Since 1891, Carnegie Hall has set the international standard for musical excellence as the aspirational destination for the world’s finest artists. The Hall presents a wide range of performances each season on its three iconic stages, including concert series curated by acclaimed artists and composers; orchestral performances, chamber music, new music concerts, and recitals; and the best in jazz, world, and popular music. Complementing these performance activities, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute creates extensive music education and social impact programs that annually serve more than 800,000 people worldwide, playing a central role in fulfilling Carnegie Hall’s commitment to making great music accessible to as many people as possible.
Since its landmark building closed to the public in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carnegie Hall has actively continued to serve its audiences in New York City and beyond through established and newly created digital initiatives. In April 2020, the Hall launched new online series—including Live with Carnegie Hall and Learn with Carnegie Hall—connecting leading artists and audiences digitally with original programming that has included music, conversation, and behind-the-scenes perspectives, streamed for free via the Hall’s website and social media channels. Most of the Hall’s core educational programming has also pivoted to digital throughout this period with innovative programs engaging with families, educators, community members, and aspiring young musicians at home through live, interactive workshops and sessions as well as free on-demand content.
Reporting to the Executive & Artistic Director, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the senior financial professional for The Carnegie Hall Corporation and is responsible for providing strategic leadership in the areas of finance, budgeting, treasury and accounting. The Chief Financial Officer is a trusted financial advisor to the Executive & Artistic Director and engages the broader senior team around issues, trends and changes in the Hall's operational model and overarching mission. The CFO works closely with the Finance, Audit and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees.
Responsibilities & Task:
Work closely with the Executive and Artistic Director on business strategy, to ensure that the Hall develops the best financial solutions to all problems, challenges, and opportunities that the organization has to address.
Direct the preparation of financial reports. Communicate financial results to senior management and the Board of Trustees.
Provide financial updates and models for quickly changing operations due to the COVID pandemic.
Review fiscal year-end financial statements and tax returns.
Review the year-end audit of the combined financial statements with the independent auditors and review results with the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Partner with Senior Staff and their teams for operational risk analysis and cost control. Determine the effectiveness of the financial information provided to Senior Staff as they manage operations.
Ensure that strategies comply with relevant statutes, regulations and policies for financial reporting, treasury, and risk management.
Responsible for overseeing all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization in conjunction with the board of trustees, the Treasurer, the Finance, Audit and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees.
Oversee general ledger and reporting systems to ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS and regulatory requirements, annual bond disclosures, Office of Management and Budget audit requirements and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs requirements.
Monitor financial/operational metrics both internally and externally by defining key reporting elements which will allow management to act quickly when business conditions change, or opportunities are developed.
Maintain, renew and expand financing, as needed — both working capital and long-term financing. Assure compliance with debt covenant restrictions.
Manage credit review update process from S&P and Moody's with Executive & Artistic Director and Treasurer.
Provide continuing advice to staff regarding grant proposals, contracts, insurance needs, and foreign currency exchange.
Participate as a member of the senior management team in organizational decisions involving major policy and strategic issues. Maintain strong and open relationships with all managers.
Skills & Qualifications:
CPA and MBA preferred.
At least 10 to 15 years of increasingly responsible finance/accounting experience in a non-profit environment; mission-based cultural institution experience a plus.
Excellent interpersonal skills and strong ethics. The ability to build strong, collaborative, inclusive relationships with the senior management and key governance constituencies based on trust.
Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral, are essential.
The ability to balance managerial responsibilities with governance obligations, exercising technical capabilities combined with organizational savviness.
Excellent management and mentoring skills focused on building an inclusive environment with a sense of belonging to manage and motivate the nine staff members of the Finance Department.
Commitment to the mission of Carnegie Hall.
Critical Competencies for Success
Financial leadership: provide timely, value-added financial information and analysis that will support high-quality decision-making, improve financial and operational performance, and ensure that individuals understand long-term implications of current and future commitments:
Work closely with the leadership team to develop collaborative, transparent processes for prioritizing activities, allocating resources, and fostering internal communication and openness.
Allocate time to thoroughly examine the peculiar financial needs and systems of each operating entity and to provide financial office solutions to meet those needs.
Develop sophisticated financial and performance management tools that are useful and accessible to the senior leadership group and to the Board of Trustees. These tools should create a meaningful context for critical resource and strategy decisions.
Strategic and operational leadership: As a member of the senior leadership team, and in an environment characterized by collaboration and passionate support for the Hall's mission, actively engage and partner with colleagues to drive efficiency and effectiveness across the organization:
Work to understand key operational decisions and processes and seek collaborative solutions to achieve operational efficiencies while fostering trust in the finance function.
Break down barriers between divisions; create and enhance structures and systems that support collaboration; and build a sense of shared accountability and organization-wide promise.
Consult broadly, question assumptions, and create an environment in which continuous improvement: process assessment, and change are expected.
Establish business practices and implement systems to support, measure, and reinforce service performance.
Leadership and influencing skills: Develop and maintain relationships across the organization that are essential to effective leadership:
Be accessible and responsive. Relate well with all levels of constituents.
Listen carefully, communicate honestly, and demonstrate a commitment to being a collaborative, solution-oriented individual willing to make and communicate decisions.
Within the finance unit, be a model coach and mentor. Attract, develop, and retain excellent financial and operational talent. Set high standards, assess performance, and establish a high bar of excellence that includes "customer service" to the broader organization.
Capable of managing difficult situations with tact and diplomacy. The ability to demonstrate flexibility and pivot resources and focus in quickly evolving situations.
To Apply
Due to the pace of this search, interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. This search is being managed by POLIHIRE. For immediate consideration, please submit a cover letter outlining your qualifications and your resume in WORD format to Mr. Kenyatta Uzzell at: CarnegieHall_CFO@polihire.com. Please include only your name (Last, First) in the subject line when submitting these materials.
