SVP, Finance & Accounting

COMPANY OVERVIEW

The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex, maintains and exhibits National Collections and welcomes some 30 million visitors per year to its museums. Smithsonian Enterprises (SE) is a revenue-generating unit of the Smithsonian Institution, responsible for raising annual unrestricted funds to support the mission of the Smithsonian. Smithsonian Enterprises oversees the Media Group, Retail Group, Ecommerce, Smithsonian Journeys (travel program) and Licensed Products. These revenue generating activities support and further the Smithsonian’s mission of “the increase and diffusion of knowledge” providing revenue to support the exhibition and research programs of the Smithsonian.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The SVP, Finance & Accounting (SVP) provides leadership and direction in the central

planning, coordination, and oversight of all activities in the Finance & Accounting areas including Finance/Accounting Group, Risk Management, and other general functions. In addition, the SVP works closely with the business line SVPs to ensure the appropriate coordination and integration of financial support needed to accomplish business goals and objectives.

The SVP serves as advisor to the SE President in matters of policy and procedures relating to the management of SE, including all financial and accounting matters. The SVP represents the SE President as appropriate in meetings.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the President, Smithsonian Enterprises, the incumbent will oversee directly or through subordinates the following:

FINANCE:

•Responsible for the SE annual budgeting process. Leads the Finance team andbusiness heads in developing an annual budget that is aggressive, yet achievable.Includes the development and approval of annual operating and capital budgets bythe SE, President, Under Secretary, Deputy Secretary/COO, Secretary, andultimately Board of Regents.

•Provides monthly, quarterly and annual analysis, KPIs, and financial reporting toSE/SI management, Board of Regents, Advisory Boards, and Museum Directors, asrequired. This includes monitoring performance verses budget, identifying anyrisks or opportunities to plans, and present findings to key stakeholders.

•Oversight and review of deals, capital projects or investments requiring the SEPresident’s signature.

•Ensures any high-visibility or high-profile projects or new areas of business arereviewed by SE President and SI leadership as appropriate. Advises SE Presidenton financial and programmatic risks and rewards of new investments and/orbusiness ventures leading to go/no go decisions.

•Responsible for developing SE’s long-term plan as well as all SE proposed strategicinvestments.

•Responsible for management of the SE Annual Incentive Program.

ACCOUNTING:

•Responsible for all SE disbursement functions including Accounts Payable, Payrolland Fixed Asset transactions, ensuring accurate and efficient payments inaccordance with company guidelines, and ensures that expense recognition is inaccordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

•Oversees the month-end close process, ensuring accuracy of financial statementsand detailed review of balance sheet accounts.

•Responsible for successful completion of the annual KPMG audit. Leads thecoordination and implementation of audit findings and recommendations withOF&A.

•Oversees the management and maintenance of fixed asset records and relateddepreciation accounts; provides interpretive assistance as to the propercapitalization/expensing of outlays 3 and grouping of fixed assets by class, as wellas depreciation methodology.

•Identifies and implements enhancements to SE's accounting processes to ensurethat existing policies and procedures provide an adequate system of internalcontrols and are in accordance with G.A.A.P.

•Ensures compliance with state and federal tax regulations.

•Oversees the Travel Card and Purchase Card programs for SE staff, liaising asneeded with SI offices.

RISK MANAGEMENT:

•Leads the design and implements an overall SE Risk Management process.

•Ensures non-standard insurance requirements are approved by OF&A RiskManager.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate should have the following attributes and experience:

•A minimum of 12 plus years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility inthe Finance and Operations areas, with a significant portion of this time in a seniorlevel leadership role in a for-profit environment.

•Experience overseeing a business line with full P&L responsibility and significantinput into the business plan and operations a plus.

•Thorough knowledge of business and accounting principles and procedures,including GAAP, audits, and other financial regulatory requirements.

•Strong financial management skills and a record of effectively and accuratelymanaging the business aspects of an organization.

•Demonstrated knowledge in the planning, implementation and monitoring ofbudgets.

•Must have advanced computer skills. Ability to independently creatememorandums, reports, spreadsheets for business analysis and presentations tosenior management, staff and outside companies.

•Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills tosenior level executives.

•Ability to manage multiple challenging situations at once requiring tact, diplomacy,and discretion while still managing the ongoing Finance functions.

•Ability to develop strong relationships with others, demonstrating an ability tocommunicate clearly and persuasively.

•Outstanding time management and planning skills and pivot when necessary.

•Strong management skills in hiring and developing a team, managing change at acorporate level, and creating a positive employee experience. The ability to lead andinspire diverse teams of personnel to achieve company's stated goals.

The SVP must hold the organization accountable to budgets and other number-related objectives. The SVP will be an intelligent, articulate, and proven leader who will play the role of counsel and complement the leadership team in helping to evaluate business issues. He/she will need to quickly demonstrate an understanding of the business and demonstrate the ability to become a trusted resource. He/she will be able to lead and manage at a high level but will also bring the ability and willingness to “roll up his/her sleeves”.

This person will be an excellent leader and manager and will possess the breadth of experience and operational background to enable him/her to augment the various functions and contribute to the executive management team. This person must be a team player and builder, collaborator not dictator, cheerleader and represent the award-winning culture the organization has built in its 175+ year history.

Directly supervises the following positions:

•Controller

•VP, Retail Finance Planning & Analysis

•VP, Media & Corporate Finance

•Senior Director, Internal Operations

•Senior Advisor

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in business, accounting or a related field. CPA required. MBA preferred.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

▪Excellent people skills with an ability to partner with a dynamic leadership team.

▪Embodies and aligns with the organization’s core values and culture.

▪Possesses personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to corporatemission.

▪Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-movingenvironment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrateresourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.

▪Have presence of mind and quick decision-making abilities. Tenacious in problem-solving.

▪Strong management and team building skills which motivates top talent and generatesconfidence and respect from all levels of the company.

K&A CONTACT

Neal Lieberman

7101 Wisconsin Avenue

Suite 1210

Bethesda, MD 20814

To apply please send resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io.