Chief Financial Officer

Job: Chief Financial Officer in Tucson, Arizona. HYBRID

Pay Rate: Starting $160,000 (Annually)

Are you a highly experienced strategic thinker with strong leadership skills who enjoys all things finance? Western National Parks (WNP), a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service (NPS), home-based in Tucson, Arizona is seeking a Full-Time, Chief Financial Officer (CFO). As the Chief Financial Officer, they will oversee the finance and technology teams. This position will play a critical role in shaping the company's financial strategy, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and driving business growth through effective fiscal management. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This role is responsible for completing the following tasks and any related tasks as assigned: 

*FOR THE FULL LIST OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, VISIT OUR WEBISTE BY CLICKING APPLY*

Financial Management

• Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, payroll processing, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of nonprofit accounting principles, including the management of restricted, unrestricted, and temporarily restricted funds, and integrates this expertise with philanthropic stewardship to ensure all resources are tracked, reported, and utilized in alignment with donor intent, grant requirements, and board expectations for transparency and accountability.
• Support the President & CEO through the review and approval of all CEO direct reports’ expense reimbursements, oversight of contract review processes, and execution of signatory responsibilities in alignment with organizational policies and internal controls.

  Budgeting and Forecasting

• Develop and oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with department managers and other stakeholders to develop realistic and achievable budgets.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and provide regular updates and analysis to the CEO/President, Executive Leadership Team, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.
• Develop and maintain financial forecasting models that support long-term financial planning and decision-making.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO/President and Executive Leadership Team to develop and implement strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Serves as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and CMO in advancing e-commerce and digital growth initiatives; uses financial modeling and analytics to assess ROI and ROA of advertising, digital, and promotional campaigns and to inform resource allocation decisions.

Board Relations and Reporting

• Report on the organization's financial performance to the Board of Directors, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate with the CEO/President and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial policies and procedures that align with the organization’s values and strategic goals.
• Representing the organization at internal and external events and meetings, providing financial guidance and support as needed.

Tax Filing and Compliance

• Oversee all tax filings and compliance requirements, ensuring that the organization remains fully compliant with all relevant federal, state, SAMS, and local laws and regulations.
• Manage relationships with external auditors and other financial service providers to ensure timely and accurate reporting in accordance with all regulatory standards.
• Understand the complexities and public transparency of Form 990 reporting and collaborate with the Marketing team to develop an annual report that highlights Western National Parks’ financial stewardship and organizational impact in alignment with mission outcomes.

National Park Service

• Leads financial oversight within the unique framework of Western National Parks’ cooperative partnership with the National Park Service.
• Understands and applies the operational and funding structures outlined in NPS Directors Orders 21 and 32, ensuring compliance in direct aid disbursements, park funding, and philanthropic support.
• Partners with NPS and internal teams to translate cooperative agreement requirements into sound fiscal practices that strengthen park relationships and advance shared stewardship goals.

Technology

• Oversee the planning, execution, and governance of IT functions, ensuring that technology systems, data management, and digital solutions meet evolving business needs and customer expectations.
• Champions cybersecurity and risk management strategies, ensuring the implementation of measures to monitor, protect, and mitigate threats while maintaining compliance with industry standards and best practices.

  SUPPORTIVE FUNCTIONS

• Review and approve all contractual and legal obligations. 
• Supervises the finance and technology teams to ensure they maintain an elevated level of performance while collaborating and communicating with other teams in the headquarters and the field that reflects WNP’s culture of service, integrity, teamwork, and transparency.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

For a specific list of physical demands, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] to request.

TRAVEL

This is a full-time, exempt position (minimum of 40 hours per week) in office/hybrid based in Tucson metro area. The role requires frequent travel for board meetings, industry conferences, and park site visits. Occasional to frequent travel may also be necessary for local events, partner meetings, and speaking engagements, including occasional overnight trips. Evening and weekend work may be required to support organizational needs and represent WNP at events and activities outside regular business hours; while not encouraged, it does occasionally occur as part of the role.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

This leadership role requires demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas, along with the judgment, collaboration, and strategic mindset needed to guide people and purpose in support of WNP’s mission:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting required; Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, certification, and relevant professional experience.
• 10–15 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, or business management, including at least 5 years in a senior or executive leadership role (such as CFO, VP of Finance, or Controller).
• Proficient in a variety of software platforms, including internet applications, databases, video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom), and the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint). Experience with retail systems such as RetailPro is a plus but not required.
• Deep commitment to advancing WNP’s mission and values, with genuine appreciation for national parks and public lands.
• Proven leadership experience guiding teams and supporting other leaders in achieving cross-departmental goals and organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to foster diverse, inclusive, and collaborative teams that bring together varied perspectives and ideas.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and financial skills, including expertise in planning, budgeting, forecasting, and problem-solving.
• Experience working in entrepreneurial or growth-oriented environments, helping scale sustainable programs at a regional or national level.
• Adept at managing multiple priorities under pressure, meeting tight deadlines, and maintaining composure and judgment in complex situations.
• Exceptional people management skills, including the ability to recruit, train, develop, and retain professional and support staff.
• Comprehensive understanding of nonprofit financial management, including tax laws, regulatory compliance, and internal controls for 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Knowledge of federal grants, restricted gift accounting, and fundraising revenue streams such as direct response mail and philanthropic contributions.
• Familiarity with employment and labor laws, including EEO, wage and hour, and occupational safety regulations.
• Experience partnering across teams to align e-commerce and retail performance with financial goals, using digital analytics to guide decision-making and resource planning.
• Proficiency in accounting, payroll, donor, and retail systems (Sage, Raiser’s Edge, RetailPro, and ADP currently used), and strong command of Microsoft Office Suite and digital collaboration tools.

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

We are committed to providing you with an outstanding employee benefits package and support. As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for:

• Choice of 3 premium subsidized PPO Medical plans with built-in HSA or HRA, PPO Dental, Vision, Flex Medical Savings Plan, Dependent Care Savings Plan, Optional Voluntary Term Life, and 403(b) Retirement Plan with a fully vested 100% match up to 8.33% of income after 6 months service.
• Company Paid Benefits include: Short- & Long-Term Disability, a $50,000 Employee Group Life policy, EAP, and Health & Wellness resources. 
• Eleven paid holidays, additional paid personal day, accrued paid vacation, and sick time. 
• Employee Appreciation: 15% Discount on employee purchases in-store.
• Employee Referral Bonuses

(This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.) 

Western National Parks is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on legally protected characteristics. Hiring decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs.