Chief Financial Officer, Headquarters in Tucson, AZ

Are you a highly experienced strategic thinker with strong leadership skills who enjoys all things finance? Western National Parks (WNP), a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service (NPS), home-based in Tucson, Arizona is seeking a Full-Time, Chief Financial Officer (CFO).  As the Chief Financial Officer, they will oversee the finance and technology teams. This position will play a critical role in shaping the company's financial direction, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and driving business growth through effective fiscal management. 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key collaborator with the CEO and Leadership Team to execute Western National Parks Association’s (WNPA) strategies. This position will be the primary financial, and administration officer, supporting WNPA's mission and as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. The CFO is also one of the key advisors to the CEO, helping WNP’s business objectives, and management team. To be successful in this role, you must have the skills to navigate complex financial landscapes and contribute to the organization's overall success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This role is responsible for completing the following tasks and any related tasks as assigned: 

Financial Management

• Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, payroll processing, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems.
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors, providing analysis and recommendations as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, audits, and other reporting requirements.
• Develop and maintain internal financial and cash management policies and procedures and monitor adherence to those procedures.
• Manage risk for the organization, including insurance coverage. Works closely with insurance vendors to make sound business decisions and minimize risks to the organization.
• Manage relationships and strategies with external partners, including banks, investment firms, auditors, and other financial service providers.
• Develop and implement financial strategies that align with the company's goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team to drive strategic planning and decision-making processes.
• Utilize advanced financial software to streamline processes and improve efficiency in reporting.
• Oversee all financial account reconciliation, bank account management, bank transfers, merchant card processing, corporate card, and stock gift management, including debt and asset management.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of nonprofit accounting principles, including the management of restricted, unrestricted, and temporarily restricted funds, and integrates this expertise with philanthropic stewardship to ensure all resources are tracked, reported, and utilized in alignment with donor intent, grant requirements, and board expectations for transparency and accountability.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel for financial modeling, forecasting, and data analysis, and PowerPoint for developing clear, compelling presentations that communicate financial insights and strategic recommendations to leadership, the board, and external partners.
• Support the President & CEO through the review and approval of all CEO direct reports’ expense reimbursements, oversight of contract review processes, and execution of signatory responsibilities in alignment with organizational policies and internal controls.

 Budgeting and Forecasting

• Develop and oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with department managers and other stakeholders to develop realistic and achievable budgets.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and provide regular updates and analysis to the CEO/President, Executive Leadership Team, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.
• Develop and maintain financial forecasting models that support long-term financial planning and decision-making.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO/President and Executive Leadership Team to develop and implement strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision.
• Lead the Finance Committee, collaborating with other committee members to provide strategic financial guidance and support to the organization.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Serves as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and CMO in advancing e-commerce and digital growth initiatives; uses financial modeling and analytics to assess ROI and ROA of advertising, digital, and promotional campaigns and to inform resource allocation decisions.

Board Relations and Reporting

• Report on the organization's financial performance to the Board of Directors, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities.
• Serve’s as the staff liaison for the Finance and Audit Committees.
• Collaborate with the CEO/President and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial policies and procedures that align with the organization’s values and strategic goals.
• Representing the organization at internal and external events and meetings, providing financial guidance and support as needed.

Tax Filing and Compliance

• Oversee all tax filings and compliance requirements, ensuring that the organization remains fully compliant with all relevant federal, state, SAMS, and local laws and regulations.
• Manage relationships with external auditors and other financial service providers to ensure timely and accurate reporting in accordance with all regulatory standards.
• Understand the complexities and public transparency of Form 990 reporting and collaborate with the Marketing team to develop an annual report that highlights Western National Parks’ financial stewardship and organizational impact in alignment with mission outcomes.

National Park Service

• Leads financial oversight within the unique framework of Western National Parks’ cooperative partnership with the National Park Service.
• Understands and applies the operational and funding structures outlined in NPS Directors Orders 21 and 32, ensuring compliance in direct aid disbursements, park funding, and philanthropic support.
• Ensures that all financial and philanthropic resources are managed transparently and in alignment with federal standards, NPS priorities, and WNP’s charitable mission.
• Partners with NPS and internal teams to translate cooperative agreement requirements into sound fiscal practices that strengthen park relationships and advance shared stewardship goals.

Technology

• Leverages technology to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and eliminate redundancies, while ensuring data integrity and seamless integration across finance, philanthropy, retail, and administrative functions to support informed decision-making and organizational agility.
• Provides strategic oversight of the organization's technology infrastructure, ensuring that financial and operational systems effectively support business objectives and leadership decision-making.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and governance of IT functions, ensuring that technology systems, data management, and digital solutions meet evolving business needs and customer expectations.
• Champions cybersecurity and risk management strategies, ensuring the implementation of measures to monitor, protect, and mitigate threats while maintaining compliance with industry standards and best practices.

 SUPPORTIVE FUNCTIONS

• Oversees capital (fixed) asset and inventory management.
• Review and approve all contractual and legal obligations. 
• Supervises the finance and technology teams to ensure they maintain an elevated level of performance while collaborating and communicating with other teams in the headquarters and the field that reflects WNP’s culture of service, integrity, teamwork, and transparency.
• Participates and supports WNP Special events in the home office and field sites.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

For a specific list of physical demands, please contact Human Resources at Recruiting@wnp.org to request.

TRAVEL

This is a full-time, exempt position (minimum of 40 hours per week) in office/hybrid based in Tucson metro area.  The role requires frequent travel for board meetings, industry conferences, and park site visits. Occasional to frequent travel may also be necessary for local events, partner meetings, and speaking engagements, including occasional overnight trips. Evening and weekend work may be required to support organizational needs and represent WNP at events and activities outside regular business hours; while not encouraged, it does occasionally occur as part of the role.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

This leadership role requires demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas, along with the judgment, collaboration, and strategic mindset needed to guide people and purpose in support of WNP’s mission: