Director of Finance

Who We Are The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a certified nonprofit organization that uses tours, public programs, and exhibitions to support education and community engagement. From 75+ walking tours and an award-winning river cruise to a striking riverfront Center, CAC connects visitors with Chicago’s architectural heritage and urban future. Ticket and program revenue directly funds youth education initiatives, world-renowned events like Open House Chicago, and public information campaigns.

These efforts empower residents and visitors to better understand architecture, urban design, and their role in shaping the future of cities. Team members contribute to an organization recognized for its impact on civic engagement and architectural education.

Who We Need This is a builder role.

The right candidate has led a finance team through change before. They can step in quickly, own the monthly close and annual budget from day one, diagnose what is not working, and fix it. Just as important, the Director serves as a trusted finance partner and educator to department leaders, helping them understand their budgets, make sound financial decisions, and follow consistent financial practices across the organization.

Job Summary The Director of Finance leads the Chicago Architecture Center’s finance and accounting function. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer/Executive Vice President, the Director is responsible for accurate, timely financial operations; a well-managed annual budget process; sound internal controls; and reliable financial reporting that leadership can use to make strategic decisions. The Director supervises the finance team. This includes setting priorities, reviewing work for accuracy, holding the team accountable for results, and staying involved hands-on when needed to meet deadlines.

The Director also establishes documents and continuously improves the department’s standard processes, policies, and controls. As the primary finance partner to department leaders, the Director builds financial understanding across the organization by guiding leaders on budgets, spending, and sound financial practices.

Duties and responsibilities

Budgeting, Forecasting, and Analysis Own the annual organizational budget process from start to finish, including the timeline, templates, department submissions, consolidation, and quality review, so the budget presented to leadership and the Board is accurate and complete.

Manage budget-to-actual performance and forecasting throughout the year, identifying variances early and recommending corrective action.

Prepare and present financial analysis, forecasts, trends, and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board as requested.

Maintain visibility into organizational cash flow, revenue, expenses, commitments, and overall financial position, and support financial modeling and scenario planning.

Accounting, Controls, and Compliance Own a timely and accurate monthly and year-end close, reviewing financial statements, reconciliations, and journal entries for accuracy before they are shared with leadership.

Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, allocations, reconciliations, and other core finance processes.

Build, document, and maintain standard operating procedures, internal controls, approval workflows, and a finance calendar of key deadlines.

Lead preparation for the annual audit and tax filings, including audit schedules and responses, in partnership with the Accounting Manager and external auditors.

Ensure accurate tracking and accounting treatment for grants, contributions, restricted funds, earned revenue, and organizational programs, in partnership with development and program teams.

Manage the relationship with the…