Chief Financial Officer

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) seeks a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven financial leader to serve as its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Partnering closely with the Director/CEO, Board of Trustees, and the executive leadership team, the CFO will thoughtfully steward SBMA’s resources to realize its mission of “integrating art into the lives of people” through strategic financial counsel and operations. This is an exceptional opportunity to guide one of California’s distinguished cultural institutions.

SBMA opened to the public in 1941 in the former Post Office (1912 - 1932) through the immense generosity of dedicated collectors who assembled an important collection of over 25,000 works of art spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity. The SBMA offers acclaimed programming, touring exhibitions worldwide, renowned exhibitions, and a wide array of educational and interpretive programs. In a city of approximately 89,000 residents, SBMA draws an audience of approximately 65,000 annual visitors to its 60,000 square feet located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.

Reporting directly to Director and Chief Executive Officer Amada Cruz, the CFO will join the Museum at an opportune time. The institution benefits from an engaged Board of Trustees, strong artistic assets, and ambitious leadership. The CFO will help steward the Museum as it embarks on its next capital campaign and new phase of growth. The CFO will play a central role in translating its aspirations into sustainable and actionable financial and operational planning and execution.

SBMA seeks a CFO who combines the financial sophistication of an experienced executive with the collaborative style and mission orientation required within a nonprofit cultural institution. The successful candidate will bring substantial senior-level financial leadership experience within a nonprofit organization, sophisticated knowledge of nonprofit and fund accounting, and outstanding analytical and communication skills. They will have strong judgment and integrity, comfort with ambiguity, experience operating at both strategic and tactical levels, and a genuine interest in the role that art and cultural institutions play in civic life.

COMPENSATION AND LOCATION

This is a permanent, full-time, on-site executive position in Santa Barbara. The salary is anticipated to be $200,000 to $240,000, depending on qualifications and experience. SBMA offers a competitive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; pretax savings opportunities; and participation in the Museum's 403(b) retirement program in accordance with plan eligibility requirements.

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and résumés with cover letters should be sent below.

Lindsay Gold is leading this search with Evan Layne and Julia Hochner.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic prohibited by applicable law.