Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations - J. Paul Getty Trust, The
Los Angeles, CA 90049
About the Job
The J. Paul Getty Trust (“Getty”) is a leading international cultural and arts institution based in Los Angeles. The Trust is comprised of four distinct Programs: the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Foundation, the Getty Research Institute, and the J. Paul Getty Museum. These four Programs work independently and collaboratively to preserve and present the world’s cultural heritage through their collections, exhibitions, conservation work, research, scholarship, and philanthropy.
Job Summary
The Executive Vice President, Finance and Operations (EVP) is a crucial strategic partner to the CEO, Katherine Fleming. The EVP will join Getty at an exciting period of institutional growth and evolution and will serve as a key member of the executive team as the institution leans into its "One Getty" identity. In partnership with the CEO, the Program Directors, and other leaders across Getty, and in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, the EVP will apply experience, vision, and innovation to build on Getty’s record and accelerate and amplify its impact.
The ideal leader will be highly strategic and inclusive, capable of aligning present-day operational effectiveness with the organization's financial assets and future ambitions. The EVP will embed an operational framework guided by forward-looking financial and governance principles - particularly with regard to sustainability and capital improvements - in order to solidify the foundation upon which Getty will continue to evolve. A trusted advisor to the CEO and her team, the EVP will be an incisive and innovative leader who can influence and build consensus across the organization.
The EVP will lead Getty's finance and operational functions, including Facilities, Human Resources/DEAI, Insurance/Risk Management, Security/Visitor Services, and Sustainability.
Getty is being assisted in this process by Spencer Stuart and welcomes nominations or expressions of interest. If you wish to submit application materials, please send an email message with supporting materials to: GettyEVPFO@spencerstuart.com. Only individuals who express interest in this way will be considered for this search.
Major Job Responsibilities:
Leadership
- Work as a key colleague of the CEO in matters concerning Getty, its mission, and programs, including serving as her representative as needed and appropriate.
- Anticipate needs, problems, and opportunities that Getty may face in the future and develop strategies to support the CEO in leveraging opportunities and mitigating issues.
- Work with the CEO and executive team to influence and implement Getty’s strategic priorities and vision, especially in the area of sustainability, collections care, operations, and facilities.
- Build collaborative, mutually respectful working relationships across the Getty.
Financial Management/Analysis
- Develop and maintain a Getty-wide, long-range, strategic financial vision that guides the organization and drives and/or transforms planning and budgeting processes.
- Comprehensively and responsibly steward Getty’s finances to secure the institution’s long-term future and wellbeing.
- Work in partnership with the Board, especially the Finance and Audit Committee Chairs, ensuring that relevant information and materials are digestible, transparent, and offer actionable recommendations to improve financial performance and guide strategic decisions.
- Lead Getty’s CEO, Executive team, and other departments in the development and implementation of the annual operating budget and ensure that it reflects the priorities of the CEO and Board.
- Oversee organizational budgets, forecasts, and financial and expense controls, ensuring accurate, timely, and clear financial information is provided to the CEO and Board of Trustees. Ensure preparation and delivery of financial statements and tax returns; external annual financial audits; and Getty’s tax-exempt and taxable debt programs.
Business and Operational Functions
- Getty is commencing several major capital improvement projects which will require the immediate engagement of the new EVP. These include efforts that will: address aging facilities, sustainability, and climate change; create a visitor experience that is more welcoming for all communities; increase parking; modernize energy operations; renovate transportation (Tram); update food services spaces that support staff and visitors; and provide larger and improved exhibition, program, collection care and storage, and conference space.
- Provide leadership to and support of the functional areas reporting to EVP, ensuring equitable impact across the organization.
- Ensure Getty is supported in the operation of all its facilities to safeguard its collections, visitors, and staff.
- Lead and work collaboratively with others to provide a high-quality experience for visitors, provide a quality work environment for staff, and support the work of Getty’s four programs.
- Consider overall space needs and challenges, leading efforts and working with necessary parties across Getty to develop solutions.
- Oversee and support sustainability commitments that will result in impactful programs and collaboration.
- Function as Emergency Response Lead if/when such matters arise, ensuring proper response and communication.
Entrepreneurial problem-solver, with proven strategic and relationship-building skills. In addition to having a strong affinity for Getty's mission the EVP will bring a track record of forward-looking, collaborative leadership, taking an innovative approach to ensuring an organization's long-term future and devising the systems and processes required to achieve that. The successful candidate will have experience delivering sustained operational and financial impact, preferably in a context of evolution anchored by a core identity. The EVP will have served as a critical strategic advisor, acting as a key representative of an organization's best interests and a thoughtful steward of its future.
- At least 10 years of senior-level financial and operations management in a large, complex, multi-faceted non-profit, for-profit or public organization, preferably with a track record of leading a diverse portfolio including facilities, construction, and sustainability.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement an innovative, shared vision for the future, translating long-term goals into day-to-day operations, and aligning cross-functional teams to achieve outcomes.
- Experience integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into operational and financial strategies. Preference for experience successfully integrating sustainability initiatives.
- Track record of developing and managing teams in a mission-driven environment and embedding a cohesive and people-oriented culture which includes a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree such as an MBA is preferred.
- Highly developed and excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
- Able to create a multi-year operation al and financial roadmap to support Getty's mission, strategy, and goals, rooted in guiding principles of social and environmental impact, inclusivity, and gold-standard governance .
- Capable of parsing and prioritizing Getty's necessarily varied needs and interests, nimbly adjusting and refining strategic direction to best serve the entire organization and its longevity.
- Competent to thoughtfully and innovatively steward Getty's identity and assets, remaining rooted in Getty's mission while delivering changes that enabl e the organization's growth and evolution.
- Proven track record of considering and soliciting input from a variety of stakeholders, engaging others in open dialogue to embed a culture of openness and inclusivity which is essential to the Getty’s growth and success.
- Skilled at building relationships at all levels, fostering a trusting and supportive culture, while l eading through influence and modeling the "One Getty" identity.
- Adept at negotiating with a genuine give-and-take approach that takes all parties’ perspectives into account.
- Openly and visibly supports Getty’s continued efforts for diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion for its employees and visitors.
- Experience delivering strategic change, operational efficiencies, improvements to systems and processes, and innovative reinvention in a way that honors and preserves Getty’s culture and identity.
- Demonstrated ability to set continually higher goals for teams and the organization, which are ambitious but achievable.
- Is energized by challenge, improvement, and optimization, constantly seeking opportunities to better serve Getty’s mission and impact through operational enhancements.
- Intellectually curious, with a keen interest in the visual arts and humanities and/or a passion for the Getty’s mission to promote and ensure a vital civil society.