Chief Financial and Business Officer
South Orange County, CA
The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center (Shea Center) in San Juan Capistrano has retained Sterling Search, Inc. to conduct a search for its new Chief Financial and Business Officer.
The Chief Financial and Business Officer (CFBO) reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dana Butler-Moburg, who has led the organization for 28 years. The CFBO acts as a strategic partner to the CEO, Board, and executive leadership team, helping to define the organization’s vision and strategy, and serves as the primary architect of execution, driving alignment and results across finance and accounting, operations, risk management, information technology and human resources. The successful candidate will embody servant leadership, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the mission while acting as a key ambassador who forges strong, collaborative relationships with staff, the board, volunteers, and those the Shea Center serves.
Mission: The Shea Center is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs.
About the Shea Center
The Shea Center, established in 1978, provides equine assisted services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapies, adaptive riding, mental health care, team building, and personal development. Located in a state-of-the-art facility in San Juan Capistrano, the Center serves over 1,400 participants annually with the help of 28 horses and 700+ volunteers.
The Shea Center offers specialized programs addressing more than 85 disabilities and provides financial aid to support clients. Accredited at the highest level by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH Intl.), it is recognized globally for its excellence in equine assisted therapy and training. The Shea Center is the leading therapeutic riding center of the 800 centers in the U.S. and the largest worldwide, with the following two centers being half of the size of the Shea Center. Recent fundraising efforts have completed the “Expanding the Vision” projects, a series of 14 transformative initiatives designed to enhance state-of-the-art facilities. These recent upgrades include a wellness outpost, dedicated therapy offices, improved access to local trails, a staff and volunteer oasis, a barn retreat, modernized amenities such as new parking lots, sunshine stalls, a euro walker for the horses, round pens, and a maintenance shop. The Shea Center is also committed to sustainability, having invested in infrastructure that promotes eco-friendliness. These enhancements are vital to better serving its community and enriching the experiences of all participants.
The Opportunity
The current Chief Operating Officer has been a strategic partner in the Shea Center’s growth for nearly 11 years, working closely with the CEO, Board, and executive leadership team. He has announced his plans to retire in 2026, and consistent with the Shea Center’s thoughtful approach to leadership, the organization is beginning the recruitment process for his successor through the hiring of this position.
Under CEO Butler‑Moburg’s long‑standing leadership, the Shea Center has evolved from a modest set of modular outbuildings and a $375,000 budget into a robust $8.2 million organization. It is supported by 55 staff members and a deeply committed, 23‑member board of business and community leaders who provide thoughtful governance and demonstrate a 100% commitment to philanthropy. In addition, every week more than 250 dedicated volunteers contribute their time and talent to advance the mission and enhance the experience of every participant.
The Shea Center leads with integrity and transparency and is proud of its strong financial position, having built a healthy balance sheet with both fixed and liquid assets, along with a record of trusted financial stewardship, now entering its tenth consecutive year with no audit management letter. Reporting practices are clear, timely, and widely trusted across the organization, and the accounting and finance team maintains exceptional operational discipline, including the remarkable achievement of having less than $25,000 in accounts receivable over 30 days.
The Shea Center utilizes technology for nearly all aspects of its operations to effectively move the organization towards data driven decision making. Financial management is led through QuickBooks, with Salesforce and MS Office365 as the two main operating platforms, creating a 100% cloud-based system that supports transparency, accuracy, and organization‑wide alignment.
The accounting and finance team is stable, with a long-tenured controller and a highly experienced senior accountant. The team is also planning to add a part‑time accountant role to enhance capacity and efficiency.
Under the COO’s leadership, The Shea Center’s culture has evolved where people genuinely care about the numbers, connecting budgets and goals directly to mission impact. This approach has made financial stewardship meaningful, encouraging staff to be fully invested in the process.
Having welcomed a new Chief Philanthropy Officer last year, this is an exceptional moment to join The Shea Center’s executive leadership team. The organization is leaning into innovative solutions and strategic opportunities that will continue to propel the mission forward. In the near term, priorities include, advancing technology infrastructure, implementing a new strategic plan and investing in staff development to strengthen leadership capacity across the organization.
Position Description
The Chief Financial and Business Officer is a strategic, hands‑on executive responsible for the financial health, operational excellence, and infrastructure stewardship of the organization, overseeing accounting and finance, operations, human resources, facilities, risk management, and related administrative functions to ensure long‑term sustainability, organizational effectiveness, and mission alignment. This position is a key member of the senior management team and acts on behalf of the CEO when they are not present.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Develop a deep understanding of therapeutic equestrian programs and the mission‑driven work of the Shea Center.
Work closely with the board Treasurer and staff the finance committee.
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and Board of Directors, helping shape the organization’s long‑term vision, priorities, and mission trajector
Lead organization‑wide strategic planning processes, ensuring goals, initiatives, and operational systems align with the mission and future growth.
Translate vision into actionable strategies, operational plans, and measurable outcomes that drive organizational effectiveness and impact.
Anticipate emerging trends, opportunities, and risks, guiding the organization toward innovative, mission‑aligned solutions.
Foster a culture of forward‑thinking leadership, continuous improvement, and cross‑departmental collaboration.
Attend Executive Committee meetings as needed to provide operational and financial insight and ensure effective governance.
