes, museums, and special places. You will oversee the full financial team for the organization, including the teams responsible for accounting, financial planning & analysis, and financial data services. You will bring creative and entrepreneurial thinking, develop innovative financial insights and solutions to achieve goals, including strategies to forecast and optimize property income, earned revenue, contributed revenue, acquisition of more lands and landmarks, and strategic partnerships and affiliations. 

Specifically, you’ll be responsible for:   

With support from a Finance team of twelve, the CFO will:  

• Set the financial strategy for the organization  

• Drive a robust planning and analysis function and provide real-time insights to the Executive Team and Board, including oversight of two committees.  

• Lead the preparation of the annual operating budget, long-range financial plans, and manage systems and procedures to track and report expenses.  

• Manage mergers, affiliations and contracts analysis of other non-profit organizations and land acquisitions.  

• Oversee the organization’s endowment, cash forecasting, accounting systems, and auditing.  

• Monitor and report on the Trustees’ assets and liabilities in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and all regulatory requirements.  

• Ensure that proper systems, processes, controls, and teams are in place to support a dynamic and growing organization.  

• In collaboration with Development, establish and monitor fundraising benchmarks and long-term financial goals. 

• Serve as an ambassador for The Trustees, representing the organization externally with donors, partners, and stakeholders across Massachusetts and beyond as needed. 

• Travel as needed to support The Trustees’ priorities and special events, sometimes requiring evening and weekend work. 

Leading Teams  

• Bring proven leadership skills and be comfortable with a high level of visibility, responsibility, and accountability.  

• Delegate among teams across diverse functions and geographies.  

• Hirie high performing teams, and motivate teams for results.  

Building Relationships and Communications  

• Effectively lead and collaborate with an integrated, interdisciplinary team of professionals in a goal-oriented environment, as well as serve as a key business and thought partner to the CEO. 

• Present to the Board of Directors on a regular basis; comfortable answering probing questions and making researched and thoughtful suggestions. 

• Strong listening, written and oral communication skills. Clear thinking; articulate; able to lead informal and formal presentations targeted at different audiences. 

• Collaborative; able to lead by example rather than hierarchy. 

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the CEO.

What You’ll Need:

The CFO will be a transformation agent who thrives on leading change and impact through financial management. You will have the ability to develop, articulate, and implement a strategic vision in a continuously evolving environment. You will have attention to detail to oversee important compliance and accounting functions, and attention to risk management. As CFO, you will be a collaborative leader showing passion and commitment for conservation, cultural preservation, and public engagement. 

Skills and Experience: 

• 15+ years as a proven senior-level financial executive with a track record of driving growth-oriented financial strategy and building operational strength. 
• Diverse and broad financial experience, ideally across multiple industries with significant experience in nonprofit, public, and/or NGO sectors are preferred. 
• Track record as a strategic partner to leadership in managing growth. Experience with mergers and acquisitions are preferred. 
• Excellent analytical, conceptual, interpersonal, strategic modeling, budgeting, and project management skills.  
• Successful background of developing and leveraging current and developing systems and technology to enhance financial analysis (e.g., advanced reporting, predictive modeling, AI, etc.) 
• Sophisticated understanding of non-profit accounting and compliance functions 
• Experience and ability to communicate and present high-level strategic vision as well as the details associated with variances against budgets/forecasts to the Executive Team and to the Board of Directors.  
• Experience in a geographically dispersed and matrixed organization.  
• Must be able to set a clear and compelling vision for the financial and business functions and how they can best service the overall goals of the organization while motivating staff and meeting the changing and evolving needs of the organization.  
• Must have the highest integrity and sound judgment.  
• Certification or advanced degree preferred (CPA , MBA, etc.) 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at [email protected]

Your Benefits: 

• Sick time: 15 days per year 

• Vacation time: 20 days per year (prorated) 

• 12 observed holidays, 3 floating 

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property 

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.    

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity. 

 It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected].