Job Description
POSITION: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
LOCATION: 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024 (Transitioning to 361 Central Park West)
WEBSITE: ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is a steward of early childhood, helping all children grow and develop into their best selves. Through our programs on-site at the museum and throughout NYC, where children live and learn, CMOM nurtures the next generation of creative global citizens as they learn through exploration and play. CMOM encourages empathy across differences by elevating and providing insight into diverse perspectives and inviting visitors of all backgrounds to join our community and create and learn alongside each other. The museum’s programs reflect the rich cultural diversity, energy, and resilience of New York City and have a special focus on ensuring that its programs are available to those families who might not otherwise have access.
Founded in 1973, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) is a premier NYC institution for children and families. Currently operating in the Upper West Side with 250,000+ annual visitors, CMOM is undergoing a major expansion. The institution is transitioning to a new home at 361 West 96th Street (scheduled for late 2028/early 2029) and is doubling its operating budget, marking a period of unprecedented growth and
strategic evolution.
ABOUT THE POSITION CMOM seeks an entrepreneurial, visionary
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to drive financial strategy during this transformative, high-growth phase. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CFO will serve as a core strategic partner to executive leadership while providing essential stewardship, transparent reporting, and strategic support to the Board of Directors. This executive will manage a $300M capital project, oversee operational scaling from $8M to $18M, and ensure long-term financial sustainability. This leader will continue to
modernize financial systems while cultivating a growth-oriented, collaborative culture.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Financial Partnership & Governance - Serve as key strategic partner to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, actively co-authoring the business models required to support a scaled multi-site operation and doubled budget.
- Act as an entrepreneurial strategist, seeking innovative financial solutions to align creative ambitions with institutional resources.
- Act as a direct liaison and thought partner to the Board Chair and Finance & Audit Committee Chair, providing complete and transparent visibility into financial modeling, cash flow and cash balance forecasting, debt compliance, and risk analysis. Work collaboratively with the Finance and Audit Board Committee, driving the meeting agendas and ensuring reporting, governance compliance, and immediate escalation of any potentially material financial or risk exposures to the Board Chair.
- Champion organizational systems maturity, professionalizing internal controls and reporting frameworks.
- Take ownership of the design, and continuous refinement of comprehensive financial models, operating budgets and annual forecast models, cash flow and cash balance models, and long-term forecasts for the scaled-up operation in the new building. Partner in an iterative, collaborative fashion with all department heads and executive leadership to build out, optimize, and align coordinated departmental budgets with strategic institutional targets.
Capital Project, Debt & Endowment Stewardship - Provide rigorous financial oversight for the $300M capital campaign in close partnership with the Board Chair, Building Committee and Finance and Audit Committee, navigating complex funding, institutional grants, pledge agreements and sophisticated debt and cash management strategy, including active management of and compliance reporting for credit facilities and liquidity bridges tied to pledge realizations.
- Oversee and optimize the endowment portfolio in collaboration with the Finance and Audit Committee to ensure long-term growth.
- Direct cash flow management, ensuring financial stability during the transition to the new facility.
Fiscal Discipline & Departmental Alignment - Instill cross-functional budget discipline, collaborating with program, advancement, and operations teams to monitor and evaluate financial practices.
- Lead core accounting operations, including audits, forecasting, and compliance.
- Evolve the finance team structure, promoting a collaborative and responsive culture.
Administrative Leadership & Equity-Driven HR - Champion equitable People Operations, focusing on competitive, transparent compensation and benefits for a growing staff.
- Manage risk and physical assets through contract reviews and insurance management.
QUALIFICATIONS - Experience: Substantial experience as a CFO or senior financial leader in a complex non-profit, cultural, or similar organization.
- Financial Mastery: Expert in non-profit GAAP, endowment management, capital projects, and grant compliance.
- Governance Support: Demonstrated maturity in managing accountability to CEO while maintaining transparent, direct communication channels with Board and Audit Committee leadership on complex risk, strategic and capital matters.
- Growth Capabilities: Experience leading through major organizational scaling or capital transitions.
- Education: CPA, MBA, or equivalent advanced financial education.
- Mindset & Skills: Decisive, innovative, and skilled in analytical storytelling.
- Judgement, Integrity & Ethics: Highest standards of professional ethics, personal integrity, and sound judgment
COMPENSATION $200,000-$250,000 annually
BENEFITS Our company offers a comprehensive benefits package including vision, dental and medical (free medical coverage for employees, with premium plans available for dependents), 403B, life insurance, EAP, Paid Holidays, Personal Time Off, Vacation leave, and Sick leave. We also offer a range of voluntary benefits, such as FSA, critical illness, accident insurance, legal services, and pet insurance. As a CMOM employee, you are eligible for free admission to other New York City cultural institutions.
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply.
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Immediate start