PHILADELPHIA ZOO

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

https://philadelphiazoo.org/

The Organization:

Philadelphia Zoo is not just a destination, but also a gateway to opening hearts and minds to be caretakers of a world where people and wildlife thrive together. Philadelphia Zoo is a catalyst — a connector, convener, educator and conservator for the residents in our immediate neighborhood, for thousands of schoolchildren, and millions of families, many whom may be experiencing live animals for the first time.

Philadelphia Zoo is one of the foremost conservation organizations, and home to nearly 1,300 rare and endangered animals. Throughout its history, Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first Zoo, has provided exceptional care for animals while educating and inspiring guests and participating in worldwide conservation efforts. Known for continued innovation, commitment to wildlife and achieving longevity records, Philadelphia Zoo is a zoo of firsts. Ranging for having the first orangutan and chimpanzee born in the U.S. in the late 1920’s to the first giant river otter born in the U.S. in 2004 to the creation of Zoo360, a first-in-the-world animal travel and exploration system developed in 2011, Philadelphia Zoo continues to set standards across the industry.

Today, the Zoo continues to reach new heights in all areas of its mission. Offering state-of-the-art animal exhibits and health-care facilities, award-winning education and conservation programs, exceptional guest services and scientific accomplishments make this historically significant venue one of the most renowned zoos in the world.

Philadelphia Zoo works in cooperation with other accredited zoos in North America and worldwide via the Species Survival Plan® (SSP), an effort used to manage and breed endangered and other animal species that ensure healthy, self-sustaining genetically diverse animal populations. These breeding programs serve as safety nets for species that are threatened with extinction in the wild.

A nonprofit organization, the Zoo is dedicated to its mission of connecting people with animals to inspire action for wildlife and habitats. The Zoo welcomes over 1million people every year, sharing experiences that change the way audiences see their relationship with the planet, the way they see their relationship with nature, the way they see their relationship with each other.

Through education programs that serve the Zoo’s neighboring schools, to programs with national reach, Philadelphia Zoo provides important educational resources to over 560,000 students and teachers each year. With the Zoo's broad reach and diverse constituency, the Zoo's visitors and stakeholders mirror the diversity of both the immediate community and the Philadelphia region.

27 Union Square West, Suite 502 New York, NY 10003 ▪ tel 212 265 2100 fax 212 685 3010 ▪ www.bridgepartnersllc.com

Bridge Partners LLC is a Certified Minority Supplier and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

The Role:

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Supervises staff within Finance (5) and Information Technology (3)

Position Summary:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be a key member of the executive leadership team and, reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer, will provide strong strategic and tactical financial leadership. The CFO will be responsible for strategic financial management, as well as all financial and accounting activities for a complex organizational structure, which includes a large entertainment venue, a broad educational program, and a diverse and sweeping conservation program, more than 150 full time employees, plus several hundred seasonal staff and volunteers who serve over 1 million annual visitors on a 42 acre botanical garden campus, home to hundreds of different species.

This individual will foster a key internal relationship with the President & CEO, the latter’s direct reports, and Board of Trustee members as well as other key members of the management team across the organization. Successful candidates for this role will have a demonstrated history of superb operating and financial management and a results-proven track record of providing leadership, vision and strategic planning, while meeting current goals and a bottom-line orientation.

Successful candidates will have a track record and evidence of having consistently made good business decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment. This role requires a singularly high level of business acumen including successful P&L management and the ability to balance the delivery of programs against the realities of a budget. Importantly, this role requires an individual possessing a problem- solving nature buttressed by creative resourcefulness.

Key Responsibilities:

As a strategic business partner of the President & CEO, the CFO will provide the discipline, direction and coordination to ensure adequate financial measurement, reporting and control standards, insights concerning strategic financial planning and analysis, and further development, coaching and mentoring of the finance team. The CFO will also manage Information Technology and will be responsible for promoting organization wide appreciation and acceptance of sound financial practices, budgeting and control required of a premier regional non-profit institution. In short, the CFO will provide direction and coordination for all major aspects of financial systems, processes and staff in support of the achievement of organizational mission, growth and development of the Zoo. More specifically, the CFO will be:

27 Union Square West, Suite 502 New York, NY 10003 ▪ tel 212 265 2100 fax 212 685 3010 ▪ www.bridgepartnersllc.com

Bridge Partners LLC is a Certified Minority Supplier and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

