Director of Finance

Director of Finance

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Finance and CFO, the Director of Finance assists in the development and implementation of company goals and priorities relating to financial management, budget, accounting, purchasing, and/or payroll in compliance with State and Federal law and Wisconsin Center District policies and procedures.

The Director of Finance manages the day-to-day operation of the finance department and assists the VP of Finance & CFO in providing financial leadership to the business. Primary responsibilities include management and performance of WCD event specific finance activities including finalizing event profit & loss statements, show settlements with promoters or artists, labor variance analysis, financial analysis and financial reporting, budgeting/forecasting, audit and control, asset and liability reconciliation, working capital and cash control, and management and supervision of finance staff. Assists with capital expenditure plans and WCD reporting.

The Director of Finance will provide timely, accurate and actionable business intelligence to allow the WCD to make decisions that will improve financial results, and supports management in the achievement of strategic goals through complex statistical analysis of financial results and forecasting future results using data-driven models.

Team Management & Supervision

• Directly manage, supervise, and mentor department staff, including the Accounting Manager and Payroll Specialist.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for assigned staff; assign work activities, projects, and programs; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Oversight of the payroll process and payroll staff to ensure the timely and accurate processing of payroll, compliance, and reporting.

Event Finance & Settlement

• Review and finalize event profit and loss statements in Acumatica
• Prepare all event settlements, review with senior management, and finalize with the promoter or artist.
• Collaborate and consult with the Booking Department on key deal points and relationship history.
• Work closely with the Event Services Department on expense management and external communications to clients.
• Analyze monthly show statements, perform variance analysis on events, and reconcile statements to the general ledger.
• Consult with other applicable departments and/or contracts for clarification regarding event logistics and billing as needed.

Financial Reporting & General Accounting

• Oversee the month-end close process, including journal entry reviews and making adjusting journal entries as necessary.
• Prepare monthly financial reporting, cash flow statements, and client reporting.
• Audit daily sales and deposit information; perform detailed analysis of accounts.
• Provide highly responsible, complex professional accounting services; interpret and apply accounting standards and determine applicability to department operations; prepare and/or review highly complex financial schedules and statements.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

• Participate in and provide management of the annual budget process; collaborate with departments to meet deadlines, make recommendations, and prepare variance analyses for management review.
• Track budgets and forecasts throughout the fiscal year.
• Track and monitor labor variances, collaborate with operations team on labor analyses
• Analyze monthly financial statements and other data to identify trends, recognize problems, and recommend improvements.
• Use data-driven models and complex statistical analysis to forecast future results and provide actionable business intelligence to senior leadership.

Internal Controls, Compliance & Auditing

• Implement, document, maintain, and ensure compliance with accounting controls and procedures, including cash controls, loss prevention policies, and control environment requirements.
• Supervise compliance with all accounting and financial requirements in accordance with GAAP, governmental accounting standards, and federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
• Ensure WCD's and partners' compliance with contracts and/or other written agreements.
• Work closely with internal and external auditors; ensure processes and financial record-keeping comply with accounting standards; provide information and answer questions regarding financial processes and decisions.

Systems, Strategy & Relationship Management

• Advise and participate in the design and implementation of automated financial information systems and updates; continuously evaluate potential system improvements, ensure regulatory changes are addressed, and train users on system changes.
• Develop internal relationships and use analytics to advise senior management; consult with applicable staff to resolve billing, ticket sales, and cash receipt posting issues.
• Develop and manage external relationships with tenants, promoters, vendors, partners, and other entities to further advance the goals and interests of the WCD.
• Lead strategic planning, process improvement initiatives, and other required ad hoc projects.
• Perform other responsibilities and duties as assigned by management to ensure the effective utilization of company resources.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Leadership & People Management: Strong supervisory and leadership skills, with a proven track record of managing professional finance teams, fostering a collaborative environment, and utilizing high emotional intelligence (EQ).
• Financial & Data Acumen: Comprehensive understanding of revenue management principles and advanced quantitative skills. Extensive proficiency with financial ERP systems (e.g., Acumatica), payroll software (e.g., ADP), and advanced Excel functions for complex financial modeling.
• Relationship & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Proven ability to navigate organizations, build cross-functional relationships, and confidently advise senior leadership, promoters, and external partners.
• Project & Event Management: Outstanding organizational and project management skills, with a strict attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute multiple event settlements and deadlines on time and within budget.
• Strategic Problem Solving: A critical thinker and decisive problem solver who uses quantitative logic to evaluate alternative solutions, assess cost-benefit analyses, and deliver optimal business recommendations.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Self-motivated and comfortable operating under pressure. Proven ability to manage concurrent demands, pivot smoothly in a fast-paced environment, and maintain a calm, structured approach under tight deadlines.
• Discretion & Compliance: Absolute integrity with a strict commitment to maintaining highly confidential financial, personnel, and organizational data.
• Scheduling Flexibility: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as dictated by the event calendar, promoter settlements, or critical fiscal deadlines.
• Exemplify the organization's core values: Bold, Proud, Experience Obsessed

Education & Experience:

• Required
  • Bachelor's degree with a major in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field or equivalent number of years of experience
  • Five (7) or more years of experience in accounting
  • Five (5) or more years of experience in a management capacity
  • Advanced proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite of Products: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook
• Preferred
  • Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Previous experience with Acumatica, ADP Workforce Now and ABI
  • Previous experience with a quasi-government entity, convention center, hotel, and/or sports team

Physical Demands:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and walk.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision. Specific hearing abilities required by this job include the ability to hear to be able to listen to employees, clients, guests in the course of work. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is required to use their fingers and hands in the course of general work tasks.

Position Based in: Milwaukee, WI

Travel Required: N/A

Position Type: Full-Time Exempt