Chief Financial Officer at Oregon Public Broadcasting

About OPB 

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is an independent, nonprofit media organization serving communities across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Powered by the generous support of members, sponsors, and foundations, OPB connects people through trusted journalism that is freely accessible to everyone. Guided by public service, we deliver in-depth, fact-driven coverage of politics, science and the environment, arts and culture, education and more. OPB shares stories and programs wherever people seek them: on opb.org, OPB Radio and TV, the OPB News app, social media, streaming video, podcasts, KMHD Jazz Without Boundaries, or our daily “First Look” and other email newsletters. 

The Opportunity: Invest in the Future of Public Media in the Pacific Northwest 

OPB has a unique opportunity to expand the depth and reach of our journalism. As public media organizations across the country face unprecedented threats amid an evolving media landscape, OPB is committed to meeting this challenge by investing in the future of our service. With an existing network of influence and partners embedded in communities across the region, OPB is building an infrastructure to support our own original storytelling and dynamic news ecosystems throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. We strive for delivery of highest-quality, trusted journalism and storytelling accessible to all, content that enriches lives and strengthens communities. OPB is respected for its strong brand, loyal membership base, and contributions to a compelling mission at a critical moment. 

This is more than a finance role; it’s a chance to be a strategic architect of OPB’s future. As OPB’s new CFO, you will report to the Chief Operating Officer, and serve as a key partner to the CEO, Senior Leadership Group (SLG), and the Board of Directors, to ensure our financial strength and sustainability, and support our strategy—allowing our journalists, producers, and content creators to serve communities across the Pacific Northwest.  

Crucially, you will join OPB at a pivotal moment. Building on a strong foundation of financial sustainability, we are embarking on a significant initiative to modernize our financial systems and processes—you will be the executive sponsor leading this transformation. You will have the unique opportunity to redesign our financial infrastructure to better serve our dynamic, digital-first needs, implementing modern tools and streamlined workflows that will support our mission for the next decade and beyond. You will also develop our modeling and forecasting function, helping OPB make forward-thinking, data-informed decisions and respond quickly to dynamic conditions. Candidates ideally have experience driving successful large-scale systems evolution at mature organizations, and possess a collaborative, servant leadership approach that brings everyone along for change. 

Based out of our headquarters in Portland, Oregon, the CFO will be on-site most of the week, working closely with the Finance & Accounting department, senior leaders, and teams across the organization. If you bring a focus on efficiency, progress, and operational excellence and a passion for leading teams with empathy and clarity, we want to hear from you. 

The Chief Financial Officer will oversee the Finance & Accounting department, partnering closely with peers in senior leadership to make strategic, data-driven investments and secure OPB’s financial future, providing timely analysis and hands-on management across all aspects of OPB’s finances. 

Key responsibilities include: 

Strategic Financial Leadership: 

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CEO, COO, leadership team, and Board of Directors on all financial matters. 
• Design and lead long-range and short-term financial planning, forecasting, and modeling to support strategic initiatives and ensure long-term sustainability. 
• Translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders. 
• Define and maintain financial policies, considering and balancing the objectives of: (1) the business need for flexibility and simplicity, (2) modern risk mitigation practices, and (3) the requirements set by our complex regulatory environment. 

Transformational Systems Modernization: 

• Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of a modern accounting system or new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. 
• Re-engineer financial processes to increase efficiency, enhance internal controls, and provide more robust, real-time data for decision-making. 
• Work closely with fellow leaders in People & Culture, Technology, and Legal to design robust, transparent, collaborative contracting, purchasing, and payroll processes to simplify workflows across the organization. 
• Champion the change management process across the Finance & Accounting team and organization to ensure successful adoption of new systems and workflows. 

Financial Operations, Reporting & Compliance: 

• Oversee all accounting functions, including general ledger, A/P, A/R, payroll, leases, and grant and restricted gift accounting. 
• Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly re-forecasting processes in collaboration with department leaders. 
• Ensure the integrity and timeliness of all financial reporting, both internal and external, including preparation of quarterly Board materials and monthly budget variance analyses. 
• Direct financial processes critical to our operations, including: operating our tower site LLCs, overseeing capital expenditures, maintaining business insurance policies, and managing financial aspects of vendors and employment agencies. 
• Manage the annual financial audit, retirement plan audit, and IRS Form 990 preparation, as well as overseeing tax and other regulatory filings. 
• Guarantee rigorous compliance with all relevant regulations, including nonprofit GAAP and Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

Financial Stewardship & Long-Term Investments: 

• Review all daily cash and short-term investment activity, ensuring smooth cash operations and meticulous tracking and controls for all inflows and outflows. 
• Work with the board to manage our long-term investment portfolio to ensure sustainable growth and financial stability, including the purchase and sale of investments, portfolio rebalancing, and advising on asset allocation strategies. 
• Oversee intake of stock and planned gifts from donors, ensuring compliance with gift restrictions. 

Team Leadership & Development: 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Finance & Accounting team. 
• Champion and elevate the profile of Finance & Accounting within the broader organization, building strong relationships across departmental lines and creating opportunities for cross-functional engagement. 
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accuracy, service, and continuous improvement. 

Working Conditions:  

Working conditions are generally within the typical office environment, with occasional opportunity for hybrid work. Occasionally, may require working evenings, weekends, holidays, and some travel. 

Reports to: SVP & Chief Operating Officer 

We are looking for a leader who is as passionate about our public service mission as they are about financial excellence. While no candidate will have every single qualification, the ideal profile includes: 

• Experience: At least 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior management role (e.g., CFO, VP of Finance, Director of Finance). 
• Nonprofit/Public Media Acumen: Significant experience in a complex nonprofit, government, or other heavily regulated environment is strongly preferred. Direct experience in public media, with a deep understanding of its unique funding models and regulatory landscape (e.g., FCC), is ideal. Media industry experience is preferred. 
• Transformational Project Leadership: Proven success leading a large-scale financial system implementation and/or digitization effort; hands-on experience leading business process re-engineering. You know how to manage the project, the vendors, and the people to achieve success, and possess the judgment to know when to engage external support. 
• Strategic Mindset: The ability to think beyond the numbers, connect financial strategy to organizational mission, and serve as a true partner to executive leadership. 
• Exceptional Communication Skills: The ability to distill and communicate complex financial concepts to diverse audiences, from the Board Finance Committee to creative staff; experience collaborating with boards and committees. 
• Leadership Presence: A collaborative, inclusive, and decisive leader with unimpeachable integrity and a commitment to fostering a positive and equitable workplace culture. 
• Credentials: A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is required. A CPA and/or MBA is highly desirable. 
• Values In Action: Enthusiasm for, and embodiment of, the mission and values of OPB. 

Additional Information 

• This position reports to the SVP & Chief Operating Officer and is benefits-eligible. 
• The probable hiring range for this exempt position is between $184,000 and $230,000 annually, depending on qualifications. 
• This position has access to highly sensitive data and therefore must pass a background check. 

Oregon Public Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

OPB is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds, especially those from historically underrepresented groups.