Chief Financial Officer

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is seeking a results-oriented Chief Financial Officer (CFO) skilled in forecasting the impact of new initiatives and exploring new business models. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serving as a valued member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will lead 3 highly skilled direct reports and oversee AIAA’s total budget of $25M with $38M in financial reserves and $20M in the foundation portfolio. This includes all financial administration, business planning, and budgeting for both AIAA’s Institute and Foundation, as well as oversight of contract administration facility services and payroll processing.

AIAA has been shaped by the remarkable advances in aeronautics and astronautics produced by our members—our goal is to empower them to achieve the next breakthroughs that will enable us to fly farther, faster, smarter, and safer in the earth’s atmosphere and beyond the Kármán Line. As the landscape of professional member organizations evolves and innovation in the aerospace industry skyrockets, AIAA has the opportunity to increase relevance and value not only for members but for a range of industry stakeholders. You’ll partner with the CEO and the Executive Leadership team to build from AIAA’s core revenue-generating portfolio of technical resources, programs, and industry-leading events and explore new opportunities that will support revenue diversification and growth into the next decade and beyond.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Your leadership will be key in driving change that enhances efficiency, transparency, and AIAA’s ability to support innovation in the aerospace industry.

• Financial Strategy: Lead AIAA’s financial planning and analysis to support and optimize complex revenue streams, including membership, publishing, conferences, and corporate sponsorships. Develop and implement strategies and policies that will support our long-term vision to increase revenue to $50M.
• Business Model Innovation: Collaborate with senior leadership to assess and refine existing business models, identify new revenue opportunities, and provide strategic recommendations based on rigorous financial analysis. Support the development of new initiatives and projects, balancing financial performance with mission impact.
• Board Engagement: Present complex financial data and strategic initiatives to our technically sophisticated Board of Trustees, facilitating data-driven decision-making. Translate financial outcomes into clear, compelling narratives that build board support.
• Organizational Change: Participate in the strategic planning process and guide AIAA staff through operational changes. Support transformation efforts by streamlining financial processes, implementing new systems, and aligning resources to support strategic initiatives.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• You’ll enjoy a flexible work environment with generally 2-3 days in-office presence weekly to collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team and staff at our Reston, VA location.
• Compensation for this position is competitive and will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience. AIAA offers an outstanding benefits package including 13 days of vacation to start, plus 15 paid company holidays and 10 days of sick leave; comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with an FSA option; disability and life insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with 4% match; tuition assistance; professional development; and health and fitness subsidies.
• AIAA is a dynamic and forward-thinking organization with a strong legacy of taking care of its people. You’ll be joining a highly motivated and mission-driven team dedicated to supporting professionals in the aerospace community.

Responsibilities

Strategy

• Partner with the CEO on operational and strategic issues as they arise; provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, and revenue/expense analysis.
• Participate in the ongoing strategic planning process as an integral member of the Executive Leadership Team.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with AIAA’s strategic plan.
• Engage the leaders in Product Operations and Revenue/Brand Management to align financial management with short- and long-term financial planning and projections.
• Engage the board Finance Committee around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model and operational delivery.

Financial Management

• Oversee accounting functions of two 501(c)(3) organizations, including daily processing of accounts receivables and accounts payables transactions, account reconciliation, and month-end financial closing and reporting, ensuring adherence in all respects to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Financial Responsibilities include oversight of financial accounting systems, processes, procedures, internal controls, and internal and external reporting.
• Ensure timely preparation, integrity, and accuracy of monthly and year-to-date financial statements. Review and evaluate financial results and notify senior leadership of performance in key business areas. Provide financial reports and variance explanations of results against planned activities to senior leadership, the Finance Committee, and the Board.
• Manage and coordinate institute-wide annual budget preparation to support the strategic direction of the organization, following established policies. Present the annual budget to the Finance Committee.
• Manage relationships with financial institutions for banking and investments, ensuring proper signature authority is established, and processes and controls are implemented to prevent internal and external fraud.
• Monitor cash flow requirements, conducting periodic projections to ensure cash requirements are met. Manage transfer of funds between investment portfolios and operating accounts.
• Manage line of credit reporting requirements, payment, and renewal applications.
• Ensure compliance with all local, State, and Federal laws and tax regulations and oversee the preparation of all federal reporting requirements, such as tax returns, tax-exempt status, 990s, and 1099s.
• Coordinate the annual financial audit, working closely with external independent auditors providing requested financial documentation as needed. Review prepared Audited Financial Statements to ensure an accurate reflection of business operations. Work closely with the Treasurer and Audit Committee throughout the process.
• Partner with senior leadership to provide financial analysis and support for products and services as needed. Provide advice and recommendations in support of business objectives.
• Educate staff on established accounting practices to ensure proper recognition of revenue and expenses. Translate financial policies and procedures into easy-to-understand concepts, providing support as needed to ensure proper financial treatment of business activities.
• Review all finance procedures, processes, and administration to recommend improvements.
• Oversee and/or actively engage in various administrative functions such as payroll, corporate card program, 403(b) fiduciary, and travel and insurance agency relationship.

Operational Management

• Ensure finance & administration functions provide the support needed for successful business operations.
• Develop and manage direct staff, including managers in Finance and Contracts and Administration; guide larger multidisciplinary teams outside of the direct span of control. Responsible for overseeing office administration, including staff, security, and administration, and liaising with the building landlord on facilities matters.
• Engage other members of the Senior Leadership team to facilitate cross-department collaboration that ensures that all Financial & Administration solutions positively support AIAA’s evolving strategy, operational delivery, and data collection needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business and at least 10-12 years of broad finance experience, including project management, business analysis, financial accounting controls, processes and procedures, and contracts.
• Demonstrated success serving as a trusted advisor to CEOs and senior executives, providing strategic guidance that shapes organizational direction and performance with the ability to balance both high-level strategy and detailed financial oversight. Experience presenting to boards in a professional capacity is preferred.
• Mastery of MS Office Suite, experience with financial management and reporting systems and payroll systems
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present complex financial concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders.

About AIAA

AIAA is the world’s largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. Our nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries and 95 corporate members are scientists, engineers, students, educators, and professionals in the aerospace field. Since 1963, they have achieved virtually every milestone in modern American flight.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.