Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Buzzards Bay Coalition

Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts
Salary: $220,000–$250,000
Work Arrangement: In-person at least four days per week

 

The Organization

 

The Buzzards Bay Coalition is a membership-supported nonprofit dedicated to improving the health of the Buzzards Bay ecosystem through education, conservation, research, and advocacy. The Coalition works throughout the Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound watersheds to protect coastal and drinking water quality and the forests, wetlands, and streams that support a healthy watershed.

 

The Coalition has approximately 40 staff members, hundreds of volunteers, and more than 15,000 members. Its work spans Watershed Protection, Clean Water Advocacy, Outdoor Exploration, and Bay Science, supported by Advancement, Public Engagement, Operations, and Finance.

 

The organization has experienced significant growth, becoming the largest land conservation program in southeastern Massachusetts and protecting more than 13,000 acres. In FY2025, operating expenses were approximately $19.6 million and operating revenue and support totaled $27.7 million. As of June 30, 2026, the Coalition's endowment was $20.3 million. The organization is also in the quiet phase of a $150 million capital campaign, including a goal to add $50 million to its endowment.

 

The Opportunity

 

The inaugural Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will serve as the Coalition’s senior financial leader and principal steward of its financial resources. Reporting directly to the President and CEO and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the CFO will provide strategic financial leadership as the organization continues to grow and mature.

 

The CFO will build and lead a newly established Finance team and assume responsibility for financial activities currently shared among Operations, program staff, and external advisors. Responsibilities will include:

 

• Accounting operations and internal controls

• Financial planning and analysis

• Budgeting and forecasting

• Financial reporting

• Audit management

• Treasury operations

• Endowment oversight

• Grants and contract administration

• Long-term financial planning and decision-making

• Financial reporting and analysis for the Board and its Finance and Audit Committee

• Management of relationships with banks, auditors, investment managers, insurers, and other external financial partners

 

The CFO will initially supervise an experienced Accounting Manager and will assess opportunities to expand the Finance team in areas such as grant administration, financial analysis, and reporting.

 

Key Opportunities and Responsibilities

 

Strategic Financial Leadership

 

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the President, senior leadership team, and Board.

• Translate organizational goals and long-term aspirations into actionable financial strategies.

• Strengthen financial modeling, scenario planning, forecasting, and analysis.

• Ensure continued growth is supported by responsible financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.

 

Financial Planning, Analysis, and Reporting

 

• Build a robust financial planning and analysis function.

• Leverage Sage Intacct to strengthen financial reporting and decision-making.

• Develop multi-year budgets, capital plans, cash flow forecasts, financial models, and scenario analyses.

• Shift financial reporting from primarily transactional and retrospective reporting toward proactive financial management and decision support.

 

Complex Real Estate and Conservation Transactions

 

• Provide financial and accounting leadership for complex land acquisitions, restoration projects, and stewardship activities.

• Oversee financial considerations involving government grants, philanthropy, bridge financing, easements, development restrictions, and other contractual obligations.

• Develop systems for planning, tracking, reporting, and closing out complex transactions.

 

Endowment and Capital Campaign

 

• Provide oversight, analysis, and guidance related to the Coalition’s growing endowment.

• Partner with leadership, development staff, the Board, and investment advisors on spending policies, gift administration, and long-term planning.

• Support the organization’s $150 million capital campaign, including its goal of adding $50 million to the endowment.

 

Grants and Contracts Administration

 

• Centralize grant and contract administration within the Finance team.

• Strengthen processes for tracking grant funds, managing budgets, generating invoices, reporting, and compliance.

• Use Sage Intacct to streamline grant and contract workflows.

• Build capacity for dedicated grant administration as the organization continues to grow.

 

Financial Infrastructure and Controls

 

• Establish financial systems, policies, processes, and controls appropriate for the Coalition’s growing size and complexity.

• Preserve the organization’s entrepreneurial, nimble, and collaborative culture while strengthening financial infrastructure.

• Partner across departments to ensure new processes support rather than hinder mission delivery.

 

Finance Team Leadership

 

• Build and develop the Coalition’s newly independent Finance function.

• Supervise, mentor, and develop the Accounting Manager.

• Assess staffing needs and expand Finance capacity as appropriate.

• Establish a scalable organizational structure capable of supporting continued growth.

 

Qualifications and Characteristics

 

The successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications:

 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required; advanced degree and/or CPA designation preferred.

• At least seven years of progressive leadership and management experience overseeing finance and accounting functions.

• Nonprofit financial management experience preferred, including knowledge of philanthropy, government grants and contracts, restricted gifts, endowments, and earned revenue.

• Knowledge of investment oversight, endowment management, and spending policies, including restricted and board-designated funds.

• Strong change management skills and demonstrated success establishing new systems, processes, and policies.

• Experience supporting and scaling a growing organization is a plus.

• Expertise in multi-year budgeting, scenario planning, forecasting, and aligning financial planning with strategic goals.

• Ability to leverage financial systems and technology to improve reporting, efficiency, forecasting, and decision-making.

• Positive, collaborative, and entrepreneurial approach with the ability to balance strategic leadership and hands-on operations.

• Experience managing relationships with auditors, financial institutions, investment advisors, and other external financial partners.

• Demonstrated success building, developing, and leading teams with a collaborative and compassionate management style.

• Experience overseeing or supporting complex projects involving grants and contracts, capital projects, real estate transactions, land acquisitions, or other structured financial arrangements strongly preferred.

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate across an organization.

• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to staff, senior leaders, Board members, and community stakeholders.

 

Compensation and Location

 

The salary range is $220,000–$250,000, commensurate with skills and experience. The position is based at the Coalition’s headquarters in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and is expected to be in-person at least four days per week.

 

Application Process

 

Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until the search is completed. Candidates should submit a CV/resume and cover letter through Isaacson, Miller.

 

The Buzzards Bay Coalition is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds.