Job Title: Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

Salary Range: $95,000-$120,000

Job Type: Full-Time Exempt 

Location: ArtWorks Offices, 2429 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45206 (Hybrid with 1 Remote Work Day/Week)

Reports to: CEO/Artistic Director

ArtWorks seeks a Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) to lead financial strategy, and administrative operations (finance, HR, IT facilities compliance) in service of our mission to create community-based public art and career opportunities for artists of all ages. This role reports directly to the CEO/Artistic Director, with oversight from the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors and ensures stewardship, sustainability and mission alignment for the organization. This role is an important leader to ensure the organization is financially sound, compliant, efficient, and equipped to achieve its mission. 

As a strategic partner to the CEO/Artistic Director and a key member of the executive leadership team, the CFAO is responsible for financial management, strategic financial planning, administrative operations, compliance, procurement, and organizational infrastructure. This role ensures financial resources and internal operations effectively support programming and long-term organizational strategy. This role leads initiatives across the organization, creating systems and policies and developing cross-departmental capabilities that foster operational excellence. The CFAO manages a multidisciplinary team of two direct reports, contractors and collaborates closely with the executive leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy and Planning:

• Lead multi-year financial planning, forecasting and scenario modeling aligned with strategic goals.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO/Artistic Director and Board regarding financial implications of major initiatives.
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management.
• Analyze revenues (foundation, sponsorship, individual giving, earned income) and identify areas of growth.

Financial Management & Reporting:

• Manage all financial operations including budgeting, accounting, audits, financial reporting and compliance.
• Ensure accurate, timely, monthly quarterly and annual financial statements and analyses for internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee cash flow management to ensure financial stability. Develop and maintain internal controls and financial policies.
• Maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures and oversee internal checks and balance across departments to ensure accuracy.
• Track and ensure compliance for restricted and unrestricted funds
• Provide financials for proposal budgets and grant reporting
• Provide consistent review and recovery process for Accounts Receivables

Compliance, Risk Management & Audit Oversight:

• Ensure compliance with all nonprofit regulatory requirements (IRS filings, GAAP, government grant compliance, audits).
• Identify and manage organizational financial and operational risks.
• Coordinate external audits and manage relationships with auditors and financial partners.
• Conduct annual review of insurance coverage to ensure appropriate liability protection across operations and programs.
• Draft, review and sign material agreements; maintain contract templates for vendors, partners, and grantors, collaborate with external legal counsel as necessary.
• Ensure policy review and oversight of compliance to mitigate organizational risk.

Budgeting & Resource Allocation

• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with senior leadership and program staff.
• Monitor budget performance and develop corrective action strategies for variances.

Operations & Administration (HR, IT, Facilities)

• Provide leadership over HR, IT, facilities, office operations, and administrative systems.
• Ensure administrative infrastructure supports efficient and mission-aligned operations.
• Review, create, and maintain key policies and standard operating procedures; ensure implementation and accountability across departments to achieve organizational goals.
• Oversee staff policies, performance management systems, and HR compliance and equitable practices promoting a culture that champions diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Oversee IT strategy and collaborate with third party providers for systems selection and optimization and implement tools to streamline workflows, strengthen controls, and improve reporting and collaboration.
• Oversee facilities leases, maintenance reserve policy, safety protocols and ongoing planned facility needs.

Procurement & Vendor Oversight

• Lead procurement strategy, RFPs, negotiations, and performance management for large contracts and vendors (technology partners, insurance carriers, equipment providers, facilities) to achieve quality, cost, and service objectives.

Board Relations & Governance

• Serve as staff lead for the Finance Committee and Talent Leadership committee.
• Prepare all necessary reports, prepare Committee Chairs, align on agenda and provide timely responses to questions from the Board of Directors.
• Recommend strategic decisions to the CEO/Artistic Director and Board of Directors.
• Support Board oversight of financial sustainability.

Cash, Investments & Reserves

• Manage banking relationships, cash flow, investments, and reserve policies.
• Ensure liquidity to support program commitments and growth.
• Review bank reconciliations and provide approvals for ACH transactions and expenditures

Qualifications and experiences:

• Education: B.A. in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA or Master’s degree a plus. Process improvement and/or project management credentials a plus.
• Experience: Minimum 10+ years of progressive professional experience with broad financial, HR, and administrative oversight; 2+ years managing teams.
• Nonprofit Expertise: Past nonprofit experience as board or employee is required. Strong understanding of nonprofit GAAP, grant accounting, and compliance (including audit and 990). Arts sector and government grant experience, a plus.
• Operational Excellence: Proven track record of designing SOPs, KPIs/OKRs, and dashboards; driving continuous improvement, risk mitigation, and change management. 
• Systems: Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel; working knowledge of QuickBooks. Experience with HRIS/CRM and cloud collaboration tools preferred.
• Governance: Experience working with Boards and committees.
• Availability: Ability to work outside of normal business hours as needed and to modify schedule to ensure presence at after-hour events

Skills and abilities:

• Deep knowledge of nonprofit accounting, tax compliance, grant accounting, and financial analysis.
• Ability to connect financial and operational data to mission impact; skilled in setting priorities, scenario planning, and organizational design.
• Builds effective relationships through formal and informal networks, internally and externally
• Collaborates by building internal and community partnerships with shared objectives
• Champions diversity that recognizes the value of different perspectives and cultures
• Embraces change by adapting approach and demeanor to match the shifting demands of different situations
• Is resourceful in securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently
• Plans and aligns work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals
• Communicates effectively in a variety of communication modes – groups, 1-1 and virtual, with leaders, staff, and board.