Position Specification

Chief Financial Officer

Position Specification – Chief Financial Officer Page 2

Organization

Santa Catalina Island is one of eight islands off the coast of southern California. Located 22 miles from Long Beach and a highly visible part of ocean views between Los Angeles and Orange County, Catalina Island has long been an enticing destination to both mainland visitors and residents—especially boaters, since line-of-sight navigation is possible and the relative proximity makes for a pleasant excursion by sail or power. As the third largest landmass in the Channel Islands group, Catalina supports a complex Mediterranean ecosystem that is home to more than 60 plant, animal, and insect species that are found nowhere else in the world. The one-hour shuttle distance and careful husbanding of resources and character have combined to produce an unspoiled destination a world apart from the commercialism and pace of everyday life across the channel. The beauty of Catalina can be enjoyed individually by foot, bike, or kayak and in groups by bus or boat. Cars are comparatively rare and their availability is restricted. Every year, more than a million people visit the island, including more than 60,000 youth campers, and approximately 4,000 are resident year-round, most living in the town of Avalon or the village of Two Harbors. Avalon, the island's primary settlement, features a full range of land and water tours, charming shops, quaint lodging, and a variety of historical and botanical landmarks related to the island's Wrigley and Hollywood heritage.

The Catalina Island Conservancy (the Conservancy), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was formed in 1972 to protect and restore the natural and cultural resources of Santa Catalina Island and to make them available for public recreation, education, and enjoyment. As such, the Conservancy is one of the oldest private land trusts in the region. The Conservancy protects 88% of the island, including more than 42,000 acres and 62 miles of beaches and coves that represent the longest publicly accessible stretch of undeveloped coastline in southern California. The Conservancy's mission is to be a responsible steward of its lands through a balance of conservation, education, and recreation. The organization takes this balance as both an obligation and an opportunity—its science, restoration, education, and outreach activities can and do serve as a model for the conservation of protected lands worldwide. Following an ambitious Master Plan in 2011, the Conservancy is currently conducting targeted, updated strategic planning to guide their efforts into the next decade; their Conservation Strategic Plan was approved in April 2021, planning for education efforts will be ratified in the fall, and the Recreation Strategic Plan will likely be finalized in spring of 2022.

Conservation The Conservancy is a leader in conservation programs that protect and restore endangered species and threatened habitats. While many conservation organizations may exclude people from wild lands as a protection strategy, the Catalina Island Conservancy actively encourages the public to explore, hike, bike, and camp in the island’s beautiful interior. By promoting public access to the wonders of wild Catalina, the Conservancy generates greater understanding, appreciation, and support for its conservation mission. In 2019, more than 225,000 people visited the Conservancy’s public facilities.

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Just a few examples of Catalina Island Conservancy conservation projects include the recovery of the Catalina Island fox; invasive plant removal, whereby volunteers spent more than 5,600 hours in the field in just one year; fire recovery; and support of the island’s magnificent bald eagles. As a “living laboratory,” Catalina Island and the restoration work of the Conservancy represent one of the largest, most diverse landscape-level scientific experiments being conducted in community-based conservation in the nation.

Education The Catalina Island Conservancy’s Education Department serves Catalina’s visitors, businesses, families, students, and the community at large. Its aim is to enrich the Catalina experience for all who visit or live there by teaching about the uniqueness of the island's ecosystem. It conducts educational outreach through two nature centers, a visitor center, its Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden, and guided experiences in the island’s rugged interior. In 2019, nearly 150,000 people visited the Trailhead Visitor Center, more than 49,000 guests enjoyed the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden, in excess of 28,000 visited the Nature Center at Avalon Canyon, Eco Tours were given to over 9,000 people, and 790 citizen scientists were trained as naturalists.

The Conservancy delivers nature-based engagement and experiential learning through formal, classroom lessons and non-formal outdoor experiences, endeavoring to prepare students of all ages to be future stewards of the island and the world. In 2019 alone, the education team interacted with more than 9,500 visitors and locals—and spent nearly 7,500 hours teaching through the NatureWorks program. Reaching all Avalon school children, the Conservancy creates opportunities for them to engage with the natural wonders of Catalina, providing accurate information and captivating nature-based experiences through NatureWorks programming, which includes after-school programs, enrichment programs, and classroom and field-based learning (also offered to mainland students in the ABC Unified School District). Adults are taught to become informed guardians and interpreters through the Naturalist Training Program and Summer Naturalist Program, and children aged eight to fifteen can participate in the gratis Jr. Naturalist Course. The island’s natural history is further explained on the last Friday of every month in the free Last Friday Lecture Series. The Island Ecology Travel Program even makes expeditions that allow participants to learn from other islands. For those unable to visit Catalina, Learning at Home programs and Science Stories make the wonder of the island available to people in any location.

