Sr. Director, Finance
1 day ago
Jersey City
Job Description Are you a strategic financial leader ready to make a real impact? Liberty Science Center (LSC), a dynamic and growing institution with a social mission, is seeking a highly skilled and entrepreneurial Senior Director of Finance. This newly created role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the financial future of a renowned science center and drive our continued success. Museum experience is a plus (or experience working in another large arts & culture organization or sports venue. Note: If you are interested in this role, then submitting a personalized cover letter increases your chance of scoring an interview! About the Opportunity As our Senior Director of Finance, you'll be a vital thought partner to LSC's senior leadership team. You'll go beyond the numbers, providing in-depth financial management, insightful modeling, and strategic analysis to support and scale our mission. You'll lead our dedicated finance team, overseeing daily operations, fostering staff development, and ensuring impeccable financial reporting, compliance, and sustainability. With an approximately $30 million operating budget, you'll play a critical role in overseeing our financial landscape, including earned revenue growth strategy. This role will report to LSC’s Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. What You’ll Bring We're looking for a hands-on leader who builds trust and confidence with sound judgment and discretion. You possess deep technical skills in accounting and finance, coupled with a proven track record of managing finance teams, overseeing diverse revenue streams (preferably in a high-attendance environment), and handling internal and external financial reporting. You're a collaborative team player with an entrepreneurial spirit, high initiative, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced setting. What You’ll Do The Senior Director of Finance will work with departmental heads to perform some combination of the following: * Work closely with the EVP/CFO on overseeing LSC’s financial landscape, including its approximately $30 million operating budget * Direct all aspects of financial operations, overseeing all transactions related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, general ledger maintenance and financial reporting * Oversee monthly closing procedures needed to generate financial results. * Construct financial models and strategic analysis for proposed Science Center activities and programs; support department heads in understanding the financial and/or operational implications of programming decisions; work with department leaders on developing strategies for revenue growth, including monthly and annual revenue goals and collaborating on ideas for new sources of revenue * Work closely with the executive team, senior leadership and department leaders to develop LSC’s annual operating budget, including the development of all sources of revenues, including earned revenues, contributed revenues and profit centers, and operating expenses * Work closely with revenue owners to develop sophisticated modeling and data-informed analysis to support new and diversified revenue streams and grow existing revenue initiatives * Responsible for all internal and external financial reporting requirements and compliance * Work across departments and third party vendors to consolidate information about the institutions forecast/performance to prepare holistic and collaborative strategies for the development of LSC * Oversee administration, financial reporting and compliance of the organization's Endowment and Savings and Retirement Plans * Enhance and enforce the organization’s fiscal policies and procedures * Oversee existing financial reporting systems & schedules and enhance existing financial dashboards and key performance indicators used by management * Oversee monthly variance analysis of actual financial performance vs budget/forecast including leading monthly & quarterly internal reporting for senior management and well as quarterly board reporting * Oversee and work collaboratively with the finance team on preparation for annual audit and annual tax return filings * Represent the organization externally, as necessary, particularly with LSC’s financial institutions, insurance brokers, auditors, etc. * Work with EVP & CFO on all aspects of financial reporting and modeling related to SciTech Scity * Work with EVP & CFO on financing needs for major capital projects, including building renovations, exhibition enhancements and SciTech Scity * Assist the EVP & CFO on special projects as needed * Other duties and responsibilities, as assigned Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The ideal candidate will bring the following combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities to bear on this role: * Commitment to Mission: Ability to quickly develop a deep understanding of Liberty Science Center’s mission, operations, and revenue goals with an eye toward scalability * Financial Capability: Strong financial and business acumen; Keen analytic and problem-solving skills which allows for strategic data analysis versus just reporting numbers; up-to-date knowledge of accounting practices, internal controls, and nonprofit compliance; successful use and knowledge of computerized accounting and finance applications and spreadsheet software; ability to mine, analyze and interpret data and use data to inform business decisions that will drive ongoing revenue growth * Leadership: Ability to lead, supervise, motivate, mentor, and evaluate staff in high volume, fast-paced environment; Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to