Director of Finance, Accounting and Business Planning Education

Be a Star at Straz Center for the Performing Arts!

Straz Center for the Performing Arts is seeking a Director of Finance Accounting and Business Planning in Education to provide financial leadership for the Patel Conservatory overseeing day-to-day financial operations while serving as the primary resource for budgeting forecasting financial analysis and financial planning related to the Conservatorys continued growth.

Reporting to the Chief Arts Education Officer (CAEO) with a dual/indirect report to Straz Centers Finance Department this position is responsible for the Conservatorys annual budget financial reporting forecasting revenue analysis financial controls and financial administration. The Director also develops financial models that support leaderships planning for new programs expanded enrollment increased facility capacity and other growth opportunities.

The Director will work closely with Conservatory department chairs program leaders production staff Admissions Finance HR Development and other operational departments to understand the financial drivers of the organization and translate that information into useful forecasts and decision-support tools.

The ideal candidate will combine strong finance accounting and FP&A skills with meaningful experience in the performing arts entertainment arts education theater dance music or live-event industry. An understanding of how performances productions classes workshops camps intensives and other arts programs are created and delivered is important because it allows the Director to develop realistic financial assumptions and models.

This position does not determine the artistic or programmatic direction of the Patel Conservatory. Rather the Director serves as the financial planning partner to the CAEO and Conservatory leadership providing the financial information analysis forecasts and models necessary to evaluate and support strategic growth.

Likewise in partnership with Straz Centers Finance Department the Director ensures that accounting financial reporting and internal control activities are performed in accordance with Center-wide financial policies applicable accounting standards a nd established closing and budget calendars that apply consistently across all departments.

Located in downtown Tampa the 335000 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:

Financial Accounting Management Reporting & Budgeting

• Direct the day-to-day financial operations of the Patel Conservatory ensuring accurate accounting reconciliation reporting and analysis of financial activity. Serve as the primary business user for the school management and enrollment system (ASAP) and financial accounting system (Financial Edge NXT).
• Oversee daily monthly quarterly and annual accounting activities including general ledger reconciliations financial transaction imports and month-end and year-end close requirements. Coordinate regularly with Straz Center Finance to resolve discrepancies and address matters affecting Education financial operations.
• Lead the development management and refinement of the Conservatorys annual operating budget including departmental budgets for Dance Music Theater and other programs and activities in accordance with Straz Center budget assumptions timelines and approval processes.
• Prepare and present monthly financial reports budget-to-actual analyses variance reports and financial forecasts for the CAEO and Straz Center Finance leadership. Monitor financial performance identify significant variances trends risks and opportunities and communicate findings and recommended actions.
• Maintain accurate operating forecasts based on enrollment tuition ticket sales payroll teaching artist costs production expenses facility usage and other key financial drivers consistent with Straz Centers consolidated forecasting process.
• Partner with department chairs and program leaders to establish budgets evaluate financial performance and support responsible management of approved departmental resources.
• Oversee financial tracking and settlement for Conservatory productions showcases concerts workshops camps intensives and other activities.
• Coordinate annual and external audit requests and responses through Straz Center Finance maintain appropriate financial documentation and ensure compliance with GAAP nonprofit fund accounting principles Straz Center financial policies and applicable reporting requirements. Escalate policy exceptions and control concerns promptly.

Financial Planning Forecasting & Modeling

• Serve as the Conservatorys primary resource for strategic financial planning and analysis related to organizational growth program expansion and long-term financial sustainability.
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts and financial models incorporating enrollment tuition earned revenue staffing program expenses facility costs and other key operating assumptions. Document material assumptions and review models with Straz Center Finance leadership before using them to support leadership decisions.
• Conduct break-even sensitivity and scenario analyses to evaluate proposed initiatives and model the financial impact of changes in enrollment pricing class size program frequency staffing schedules facility capacity and production scale.
• Develop financial projections for new and expanded classes workshops camps intensives productions performances master classes and other educational programs evaluating anticipated revenue expenses staffing capacity and financial sustainability.
• Evaluate the financial and operational implications of Conservatory facility expansion and increased program capacity including staffing equipment technology maintenance utilities production infrastructure and other ongoing costs.
• Maintain historical financial benchmarks and planning assumptions to improve the accuracy of future forecasts budgets and strategic financial recommendations.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to the CAEO regarding business trends growth opportunities resource allocation and long-term financial performance.

