Employment at NEC
TITLE: Chief Financial Officer
New England Conservatory of Music
Boston, Massachusetts
REPORTS TO: President
SUMMARY: This is a hands-on position responsible for overall financial operations of NEC including accounting, budgeting, investments and banking relations, tax and regulatory filings, employee benefits, year-end audit and financial information systems. The CFO will also have an important role in strategic planning and the creation of long-range financial modeling as part of this process.
The CFO is a member of the senior leadership staff, including the President, Dean of the College, Dean of Students, Dean of Preparatory & Continuing Education, Director of the Preparatory School, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Director of Marketing and Public Relations and Head of Operations and Institutional Planning.
The CFO is expected to be actively involved in the Finance, Audit and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees and to take a leadership role with the President in the business development of NEC.
DIRECT REPORTS:
Financial Controller
Administrative Director
Manages Business Office
Director of Human Resources
BOARD COMMITTEES:
Staff person for:
Finance
Audit
Investment
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage all financial aspects of NEC’s activities.
- Work closely with executive and senior staff members to manage annual organizational budget process, as well as monthly and quarterly budget reports and projections.
- Oversee the preparation of all budgets.
- Advise, negotiate, manage and/or administer all contracts into which NEC may enter.
- Advise Management and Board on non-profit financial management practices and regulations.
- Review expenditures and financial reports, taking corrective measures as needed.
- Provide high value financial management information to Management based on sound financial analysis. Assist Management in evaluating organizational cost effectiveness and resource utilization/application.
- Play a central role in strategic planning, designing long term financial modeling.
- Manage any long term debt financing.
- Coordinate annual financial audits through preparation of all supporting documentation and management of on-site audit activity.
- Prepare financial materials for presentation to the Board of Trustees, attend Board meetings as well as Executive, Audit, Finance and Investment Committee meetings and make presentations at these meetings as required.
- Provide legal, finance and negotiation support on all special projects.
- Supervises investment of funds.
- Manage relationships with financial institutions, lenders, and underwriters of ongoing operations.
- Oversee Finance and Human Resource functions.
- Develop a risk management function.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of fifteen years experience with increasing responsibility in the financial management function. Some exposure to 501(C)(3) not for profit organizations is highly desirable. Core responsibilities will have included analysis, budgeting and application of financial principles in accordance with the highest professional standards.
- Track record in strategic planning and long term financial modeling.
- Prior experience of assessing and organizing all aspects of a financial organization, from chart of account review to development of management reporting and control procedures.
- Proven ability to plan and implement financial systems, procedures and controls, which allow an organization to operate smoothly, flexibly and with integrity.
- Experience in leading a team effectively.
- Excellent quantitative ability and verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
- Discretion, maturity, and composure, especially under pressure.
- Bachelor’s degree is essential and either an MBA or CPA is preferred.
- Interest/knowledge of music is an asset.
Critical competencies
- Demonstrates strong conceptual, analytical and strategic thinking.
- Financial expertise. Demonstrated success in the management of resource allocation issues, budgets, financial reports, accounting matters, facilities, information technology and human resource issues in an academic setting.
- Management and influencing skill. The ability to build collegial and collaborative relationships and effective channels of communication across the College’s diverse constituencies.
- A senior level advisor. Able to serve as a trusted business partner to the President and advisor to the Board.
If you wish to apply for this or any of the other positions listed, please e-mail your cover letter and resume to Human Resources at jobs@newenglandconservatory.edu.
New England Conservatory of Music encourages the application of all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability or veteran status in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other Conservatory-sponsored activities. The Vice President of Finance and Administration coordinates the Conservatory’s effort in complying with this policy.