The Education Department also serves as a conduit between the Conservancy’s other departments and the public. Key Conservancy concepts are embedded into all education programs, with the overarching goals of providing memorable island experiences, enhancing ecoliteracy and providing meaningful connections to its audience and the Conservancy at a social scale.

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Recreation The Catalina Island Conservancy is unique among land trusts in the scope and diversity of its operations, ranging from highly regarded conservation and education programs to operating an airport, an extensive road and trail system, numerous public and staff buildings, a botanic garden, and diverse recreational events and programs. Catalina is a paradise for those who love the outdoors and offers incredible boating; biking; camping that ranges from campsites, boat- in campsites, and the independently operated island camps; hiking, including the 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail and guided hikes in the summer; responsibly managed hunting and fishing; and naturalist-led Eco Tours that make the island’s landscape and historic sites accessible. In addition to visiting the Botanic Garden, plant lovers will relish the diversity of wildflowers on the island and can even bring some of Catalina home with them through the Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. During normal operations, those interested in using their time off to make a difference can participate in the Conservancy’s Volunteer Vacations program and the fast-footed can participate in races. The Conservancy owns and operates Catalina's Airport in the Sky, where you can visit the Nature Center at the Airport in the Sky; maintains the island's interior roads and trail system; runs the Wildlands Express Service; and provides a Ranger service to assist visitors and assure the security of Conservancy property.

Conservancy Partners Key Conservancy partners on the island include the Santa Catalina Island Company (SCICO) and the University of Southern California’s (USC) Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. SCICO manages the commercially developable portion of the island to ensure that it retains its distinctive character while accommodating resident and visitor needs, all in close cooperation with the efforts and direction of the Conservancy. The University of Southern California, a key stakeholder in the Santa Catalina Island Company, operates the Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies at the island's isthmus and is the primary educational institution associated with Catalina. Ties to Los Angeles County's Department of Parks and Recreation through an open space easement agreement over the Conservancy’s property involve consultation and collaboration on programs that affect public interaction with the lands under management.

For more information about the Catalina Island Conservancy, please visit: www.catalinaconservancy.org or read more in their most recent annual report.

Location

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be based primarily in the Conservancy’s Long Beach, California, offices. Regular travel to Catalina Island will be required, with occasional overnight stays.

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Position Concept and Key Relationships

The Catalina Island Conservancy seeks a results-oriented Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to ensure the highest standards of fiscal management are met throughout its finance and accounting operations. The CFO will work with the President and Chief Executive Officer (President/CEO), Board of Directors, and Executive Management Team to grow and stabilize the revenue stream to the Conservancy in order to ensure its financial sustainability and to exercise the fiduciary responsibility of the leadership team. They will be directly involved in all philanthropic endeavors of the Conservancy, working with the President/CEO, Board of Directors, and Chief Development Officer on financial case development, presentations to foundation boards and high net worth donors, and the development of potential business partners.

The CFO will be responsible for planning, directing, monitoring, and coordinating the financial, accounting, budget, audit and information technology activities of the Conservancy in accordance with sound business practices, generally accepted accounting principles, federal/state/county regulations, and Conservancy policies and guidelines. They will ensure that the Conservancy’s resources and assets are maximized, as well as ensure effective and timely communication and IT resiliency throughout the organization.

The CFO, an exempt position, will report directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer. They will serve as a member of the Executive Management Team and will work as a peer to the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Development Officer, the Senior Director of Conservation, the Senior Director of Education, the Senior Director of Human Resources, and the Senior Executive Coordinator. In turn, this executive will manage a department of four to include a Controller/Assistant Treasurer, a Senior Accountant/Payroll, an Accounts Payable Assistant, an Accounts Receivable Assistant, as well as an Information Technology Contractor. This professional will be a key leader, contributing to the work of the Conservancy’s 85 staff members.

