Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a strategic, forward-thinking leader with significant experience to lead the financial and operational functions of Chicago Shakespeare Theater. They are responsible for the oversight and coordination of administrative and financial functions including finance, accounting, budget planning, information technology, facilities, operations, and guest services. The CFO will be involved in strategic planning and long-range financial forecasting aligned with the strategic direction of the theater. The CFO is a proactive, data informed leader who contributes to big picture strategy while ensuring excellence in execution as they lead and manage the theater’s finances, ensuring financial health, and the operations of the theater facility. This person will be capable of navigating ambiguity, balancing risk, and helping to shape organizational priorities during a period of continued growth and opportunity. The successful candidate will have a commitment to mission-driven work, paired with the ability to develop and sustain a sound financial model.

The CFO also plays a key role in managing relationships with external stakeholders, particularly banks, insurance brokers, investment manager and auditors. The CFO reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the senior management team. They will staff and act as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors’ Finance and Audit Committees, working closely with the committees to ensure their fiduciary responsibility and strengthen CST’s financial position. The CFO will have direct supervision responsibility for a Controller, Operations Director, and Technology Manager and lead a team of 12 full-time staff and many part-time staff. They will have indirect management responsibility for finance, facilities, information technology, custodial, and guest services teams.

They will continually evaluate best industry practices in comparison to internal systems. This person will be capable of navigating ambiguity, balancing risk, and helping to shape organizational priorities while sustaining a sound financial model.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is deeply committed to creating and sustaining an organizational culture that values promoting a safe, supportive, inclusive and collaborative work environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be requested to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Financial Management

Develop and implement financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals

Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial analysis

Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems

Prepare and present financial reports to the Executive Director and Board of Directors in a timely manner, providing analysis and recommendations as needed

Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, audits, and other reporting requirements

With the Controller, regularly assess the overall financial functions, ensuring that the accounting, bookkeeping, audit, budgeting, general ledger, bank reconciliations and taxes are organized and accurate

Lead the preparation of all financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and capital spending plans in accordance with financial standards

Overall financial management responsibility including the review and approval of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting materials and metrics for executive and program leadership and board of directors.

Regularly review existing policies and recommend new policies or revisions to ensure compliance.

Manage relationships with external partners, including banks, auditors, investment manager, and other financial service providers

Budgeting and Forecasting

Working with the Executive Director, develop and oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with senior management and other stakeholders to develop realistic and achievable budgets

Develop and support operating budget presentation to Board of Directors

Monitor actual performance against budget and provide regular updates and analysis to the Executive Director and Board of Directors

Develop and maintain financial forecasting models that support long-term financial planning and decision-making

Strategic Planning and Leadership

Work closely with the Executive Director and senior leaders to develop and implement strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision. Provide data, analysis, situational scenarios and structure to the discussions.

Provide leadership and mentorship to the finance, operations, IT, and guest services team, fostering a culture of transparency, data informed decision making, continuous improvement and professional development

Represent the organization at internal and external events and meetings, providing financial guidance and support as needed

Board Relations and Reporting

Report on the financial performance of the organization to the Finance and Audit Board committees, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities

Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial policies and procedures that align with the organization’s values and strategic goals

Staff and support the Finance and Audit Committees, collaborating with the Treasurer and other committee members to provide strategic financial guidance and support to the organization

Tax Filing and Compliance

Oversee all tax filings and compliance requirements, ensuring that the organization is in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations

Manage relationships with external auditors, banks, and other financial service providers to ensure compliance with all reporting and regulatory requirements

Facilities Operations

Provide oversight and supervision of the operations, capital needs, and maintenance of the theater buildings. Oversee the development of a plan with the Director of Operations to maintain the physical structure as well as the equipment, furniture, etc. contained within the building.

Manage the theater’s real estate affairs consisting of leases with Navy Pier and warehouse.

Ensure that the income potential of the physical assets is maximized.

Administration

• Direct the Information Technology (IT),, Payroll, and Legal functions;
• Manage the organization’s insurance program and broker relationship;

Ensure internal controls, compliance, risk management, and reporting accuracy across the organization.

Serve as a partner to the Executive Director on the organization’s administrative and operational processes, with a goal of continuously developing and improving systems.

Evaluate and improve Chicago Shakespeare’s information technology infrastructure, implementing new technologies to support key capabilities as required for future growth, and to support and drive key human resource initiatives.

Through support of the Operations Director and Front of House Manager, ensure CST delivers the highest caliber of guest services that create a welcoming, best in class experience for audiences.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

Models CST’s core values of service, ingenuity, and collaboration as well as its customer service ethos.

Champions the organization’s commitment to a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

Serve as a member of senior staff and participate in all activities required of this group.

Qualifications

COMPETENCIES

A strategic and innovative leader who can build on CST’s profound history, advances priority objectives, and supports long-term financial stability.

Demonstrated people management and leadership skills with a track record of mentoring and advancing direct reports. Ability to provide constructive and positive feedback, while motivating and holding the team accountable for their performance

Demonstrated success in leading critical business functions in the areas of finance, accounting, business planning, risk management, information technology, and / or data analytics.

Must possess a strong understanding of the balance sheet and financial performance to develop and maintain trust with senior management, key internal and external stakeholders, the Boards of Directors, and across all key business areas.

Demonstrated strategic financial and analytical skills coupled with strong business acumen. Strategic thinking skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable, revising strategies as necessary.

Outstanding oral and written communication skills with proven ability to present complex business topics to financial and non-financial audiences.

Strong operational, process, systems, and project management experience of successfully driving transformational initiatives focused on increased automation and functionality.

Strategic thinker with demonstrated consensus-building skills, and an ability to convey confidence within the organization and with external constituencies.

Demonstrated ability to think proactively and creatively and improve performance by identifying key strategic opportunities.

A reputation for integrity and building confidence among key stakeholders, with previous high-level interactions with boards.

Service, ingenuity, and collaboration

Emotional intelligence

Mission-driven

Excellent interpersonal and team skills, extremely collegial

Outstanding communications skills; written and oral

Demonstrated resourcefulness and good judgment

Hands-on, leads by example

Values diversity of thought, backgrounds, and perspectives

Ability to multitask while maintaining vigilant attention to details

Integrity / ethics beyond reproach

Constantly looking to apply best practices

Predisposition to mentor and subsequently increase responsibilities as team

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting or Finance

At least 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, ideally in a non-profit organization

Undergraduate or master’s degree in finance or accounting

Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Knowledge of non-profit accounting

A minimum of 5 years of supervisory / management experience

Demonstrated experience in financial management and accounting

Experience with audit, legal compliance, and budget development

Organization development, human resources management experience

Proven effectiveness managing others, empowering them to make decisions

Technologically savvy, with experience overseeing information technology staff or vendors

Experience effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, the Board or other outside partners / influencers / clients

Success seeing beyond the numbers, identifying trends and new possibilities

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Must be a forward-thinking and pragmatic finance professional with exceptional analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

In addition to strong financial acumen, the ideal candidate will be energized by the organization’s purpose and operations and exhibit a passion for theater and serving the community.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work hours are generally 9 : 00 am-5 : 00 pm, Monday through Friday

Evening, weekend, and holiday hours may be necessary.

Worksite is primarily at the CST facilities on Navy Pier in Chicago, IL

PHYSICAL DEMAND

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

CST is committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. CST prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.

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