Finance Manager - Education

Job Description

Job Description

Be a Star at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts!

Straz Center for the Performing Arts is seeking a Finance Manager – Education to join our Finance team. This position serves as the primary financial business partner for the Patel Conservatory and is responsible for financial operations, accounting functions, admissions administration, enrollment reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and business support for the Education department. Reporting to the Vice President of Administration, the Manager serves as the operational finance leader for the Conservatory and Education programs, working closely with the Chief Arts Education Officer and Education leadership team to ensure accurate financial reporting, effective business processes, sound financial controls, and operational support for an accredited performing arts conservatory. The Manager also supports the financial sustainability and operational effectiveness of Education programs, including music, dance, theater, community engagement, outreach programs, camps, classes, workshops, and other educational initiatives.

Located in downtown Tampa, the 335,000 square-foot Straz Center, one of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, offers a team-based work environment that shows our dedication to the community every day. We reward our full-time employees with a strong benefits package including options for health/dental, vision, etc., discounted downtown parking, food and show discounts, plus a generous 403(b) plan and up to 27 days of PTO/Holidays per year.

Essential Functions:

Education Accounting & Financial Operations:

• Manages the day-to-day accounting and financial operations for Education, overseeing accurate recording, reconciliation, and reporting of Education-related financial activity.
• Leads the development, compilation, and management of the annual operating budget for the Patel Conservatory, including separate departmental tracking for Dance, Music, Theater, and other programs/events as needed.
• Partners with department chairs and production staff to build accurate financial models, expense forecasts, and budgets for showcases, mainstage productions, intensives, and summer camps.
• Conducts monthly reviews of actual expenditures against budget.
• Forecasts seasonal enrollment-driven revenue cycles to ensure operational efficiency.
• Applies a knowledge of performing arts operations and event production processes to effectively align fiscal oversight with the artistic and logistical demands of showcases and mainstage productions.
• Business planning scenario analysis and quantitative business modeling projects as needed for business growth and expansion opportunities.
• Performs internal audits and records settlements at the conclusion of all education related events.

Tuition Revenue, Enrollment & Admissions Administration:

• Collaborates with the Education Admissions Office to ensure accurate registration, enrollment processing, and tuition administration.
• Establishes, implements, and enforces payment and risk management policies to ensure smooth operational alignment.
• Monitors enrollment activity and provides reporting on student registration trends, partnering with Education leadership to track enrollment goals and revenue expectations.
• Performs daily and monthly audits and reconciliations between the student registration system (e.g., ASAP) and the core organizational general ledger (e.g., Financial Edge).
• Serves as the lead financial administrator for institutional scholarships to track available fund balances, audit applications against restricted donor accounts, and verify applied awards.

Grants, Scholarships & Restricted Funding:

• Coordinates financial tracking of education grants, sponsorships, scholarships, and restricted funds.
• Maintains documentation supporting grant compliance and reporting requirements established by funders.
• Partners on matters regarding restricted funding activity.
• Monitors scholarship awards and related financial commitments and assists with preparation of grant financial reports.
• Monitors compliance and tracks distributions for government contracts, corporate sponsorships, and restricted donor funds earmarked for educational and community engagement programs.

Operational Administration:

• Develops and maintains Education financial policies, procedures and workflow processes.
• Tracks and reviews payroll allocations to ensure accurate expenditure distribution across specialized programs.
• Supports purchasing, contracts, vendor management, and expense administration.
• Verifies financial terms and budgetary availability for teaching artist contracts, guest instructors, and independent contractors prior to Human Resources execution.
• Collaborates with IT on financial systems, student information systems, and reporting tools.
• Identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency and administrative processes.
• Performs other financial or administrative special project duties as determined by the Vice President of Administration.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• Demonstrated experience collaborating successfully with diverse administrative and operational teams.
• Strong technical knowledge of GAAP, non-profit fund accounting, and revenue recognition rules.
• Detail-oriented mindset with exceptional analytical, balancing, and administrative skills, and quantitative scenario modeling and analysis experience.
• Theatrical or Dance financial support.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to remain poised and effective in a dynamic, fast-paced theater and school environment.
• Ability to maintain strict financial confidentiality and utilize appropriate professional discretion.
• Advanced math, data modeling, and Excel proficiency required (including pivot tables and complex lookups).
• Experience with and knowledge of ASAP, Tessitura, Financial Edge NXT, or a related high-volume non-profit CRM and database accounting software preferred.
• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional nights and weekends, to support major Conservatory events, productions, or fiscal year-end closing periods.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of finance, accounting, or FP&A experience.
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in financial analysis, non-profit fund accounting, or school administration/tuition -based accounting environments, along with related system migrations.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• The nature of this job requires the employee work on-site as a regular work routine.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required remain in a stationary position and use a computer. The employee is frequently required to traverse the facility; reach, communicate, and exchange information. The employee is occasionally required to operate office equipment and perform departmental essential functions.

* As a condition of employment and in compliance with Florida House Bill 531 , the candidate(s) selected for this position are required to complete a Level 2 background screening through FLClearinghouse . Please use the following link to view more about the required screening: Failure to complete the screening or meet the requirements may result in disqualification from consideration.

David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to being an inclusive workplace and strongly believes in the importance of having a diverse group of individuals represented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

Please visit our website at to learn more about Straz Center.