Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer (Savannah)

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer

Position : CFO / COO

Reports to : Executive Director / CEO, David Brenneman

Date Written : 11 / 14 / 2025

Job Classification : Full-time, exempt

The Museum : Telfair Museums is the oldest public art museum in the southern United States. The legacy of one visionary Savannahian, it was founded in 1883 through the bequest of prominent local philanthropist Mary Telfair, who left her home and its furnishings to the Georgia Historical Society to be opened as a museum.

Today, Telfair Museums consists of three unique buildings : the Telfair Academy, and the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, two National Historic Landmark sites built in the early 19th century, and the contemporary Jepson Center and Telfair Children's Art Museum. Each of the museum's three buildings represents an innovative expression of its time and houses a collection corresponding to the era in which it was built. Together, these unique buildings and distinct collections bridge centuries of art and architecture, illustrating the continuum of art and history in Savannah.

Job Summary and Key Objectives :

The CFO / COO is a key member of the Museum's executive management team and is responsible for all strategic financial matters and the oversight of the daily financial and operational business of Telfair Museums, as well as all human resources, buildings, grounds, maintenance, and security functions. The CFO / COO reports to and works closely with the Executive Director / CEO and has primary responsibility for the Museum's financial operations and human resources matters, including development of the annual budget, supervision of finance / accounting staff, establishment of the financial reporting system, and presentations to the Finance Committee, Investment, and Executive Committees and the Board of Directors. The CFO / COO will serve as the compliance officer regarding government or other foundation grants, restricted funds, as well as acting as the chief liaison with the Museum's independent auditors and financial services partners. The CFO / COO, working closely with other senior leadership, develops and implements appropriate policies and internal control procedures to protect the Museum's assets and ensure accountability and solvency. The CFO / COO oversees all employee support functions including payroll, benefits management, and policy and procedure development. The CFO / COO is also responsible for overseeing all functions related to the maintenance, preservation, and security of the three structures and surrounding properties making up Telfair Museums.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks :

Finance

Working with controller and finance department staff :

Oversees cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed

Oversees cash, investment, debt, and asset management

Oversees financing strategies and activities, as well as banking relationships

Monitors the investment portfolio. Provides staff support to the Investment Committee

Planning, Policy and Outside Relations

Coordinates the development and monitoring of budgets

Develops financial business plans and forecasts

Participates in corporate policy development as a member of the Executive team.

Works with the Board of Directors, Executive and Finance Committees and other board committees to develop short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections

Represents the Museum to financial partners, including financial institutions, donors, foundation executives, auditors, public officials, etc.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of nonprofit audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations

Serves as plan administrator for 401(a) and 403(b) retirement plans. Ensures all ERISA guidelines are followed

Coordinates with insurance brokers, legal counsel, and other professional service providers.

Accounting and Administration

Manages the accounting department to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions

Ensures maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures

Ensures timelines, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, and the Museum's Board of Directors; prepares and communicates the monthly and annual financial statements

Coordinates audits and proper filing of tax returns, including preparation of all schedules required by auditors

Ensures legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions, including filing 990s

Human Resources

Oversees bi-weekly payroll and benefit management process

Manages all human resource activity for the Museum, including hiring, evaluation, review, and termination

Represents the Museum in all employee matters, including Unemployment, EEOC, Worker's Compensation, or other legal issues

Along with the outside benefit administrator, develops and maintains employee benefit programs; oversees annual benefits enrollment

Coordinates the annual employee review process

Serves as a contact for employees regarding payroll, PTO, insurance, or other benefit issues

Helps facilitate the recruiting and hiring processes for staff members, part time employees and interns, as needed

Operations, Maintenance and Security

Provides day-to-day leadership of the facilities and operations staff to ensure daily operational success

Works with the Director of Operations, Retail Managers, and Visitor Services Manager to achieve favorable financial results with respect to earned income

Works with Facilities staff on planning, timing, and execution of major facilities and capital projects, including contract review and negotiation

Oversees vendor selection and contracts for external vendors, including but not limited to security, IT, housekeeping, and leased office equipment

Oversees the procurement and maintenance, safety and security of technology tools for Telfair employees. Ensures that appropriate policies are in place for use of technology by employees

Skill Requirements :

10 years of progressive financial leadership including at least 5 years in the senior financial executive role

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or business , and CPA, CFA or other similar professional designation a plus

Strong executive presence and experience interfacing with boards and important external stakeholders

Demonstrated ability to develop and lead cross-functional teams and foster organizational alignment

Extensive experience with financial reporting and forecasting, and skill in preparing, analyzing, and presenting financial data

Experience with computerized accounting systems, with proficiency in MS Excel. Familiarity with Blackbaud Accounting System beneficial.

Physical Requirements :

Sitting, standing occasionally for long periods of time, extensive use of computer and associated keyboarding, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, and walking.

Salary and Benefits

Telfair Museums offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

Please provide the following as part of your application :

Complete resume including references and salary expectations.

A cover letter addressing both your interest in Telfair Museums and your qualifications for this position.

Application

Indicate CFO / COO on the subject line of the email and in the body of the cover letter

Applications in electronic format preferred, and are accepted at sleightm@telfair.org and hr@telfair.org.

Mailed applications : Telfair Museums, Attn : Executive Director / CEO, PO Box 10081, Savannah, GA 31412.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks :

Finance

Working with controller and finance department staff :

Oversees cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed

Oversees cash, investment, debt, and asset management

Oversees financing strategies and activities, as well as banking relationships

Monitors the investment portfolio. Provides staff support to the Investment Committee

Planning, Policy and Outside Relations

Coordinates the development and monitoring of budgets

Develops financial business plans and forecasts

Participates in corporate policy development as a member of the Executive team.

Works with the Board of Directors, Executive and Finance Committees and other board committees to develop short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections

Represents the Museum to financial partners, including financial institutions, donors, foundation executives, auditors, public officials, etc.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of nonprofit audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations

Serves as plan administrator for 401(a) and 403(b) retirement plans. Ensures all ERISA guidelines are followed

Coordinates with insurance brokers, legal counsel, and other professional service providers.

Accounting and Administration

Manages the accounting department to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions

Ensures maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures

Ensures timelines, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, and the Museum's Board of Directors; prepares and communicates the monthly and annual financial statements

Coordinates audits and proper filing of tax returns, including preparation of all schedules required by auditors

Ensures legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functio