Description
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer
Position: CFO/COO
Reports to: Executive Director/CEO, David Brenneman
Date Written: 11/14/2025
Job Classification: Full-time, exempt
The Museum: Telfair Museums is the oldest public art museum in the southern United States. The legacy of one visionary Savannahian, it was founded in 1883 through the bequest of prominent local philanthropist Mary Telfair, who left her home and its furnishings to the Georgia Historical Society to be opened as a museum.
Today, Telfair Museums consists of three unique buildings: the Telfair Academy, and the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, two National Historic Landmark sites built in the early 19th century, and the contemporary Jepson Center and Telfair Children’s Art Museum. Each of the museum’s three buildings represents an innovative expression of its time and houses a collection corresponding to the era in which it was built. Together, these unique buildings and distinct collections bridge centuries of art and architecture, illustrating the continuum of art and history in Savannah.
Job Summary and Key Objectives:
The CFO/COO is a key member of the Museum’s executive management team and is responsible for all strategic financial matters and the oversight of the daily financial and operational business of Telfair Museums, as well as all human resources, buildings, grounds, maintenance, and security functions. The CFO/COO reports to and works closely with the Executive Director/CEO and has primary responsibility for the Museum’s financial operations and human resources matters, including development of the annual budget, supervision of finance/accounting staff, establishment of the financial reporting system, and presentations to the Finance Committee, Investment, and Executive Committees and the Board of Directors. The CFO/COO will serve as the compliance officer regarding government or other foundation grants, restricted funds, as well as acting as the chief liaison with the Museum’s independent auditors and financial services partners. The CFO/COO, working closely with other senior leadership, develops and implements appropriate policies and internal control procedures to protect the Museum’s assets and ensure accountability and solvency. The CFO/COO oversees all employee support functions including payroll, benefits management, and policy and procedure development. The CFO/COO is also responsible for overseeing all functions related to the maintenance, preservation, and security of the three structures and surrounding properties making up Telfair Museums.
Key Responsibilities and Tasks:
Finance
Working with controller and finance department staff:
Oversees cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed
Oversees cash, investment, debt, and asset management
Oversees financing strategies and activities, as well as banking relationships
Monitors the investment portfolio. Provides staff support to the Investment Committee
Planning, Policy and Outside Relations
Coordinates the development and monitoring of budgets
Develops financial business plans and forecasts
Participates in corporate policy development as a member of the Executive team.
Works with the Board of Directors, Executive and Finance Committees and other board committees to develop short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections
Represents the Museum to financial partners, including financial institutions, donors, foundation executives, auditors, public officials, etc.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of nonprofit audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations
Serves as plan administrator for 401(a) and 403(b) retirement plans. Ensures all ERISA guidelines are followed
Coordinates with insurance brokers, legal counsel, and other professional service providers.
Accounting and Administration
Manages the accounting department to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions
Ensures maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures
Ensures timelines, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, and the Museum’s Board of Directors; prepares and communicates the monthly and annual financial statements
Coordinates audits and proper filing of tax returns, including preparation of all schedules required by auditors
Ensures legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions, including filing 990s
Human Resources
Oversees bi-weekly payroll and benefit management process
Manages all human resource activity for the Museum, including hiring, evaluation, review, and termination
Represents the Museum in all employee matters, including Unemployment, EEOC, Worker’s Compensation, or other legal issues
Along with the outside benefit administrator, develops and maintains employee benefit programs; oversees annual benefits enrollment
Coordinates the annual employee review process
Serves as a contact for employees regarding payroll, PTO, insurance, or other benefit issues
Helps facilitate the recruiting and hiring processes for staff members, part time employees and interns, as needed
Operations, Maintenance and Security
Provides day-to-day leadership of the facilities and operations staff to ensure daily operational success
Works with the Director of Operations, Retail Managers, and Visitor Services Manager to achieve favorable financial results with respect to earned income
Works with Facilities staff on planning, timing, and execution of major facilities and capital projects, including contract review and negotiation
Oversees vendor selection and contracts for external vendors, including but not limited to security, IT, housekeeping, and leased office equipment
Oversees the procurement and maintenance, safety and security of technology tools for Telfair employees. Ensures that appropriate policies are in place for use of technology by employees
Skill Requirements:
10 years of progressive financial leadership including at least 5 years in the senior financial executive role
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or business , and CPA, CFA or other similar professional designation a plus
Strong executive presence and experience interfacing with boards and important external stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to develop and lead cross-functional teams and foster organizational alignment
Extensive experience with financial reporting and forecasting, and skill in preparing, analyzing, and presenting financial data
Experience with computerized accounting systems, with proficiency in MS Excel. Familiarity with Blackbaud Accounting System beneficial.
