Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Whitehead Institute, CFO and Treasurer

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is an independent, nonprofit research institution dedicated to improving human health through basic biomedical research. By cultivating a deeply collaborative culture and enabling the pursuit of bold, creative inquiry, Whitehead Institute fosters paradigm-shifting insights into the fundamental principles of life. For 40 years, Whitehead Institute faculty members have delivered breakthroughs that have transformed the understanding of fundamental questions in biology with broad implications for our knowledge of health and disease, and the Whitehead Fellows Program is renowned for fostering generations of scientific leaders.

Today, Whitehead Institute scientists run research programs in cancer biology, developmental biology, genetics and genomics, metabolism, neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disease, and regenerative medicine. Our advances in genetics and genomics are now enabling us to tackle the complexities of life with unprecedented depth and breadth. Whitehead does this work to benefit society, addressing challenges of global scope from disease to climate change. The Institute cultivates a diverse, open community and foster a deeply curious and collaborative culture in which high-potential ideas are given the space to take shape.

The Institute is wholly independent in its governance, finances, and research programs. It shares a teaching affiliation with MIT, with all Whitehead faculty appointed to tenured or tenure-track appointments at the University. The Institute currently has 485 personnel, including 18 faculty members, 12 of whom are tenured, and three Whitehead Fellows. The Institute’s operating budget was approximately $108 million and its investments totaled approximately $666 million as of June 30, 2022. On July 12, 2022, S&P Global Ratings affirmed its AA+ rating, with a stable outlook.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (“CFO”) is the strategic and tactical financial leader responsible for the full range of finance and accounting functions in support of Whitehead Institute’s uniquely collaborative and ambitious scientific community. Reporting to Whitehead Institute’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), the CFO is a member of the senior leadership team, working closely with the President and serving as the principal contact for the chairs of the Board’s Finance, Investment, and Audit and Risk Committees. Reporting to the CFO are the Controller and the Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, with a dedicated staff of six in the finance group.

In its CFO, Whitehead seeks a finance professional with a strong affinity for its mission. Candidates would be expected to hold an advanced degree, preferably in finance, business administration, or a related field. Experience in higher education or a research enterprise is preferred.

Nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest should be sent to: WICFO@russellreynolds.com.

Whitehead Institute believes diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to its values and mission. As a research institute dedicated to improving human health through biomedical science, we believe that diverse thought invokes creative inquiry, drives innovation, and fuels scientific breakthroughs. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status and/or religion.