leadership, performance, and professional growth * Fiscal Administration: Ability to provide operational level direction to LSC’s financial activities. Possess the ability to assess and implement opportunities for improvement in financial administration; ability to be agile, demonstrating a comfort level with ambiguity by acting/reacting with flexibility and approach problems from different perspectives with a solution orientation. * Teamwork: Ability to work effectively and in close cooperation with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure the successful finance operation at LSC * Project Management: Exceptional skills in organization, prioritization, time management and problem solving, including the ability to manage multiple projects from conception through delivery and evaluation * Communication: Ability to communicate effectively, with demonstrated active listening skills and clear verbal and written communication skills Preferred Qualifications The ideal candidate will bring the following combination of education and experience to bear on this role: * A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and/or MBA is a plus * 7+ successful experience leading a comprehensive finance operation including supervision of a professional staff and partner with cross functional teams, including experience financial planning, forecasting, revenue modeling, budgeting, and reporting * Related experience in a non-profit or arts/cultural organization or other high traffic environment preferred * Prior experience developing dashboards and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) * Prior experience working in Sage Intacct a plus Supervisory Responsibilities This position leads our Finance Department, currently a team of three dedicated employees. Classification and Schedule This is a full-time, exempt position that is bonus and benefits eligible. The work schedule generally is Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. A flexible work schedule or additional work hours may be necessary, to meet the requirements of this job position, which could encompass early morning, evening, or weekend work based on business needs. Physical and Environmental Demands The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that a Senior Director of Finance would encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be in a standard open office environment with moderate noise level and will be subject to sitting/standing at a laptop/desktop for long periods of time while visually assessing information. This role is frequently required to receive oral and written instructions in English and to clearly communicate in English in person, over the telephone, and via texting and email. LSC may make reasonable accommodations to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job to the extent that LSC may do so without undue hardship. LSC’s Work Culture at a Glimpse LSC prides itself on fostering a culture that enables all employees to experience a sense of pleasure, passion, and purpose while in the workplace. We believe in embracing and driving change, inspiring fun and learning, and creating a positive and family friendly team spirit. Our differences as individuals (race, gender, age, cultural heritage, physical ability, education and lifestyle) are an asset and contribute to our ability to drive innovation. Lastly, at the heart of our work culture is the commitment to delivering a “wow factor” through our exceptional customer service to not only our guests but also one another. Health & Safety This position requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment, subject to applicable law. If you are offered employment, this requirement must be met by your date of hire, unless a reasonable accommodation request is received and approved. Work Location Until further notice, this role will be eligible to work a hybrid schedule which will be determined by the EVP and CFO. Liberty Science Center is located in a beautiful state park in Jersey City, New Jersey, with easy access to free parking, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and the NJ Path train. LSC is a pleasant 15-minute commute from lower Manhattan. Travel This role requires minimal domestic travel. Compensation Compensation for this position is commensurate with abilities, education, certifications, and experience but is expected to be in the range of $120,000-$135,000. In addition to compensation for salary, you will receive compensation in the form of generous benefits, including, but not limited to: * Medical, dental, life, vision, and pet insurance * 403(b) defined contribution retirement plan with an outstanding employer match * Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays * Long-term disability coverage * Flexible spending accounts (pre-tax income for eligible health and/or dependent care expenses) * Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses) * Free parking * 25% discount in the on-site store * 15% discount in on-site cafeteria * LSC family membership To Apply: Please submit a resume and a personalized cover letter via LSC’s careers page. Attach your cover letter and resume as a single PDF file. Your cover letter should clearly outline how your background aligns with this particular role. Please note that applications without a cover letter may not be considered. Liberty Science Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and innovative environment with the best employees. We, therefore, provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service, marital status or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, then please let us know.