Vice President of Finance
Description
AMDA College of the Performing Arts, with campuses in New York City and Hollywood, is one of the foremost post-secondary performing arts colleges in the country. AMDA offers various pathways for students to receive unparalleled performing arts education taught by world-class industry professionals, including Professional Conservatory Certificates as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees (Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Associate of Occupational Studies, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Arts).
AMDA is opening a search for a new Vice President [VP] of Finance position. This individual will serve as a pivotal member of the senior leadership team at AMDA. In this critical role, reporting directly to the CFO, the VP of Finance will oversee and manage the college’s comprehensive financial operations, ensuring alignment with our mission of providing world-class arts education, as well as overseeing and managing the college's finance teams. This includes the preparation of complex financial reports, development of sophisticated financial models, and the meticulous management of budgeting processes. The VP of Finance will act as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the CFO, playing a key role in shaping the financial direction of the college, influencing policy decisions, and ensuring the long-term financial health and sustainability of the institution.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Financial Reporting: The VP of Finance will produce accurate, comprehensive, and timely financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements. These reports must adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and comply with all relevant regulatory requirements. The role requires ensuring that financial reporting not only meets external audit and compliance standards but also provides clear and actionable insights for internal stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees and senior management.
- Budgeting & Forecasting: This role involves spearheading the annual budget process and creating multi-year financial forecasts that align with the college’s strategic objectives. The VP of Finance will work closely with department heads across the college to ensure that budgets are realistic, achievable, and reflective of both short-term needs and long-term goals. Additionally, the VP will provide ongoing analysis to optimize resource allocation, adjust forecasts in response to changing circumstances, and identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement.
- Financial Modeling: The VP of Finance will be responsible for developing and maintaining advanced financial models that support key strategic initiatives, such as capital improvement projects and tuition pricing strategies. These models will serve as essential tools in scenario planning, helping the college’s leadership to anticipate the financial impact of various decisions and to make informed choices that will drive sustainable growth.
- Strategic Planning: In collaboration with the CFO and other senior leaders, the VP of Finance will play a critical role in crafting the financial strategy of the college. This includes providing rigorous financial analysis to support the development and implementation of strategic plans, identifying and evaluating financial risks and opportunities, and ensuring that financial planning is integrated into the college’s overall strategic vision. The VP of Finance will also contribute to the development of long-term financial goals and performance metrics, ensuring that the college remains on a trajectory of growth and stability.
- Risk Management: The VP of Finance will assist in the identification, assessment, and management of financial risks. This includes monitoring cash flow to ensure that the college maintains adequate liquidity, managing debt and ensuring compliance with all financial covenants, and implementing strategies to mitigate risks associated with financial operations. The VP of Finance will also oversee the college’s insurance programs and work closely with the CFO to ensure that the college’s financial risk management practices are robust and effective.
- Internal Controls: Ensuring the integrity of the college’s financial operations is a key responsibility of the VP of Finance. This includes maintaining and enhancing internal controls to safeguard the college’s assets, prevent fraud, and promote operational efficiency. The VP will also oversee the implementation of financial policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and conducting regular reviews of financial processes to identify areas for improvement.
- Stakeholder Communication: The VP of Finance will serve as a key liaison between the finance department and other internal and external stakeholders, including external auditors, regulatory agencies, and senior management. This role requires clear and effective communication, with the ability to present complex financial information in a way that is accessible and actionable for non-financial stakeholders. The VP of Finance will also be responsible for preparing and delivering financial presentations to the Board of Trustees and other key stakeholders.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field required; Graduate degree preferred, MBA or CPA preferred: The ideal candidate will have a strong educational background in finance or accounting, with advanced qualifications such as an MBA or CPA highly desirable. These credentials will ensure that the VP of Finance has the technical expertise needed to manage the college’s complex financial operations effectively.
- Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, preferably in higher education or nonprofit organizations: The successful candidate will have significant experience in financial leadership roles, with a track record of success in managing financial operations in higher education or nonprofit settings. This experience should include responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis, as well as a demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing finance teams.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP and experience with complex financial reporting and compliance: The VP of Finance must have deep expertise in GAAP and experience in managing complex financial reporting requirements, including compliance with regulatory standards and audit requirements. This expertise will ensure that the college’s financial reporting is accurate, reliable, and compliant with all relevant regulations.
- Proven expertise in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting: The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of developing and maintaining financial models that support strategic decision-making, as well as experience in leading the budgeting process and creating accurate financial forecasts. This expertise will be critical in ensuring that the college’s financial planning is rigorous, data-driven, and aligned with its strategic goals.
- Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights: The VP of Finance must have exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and translate it into actionable insights that support strategic decision-making. This includes the ability to identify trends, assess risks, and develop recommendations that enhance the college’s financial performance.
- Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic thought partner, with experience influencing senior leadership and driving organizational change: The successful candidate will have a proven ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership, providing strategic financial advice and influencing decision-making at the highest levels of the organization. This includes experience in driving organizational change and contributing to the development of long-term strategic plans.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization: The VP of Finance must have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. This includes the ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely, and to work collaboratively with colleagues in other departments.
- Commitment to the mission and values of a nonprofit educational institution: The ideal candidate will have a deep commitment to the mission and values of the college, with a passion for supporting the arts and education. This includes a dedication to ethical financial management, a focus on serving the needs of students and faculty, and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Position Information:
- The pay range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 per year.
- This position is subject to a background check upon a conditional offer of employment and a reference check.
- This is a hybrid position, in-person versus remote schedule based on department needs.
Diversity and Qualifications:
AMDA is fully committed to diversity, inclusivity, and equity throughout the teaching and learning process. We encourage applications from individuals who have extensive experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
Successful candidates will have a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of our students, including disabilities that may affect students' development and learning styles.
Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
Successful candidates will have a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of our students, including disabilities that may affect students' development and learning styles.
Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
AMDA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in which no person is subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, supervision, promotion, working conditions, termination, layoff, demotion, transfer, compensation, and training.