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Boston University

CHIEF FINANCIAL & OPERATIONS OFFICER, WBUR

Boston University, Boston, MA, United States


The Chief Financial Officer’s mission is to stabilize WBUR’s current operations and lead its transformation into a financially sustainable business model. If successful, this transformation will not only solidify WBUR’s future but also position it as a pioneering model for other NPR stations.

The CFO is a senior leader at WBUR responsible for overseeing the Finance and Business Office as well as the Engineering, Operations, and IT groups. The CFO provides financial expertise, leads operational planning and revenue and expense forecasting for WBUR, and helps drive strategy including long-term modeling, budgeting, and forecasting. In addition, the CFO ensures the reliability of our broadcasting towers, equipment, tools, and personnel, in addition to IT and facilities.

Financial Leadership

  • Develop and maintain financial strategies for budgeting and forecasting working closely with all WBUR departments.
  • Oversee financial operations including but not limited to accounting, treasury, accounts payable, accounts receivable, incentive compensation, grants, audits, compliance, and year-end activities.
  • Manage relationships with Boston University and other external partners such as banks as needed.
  • Identify and mitigate any financial risks and ensure a controlled environment with appropriate controls for accurate reporting.
  • Review business opportunities to ensure sound business decisions and outcomes and review any pertinent contracts.
  • Lead and provide CEO updates on revenues, forecasts, and expenditures in line with budget commitments.
  • Prepare and present financial results and modeling to the Board Committees.

Working with the Director of Engineering, Operations, and IT

  • Support the stability and optimization of our broadcasting towers and tools.
  • Support all dimensions of our on-air production.
  • Manage our facilities working to ensure a safe, clean, and professional environment.
  • Manage our IT needs throughout WBUR and support any technology projects as necessary.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this leader will collaborate on strategic budget planning and initiatives, leveraging financial insights to support organizational objectives. Their involvement in strategic planning and implementation aligns with WBUR's mission and facilitates its strategic transformation.

In summary, the Chief Financial Officer embodies a multifaceted role crucial to WBUR's financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and strategic advancement.

Required Skills

Master's degree or equivalent experience with 12+ years of related experience, 8+ years of demonstrated leadership experience. CPA preferred.

Additionally, this role should possess the following:

  • Proven success in senior financial leadership roles within media, nonprofit, or digital organizations.
  • Experience managing IT, IS, and technical operations alongside finance.
  • Experience with mergers and acquisitions, guiding strategy, and executing deals.
  • Expertise in nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
  • Strong operational management skills across IT and technical infrastructure (including radio and audio tools).
  • Proven ability to enhance financial closing speed and reporting accuracy.
  • Experience building long-term financial models, particularly with recurring revenue streams.
  • Ability to create high-performing teams.
  • Fearlessly provides meaningful input that drives discussions to arrive at the fullest decisions.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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