Chief Financial Officer

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop and implement financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals
• Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial analysis
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors in a timely manner, providing analysis and recommendations as needed
• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, audits, and other reporting requirements
• With the Controller, regularly assess the overall financial functions, ensuring that the accounting, bookkeeping, audit, budgeting, general ledger, bank reconciliations and taxes are organized and accurate
• Lead the preparation of all financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and capital spending plans in accordance with financial standards
• Overall financial management responsibility including the review and approval of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting materials and metrics for executive and program leadership and board of directors.
• Regularly review existing policies and recommend new policies or revisions to ensure compliance.
• Manage relationships with external partners, including banks, auditors, investment manager, and other financial service providers

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Working with the Executive Director, develop and oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with senior management and other stakeholders to develop realistic and achievable budgets
• Develop and support operating budget presentation to Board of Directors
• Monitor actual performance against budget and provide regular updates and analysis to the Executive Director and Board of Directors
• Develop and maintain financial forecasting models that support long-term financial planning and decision-making

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Work closely with the Executive Director and senior leaders to develop and implement strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision. Provide data, analysis, situational scenarios and structure to the discussions.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the finance, operations, IT, and guest services team, fostering a culture of transparency, data informed decision making, continuous improvement and professional development
• Represent the organization at internal and external events and meetings, providing financial guidance and support as needed

Board Relations and Reporting

• Report on the financial performance of the organization to the Finance and Audit Board committees, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial policies and procedures that align with the organization’s values and strategic goals
• Staff and support the Finance and Audit Committees, collaborating with the Treasurer and other committee members to provide strategic financial guidance and support to the organization

Tax Filing and Compliance

• Oversee all tax filings and compliance requirements, ensuring that the organization is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations
• Manage relationships with external auditors, banks, and other financial service providers to ensure compliance with all reporting and regulatory requirements

Facilities Operations

• Provide oversight and supervision of the operations, capital needs, and maintenance of the theater buildings. Oversee the development of a plan with the Director of Operations to maintain the physical structure as well as the equipment, furniture, etc. contained within the building.
• Manage the theater’s real estate affairs consisting of leases with Navy Pier and warehouse.
• Ensure that the income potential of the physical assets is maximized.

Administration

• Direct the Information Technology (IT),, Payroll, and Legal functions;
• Manage the organization’s insurance program and broker relationship;
• Ensure internal controls, compliance, risk management, and reporting accuracy across the organization.
• Serve as a partner to the Executive Director on the organization's administrative and operational processes, with a goal of continuously developing and improving systems.
• Evaluate and improve Chicago Shakespeare’s information technology infrastructure, implementing new technologies to support key capabilities as required for future growth, and to support and drive key human resource initiatives.
• Through support of the Operations Director and Front of House Manager, ensure CST delivers the highest caliber of guest services that create a welcoming, best in class experience for audiences.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Models CST’s core values of service, ingenuity, and collaboration as well as its customer service ethos.
• Champions the organization’s commitment to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
• Serve as a member of senior staff and participate in all activities required of this group.

Qualifications

COMPETENCIES

• A strategic and innovative leader who can build on CST’s profound history, advances priority objectives, and supports long-term financial stability.
• Demonstrated people management and leadership skills with a track record of mentoring and advancing direct reports. Ability to provide constructive and positive feedback, while motivating and holding the team accountable for their performance
• Demonstrated success in leading critical business functions in the areas of finance, accounting, business planning, risk management, information technology, and/or data analytics.
• Must possess a strong understanding of the balance sheet and financial performance to develop and maintain trust with senior management, key internal and external stakeholders, the Boards of Directors, and across all key business areas.
• Demonstrated strategic financial and analytical skills coupled with strong business acumen. Strategic thinking skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable, revising strategies as necessary.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills with proven ability to present complex business topics to financial and non-financial audiences.
• Strong operational, process, systems, and project management experience of successfully driving transformational initiatives focused on increased automation and functionality.
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated consensus-building skills, and an ability to convey confidence within the organization and with external constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to think proactively and creatively and improve performance by identifying key strategic opportunities.
• A reputation for integrity and building confidence among key stakeholders, with previous high-level interactions with boards.
• Service, ingenuity, and collaboration
• Mission-driven
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills, extremely collegial
• Outstanding communications skills; written and oral
• Demonstrated resourcefulness and good judgment
• Hands‑on, leads by example
• Values diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives
• Ability to multitask while maintaining vigilant attention to details
• Integrity/ethics beyond reproach
• Constantly looking to apply best practices
• Predisposition to mentor and subsequently increase responsibilities as team

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting or Finance
• At least 8‑10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, ideally in a non‑profit organization
• Undergraduate or master’s degree in finance or accounting
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Knowledge of non‑profit accounting
• A minimum of 5 years of supervisory/management experience
• Demonstrated experience in financial management and accounting
• Experience with audit, legal compliance, and budget development
• Proven effectiveness managing others, empowering them to make decisions
• Technologically savvy, with experience overseeing information technology staff or vendors
• Experience effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, the Board or other outside partners/influencers/clients
• Success seeing beyond the numbers, identifying trends and new possibilities

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be a forward‑thinking and pragmatic finance professional with exceptional analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• In addition to strong financial acumen, the ideal candidate will be energized by the organization’s purpose and operations and exhibit a passion for theater and serving the community.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Finance
• Theater Companies