Program & Production Financial Planning

• Partner with department chairs program leaders and production staff to develop review and manage budgets and financial models for productions showcases concerts recitals classes workshops camps intensives master classes and other Conservatory activities.
• Apply knowledge of performing arts operations to evaluate program requirements and develop appropriate financial assumptions for teaching artists guest artists directors choreographers designers technical labor rehearsal and performance schedules licensing scenery costumes props equipment rentals marketing and other program expenses.
• Review proposed program budgets with department and program leaders assess financial assumptions identify areas requiring additional analysis and provide financial information to support responsible management of approved budgets.
• Conduct post-program financial reviews comparing actual results with approved budgets and forecasts. Evaluate variances identify opportunities for improved cost management and revenue performance and incorporate findings into future program budgets and forecasts.
• Route proposed budget amendments reallocations and overages through the Straz Center budget approval process.

Enrollment Tuition & Earned Revenue

• Partner with Admissions and Conservatory leadership to oversee the financial administration and reconciliation of tuition registration and other enrollment-related transactions ensuring accurate alignment between student information systems and the general ledger.
• Monitor enrollment trends registration activity program capacity seasonal revenue cycles and earned revenue from tuition tickets camps workshops intensives private lessons and other Conservatory activities. Provide regular reporting on financial performance and revenue expectations.
• Develop enrollment tuition and revenue models to evaluate the financial implications of changes in class size course offerings pricing schedules scholarships and capacity and provide analysis to support program and operational decisions.
• Establish and maintain payment refund and related financial risk-management policies in collaboration with Admissions and Straz Center Finance.

Scholarships Grants & Restricted Funds

• Coordinate the financial tracking and administration of Conservatory grants sponsorships scholarships and restricted funds ensuring accurate accounting appropriate documentation and compliance with applicable funding requirements.
• Serve as the lead financial administrator for institutional scholarships monitoring awards and related financial commitments and verifying that applied awards align with designated restricted donor funds.
• Partner with Development and Conservatory leadership to evaluate the financial implications of proposed restricted funding grant-funded initiatives and associated program commitments.
• Provide financial analysis to assess the sustainability of programs supported by grants sponsorships scholarships or other temporary or restricted funding sources.

Financial Administration & Internal Controls

• Develop implement and maintain Conservatory financial policies procedures workflows and internal controls consistent with Straz Centers control framework including appropriate segregation of duties.
• Oversee financial reconciliations and control reviews including monthly Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss account reconciliations and reconciliation of enrollment system activity to the general ledger. Ensure reconciliations are documented and submitted to Straz Center Finance for review and approval in accordance with month-end close requirements.
• Review payroll allocations to ensure accurate distribution of expenses across programs and departments. Review budget availability and financial terms for teaching artists guest instructors designers directors choreographers consultants vendors and other independent contractors before contract execution consistent with Straz Center purchasing and contract-approval policies.
• Support purchasing vendor management contract administration expense management and related financial controls in coordination with appropriate departments.
• Partner with Straz Center Finance Human Resources IT and other departments to maintain effective financial systems strengthen cross-departmental processes and improve financial reporting and administrative efficiency.
• Lead the migration and implementation of new school management and enrollment systems in coordination with Straz Center Finance and IT ensuring appropriate chart-of-accounts mapping general ledger posting financial data integration and reconciliation requirements.
• Identify and implement improvements to financial enrollment ticketing and reporting systems to strengthen data accuracy financial oversight internal controls and operational effectiveness.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge Skills and Abilities):

• Strong financial planning forecasting budgeting and financial analysis skills.
• Demonstrated experience developing financial models forecasts and scenario analyses that support organizational or programmatic decisions.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP nonprofit fund accounting budgeting forecasting and financial reporting.
• Experience with month-end close reconciliations and audit support and knowledge of internal controls including segregation of duties.
• Knowledge of HR headcount and compensation reporting and analysis.
• Meaningful professional experience in the performing arts entertainment arts education theater dance music or live-event industry.
• Understanding of the operational and financial components involved in producing live performances classes workshops camps intensives and other arts programming.
• Ability to understand how enrollment staffing programming facilities production requirements and pricing affect financial performance.
• Advanced Excel skills including complex formulas pivot tables financial modeling forecasting and data analysis.
• Strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate financial information effectively to both finance professionals and creative/artistic colleagues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic performing arts environment.
• High level of professional judgment discretion accountability and financial integrity.
• Ability to uphold financial policies and controls while maintaining collaborative relationships with creative and artistic leaders.
• Experience with Financial Edge NXT Tessitura ASAP or comparable nonprofit financial ticketing enrollment or CRM systems preferred.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration Arts Administration or a related field required.
• Minimum seven years of progressive experience in finance FP&A accounting financial analysis or related fields.
• Minimum three to five years of experience in or closely supporting a performing arts entertainment cultural arts education theater dance music or live-event organization strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with financial modeling forecasting budgeting and business analysis.
• Experience supporting organizational growth new program development facility expansion or other significant business initiatives preferred.
• Nonprofit financial experience required.
• An advanced degree or certification in Finance Business Arts Administration or a related field are considered a plus.

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.

Required Experience:

Director