Organizational Financials

Operational excellence and financial stability have long been achieved priorities for the Conservancy, which ensures it fulfills its mission today and into tomorrow. The Conservancy has an annual operating budget of approximately $12 million. Almost half of operating expenses (48%) directly support programs, while 31% maintain infrastructure to ensure future mission activities; 13% is devoted to administrative expenses and 8% is goes toward development.

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Revenue sources include traditional philanthropic revenue, dividends and interest from investment market activities, as well as those generated by a variety of mission-related activities such as land-lease revenues from tenants that provide educational experiences and increase accessibility through camps; recreational activities such as eco tours, camping fees, and admissions fees; and airport access and transportation fees. These funds, combined with the annual endowment payouts, support the Conservancy’s work.

The Conservancy weathered the COVID-19 storm well. In 2020, total revenues were $19.4 million, including investment revenue of $8 million and operating revenue of $11.4 million. This includes $3.8 million in private philanthropy. Expenses totaled $11.5 million, which included program costs ($8.7 million), administrative costs ($1.8 million), and development expenses ($1 million). For 2021, budgeted total operating revenue is $10.4 million and total operating expenses are $10.1 million. Both reflect lower than unusual activity due to anticipated ongoing impact related to the pandemic. As of May 2021, revenue has outpaced projections by more than $1.3 million as a result of increased recreation activity income.

The endowment constitutes donor-restricted endowment funds and board-designated funds of $68 million, subject to annual spending rates of between 3% and 4%. With total assets at $110 million, it is one of the largest land trusts in California actively engaged in long-term stewardship. Further information may be found in the Conservancy’s most recent audited financial statements.

Specific Duties

Under the direction of the CEO and working closely with Executive Management Team colleagues, the CFO is responsible for the financial and information technology aspects for the Conservancy, as follows:

1. Direct oversight and management of the Conservancy’s fiscal operations (inclusive of budget planning, monitoring, analysis, reporting, forecasting, and investment planning) to advance the mission of the Conservancy and ensure ongoing operational health.

2. Support the accounting staff, develop financial reporting, and analyze cashflow. Oversee the payroll process.

3. Working with Board leadership, guide the stable growth of the endowments and bank accounts.

4. Develop and oversee effective administrative support, processes, and services in the areas of Financial Planning and Analysis; Accounting, Reporting, Investment Management, and Information Systems to maximize productivity and inter-staff effectiveness. Direct and coordinate the work of staff and contractors involved in various finance and business development functions.

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5. Work with the President/CEO and other organizational leaders to ensure that the Conservancy runs in a cost-effective manner. Develop and oversee financial policy to balance fiduciary and productivity needs.

6. Work with Conservancy leadership to ensure that all IT systems meet the present and future needs of the organization. This will include a review of the current infrastructure by an outside expert, an assessment of vendor software, and the possible implementation of new enterprise-wide technology infrastructure. The CFO will also lead change management efforts around this necessary work that will boost team efficiency.

7. Develop and maintain management reports to communicate the status of the organization’s financial position. This includes cash flow, receivables, projected surplus/deficit, fundraising efforts, strategic initiatives, and all other reports deemed necessary to manage the organization from a financial perspective. These reports should be considered management tools and the CFO will provide leadership in their use and application.

8. Serve as a liaison with the Conservancy’s external auditors, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), to ensure compliance, internal control, and the development of timely and accurate financial reports. Coordinate follow-up on recommendations of external auditors, as appropriate.

9. Staff/attend Board of Directors meetings and committees (e.g., Finance, Investment, Audit, Business and Facilities Development, and Governance and Legal) as assigned and provide information, data, and reports in preparation for the same.

10. Working closely with the President/CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Management Team, identify Conservancy revenue generating strategies, activities, and partnerships by conducting research and analysis, and delivering recommendations. Provide strategic direction and objectives in line with the Conservancy’s mission.

11. Screen potential business/partnership deals by analyzing transaction requirements, potential, and financials, as well as evaluating options, resolving internal priorities, and assessing legal implications. As needed, develop negotiating strategies and positions by studying the integration of new ventures with existing Conservancy strategies and operations, examining risks and potentials and estimating partners' needs and goals.