Physical Requirements:
Sitting, standing occasionally for long periods of time, extensive use of computer and associated keyboarding, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, and walking.
Salary and Benefits
Telfair Museums offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
Please provide the following as part of your application:
Complete resume including references and salary expectations.
A cover letter addressing both your interest in Telfair Museums and your qualifications for this position.
Application
Indicate “CFO/COO” on the subject line of the email and in the body of the cover letter
Applications in electronic format preferred, and are accepted at sleightm@telfair.org and hr@telfair.org.
Mailed applications: Telfair Museums, Attn: Executive Director/CEO, PO Box 10081, Savannah, GA 31412.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities and Tasks:
Finance
Working with controller and finance department staff:
Oversees cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed
Oversees cash, investment, debt, and asset management
Oversees financing strategies and activities, as well as banking relationships
Monitors the investment portfolio. Provides staff support to the Investment Committee
Planning, Policy and Outside Relations
Coordinates the development and monitoring of budgets
Develops financial business plans and forecasts
Participates in corporate policy development as a member of the Executive team.
Works with the Board of Directors, Executive and Finance Committees and other board committees to develop short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections
Represents the Museum to financial partners, including financial institutions, donors, foundation executives, auditors, public officials, etc.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of nonprofit audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations
Serves as plan administrator for 401(a) and 403(b) retirement plans. Ensures all ERISA guidelines are followed
Coordinates with insurance brokers, legal counsel, and other professional service providers.
Accounting and Administration
Manages the accounting department to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions
Ensures maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures
Ensures timelines, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, and the Museum’s Board of Directors; prepares and communicates the monthly and annual financial statements
Coordinates audits and proper filing of tax returns, including preparation of all schedules required by auditors
Ensures legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions, including filing 990s
Human Resources
Oversees bi-weekly payroll and benefit management process
Manages all human resource activity for the Museum, including hiring, evaluation, review, and termination
Represents the Museum in all employee matters, including Unemployment, EEOC, Worker’s Compensation, or other legal issues
Along with the outside benefit administrator, develops and maintains employee benefit programs; oversees annual benefits enrollment
Coordinates the annual employee review process
Serves as a contact for employees regarding payroll, PTO, insurance, or other benefit issues
Helps facilitate the recruiting and hiring processes for staff members, part time employees and interns, as needed
Operations, Maintenance and Security
Provides day-to-day leadership of the facilities and operations staff to ensure daily operational success
Works with the Director of Operations, Retail Managers, and Visitor Services Manager to achieve favorable financial results with respect to earned income
Works with Facilities staff on planning, timing, and execution of major facilities and capital projects, including contract review and negotiation
Oversees vendor selection and contracts for external vendors, including but not limited to security, IT, housekeeping, and leased office equipment
Oversees the procurement and maintenance, safety and security of technology tools for Telfair employees. Ensures that appropriate policies are in place for use of technology by employees
Skill Requirements:
10 years of progressive financial leadership including at least 5 years in the senior financial executive role
Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or business , and CPA, CFA or other similar professional designation a plus
Strong executive presence and experience interfacing with boards and important external stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to develop and lead cross-functional teams and foster organizational alignment
Extensive experience with financial reporting and forecasting, and skill in preparing, analyzing, and presenting financial data
Experience with computerized accounting systems, with proficiency in MS Excel. Familiarity with Blackbaud Accounting System beneficial.
Physical Requirements:
Sitting, standing occasionally for long periods of time, extensive use of computer and associated keyboarding, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, and walking.
Salary and Benefits
Telfair Museums offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
Please provide the following as part of your application:
Complete resume including references and salary expectations.
A cover letter addressing both your interest in Telfair Museums and your qualifications for this position.
Application
Indicate “CFO/COO” on the subject line of the email and in the body of the cover letter
Applications in electronic format preferred, and are accepted at sleightm@telfair.org and hr@telfair.org.
Mailed applications: Telfair Museums, Attn: Executive Director/CEO, PO Box 10081, Savannah, GA 31412.