Administration, Operations, IT and Risk Management
Oversee day‑to‑day operations, ensuring systems, processes, and controls support organizational growth and efficiency, and establish best practices to safeguard company assets.
Drive continuous improvement and implement scalable systems.
Oversee the creation and maintenance of accurate and comprehensive record‑keeping systems for all aspects of the organization.
Monitor, update, and develop HR, facilities, IT and operational strategies and policies as needed, working closely with the CEO to ensure alignment with organizational needs and operational best practices.
Ensure that robust and compliant safety systems and procedures are implemented across all departments; monitor issues raised by the Risk Management Team and ensure they are addressed and resolved promptly.
Manage all levels of operations to ensure that safe practices and procedures are utilized by setting clear standards and providing consistent instruction to department supervisors. Monitor safety issues discussed by the Risk Management Team and confirm that they are properly addressed and resolved in a timely manner.
Manage and direct the IT business partner for all IT operations, including oversight of systems, maintenance, and the implementation of new technology solutions.
Work closely with insurance brokers to evaluate, negotiate, and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage for all aspects of the organization.
Financial and Accounting
Provide strategic financial oversight, including budgeting, forecasting, audit, reporting, treasury, and investment management.
Prepare financial reports with guidance from the CEO and serve as the primary staff liaison to the Financial Committee.
Lead and manage all financial operations in partnership with the Finance Committee and CEO, including stewardship and engagement of committee members as a pipeline for board and chair leadership.
Ensure all deposits and banking activities for the Center are completed daily. Manage weekly accounts payable processing. Conduct quarterly cash flow projections.
Establish and manage accounting systems for all special events, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting.
Lead the annual budgeting process with input from staff and monitor budget compliance across departments throughout the year.
Human Resources
Foster an organizational collaborative, accountable, and mission‑aligned culture.
Supervise and support accounting and facilities staff fostering accountability, high performance, and passion for their work.
Oversee the organization’s performance management system, ensuring it supports accountability, staff development, and organizational effectiveness.
Oversee the relationship with the organization’s PEO, ensuring alignment with HR best practices, compliance requirements, and organizational policies.
Partner with the CEO and management team to identify training needs related to ensuring staff have the tools and knowledge required for success and development.
Facilities
Oversee all facility operations across the Center’s eight‑acre property, including equine facilities, office buildings, and equipment, ensuring safe, efficient, and mission‑aligned use of all spaces.
In partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors, recommend, evaluate, and implement business development opportunities related to social enterprise and other revenue‑generating services.
Oversee the organization’s facility manager and facility maintenance strategy, long‑term asset planning, and all renovation or construction projects to ensure the physical infrastructure remains sound, sustainable, and aligned with future growth.
Ensure safe, compliant, and efficient physical environments that support both programmatic and administrative needs.
Qualifications
A minimum of seven years of experience leading business growth and development within a complex, multi‑stakeholder organization.
Experience with successful oversight of accounting and finance, operational, human resources risk management, and facilities functions of a similar size business or nonprofit, managing up with a CEO and/or Board of Directors
Demonstrated success in developing and executing business strategies that drive growth, establish effective policies, and build systems that support efficient, reliable daily operations.
Demonstrated experience applying critical thinking skills and making sound organizational recommendations and decisions at the executive leadership level, grounded in strong business judgment and strategic insight, gaining trust by the CEO and Board of Directors.
Knowledge of emerging technologies, Microsoft Office365, and other tools and systems essential for operating an efficient, transparent, and effective business.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Exceptional people‑management and interpersonal leadership abilities.
Strong capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Bachelor’s degree required, an MBA preferred.
The ideal candidate will be an inspiring servant leader with a genuine passion for serving others. Successful candidates will be energized by improving the lives of people with disabilities and have a strong passion for therapeutic horse-related programs, thereby amplifying the mission in an engaging and compelling manner as an executive and ambassador of the Shea Center.
Top candidates will have the ability to inspire the team with passion, creativity and energy, articulate a vision, set clear goals, and motivate individual and team success.
The successful candidate will demonstrate;
Strong financial skills and background – This position requires understanding of complex financial business operations.
Transparency in Reporting – A commitment to clear, accurate, and accessible communication of financial and operational information.
Visual Thinking – The ability to present data, trends, and complex concepts through visuals that enhance understanding and support decision‑making.
Coaching Mindset – A natural inclination to mentor, develop, and empower staff, fostering growth and strong performance across the organization.
Strong Work Ethic – A dedicated, disciplined, and reliable approach to work, modeling accountability and follow‑through.
Commitment to Problem‑Solving – A proactive, solutions‑oriented mindset with the ability to assess challenges, identify root causes, and drive effective resolutions.
Compensation
Salary range of $180,000 to $210,000 with a competitive benefits package will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate. The Shea Center offers employees an opportunity to board their privately-owned horse at a nominal fee at the Center (employee only; offer does not extend to family members).
Please contact Sarah Agee for a confidential conversation and to learn more about this opportunity.
Phone: 949-903-2891
Email: Sarah@SterlingSearchInc.com
Please direct all correspondence, emails, and telephone calls to Sterling Search, Inc. Any communication with The Shea Therapeutic Riding Center will be redirected back to Sterling Search.
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