Finance Director

MacDowell, America’s first multidisciplinary artist residency program, seeks an experienced Finance Director (FD) for a full-time position (40 hrs/wk). This position has historically been based in Peterborough, NH, as to better supervise two direct reports: the Financial & Benefits Administrator (FBA) and Accounts Payable Administrator (APA).  The team sustains best practices for financial recordkeeping, cash-flow, payroll, accounts payable, fixed assets, taxes, auditing, fund accounting, and monthly reporting in accordance with board-approved Accounting Policies, Controls and Procedures. The Treasurer, board leadership, and senior management rely on the FD to tailor presentation of financial data to best support strategic decision making.

The FD reports to the Resident Director in NH and to the Executive Director in NYC. As a member of senior staff, the FD participates in relevant staff and board meetings. MacDowell’s ~10 Department Heads (DHs) rely on Finance departmental support in preparing annual budgets and, throughout the year, for delivery of timely reports on income & expense.

Basic Responsibilities 

• Maintain organizational compliance with up-to-date Accounting Policies, Controls and Procedures, educate staff and monitor compliance, as informed by GAAP and applicable regulations
• Oversee management and coordination of the organization’s accounting activity, including significant fund accounting and chart of accounts
• Oversee banking activities, accounts payable, and payroll while ensuring adequate cash flow
• Supervise benefits administration and payroll processing and assure best practices for employee classification and record retention
• Collaborate with external auditors to complete annual audit and 990 filing
• Working in cooperation with the ED and RD, design and oversee the annual process for a ~$6M operating budget and produce quarterly budget-to-actual expense reports
• Manage annual insurance renewal processes (health/dental, commercial, etc.)
• Support project-based work as needed, such as named fellowships, travel grants & stipends, fundraising strategy, human resource policy, and facilities planning
• Serve as staff administrator for the board’s Audit, Finance, and Investment committees; participate in other Board committee meetings as required
• Hire, train, and supervise Finance staff

Qualifications 

• CPA preferred or Bachelors in Accounting and 7+ years relevant professional experience, including 5+ years in nonprofit accounting or auditing, or equivalent
• Prior experience in leading a complex, comprehensive budget process; experience with annual budgets greater than $5M and/or net assets of $40-50M preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Financial Edge or similar fund accounting software required; comfort with office IT and software system administration and troubleshooting preferred 

• Excellent oral/written communication skills and ability to mentor staff and clearly convey financial information to non-experts
• Ability to handle confidential and time-sensitive information
• Ability to maintain strong working relationships with a diverse group of board and staff members
• Attention to detail and ability to solve problems independently 
• Alignment with MacDowell’s organizational values
• Arts/humanities appreciation a plus 

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to sit or stand at a computer work station for up to 40 hours/week   
• Ability to maintain physical records and files by bending, reaching, and occasionally lifting up to 10 pounds  

• Ability to communicate effectively with staff members and other stakeholders by email, phone, virtually and in person  

Compensation 

$105-125k/year, depending on experience; full-time, exempt, some remote work flexibility; benefits include health and dental insurance; life and short-term disability insurance; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; 403(b) retirement; paid family leave; and generous paid time off.