The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States and a globally recognized leader in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Located in Salem, Massachusetts, PEM boldly honors creativity as a nourishing force in people's lives, offering thought-provoking experiences that activate understanding of our shared humanity while empowering imagination and learning through experimentation.
PEM stewards, builds, and makes accessible an extraordinary collection spanning cultures, time periods, and artistic traditions, encouraging visitors to appreciate the interconnected histories and creativity of people in our complex, ever-changing world. Through innovative exhibitions, dynamic programming, research, and community partnerships, the museum serves as a vibrant cultural institution where curiosity, dialogue, and creativity inspire meaningful connections across communities.
Guided by its vision to be a magnetic, human-centered gathering place—locally, globally, and virtually—PEM is committed to fostering openness, collaboration, inquiry, and experimentation. The museum embraces inclusive and equitable engagement, striving to create authentic, meaningful experiences that cultivate a sense of belonging while respecting humanity, the environment, and the diverse perspectives that enrich our collective understanding.
Founded in 1799 by the East India Marine Society, PEM has evolved into one of the nation's most innovative museums while remaining deeply rooted in its history of connecting people, cultures, and ideas. Today, the museum continues to advance its mission by celebrating creativity as a powerful catalyst for learning, empathy, and human connection.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides strategic, operational, and fiduciary leadership for the Peabody Essex Museum’s (PEM) comprehensive financial, investment, and administrative functions. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as a key member of the Executive Team, the CFO is a trusted advisor to the Board of Trustees, Executive Team, and senior staff on matters related to financial strategy, sustainability, governance, institutional risk, and organizational performance.
The CFO has enterprise-wide responsibility for financial planning and analysis, accounting and reporting, treasury and cash management, endowment and investment operations oversight, contracts oversight, compliance, and selected enterprise-wide initiatives. The role also oversees PEM’s Information Technology function.
This position requires a highly engaged, hands-on finance executive who combines strategic judgment with operational rigor and partners closely with colleagues to support PEM’s mission, long-term financial resilience, and institutional priorities.
Financial Leadership & Strategy
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Provide strategic leadership for PEM’s overall financial management, ensuring long-term financial sustainability, liquidity, and alignment with institutional goals.
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Partner with the Executive Team to integrate financial planning with strategic initiatives, programmatic priorities, and capital investments.
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Lead multi-year financial planning, forecasting, and scenario analysis to support informed decision-making by senior leadership and the Board.
Accounting, Reporting & Compliance
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Oversee all accounting and financial reporting functions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of internal and external financial information.
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Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, tax, audit, and reporting requirements, including GAAP, IRS regulations, and donor restrictions.
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Develop, implement, and strengthen internal controls, policies, and procedures to support strong governance and institutional risk management.
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Serve as the primary executive liaison to external auditors and accounting advisors.
Endowment & Investments
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Provide executive oversight of PEM’s endowment and investment operations in partnership with the Board Investment Committee and external investment advisors.
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Oversee accounting, reporting, cash flows, distributions, capital calls, and redemptions for PEM’s endowment, currently valued at approximately $690 million +.
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Ensure accurate stewardship, documentation, and reporting of restricted and unrestricted endowment funds, including accumulated unspent distributions.
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Support the implementation of investment decisions approved by the Investment Committee, including subscription documentation review, execution as an authorized signer, and coordination of capital calls and liquidity activity.
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Lead institutional cash management and liquidity planning across operating, capital, and investment accounts.
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PEM’s finance team performs all endowment accounting and financial reporting internally.
Budgeting, Financial Planning & Analysis
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Lead the annual operating and capital budgeting processes and ongoing forecasting across all departments.
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Direct financial planning and analysis (FP&A), including variance analysis, performance monitoring, and multi-year modeling.
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Translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for Board members, senior leadership, and staff.
Contracts & Institutional Risk Oversight
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Partner with the COO in providing executive oversight of institutional contracts and procurement practices.
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Review and approve significant contracts in collaboration with external legal counsel and the COO.
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Partner with the COO and Audit & Risk Committee leadership on institutional risk considerations, insurance coverage, and risk mitigation strategies.
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Support the implementation of risk-related actions approved by the Board.
Information Technology, AI & Cybersecurity Oversight
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Oversee PEM’s Information Technology department, ensuring reliable, secure, and effective
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technology infrastructure.
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Provide executive oversight of institutional network systems, hardware, device-based software, phone systems, copiers, and data-storage solutions.
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Ensure the security and resilience of PEM’s technology environment, including network
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security, access controls, data protection, and cybersecurity monitoring.
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Oversee preparedness for and response to cybersecurity incidents, coordinating with internal teams and external vendors.
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Serve on PEM’s AI Governance Team and contribute financial, governance, and risk
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perspectives to institutional AI strategy and policy development.
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Ensure technology resources support day-to-day operations and institutional resilience.
Governance & Board Relations
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Serve as executive liaison to the Board’s Finance Committee, Investment Committee, and co-executive liaison with the COO to the Audit & Risk Committee.
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Provide financial, accounting, and implementation support to committee chairs and external advisors.
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Act as a trusted advisor to Trustees on financial sustainability, institutional risk, and long-term planning.
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Serve as the primary financial advisor to the Board, effectively communicating complex financial and operational issues through compelling presentations and strategic recommendations.
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
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Brings deep, expert-level command of nonprofit finance, including complex endowment management, restricted vs. unrestricted funds, investment oversight, and multi-entity structures, enabling effective partnership with the board, development, and program teams.
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Demonstrates exceptional ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear, accessible insights for diverse stakeholders including trustees, non-financial leaders, and development teams ensuring alignment and informed decision-making across the organization.
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Leads with high emotional intelligence and a relationship-centered approach, building trust, demonstrating empathy and professionalism under pressure, and operating as a connector who strengthens collaboration rather than functioning as a siloed financial operator.
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Reporting directly to the COO, serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring that financial strategy, resource allocation, and risk management are aligned with the institution’s mission, long-range goals, and evolving priorities. Provides forward-looking analysis and scenario planning to support executive decision-making and organizational sustainability.
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Embodies strong cultural adaptability and leadership presence by aligning with a mission-driven, collaborative environment, engaging effectively with a sophisticated board, and building and developing a high-performing, engaged finance team that supports organizational goals.
In addition, strong candidates will offer:
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15+ years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, ideally within complex nonprofit or cultural institutions.
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Deep expertise in nonprofit financial management, accounting, treasury, endowment operations, and compliance.
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Significant experience overseeing large endowments and investment-related operations.
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Strong financial planning and analysis (FP&A) capabilities, including multi-year modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis.
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Ability to function as both a strategic advisor and a hands-on operational leader.
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Experience strengthening internal controls, governance, and institutional risk management practices.
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Executive-level oversight of technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems in collaboration with IT professionals.
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Experience contributing to enterprise-wide initiatives, including emerging technology and AI governance.
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Exceptional communication skills and a collaborative leadership style.
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Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
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Graduate degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000 to $250,000 with a generous benefits package.
APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Tyler Ridgeway, Naree Viner, and Malissa Brennan. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile (linked below).
https://www.dsgco.com/search/23251-peabody-essex-museum-chief-financial-officer/
Please note the recruitment for this position is being performed by DSG | Koya. Upon review of your application materials, should DSG | Koya wish to speak with you, a member of the search committee will be in contact with you. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
PEM strives to create a community of belonging that draws upon the widest pool of talent, embracing individuals of all backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We seek candidates who can contribute to helping us achieve our goals and encourage you to apply for our open positions identifying the contributions you can make.
PEM considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.
