Chief Financial Officer

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Organization Background

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and
rehabilitation, research, and education. Since 1975, we have rescued more than 26,000 marine
mammals along 600 miles of California coastline and the Big Island of Hawai’i.

The Center’s $20-$25M annual budget is sourced through a combination of philanthropic support,
contract and grant engagements, and long-term investment revenue. The Center is governed by an
active 18-member Board of Directors, served by a staff of 140, and supported by 1,400+ volunteers.

The Center is able to respond to marine mammals in distress due to our volunteer force and with
the support of concerned public. Sick and injured animals are treated and rehabilitated at our state
of-the-art veterinary facilities where we care for our patients until they are released back to their
ocean home.

Our veterinary experts develop new clinical techniques to improve marine mammal rehabilitation
and care and investigate the reasons why marine mammals strand and how these factors are
connected to the ecosystem and human health. Our scientists also investigate how marine
mammals use and interact with their ocean environment to better understand and protect them
from many threats.

Our innovative school and public programs build a sense of responsibility through a connection to
marine mammals and the marine environment, inspiring future ocean stewards and promoting
action to protect the ocean. Each year, these education programs and hands-on trainings reach
more than 50,000 children and adults, supporting the next generation of informed scientists and
engaged citizens who will care for and ensure the health of our ocean and environment.

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), is a member of
the Executive Team, and works with the Board of Directors and staff to ensure a sustainable,
effective, and mission centered organization by driving the organization’s overall financial
strategy. Primary responsibilities include day-to-day oversight and responsibility for planning,
implementing, and managing all financial-related activities including accounting, payroll,
finance, and forecasting. This position will ensure the department maintains a customer
service and solutions-oriented role within the organization to encourage and develop financial
literacy, and engages outside resources such as attorneys, auditors, tax accountants,
insurance brokers, investment managers, IT outsourcing firms, and other professionals as
needed.

The Marine Mammal Center is embarking on its largest campaign ever. The campaign is comprehensive in nature and has a working goal
of $130M. It is, by design, intended to move the organization into larger-scale impact through sustainable streams of donor funding –
transformational gifts, leadership gifts, family foundations, private foundations, and increased public foundation support. The Chief Financial Officer will partner with our
experienced Chief Advancement Officer to ensure the structure is in place for the organization to increase its net assets, endowment, and annual giving programs.

Responsibilities

Financial Strategic Vision
 Develop and maintain a strong strategic partnership and serve as a financial thought leader for
the Executive Team and Board of Directors.
 Executive lead for the Finance, Audit, Investment, and IT Board committees.
 Utilize top non-profit business practices and funding models to lead efforts that support the
growth of the organization using scalable financial business models.
 Proactively and perpetually identify and manage ways to maximize return on mission and return
on investment to ensure the Center’s financial sustainability.
 Approach emergent financial needs and challenges with a positive, collaborative, and solutions
focused attitude leveraging partnerships with peers.
 Keep abreast of the latest research on financial strategy and implementation to ensure best
practices are in place.
 Support the ongoing growth of the organization through effective change management practice.
 Support and influence progress toward a fair, equitable and belonging vision and plan to ensure
that all financial policies, practices, communications, and actions support the organization in
becoming more inclusive.
 Represents the Center internally and externally at meetings and speaking engagements.

Financial Management
 Develop long-term financial planning in alignment with the Center’s strategic priorities.
 Manage the comprehensive annual budget preparation and quarterly projections to monitor
progress and provide real time data on key performance indicators.
 Provides leadership oversight of Life Support Systems & Facilities budgeting and forecasting,
including capital planning, facilities, fleet, and vessels are amortized.
 Collaborate with People & Culture leadership on personnel budget.
 Provide oversight of Finance, Development, and Program staff grant budgets and reporting.
 Monitor the cash position and receivables to ensure liquidity needs are met.
 Advise, monitor, and report on investments.
 Clearly communicate financial data in a manner that enables informed decisions.
 Ensure the establishment, monitoring, and enforcement of finance policies and procedures and
internal controls.

