Chief Financial Officer

DEPARTMENT: Finance

REPORTS TO: Managing Director

LOCATION: San Diego, CA

CLASSIFICATION: This is a full-time, exempt (salaried) position, eligible for a full array of benefits including health and life insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, paid time off (vacation, sick, holiday), and complimentary tickets to Playhouse performances

COMPENSATION: $160,000 - $190,000 annually

DIRECT REPORTS: 4

ABOUT LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

La Jolla Playhouse is internationally renowned for creating some of the most exciting and adventurous work in American theatre. Founded in 1947, the Playhouse is now a not-for-profit, professional theatre in residence on the University of California, San Diego campus. Its mission is to advance theatre as an art form and as a vital social, moral and political platform by providing unfettered creative opportunities for the leading artists of today and tomorrow.

The Playhouse’s brilliant and innovative productions of classics, immersive projects, new plays and musicals have merited over 300 major honors and 42 Tony Awards, including the 1993 Tony Award for America’s Outstanding Regional Theatre. These productions include The Outsiders, Come From Away, The Who’s Tommy, Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays, the Pulitzer Prize-winning I Am My Own Wife, Memphis, and international sensation Jersey Boys.

The Playhouse has an annual budget of $27 million, with a very strong balance sheet including investable assets of over $80 million.

The Playhouse is committed to diversity in all areas of our work, on and off stage. We lead with our values and encourage individuals with unique perspectives to apply. La Jolla Playhouse is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for overseeing and managing the Playhouse’s financial planning and accounting, as well as providing the required data and analytical information for the overall successful financial management of the organization. The Chief Financial Officer ensures the Finance Department functions as a high-performing team, focused on supporting business needs across the entire organization. This position works closely with and reports to the Managing Director, providing data and analysis to assist in making responsible financial decisions for the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS

1. Oversees and directs treasury, budgeting, accounting and long-range forecasting activities for the organization.
2. Ensures that financial statements are prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
3. Interacts with independent outside auditing firm to conduct an annual, independent audit and file tax returns.
4. Appraises the organization's financial position and works with the Board’s Finance, Investment and Audit Committees to provide reports on the organization's financial stability, liquidity, and growth.
5. Works closely with each of the Playhouse’s 8 department heads to provide financial and other analytical support to optimize business performance.
6. Develops and implements best practices and tools to ensure a well-controlled yet flexible organization that has strong fiscal management, project coordination, cross-team communications, and workflows.
7. Creates reports and other tools to enhance operations.
8. Simplifies and effectively communicates complex finance and accounting concepts to staff at all levels across the organization.
9. Leads the annual budgeting process, collaborating with department heads to ensure accurate and realistic financial plans. Prepares budget presentation that is reviewed at Finance Committee and Board meetings.
10. Acts as custodian of endowment funds, marketable securities, investments and all assets of the organization.
11. Monitors and manages the organization’s cash flow requirements, ensuring the availability of funds by coordinating with investment advisors and banking personnel with centralized cash transfer.
12. Coordinates all tax reporting requirements.
13. Works with General Management and Human Resources personnel in workers’ compensation coverage and risk management.
14. Manages Finance Department personnel and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of all departmental employees.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. Must possess strong presentation skills, and the appropriate interpersonal skills required to develop strong working relationships with a diverse group of board members, financial institutions, donors, vendors, community and other non-profit and governmental agencies.
2. Ability to think analytically and to synthesize complex or diverse information.
3. Ability to analyze and streamline workflows and other business processes, at both the department and organizational levels.
4. Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
5. Strong relationship builder.
6. Experience coaching and building teams, and enhancing morale.
7. Highly collaborative, and able to promote communication between team members.
8. Thrives in a fluid work environment.
9. Possesses excellent change management skills.
10. Enjoys coaching, mentoring and building teams.
11. Ability to work in a highly creative, fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Candidates at the Chief Financial Officer level are expected to have a combination of education and experience equivalent to the following:

1. BS/BA in Finance, Accounting or a related field (Master's degree or equivalent preferred)
2. Minimum of 10 years of experience in a managerial role in finance and accounting settings
3. Knowledge of GAAP standards and fund accounting required for non-profit organizations
4. Demonstrated experience leading teams and/or work groups
5. Experience in accounting in a non-profit institution
6. Experience with Financial Edge accounting software a plus
7. Certified Public Accountant certificate preferred