▪ Responsible for the entire range of financial activities for the Zoo including: control and general accounting, financial reporting, tax, enterprise risk management, financial planning and budgeting, financial analysis treasury management and year-end audit coordination, as well as capital structure and capital expenditure planning. ▪ Responsible for supporting the CEO and trustees on the financial implications of strategic activities and providing recommendations to strategically enhance both the financial performance and strength of the organization. ▪ Responsible for collaboratively working with the CEO and other key stakeholders to identify, assess and develop accredited, financially viable, mission driven programs, and ventures beyond the scope of current day-to-day activities. They will be a spearhead in the development, communication, and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes. ▪ A leader of the operational performance management process that measures and evaluates progress against goals for the organization. ▪ A resource for all staff, a strong day-to-day administrative presence; able to bridge the multiple departments comprising internal operations, and foster a collaborative, open- door policy among all staff. ▪ A liaison between the Zoo and local business community while maintaining strong relationships with corporate sponsors, vendors, donors, auditors, as well as trustees. ▪ Responsible for negotiating contracts, maintaining critical relationships with banking institutions and directly supporting the work of the Development Department by facilitating conversations that will contribute to the Zoo’s fundraising efforts. ▪ Specifically, responsible for the development and implementation of a financial planning process across operations and capital budgets, in close collaboration with the CEO and the Board of Trustees. ▪ Oversight of all cash management while ensuring all financial records and entries are accurate and timely ensuring appropriate general ledger classification, expense treatment, and inclusion of project codes and event numbers. ▪ A leader of an environment where continuous improvement of business and financial reporting processes, risk management, and achieving results are core values of the Zoo’s culture. ▪ Ultimately responsible for overseeing and reviewing day-to-day accounting and annual audits of all related financial entities of the Zoo, from individual to aggregate operations, to treasury and risk management, to pension and endowment management, serving as senior staff to Board committees similarly charged with such fiduciary responsibility, including the Finance Committee, the Investment Committee and the Audit, Safety and Compliance Committee of the Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

Financial and Technical ▪ The successful candidate will likely possess an undergraduate degree in finance and/or accounting, a CPA and/or an advanced degree such as an MBA or equivalent. ▪ Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial leadership/management experience preferably in a complex operational environment; likely including some experience in a non-profit or mission-oriented institution. ▪ In depth knowledge and understanding of financial reporting, risk management, internal control procedures, cash management, budgeting, forecasting, revenue enhancement strategies, and solid understanding of GAAP.

27 Union Square West, Suite 502 New York, NY 10003 ▪ tel 212 265 2100 fax 212 685 3010 ▪ www.bridgepartnersllc.com

Bridge Partners LLC is a Certified Minority Supplier and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

▪ Technologically savvy with an understanding of how to leverage and utilize technology to strategic, as well as cost advantage.

Leadership and Management ▪ A team player with a collaborative leadership style who is able to effectively work with multiple constituencies; demonstrated success managing collaborative and cross functional teams with proven experience in dealing with and presenting to Boards of Trustees and Directors; as well as an open, supportive and partnership orientation to peers and subordinates. ▪ Strong communication skills, including pubic speaking, writing facility, and the ability to communicate clearly, diplomatically, and effectively; a “truth teller” in all environments. ▪ Action oriented, hard working with an ability to make decisions and lead in a changing environment; self-starting and self-motivating, with the ability to show results; outcomes focused, dedicated to meeting and exceeding expectations and requirements. ▪ Manage and develop a highly efficient accounting and finance team; provide growth and learning opportunities for members of the team while ensuring efficient and sound departmental practices.

Personal Characteristics ▪ Someone who will fully embrace the multi-aspect mission of the Zoo, and champion its place in the community. ▪ Entrepreneurial, positive problem-solver with the ability to see opportunity in challenges and a willingness to take risk while always protecting the mission, assets, and reputation of the Zoo. ▪ A highly personable individual who can and will reach across boundaries, prevent or break down silos of activity and personality, and be an effective teammate, coach and mentor to all divisions and departments as they interact.

Education:

▪ An undergraduate degree in finance and/or accounting, a CPA and/or an advanced degree such as an MBA or equivalent

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To learn more about this opportunity, please contact:

Toya Lawson Larry Griffin Partner, Bridge Partners Partner, Bridge Partners [email protected] [email protected]

27 Union Square West, Suite 502 New York, NY 10003 ▪ tel 212 265 2100 fax 212 685 3010 ▪ www.bridgepartnersllc.com

Bridge Partners LLC is a Certified Minority Supplier and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)