Operations Management
 Partner with Development leadership to reconcile
fundraising numbers and report on a cohesive,
clear, and accurate basis.
 Oversee purchasing and procurement of
equipment and vehicles to ensure the most
competitive contractual agreements for the
Center.
 Staff and support the Finance, Investment, and IT
Committees and attend other Board Committee
meetings as necessary.
 Build and maintain a strong working relationship
with the Center’s external Information Technology
(IT) vendor, ensuring the vendor meets the needs
of the Center and its contractual agreement.
 Ensure a broadened remit on cyber, systems, and
data security to protect the Center’s digital assets
and information.
 Continually improve efficiencies in accounting,
administrative, and back-office processes,
achieving objectives with new solutions and
software as needed.

Compliance & Risk Management
 Ensure the preparation and approval of annual financial statements in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
 Ensure the timely completion of the external audit and IRS Form 990.
 Staff and support the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
 Regularly advise leadership on areas of liability and risk.
 Ensure that all property and casualty insurance needs are met.

Leadership
 Manage and partner in the development of the department’s budget; direct the forecast of
additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve and direct the
monitoring of expenditures.
 Define and apply metrics and accountability to measure and ensure progress toward strategic
priorities; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of improvements.
 Facilitate communication of relevant information and ideas across the organization, ensuring
integrated and successful operations.
 Ensure cross-organizational collaboration between and among teams to improve fundraising
effectiveness and drive strategic outcomes.
 Foster and maintain a sense of shared financial accountability across the organization.
 Provide leadership support to increase understanding of financial topics and competency among
staff in organizational financial matters.
 Recommend staff growth opportunities for Finance and Life Support Systems & Facilities as
appropriate, and in a manner consistent with institutional policies.
 Create and promote a positive and supportive team environment.
Requirements and Attributes
The Chief Financial Officer is a seasoned and strategic leader who combines financial expertise with
humility, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of complex non-profit organizations to ensure
the financial health and sustainability of a sophisticated conservation organization.
 This position requires a combination of education and experience equivalent to an advanced degree,
ideally in accounting, with at least 10 years of senior/executive management experience in finance.
CPA/CMA preferred.
 Ability to provide strategic leadership in a mission-driven culture founded on honest, and thoughtful
communication, collaboration, integrity, assuming goodwill in others, and continual learning and
improvement.
 Excellent strategic planning skills with the ability to advance the mission of the organization through
the implementation of departmental and inter-departmental initiatives and external partnerships.
 Comprehensive understanding of all aspects of nonprofit finance and accounting, including
budgeting (preparation and administration), interpreting financial information, working with complex,
multi-funder budgets and analysis.
 Broad and deep knowledge and experience with federal, state, and local government grant reporting,
financial accounting, internal management control systems, information systems applications, audit
planning, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), non-profit accounting, and related
FASB/OMB requirements.
 Significant knowledge and experience with integrating IT/Systems to improve accounting productivity
and accuracy.
 Significant knowledge and experience with accounting software skills, including online banking and
accounting management software.
 Experience with financial management software transitions.
 Demonstrated ability to think strategically while executing tactically, strong project management and
execution skills.
 Proven track record of creating, maintaining, and sustaining strong vendor relationships.
 Proven capability to set and meet deadlines, manage, and track work on multiple projects
concurrently, and adjust quickly to changing factors.
 Strong verbal and written communication skills, including effective and inspiring public speaking.
 Strong knowledge of people-management principles and practices, with an ability to inspire staff and
foster a sense of team accountability and high performance.
Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position. The CFO’s anticipated annual salary range is
$200,000 – $220,000, commensurate with knowledge, abilities, and experience.
The Center’s comprehensive benefits package includes:
 Health, dental, and vision coverage
 401k retirement plan access immediately upon hire, employer contribution dependent upon funding
availability
 Generous accrued vacation and sick time off, plus 10 holidays
 Employer paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance coverage
 Optional Supplemental Life and Long-Term Care Insurance coverage
 Access to Employee Assistance Program and Flexible Spending Account
Location
The CFO position is based out of the Center’s headquarters located in Sausalito, California.
Start Date
January 2026
To Apply
Visit this Link and select “Apply”. Please include a resume and a cover letter describing your
qualifications that match the position criteria.
Interested and qualified candidates should apply as soon as possible for priority consideration. The
position will remain open until it is filled.
Additional Information
More information about the Marine Mammal Center can be found at www.marinemammalcenter.org
Photo credit for all photos in this packet: The Marine Mammal Center