Bard Graduate Center
Chief Financial Officer
Bard Graduate Center (BGC) invites applications for Chief Financial Officer. This is a full-time, on-site position at our campus on West 86th Street in New York City. The Bard Graduate Center is a graduate research institute in New York City dedicated to the study of the cultural history of the material world and committed to the encyclopedic study of things, drawing on methodologies and approaches from art and design history, history of technology, philosophy, anthropology, and archaeology and cultural history. Our students gravitate to careers in museums, academia, the art world, and publishing. Our MA and PhD degree programs, gallery exhibitions, research initiatives, and public programs explore new ways of thinking about decorative arts, design history, and material culture.The CFO will serve as the lead executive responsible for all areas related to finance and will help to build sustainable growth to further BGC’s mission. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CFO will work closely with the Director, the Board of Trustees, and staff at all levels, and will provide strong guidance, mentorship, and support to the finance team. This is an opportunity for an accomplished and strategic professional with substantial financial, budgeting, forecasting, and investment/endowment management experience. The CFO will work with the dedicated, engaged, and passionate founder, faculty, and staff, all committed to BGC’s mission to be the leading institute for the study of decorative arts, design history, and material culture through graduate training, exhibitions, and research.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
The CFO reports to BGC’s Founder and Director and is a member of the leadership team. Reporting to the CFO is a team that currently includes the Director of Finance and Budget Manager.
FUNDING:
BGC has a current annual operating budget of 15 million dollars, of which more than half is provided by an endowment distribution and the remainder is secured through tuition revenue, revenue from faculty and graduate housing, several foundation and government grants, and giving from generous and committed major donors.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy/Leadership
- Develop an understanding of BGC’s mission, subject matter, approach, and priorities.
- Assist the Director in achieving BGC business goals. Provide advice and counsel to best sustain the financial wellbeing of the institution.
- Work with the Director, Trustees, and staff in long-range planning and forecasting.
- Implement best practices to ensure efficient and financially responsible operations.
- Establish trusted relationships with BGC’s leadership team.
- Foster a culture of support, collaboration, open communication, and transparency among all internal and external constituents.
- Develop and manage operating and capital budgets to propose to the Director.
- Oversee tracking of revenue and expenses and cash flow planning.
- Provide accurate reports at regular intervals, including reforecasting of the budget as needed. Prepare reports for internal decision making for the Director and presentations to the Trustees at specified intervals.
- Maintain and enhance internal controls and manage enterprise risk.
- Review, assess, and allocate resources across the institution, including real estate portfolio and rentals.
- Assist in the planning of any construction projects or acquisitions.
- Provide advice and counsel to the Program Team on financial matters.
- Ensure that fiscal policies, processes, and procedures encourage efficiency, transparency, accountability, and customer services while maintaining appropriate internal controls.
- Oversee timely, accurate, and effective implementation of core fiscal operations, including accounting, accounts payable, bank reconciliations, timekeeping and payroll operations, purchasing, and cash management.
- Maintain accurate and thorough financial data based on GAAP.
- Cultivate relationship with BGC’s independent audit firm.
- Coordinate audits by government funders and internal audits of fiscal operations across the institution.
- Ensure maximization of technological resources to support the finance function and also to generate and analyze accurate data and trends.
- Ensure best practices in all aspects of financial management including appropriate alignment of financial functions and responsibilities and staff development.
- Establish clear performance goals and measures for all financial processes.
- Serve as an advocate for staff to ensure that they have the resources needed to reach the established goals and objectives.
- Encourage professional development and additional training as appropriate.
- Serve as liaison and maintain positive relationships with institutional partners including funders, vendors, industry-related groups, auditors, banking institutions, actuaries, insurers, and financial executives at peer institutions.
- Participate in relevant professional organizations, conferences, and training opportunities to maintain visible presence and awareness of key trends and developments.
Experience
- Substantial history of progressively responsible experience overseeing the fiscal operation of an academic, cultural, or other related not-for-profit institution. Candidates from industry may be considered with a relevant mission connection.
- Demonstrated ability to be a strategic partner to a chief executive.
- Financial forecasting and business planning skills.
- Firm understanding of endowments and the complex mix of funding sources that support BGC, specifically donor restricted funds and endowments as well as unrestricted operating funds and earned revenue.
- Familiarity with investment management and accounting.
- Expertise in managing complex operations, workflow practices, and recordkeeping processes.
- Strategic as well as hands on; capable of big picture thinking as well as attention to detail and accuracy.
- Able to establish and analyze performance metrics and trends.
- Knowledge of commonly used financial and accounting software.
- Experience leading, mentoring, and supporting a team.
- Successful history working with board members and staffing board committee.
- Well-developed communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Capacity to manage, oversee, or advise on additional operational and business-related matters such as real estate, rentals, and risk management.
- A genuine interest in the Bard Graduate Center mission.
- A collaborative consensus builder with the ability to make firm decisions and push back when necessary.
- Diplomatic, politically attuned, and able to be an effective and polished negotiator.
- Committed to building a culture of transparency.
- Drive to succeed; outcomes focused.
- Entrepreneurial and growth oriented.
- Skilled at prioritizing competing demands and performing under pressure.
- Sound judgment and maturity.
- A strong work ethic.
- Able and willing to “roll up sleeves.”
- Master’s or other advanced degree, CPA required.
The annual compensation for this role is $175,000 plus attractive benefits. We expect the successful candidate to be stronger in some qualifications listed above than others; we are committed to helping our future colleagues expand their skills and hope to learn from their areas of strength.
TO APPLY:
Send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to [email protected]
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Bard College is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.
Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
AA/EOE