VP of Finance & Operations

Description

Title: VP of Finance & Operations

Department: Finance

Supervisor: Chief Executive Officer

Supervises: Accounting Staff, Facilities, & IT

FLSA Salary Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Last Update: June 2025

Position Summary:

Lead all financial activities of the Garden in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). As a senior strategic partner of the CEO, play a critical role in leading, developing and implementing business and organizational strategy for the Garden. Serve as staff liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Provide management oversight, strategic direction, and leadership consultation, targeting strong, profitable growth in the earned revenue businesses. Provide management oversight, strategic direction, and leadership to facilities operations for targeting effective and efficient management of Garden resources. Serve as a member of the Leadership Team, which is responsible for Garden leadership initiatives, institutional direction, strategic planning and policy development.

Essential Functions:

• As a business partner to the CEO and program directors, assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and forecasting and the Garden’s long- term strategy. Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational planning to the CEO and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Meet financial governance and oversight responsibilities. Assist in establishing objectives and meeting agendas, and in selecting and engaging outside consultants, such as auditors, investment and insurance advisors.
• Lead long-term budgetary planning to ensure financial integrity and support of the Garden’s strategic plan. Oversee budgeting and monitor and control budgetary performance.
• Manage internal controls. Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and regulatory, tax, and audit requirements. Ensure that appropriate internal control safeguards are in place and oversee coordination of all audit activities.
• Coordinate with the Garden’s investment advisor via the Foundation Board in executing endowment investment policies and decisions of the Finance Committee.
• Responsible for the organization's overall assessment and risk management including general liability and financial risks. Recommend progressive financial structures and strategies, consistent with institutional risk tolerance, to maximize program activity and mission delivery.
• Ensure appropriate legal review of all contracts and agreements.
• Responsible for systems that manage grant income and Federal, state, and donor reporting.
• Provide leadership, strategic direction and oversight to Accounting, Facilities, and IT including capital/facilities management and technology functions.
• As a leader of the Garden, exhibit behavior and work ethic that provide a model for other employees. Special emphasis must be placed on a positive attitude, energetic effort and initiative, and deep commitment to institutional mission and core values.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field and 10+ years of broad financial experience required including: 

• Experience that demonstrates gathering and evaluating financial information and making actionable recommendations to senior leadership required. Experience managing the finance function (accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting) within a diverse organization, and;
• Demonstrated experience working as a true business partner with the senior leadership of an organization, with clear experience translating a strategic vision/plan into a successful operating model and financial plan. 
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills as well as effective oral and written communication skills required.

Success Factors:

• Exemplifies Core Values and possesses an interest in and appreciation for the Garden’s mission. Ability to embrace the brand, mission, and program diversity of the Garden.
• Strong strategic capability, with the ability to deliver both business and institutional strategy. 
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to motivate others and drive multiple initiatives simultaneously. 
• Ability to support the pursuit of innovation with business integrity. Very high and uncompromising standards for financial control and integrity. 
• Proactive, hands-on professional with a collaborative style and a strong service mentality. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and adept at negotiation, mentoring, and influencing. 
• Ability to work effectively with program directors and interact with a diverse population of employees, donors, and visitors.

Preferred Qualifications:

MBA and/or a current CPA license preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Physical Demands: This position is required to frequently communicate with people internal and external to the Garden and frequent periods of sedentary work in the office. Occasionally requires the ability to lift up to 15 lbs., and traverse the Garden over uneven terrain.  
• Work Environment: Frequently, works in office. As a member of the organization’s leadership team, is occasionally required to work in an outdoor environment subject to all weather conditions and must traverse varied and uneven terrain.
• Equipment: Continuous use of a computer, occasional use of projection or AV equipment for presentations. 

Job descriptions are guidelines that attempt to characterize essential functions and responsibilities of a job, and are subject to change as needs and programs change. At Huntsville Botanical Garden job descriptions are considered neither inclusive nor exclusive. It is expected that up to 20% of your duties may change annually.

Employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

The Huntsville Botanical Garden supports a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Garden is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.