Chief Financial Officer

Position Summary

Riverside Park Conservancy seeks an experienced, dynamic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join its executive team. In addition to financial management, their responsibilities also include oversight of the organization’s human resources staff, outsourced accounting team, information technology and other functions of nonprofit administration. The CFO is part of a high-functioning team committed to excellence and innovation in caring for one of New York City’s largest and most beautiful neighborhood parks. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CFO works closely with the organization’s leadership team and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial and operational strategies and processes to help make the organization more effective and efficient and to support the Conservancy’s mission and continued growth. The CFO has two direct reports, the Director of People Operations (DPO) and Director of Finance & Administration (DFA), whose responsibilities include managing the organization’s human resources, day to day financial and accounting operations, information technology, insurance and office facilities.

Background

Riverside Park Conservancy cares for six miles of parkland on the west side of Manhattan from 59th to 181st Street. Founded by a small group of volunteers in 1986, we now employ more than 70 professional staff who work alongside hundreds of volunteers and dozens of NYC Parks employees to care for 400 acres of green space. As a neighborhood-based environmental nonprofit, our work is grounded in local partnerships. We leverage public and private funding to make meaningful capital improvements in the park, such as replacing staircases and pathways, restoring gardens and renovating playgrounds. We employ 25 Zone Gardeners who provide specialized horticultural care for the Park’s varied landscapes. We produce over 400 free public events every year and run a sports summer camp attended by more than 1,500 children.

With a current annual operating budget of $12 million, the Conservancy serves approximately 3 million visitors annually. Central to our mission is a commitment to fairness and inclusivity. We recognize that park needs are not uniform across all areas; rather, they reflect the diverse communities we serve. Our goal is to ensure that resources are distributed equitably and that the standard of care across all six miles is of the highest caliber. We are committed to ensuring that our park is a dynamic and vibrant space for all to enjoy. Our vision is grounded in comfort, community, environmental stewardship, and opportunities for active engagement. As we look to the future, we see a park where users feel safe and welcomed, where nature is nurtured and protected, and where recreation and programming flourish.

Under the leadership of a seasoned CEO and with the strong support of an engaged Board, Riverside Park Conservancy is on a solid trajectory of growth and increased visibility. The new CFO will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future at a time when the value of urban public parks has never been more important or widely recognized.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Oversee all financial functions including accounting (currently performed by an external accounting firm), budgeting, forecasting, cash flow/liquidity and financial reporting.
• Oversee investment portfolio and work with Finance Committee of Board on updating Investment strategy and policy.
• Evaluate and work closely with the President, DFA and outsourced accounting team to update and streamline financial & accounting processes, policies and financial reporting.
• Prepare and present financial reports to the President and Board of Directors, providing analysis and insight that is clear and succinct to an audience that has wide range of financial experience.
• Manage relationships with financial vendors, including accountants, auditors, financial institutions and other service providers.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems.
• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including Federal, State and City grant compliance requirements, tax filings, audits, and other reporting requirements.
• Proactively anticipate and manage financial risks and opportunities.
• Represent the Conservancy at internal and external events and meetings, providing financial guidance and support as needed.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with the external accounting team, Director of Development, and Department heads to develop realistic and achievable budgets.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and previous year and provide regular updates and analysis to the President, Department heads and Board of Directors.
• Evaluate and make changes, where appropriate, to forecasting processes to help streamline and improve visibility and accuracy.
• Develop and maintain financial forecasting and liquidity models that support both short-term and long-term financial planning and decision-making.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Work closely with the President, Vice President of Operations and other senior staff to develop and implement financially sound strategic plans that support the Conservancy’s mission and goals.
• Participate in Board Finance and Audit Committee meetings, collaborating with committee members to provide strategic financial guidance and support.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to direct reports and staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

Information Technology, Systems and Insurance

• Provide general oversight and support to Conservancy’s information technology platform and, working closely with the DFA, periodically review the organization’s short and long term technology needs.
• Evaluate and oversee the Conservancy’s cyber security platform; implement new and/or update cyber security protections and platforms as needed.
• Provide general oversight and support to Conservancy’s insurance platform. Work closely with DFA to evaluate and implement insurance policies that help mitigate organization’s risk exposure.

Human Resources & Administration

• Provide general oversight and support for the Conservancy’s human resources and people operations department.
• Oversee, along with Director of People Operations and Director of Finance and Administration, the organization’s PEO platform and benefits including the 401K retirement plan. Work closely with DPO and DFA to evaluate current PEO platform and make recommendations, as appropriate, to improve staff benefits and experience relative to organizational cost.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; MBA or CPA strongly preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience for a complex entity, with at least 5 years at a nonprofit organization.
• Advanced understanding of nonprofit accounting.
• Proven track record of successful finance and accounting management, including significant experience working with nonprofit accounting platforms and processes, developing and implementing financial strategies, managing complex budgets, and overseeing financial reporting and compliance.
• Experienced with organizational cybersecurity platforms and cybersecurity risk protections.
• Strong leadership skills with experience building high-performing teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong technical competence and understanding of accounting, payment processing, and expense tracking software and systems; experience with Sage Intacct accounting and Bill.com software a plus.
• Passion for public parks and the mission and work of the Riverside Park Conservancy.

To Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter via email to jobs@riversideparknyc.org with “Chief Financial Officer” in the subject line.

Salary: $155,000 – $175,000 commensurate with experience.

We offer a competitive compensation package, which includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, 401(k)+match, commuter benefits, flexible spending, and generous paid leave.

Riverside Park Conservancy is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all applicants and employees. We recognize the importance of diversity and offer equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, height, weight, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We offer a competitive compensation package, which includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, 401(k)+match, commuter benefits, flexible spending, and generous paid leave.