Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer


Department: Administration Date Updated: December 2025

Reports To: President & CEO Status: Full Time, Exempt

SUMMARY OF POSITION: Reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior executive and organization-wide strategic leader responsible for advancing Zoo Knoxville’s financial strength, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability. The CFO serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and works closely with staff, senior leadership, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors to ensure the Zoo has the financial, human, and technological resources necessary to achieve its mission and vision.
The CFO provides leadership and oversight for Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology, ensuring these functions are aligned with Zoo Knoxville’s strategic priorities, values, and commitment to conservation, education, and community impact.


ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Leadership

• Exemplify Zoo Knoxville’s Core Values through all interactions with guests, team members, interns, volunteers, and partners.
• Serve as a collaborative, team-oriented leader who promotes a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as leadership liaison for assigned staff committees fostering a working relationship between the executive team and staff committees, providing elevated support as needed.

Financial Management

• Lead the development, execution, and monitoring of the annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with the executive and leadership teams.
• Oversee all financial operations, including accounting, payroll, cash management, investments, audits, and financial controls.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable financial regulations, reporting standards, and nonprofit best practices.
• Prepare, analyze, and present clear, timely financial reports and recommendations to the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders.
• Direct financial planning and analysis, including revenue forecasting, cost management, cash forecasting, risk assessment, and long-range financial modeling for Zoo and associated vendors.
• Conduct financial returns analytics on key capital and other revenue-enhancing investments.
• Review food and beverage, retail, and other external revenue reports.
• Manage and track restricted gift and endowment gifts, including grant expenditures.
• Manage preparation of the Zoo’s tax return(s).
• Manage fixed assets including depreciation, additions and dispositions.
• Create Zoo’s procurement and purchasing policies in conjunction with senior leadership.

Human Resources Leadership

• Develop and implement human resources strategies, policies, and programs that support a positive, inclusive organizational culture and staff development.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, and succession planning.
• Oversee insurance and insurance related issues.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local labor laws and employment regulations.
• Design, administer, and evaluate competitive compensation, benefits (healthcare, 401(k), 457(b)), and wellness programs aligned with organizational goals and fiscal responsibility.
• Demonstrate senior leadership experience overseeing comprehensive human resources functions, including talent strategy, employee relations, compliance, performance management, compensation and benefits, and organizational development, with the ability to partner effectively with executive leadership and the Board.
• Provide strategic oversight and guidance for volunteer and internship programs, engagement, and alignment with organizational values and operational needs.
• Oversee organization’s safety and risk management programs, ensuring a safe, compliant, and proactive workplace for employees, interns, volunteers, and guests through policy development, training, incident response, and continuous improvement.

Information Technology Oversight

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the Zoo’s information technology infrastructure, systems, and services.
• Ensure the effective implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency and guest experience.
• Safeguard the security, integrity, and confidentiality of organizational data and IT systems.
• Identify and leverage opportunities for technology integration to support innovation, data-driven decision-making, and mission delivery.
• Provide direction of the Zoo’s audio-visual and show technology systems, including the planning, installation, operation, and ongoing enhancement ensuring technical excellence, safety, reliability, and alignment with guest experience and organizational objectives.

Strategic and Board Engagement

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President & CEO and executive leadership team on financial, operational, and organizational matters.
• Act as a primary liaison to the Board of Directors on financial performance, risk management, and operational initiatives.
• Serve as liaison to Board Finance Committee and co-hosts meeting with Chair of this Committee.
• Support and advance organizational priorities related to sustainability, conservation, education, and community engagement.
• Lead and participate in cross-departmental initiatives that strengthen institutional effectiveness and long-term impact.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a closely related field required; MBA, CPA, or equivalent advanced professional credential strongly preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive senior-level financial leadership experience, with a proven record of responsibility for complex financial operations and direct oversight of human resources and information technology functions.
• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, financial reporting, audits, and compliance; experience within cultural, educational, or mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing, cross-functional teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex financial and operational information to diverse audiences, including executive leadership and Boards of Directors.
• Strong alignment with and commitment to the mission, values, and standards of AZA-accredited zoos, including conservation, education, animal welfare, sustainability, and community engagement.
• Must have competency in Microsoft Office products.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Vision: Ability to anticipate future organizational needs and translate long-term goals into actionable strategies that integrate financial stewardship, human capital, and technology. Leverages data, insight, and industry best practices to guide decision-making, support sustainable growth, and position the organization for long-term mission success.
• Integrity: Demonstrates unwavering ethical standards, sound judgment, and transparency in all decisions and actions. Upholds fiduciary responsibility, ensures accurate and accountable financial and operational practices, and builds trust with staff, leadership, and the Board through honesty, consistency, and principled leadership.
• Innovation: Proactively identifies and champions new ideas, technologies, and approaches that enhance organizational effectiveness and financial sustainability. Encourages creative problem-solving, continuous improvement, and data-driven experimentation to improve processes, elevate performance, and advance the Zoo’s mission in a changing environment.
• Collaboration: Builds strong, trust-based relationships across departments, with executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and external partners. Actively listens, values diverse perspectives, and works collaboratively to align resources, solve complex challenges, and achieve shared organizational goals.
• Adaptability: Demonstrates resilience and agility in navigating change, uncertainty, and complex challenges. Effectively adjusts strategies, priorities, and leadership approaches in response to evolving organizational needs, financial conditions, and external factors, while maintaining focus on long-term goals and mission alignment.
• Mentor Leadership: Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and empower team members through intentional mentorship, fostering professional growth, accountability, and succession readiness. Leads by example, provides constructive feedback, and creates an environment where individuals and teams are supported, challenged, and prepared to advance both personally and professionally in service of the organization’s mission.

Don’t meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.


WORKING CONDITIONS:
As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email, and telephone. The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such, each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.