Job description

Museum of the Rockies (MOR) seeks an experienced Director of Finance who will bring a deep understanding of financial and personnel management to MOR. Serving as a key member of the museum’s senior management team, the Director of Finance is responsible for providing leadership and direction for finance, information technology, and human resources for the MSU department, and for managing the finances and investments of Museum of the Rockies, Inc., the 501©(3) that provides the majority of funding for the museum. This position will build and sustain the capacity of the Finance Department and provide stewardship through the establishment, monitoring and improvement of accounting, investment, IT and HR systems and procedures. The position is also responsible for the museum’s visitor services and museum store. The Director of Finance needs to have leadership skills, impeccable ethics, be a team player, show flexibility and resolve, and have strong interpersonal communication skills. MOR has an annual operating budget of approximately $6.7 million allocated over 20 departments, and the Museum of the Rockies, Inc. has net assets in excess of $25 million.

The position reports to MOR’s Executive Director, serves in the senior management team, and coordinates with other museum department directors to ensure smooth flow of information and resources to help the organization overall. The Director of Finance staffs MOR, Inc.’s Finance Committee and works closely with MOR Inc.’s Treasurer.
With over 250,000 general visitors and program participants, MOR is one of Montana’s most visited museums. While the last few years have brought about unforeseen challenges due to COVID, the museum has experienced record-breaking attendance and strong financial success. The museum has recently completed an ambitious and transformative strategic plan. With vision and a record of success in a thriving community, MOR is poised for substantial growth.

The museum is a college-level division of Montana State University, an independent 501©(3) organization, a Smithsonian Affiliate, an accredited AAM museum, and a repository for state and federal fossils. Located on a 36-acre museum site, it includes a 120,000-square-foot-facility, the state-of-the-art Taylor Planetarium, the 220 seat Hager Auditorium, Martin Children’s Discovery Center, and Living History Farm, along with an off-site 553-acre paleontology preserve.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the director of the museum’s Executive Director, this position has responsibility for planning, implementing and managing the accounting, investment, IT and HR functions at MOR along with overseeing the staff and operation of the museum’s Visitor Services and Store. Time allocation for these responsibilities are roughly 50% financial management, 20% human resources management, 20% risk and information technology management, and 10% special projects.
This position staffs the Finance Committee of Museum of the Rockies, Inc. for its finance and investment needs and is the primary point of contact with MSU financial, IT and HR departments. The Director of Finance is responsible for providing with their team monthly financial statements, overseeing the annual audit, and working with the Executive Director and other team members to create annual and program budgets. The position directly supervises the museum Comptroller, Accountant, Store Manager, Associate Director of Visitor Services, and provides oversight for other staff working in finance related areas, and assists the museum staff with HR and IT needs.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Demonstrated experience in full accrual accounting and direct application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Demonstrated experience as a finance director, or similar role, for a non-profit or governmental organization with specific responsibilities for administration and management of accounting functions and staff.
Demonstrated experience in financial management with responsibilities for the development, monitoring and reporting on the financial status of the organization and its various strategic and programmatic initiatives along with annual audits.
Substantial experience in developing and monitoring annual budgets for a non-profit or governmental organization with an annual budget exceeding $4 million.
Demonstrated experience using information technology in an office setting including experience coordinating and supervising external IT vendors and contractors.
Experience with human resources policies and procedures including direct supervision of staff.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Advanced degree or certification, e.g., CPA/MAcct/MBA
Relevant knowledge of federal and state legislation affecting nonprofits, including IRS regulations, and fund accounting and nonprofit GAAP.
Advanced proficiency with computerized financial systems, preferably with fund accounting systems, and experience with implementing this kind of system.
Demonstrated experience staffing a non-profit Board of Trustees.
Demonstrated proficiency or the ability to be proficient with Blackbaud’s Financial Edge or similar software.
Familiarity with Montana State University’s Banner system.
Experience with developing point of sale systems and retail.

The Successful Candidate Will
Be able to represent MOR in a positive manner to outside groups and constituents including MSU departments.
Have strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
Provide leadership to a team and to work in a team environment.
Possess excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Have the ability to explain procedures and policies so that others can understand.
Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
Be committed to excellence and ethical standards in his/her specific areas of responsibility and show a desire to advance the mission of the Museum of the Rockies.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes
Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date

Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on March 24, 2023; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions
Prior to applying, candidates should carefully review minimum and preferred qualifications to ensure that they fulfill the requirements. Along with the required application materials, a formal 1 to 2-page cover letter should specifically address the listed qualifications of the candidate.

The starting salary is $98,000 and is commensurate with experience. The position comes with an extensive benefits package that includes a broad health plan, an employer matching retirement plan, vacation, sick, and personal days, and more.

Diversity Statement

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html

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