Director of Finance & Administration

The Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts

Founded in 1985, the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts’ mission is to provide the highest quality performing arts education to a wide range of students in a supportive and inclusive environment, where striving for personal excellence inspires and connects those we teach to the communities we serve.

For more information, please visit www.whartonarts.org

Position

The Director of Finance and Administration will be a strategic thought-partner, and report to the Executive Director (ED). The successful candidate will be a hands-on and participative manager and will lead and develop an internal team to support the following areas: finance, business planning and budgeting, human resources and overall administration.

The Director of Finance and Administration will play a critical role in partnering with the senior leadership team in strategic decision making and operations as Wharton Arts continues to enhance its quality programming and build capacity. This is a tremendous opportunity for a Finance, Administration and Human Resources leader to maximize and strengthen the internal capacity of a well-respected, high-impact organization.

Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Along with departmental leaders, review monthly revenue and expense transactions and work with finance director to make corrections as needed.
• Update/maintain monthly forecast files based on current month activity and operational developments. 
• Provide senior leadership team with clear and concise monthly financial reports, including actual and forecasted results and cash flow.
• Work with the development department to compile donor-requested financial reports as needed.
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors and the finance committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Oversee and lead annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the ED; specifically, build administration department budget, work with department leaders to compile departmental budgets, monitor progress and changes.
• Continue to implement a robust contracts management and financial management/ reporting system; ensure that the contract billing and collection schedule is adhered to and that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements.
• Update and implement all necessary business policies and accounting practices, including those related to human resources and benefits; improve the finance department’s overall policy and procedure manual.
• Effectively communicate and present the critical financial matters to the ED and the Board of Trustees.

Administration & Human Resources

• Further develop Wharton’s Nonprofit Human Resources by enhancing professional development, compensation and benefits, and procedures for performance evaluation, training, and recruiting.
• Ensure that recruiting processes are consistent and streamlined.
• Establish and manage a comprehensive training program to educate employees regarding staff tools, policies, and procedures.
• Work closely and transparently with all external partners including third-party vendors and consultants.
• Oversee all administrative functions to ensure efficiency and consistency.
• Update Handbooks of the organization on an annual basis

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field required, CPA or MBA preferred
• Minimum of four to six years experience in a financial management position in a nonprofit organization, with human resources management experience preferred
• Ability to translate financial concepts to – and to effectively collaborate with -- programmatic and fundraising colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds
• Experience with grants management, including budgeting and reporting, preferred
• Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software implementations and managing relationships with software vendors 
• Strong knowledge of accounting and reporting software, QuickBooks experience preferred
• Commitment to training programs that maximize individual and organization goals across the organization including best practices in human resources activities
• A successful track record in setting priorities; keen analytic, organization and problem solving skills which support and enable sound decision making
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• A multitasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts

1. Send cover letter and resume with subject (Director of Finance & Administration – YOUR NAME) to Executive Director Peter H. Gistelinck at peter.gistelinck@whartonarts.org
2. The Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts commits to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 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, or veteran status.