Chief Financial and Operations Officer
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Williamsburg, VA - United States
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (CW) is America’s premier living history institution and the world’s largest U.S. history museum. Located at the birthplace of American democracy, CW advances knowledge and provides education through historical interpretation, intellectual research, archaeology, and historic preservation and restoration for some of the country’s most important treasures and is a convener of conversations about how the nation’s past is a prologue for its present and future. The institution seeks a chief financial and operations officer (CFOO) to play a central role to its continued and future success and is deeply committed to its mission.
Reporting to the president and CEO Cliff Fleet, the CFOO is a pivotal member of CW’s diverse and dynamic leadership team. This executive oversees the offices of financial management, information technology, and operations management, a team nearly 250 professionals, and acts as key advisory to the Board of Trustees including responsibility for the Finance, Investment, Buildings and Grounds, and Audit committees. The CFOO will represent in word-and-deed an empathetic, supportive, and inclusive environment for staff and visitors, CW’s commitment to sharing the complete history of America and enabling the broadest audience to connect the past without barriers – real or perceived – is only possible if there is commitment throughout the organization.
The CFOO will also shepherd the operation of the Colonial Williamsburg Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CW which includes hotels, golf courses, a spa, and many food, beverage, and retail outlets. In total, the portfolio accounts for a consolidated $200 million fiscal enterprise with both a non-profit and a for-profit operation consisting of hospitality and real-estate assets. CW has endowment and pension assets of nearly $1 billion and is the second largest employer and largest taxpaying landowner in the City of Williamsburg.
As Colonial Williamsburg prepares to celebrate its centennial and the country celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, CW launched a transformational $600 million Power of Place Campaign. The campaign recently passed the $350 million mark in its growth. The CFOO must be able to speak passionately on behalf of the campaign and its initiatives, share the mission of CW, and connect with donors and other supporters when the opportunity arises.
Candidates must possess the necessary skills to lead a financial and operational system of similar size and complexity. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in endowment management, implementation of financial information-technology systems, and/or involvement in real-estate development transactions. Most importantly, candidates must be mission-focused leaders who have a passion for working within a nonprofit environment within a board governance environment.
Success in this work requires a leader with significant and sophisticated executive experience in an education, cultural, museum, or similar organization and a strong history of innovation and collaboration. The CFOO will have a record of accomplishment catalyzing growth and transformation and will be an experienced manager who will understand how to lead effectively through influence and inspiration. The CFOO will be a fully engaged colleague throughout the organization and member of the Williamsburg, Virginia community.
WittKieffer is assisting The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in this search. The search process is currently underway and will continue until the position is filled.
Applications and nominations are invited. Application materials should be submitted using the WittKieffer Candidate Portal. The Candidate Portal is a secure, easy way to nominate a colleague, express confidential interest, or apply for this position.
Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.
Inquiries can be directed to WittKieffer Consultants:
Melissa Fincher, Sarah Palmer, and Kim Migoya
ColonialWilliamsburgCFOO@wittkieffer.com
Universal acceptance for everyone, everywhere is at the heart of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. We promote diversity & inclusion of thought, culture, and background, which connects our entire team. As such, Colonial Williamsburg is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.