VP of Finance

• 4-Year Degree Required, Master’s Degree Preferred

About JAZZ HOUSE KiDS

Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS has built one of the country’s most influential ecosystems for jazz education, youth development, and community building. The organization stands at a pivotal moment of growth, expanding impact, and new opportunities.

From launching JAZZ HOUSE NYC in Lower Manhattan in partnership with Trinity Church NYC five years ago, to record-breaking growth in music education programs at our Montclair headquarters, to producing the region’s largest outdoor jazz festival, the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL, and advancing student success through our JAZZ HOUSE Music Scholars program in public schools across New Jersey and New York City, our reach and impact continue to grow.

As we prepare to open our new JAZZ HOUSE Arts + Education Center, we are creating a permanent home for artistic excellence, education, performance, and community engagement, expanding opportunities for the next generation.

Every day, we fulfill our mission of developing the next generation of community leaders and global citizens through jazz.

Our Mission

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS brings together young artists, world-class instruction, and vibrant communities under one roof, creating a home where collaboration, leadership, and community thrive. We guarantee access regardless of background or circumstance, nurture learning from first note to advanced artistry, support career development from classroom to professional stage, and build communities where jazz connects generations. We are an instrument for change.

Position Overview

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is entering a new chapter of growth and expansion, with an annual operating budget of approximately $5 – $7 million and plans to expand its educational programs, performances, community impact, and multi-site operations, including its new Arts + Education Center. The organization seeks an accomplished, entrepreneurial, and highly hands-on Vice President of Finance to serve as its senior financial leader and help guide this next phase of growth.

Reporting directly to the President + Founder, the VP of Finance is a key member of the executive leadership team and works closely with the Vice President of Operations + Administration, department leaders, and the Board of Directors. This is a true roll‑up‑your‑sleeves executive role: in addition to developing financial strategy and advising leadership, the VP is deeply involved in day‑to‑day financial operations, including reporting, cash flow, payroll, reconciliations, budgeting, forecasting, audit support, and financial systems. The VP oversees accounting, treasury, financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, grant compliance, internal controls, and financial planning, while providing financial leadership for signature programs, including the award‑winning MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL.

With two direct reports and responsibility for the organization’s external accounting partner and other financial service providers, the VP will strengthen financial infrastructure, improve reporting, implement scalable systems, and build a finance function capable of supporting continued growth. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable advising the President and Board, developing sophisticated financial models, and personally completing the accounting work necessary to ensure accurate and reliable financial management in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial nonprofit environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Financial Leadership, Planning + Strategy

• Financial Strategy + Planning: Serve as the senior financial advisor to the President + Founder, leading annual operating and capital budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long‑term financial planning in support of organizational priorities and sustainability.
• Financial Analysis + Reporting: Analyze financial performance, budget‑to‑actual variances, and key trends, and provide clear financial reports, dashboards, and KPIs to support decision‑making.
• Executive + Board Support: Provide financial analysis, recommendations, and decision support to the President + Founder, executive leadership, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees, including business planning, negotiations, and special initiatives.
• Program + Department Planning: Partner with Development, Arts, Operations, and program leaders to develop financially sustainable plans and assess the financial impact of new initiatives, partnerships, and investments.
• Team + Cross‑Departmental Leadership: Lead and develop finance staff while fostering strong collaboration across departments and a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Systems + Process Improvement: Strengthen financial systems, reporting capabilities, and operational processes through technology, automation, and streamlined workflows.

Accounting + Financial Operations

• Accounting Oversight: Oversee all accounting operations in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards, including the general ledger, chart of accounts, journal entries, accruals, fixed assets, and reconciliations.
• Financial Close + Reporting: Manage monthly and annual financial close processes, ensuring timely, accurate financial reporting and complete supporting documentation.
• Accounts Payable + Receivable: Oversee accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely billing, collection, and accurate recording of organizational revenue across partnerships, grants and contracts, tuition and program fees, sponsorships, performances, and other earned revenue.
• Payroll + Budget Management: Oversee bi‑weekly payroll, payroll tax compliance, benefits deductions, and reconciliations; monitor departmental spending to ensure expenditures align with approved budgets and organizational policies.

Cash Flow + Treasury Management

• Cash Flow + Liquidity: Develop rolling cash flow forecasts and monitor daily cash positions and bank reconciliations to ensure adequate liquidity and support informed financial decision‑making.
• Cash + Investment Management: Strategically manage operating, reserve, set‑aside, and money market accounts to optimize interest earnings while maintaining sufficient operating cash.
• Restricted Funds + Working Capital: Monitor unrestricted, self‑restricted, and donor‑restricted funds and provide proactive recommendations regarding cash management, working capital, and the use of restricted resources.
• Banking + Debt Management: Manage banking relationships and electronic banking activity, including organizational debt, corporate credit cards, and lines of credit.
• Signature Programs: Oversee the financial management of signature programs and events, ensuring revenues, expenses, and cash flow remain aligned with organizational goals.

Compliance + Audit + Internal Controls

• Audit + Regulatory Compliance: Lead the annual independent audit and coordinate IRS Form 990, ST-50 Sales & Use Tax, NJ DCA Charities Registration, and other required filings.
• Internal Controls + Financial Policies: Develop and maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures that promote accuracy, accountability, and compliance.
• Grant + Contract Compliance: Monitor compliance with grant restrictions, contracts, and funding agreements.
• Process Improvement: Identify and implement improvements that strengthen financial reporting, operational efficiency, and organizational accountability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; CPA or MBA preferred.
• Financial Leadership Experience: 5–7 years of progressive finance and accounting leadership experience, including significant nonprofit finance and fund accounting experience, preferably within a $5M+ organization.
• Accounting + Financial Expertise: Thorough knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit financial reporting, with demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, annual audits, and Form 990 preparation.
• Financial Systems + Technology: Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and at least five years of experience with QuickBooks Online and other financial management systems; ADP experience preferred.
• Payroll + Operations: Experience overseeing payroll administration, payroll‑related compliance, and financial operations.
• Analytical + Strategic Leadership: Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into actionable recommendations for non‑financial leaders.
• Communication + Collaboration: Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across departments and with executive and Board‑level stakeholders.
• Professionalism + Integrity: High level of integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and commitment to the mission of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS .

Salary/benefits commensurate with experience.

JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know.