Who We Are
Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.
Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.
Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.
***Must reside in or be ready to relocate to Virginia***
About the Position
The Executive Director of Financial Planning and Analysis is a strategic leader dedicated to advancing the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s financial sustainability and long-term growth. This leader oversees financial planning, budget development, treasury, and business intelligence functions. The role is responsible for leading a team of data, financial, and treasury analysts, collaborating with cross-functional partners, and serving as a key advisor to senior leadership. By leveraging data-driven insights and process improvements, this position delivers measurable impact on operational excellence, organizational agility, and the Foundation's ability to deliver on its mission. The leader ensures compliance, drives innovation, and communicates complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences, supporting informed decision-making at all levels.
Main Duties:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Strategic Financial Leadership & Planning: Set vision and direction for all financial management functions, including multi-year financial modeling, budget development, treasury, and resource allocation. Influence long-term financial sustainability and growth by aligning financial strategies with the Foundation’s mission and strategic initiatives.
- Financial Planning, Analysis & Reporting: Lead the FP&A and Treasury teams in preparing cash flow projections, operating and capital budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial plans. Oversee financial reporting and variance analysis, delivering actionable insights to executive leadership that drive organizational performance.
- Budgeting & Resource Allocation: Design and implement a comprehensive, transparent budgeting process incorporating all funding sources. Coordinate annual budget development, establish guidelines with department leaders, and monitor performance to ensure resources are allocated efficiently and in support of strategic goals.
- Treasury, Cash & Debt Management: Oversee cash management, short- and long-term forecasting, and investment portfolio strategy. Support the structuring, ongoing monitoring, and compliance of the Foundation’s debt, ensuring prudent financial stewardship and adherence to financing requirements.
- Business Intelligence & Process Improvement: Lead the development and execution of business intelligence strategies using tools such as PowerBI, Tableau, Power Apps, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Drive measurable results by automating and streamlining FP&A and reporting processes with platforms like Workday and Adaptive Planning, leading to improved efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of information delivery.
- Financial Compliance & Reporting: Prepare detailed financial reports and ensure compliance with federal, state, and private entity regulations. Regularly review performance metrics, support reporting for debt holders and rating agencies, and participate in required surveys, identifying and implementing improvements to strengthen financial controls and transparency.
- Team Leadership & Talent Development: Manage and mentor a team of data, financial, and treasury analysts, fostering a culture of innovation, professional growth, and high performance. Lead talent development, succession planning, and champion change management initiatives for continuous improvement.
- Collaboration & Communication: Work closely with cross-functional teams and leadership to translate organizational needs into actionable financial and analytical solutions. Ensure the effective communication of findings and recommendations, facilitating data-informed decisions and alignment across departments.
This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in financial planning, analysis, treasury, or business intelligence roles.
- Significant experience solving complex problems that require mastery level and knowledge/skills within the professional discipline itself.
- Leadership experience managing teams and leading cross-functional projects such as budgeting cycles, system implementations, or strategic financial initiatives within complex organizations.
- Extensive experience in financial data management, reporting, and information delivery to support organizational decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Experience with financial planning specifically using ERP systems such as Workday, Adaptive Planning, or similar platforms, especially in nonprofit environments.
- Experience managing large capital projects, deferred maintenance funding, or similar initiatives requiring complex financial oversight and reporting.
Key Skills / Competencies:
- Demonstrated advanced skills in data visualization and analysis, with hands-on experience using tools such as PowerBI, Tableau, Excel (including advanced modeling), and dashboard/report development for executive audiences or major organizational projects.
- Strong business acumen demonstrated through expertise in interpreting financial statements, evaluating business models, conducting scenario and sensitivity analyses, and making recommendations that balance risk, return, and mission alignment to drive strategic decisions.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results in a deadline-driven environment.
- Customer service orientation and advanced problem-solving skills, with a track record of successfully resolving complex financial and operational challenges.
- Expertise in data management, integration, and business intelligence, including the use of platforms such as PowerBI, Tableau, and SQL-based data warehouses.
- Ability to interpret organizational needs and policies, develop clear procedures, and present complex financial information effectively to diverse audiences (orally, in writing, and electronically).
- Effective collaboration with colleagues and management at all levels to deliver financial information, strategic insights, and solutions that support organizational objectives.
- Competence in working with technical teams (data infrastructure, business analysts) and communicating technical solutions clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Initiative, independence, and strong organizational skills.
- Demonstrated innovation, adaptability, and commitment to continuous improvement, with a record of implementing best practices in financial planning and analysis.
- Robust financial background with the ability to apply business metrics and drive value across the organization.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
- This role is primarily sedentary, requiring extended periods of sitting while working on a computer.
- Regular verbal and written communication is essential.
- Occasional walking, standing, and light lifting of materials up to 10–15 pounds may be required.
- The position involves periods of sustained concentration.
- Work is performed in a standard office or remote environment with minimal exposure to hazards, and occasional extended hours may be necessary during peak cycles.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Currently, seven direct reports
Typical Work Schedule:
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