12. Attend all Executive Management Team meetings and support the Conservancy’s mission, vision, and all existing policies; participate in the development of short- and long-term goals for the organization. Keep the CEO informed and involved in all financial and legal issues.

13. Keep the President/CEO informed of all necessary and sensitive issues and advise the CEO on how to respond to these issues, both internal and external, within the Conservancy’s operations. Review business operations and associated staffing costs to make competent business decisions.

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14. Maintain confidentiality in matters of Conservancy operations, personnel, clients, Board of Directors, and other matters handled by the CFO and Executive Management Team.

15. Complete special projects and assignments as directed by the President/CEO that are deemed necessary to support the Conservancy’s mission.

Candidate Qualifications

As the fiscal manager of the Conservancy and an organizational leader, the CFO must possess and project the utmost integrity and highest standards of professional conduct, and must be an individual distinguished by accomplishment and experience to exercise the leadership of a qualified, collegial, and motivated professional community. Expected qualifications include:

• The successful candidate will have at least five years of experience in relevant strategic positions of increasing responsibility, having led finance, accounting, and reporting functions. The Conservancy encourages consideration of executives who are passionate about the organization’s mission.

• Nonprofit experience is highly desirable, as is experience as a lead finance executive.

• Ability to act as a strategic partner and advisor to the President/CEO and Board of Directors, working in concert with an already strong and dedicated Executive Management Team to develop both short- and long-term goals and revenue generating initiatives for the organization.

• Outstanding and proven leadership ability combined with a depth of intellect and an appreciation of human dynamics. A pragmatic facilitator who clears paths to solutions and establishes the highest standards of excellence while balancing the day-to-day needs of the organization. Ability to exercise tact in dealing with sensitive, nuanced, and confidential issues and situations.

• Professional expertise in the areas of finance, accounting and controls, bank relations/bank debt negotiations, financial reporting, and other related functions.

• The CFO will be most successful if an inherent connection to the mission of the organization is present. Accordingly, the successful candidate will be aware of, appreciative of, and passionate toward the conservation, education, and recreation central to the Conservancy’s mission.

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• A compassionate leader who is visible and accessible, possessing superb management skills. This person will function as a catalyst, coach, and doer, using strong people skills to guide and train staff at all levels of the organization.

• While the Conservancy is not seeking a “technologist,” they do want a leader who is sufficiently competent with technology and its attendant issues to ask the right questions, give appropriate guidance, and ensure that decisions positively benefit the organization’s long-term technological operations. This individual will play a range of roles from adviser to strategist.

• A successful team player capable of developing and sustaining close, effective, and collaborative working relationships with other senior staff on matters of interdisciplinary and organizational concern.

• Exhibits the temperament and charisma required to guide the work of others and embraces a ‘boots on the ground’ management approach.

• Encompasses an entrepreneurial spirit and self-confident style, balanced with humility, leaving ego at the door.

• Highly energetic, forward thinking, and hands-on with a strong work ethic, as well as an enthusiastic and passionate approach to work.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communications skills to articulate and explain complex financial issues to senior staff, volunteer leaders, donors, foundations, business partners, and other stakeholders in a clear, non-technical manner.

• An adaptable executive, with the ability to control and move forward on several projects simultaneously without losing focus. This includes switching priorities as required without losing momentum.

• Aptitude to analyze and research market opportunities and strategies in the context of the Conservancy’s mission and audiences.

• The culture of the Conservancy dictates that the successful candidate will have a long- term approach to their work and be willing to commit to this role for a meaningful period of time.

Education

The successful candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree (especially an MBA) is preferred.

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Compensation

The anticipated annual compensation for this position is between $175,000 and $205,000. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.

Process

The Catalina Island Conservancy has retained Shelli Herman and Associates, Inc., an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to the search firm; all contact will be held in the strictest confidence.

A review of applications will commence immediately. Applications received by August 16, 2021, will be given priority. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their credentials as soon as possible for full consideration. Complete applications should be submitted electronically via email and should include: a cover letter that articulates a commitment to the mission and a current resume reflecting all work experience from college forward.

Contact

Shelli Herman, President Shelli Herman and Associates, Inc. 11693 San Vicente Blvd., Suite #104 Los Angeles, California 90049 Office: (800) 396-0595 ext. 5 E-mail: [email protected]

For more information about our firm, please visit our website at