Summary
The Vice President of Finance is a new position being added to the Spy Museum team. The position leads the Museum's financial strategy, planning, reporting, controls, and finance operations. Reporting to the President & COO, this role provides strategic and hands-on leadership for a complex nonprofit with multiple revenue streams, significant transaction volume, and long-term financial planning needs.
The VP oversees the finance and accounting team, strengthens systems and processes, supports board-level decision-making, and uses technology, data, and automation to improve efficiency and insight.
Success Traits
- Strategic Financial Thinker- anticipates future financial opportunities and risks, translates complex data into actionable insights, and develops long-term strategies that support organizational sustainability and growth.
- Trusted Advisor - builds credibility with executives, board members, auditors, and external partners by providing sound judgment, clear recommendations, and transparent financial guidance that enables confident decision-making.
- Operational Excellence Driver - continuously improves processes, systems, and workflows by leveraging technology, automation, and data to increase efficiency, strengthen reporting, and enhance organizational performance.
- Accountable Steward- protects the organization's financial resources through strong controls, compliance, risk management, and disciplined oversight while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
Responsibilities
Strategic Finance Leadership
- Lead financial strategy, forecasting, and long-range planning.
- Develop scenario models, decision-support tools, and clear recommendations for leadership.
- Advise on investments, growth opportunities, financial risks, and institutional sustainability.
Financial Planning, Analysis, and Reporting
- Own forecasting, analysis, dashboards, cash flow planning, and management reporting.
- Improve the clarity, timeliness, and usefulness of monthly financial reporting.
- Communicate trends, risks, and opportunities clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.
Capital Planning and Treasury
- Lead planning for capital needs, reserves, major projects, and long-term financial capacity.
- Oversee treasury planning, banking relationships, cash management, and investment support.
- Recommend capital priorities, reserve use, and funding strategies.
Accounting, Compliance, and Internal Controls
- Oversee accounting operations in partnership with the Controller.
- Ensure strong controls, policies, segregation of duties, fraud prevention, and compliance.
- Oversee audit, Form 990, GAAP compliance, and external advisor relationships.
Board and Committee Support
- Serve as primary staff partner to the Board Treasurer and Finance & Audit Committee.
- Prepare and present clear materials on results, forecasts, risks, and recommendations.
- Help the committee focus on strategy, planning, risk oversight, audit, and compliance.
Team Leadership and Process Improvement
- Lead, develop, and clarify roles across the finance and accounting team.
- Identify training needs, improve workflows, and reduce manual work.
- Promote accountability, responsiveness, continuous improvement, and smart use of technology, AI, and automation.
Educational and Other Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required; CPA and/or MBA required.
- Significant progressive finance/accounting leadership experience, preferably in a complex nonprofit with multiple revenue streams.
- Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, analysis, cash management, audit, Form 990, GAAP, and nonprofit compliance.
- Experience working with boards, finance committees, auditors, and external advisors.
- Strong leadership, judgment, communication, change-management, systems, and data skills.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in a museum, cultural institution, visitor-serving nonprofit, or similarly complex mission-driven organization.
- Experience with earned revenue models, contributed revenue, retail, hospitality, ticketing environments, or public-facing transactional businesses.
- Familiarity with nonprofit capital planning and board-level financial governance.
Skills Preferred
- Strong people management and ability to develop and lead a team with varying skill levels.
- Effective communication skills with an ability to communicate complex financial information to all stakeholders.
- Financial systems expertise such as Sage Intacct.
- Expert at Microsoft Excel.
- Strong analytical and data management capabilities.
The International Spy Museum offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Annual performance-based bonus opportunity
- Employer-sponsored 401(k) with company match
- 457(b) deferred compensation plan
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and holidays
- Additional wellness and employee benefits
- Free parking or Metro reimbursement
How to Apply:
For consideration, please submit resume along with a cover letter online.