Director of Finance and Business Planning

Straz Center for the Performing Arts is seeking a Director of Finance, Accounting and Business Planning in Education to provide financial leadership for the Patel Conservatory, overseeing day-to-day financial operations while serving as the primary resource for budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and financial planning related to the Conservatory's continued growth.

Reporting to the Chief Arts Education Officer (CAEO), with a dual/indirect report to Straz Center's Finance Department, this position is responsible for the Conservatory's annual budget, financial reporting, forecasting, revenue analysis, financial controls, and financial administration. The Director also develops financial models that support leadership's planning for new programs, expanded enrollment, increased facility capacity, and other growth opportunities.

The Director will work closely with Conservatory department chairs, program leaders, production staff, Admissions, Finance, HR, Development, and other operational departments to understand the financial drivers of the organization and translate that information into useful forecasts and decision-support tools.

The ideal candidate will combine strong finance, accounting, and FP&A skills with meaningful experience in the performing arts, entertainment, arts education, theater, dance, music, or live-event industry. An understanding of how performances, productions, classes, workshops, camps, intensives, and other arts programs are created and delivered is important because it allows the Director to develop realistic financial assumptions and models.

This position does not determine the artistic or programmatic direction of the Patel Conservatory. Rather, the Director serves as the financial planning partner to the CAEO and Conservatory leadership, providing the financial information, analysis, forecasts, and models necessary to evaluate and support strategic growth.

Likewise, in partnership with Straz Center's Finance Department, the Director ensures that accounting, financial reporting, and internal control activities are performed in accordance with Center-wide financial policies, applicable accounting standards, and established closing and budget calendars that apply consistently across all departments.

Located in downtown Tampa, the 335,000 square-foot Straz Center, one of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, offers a team-based work environment that shows our dedication to the community every day. We reward our full-time employees with a strong benefits package including options for health/dental, vision, etc., discounted downtown parking, food and show discounts, plus a generous 403(b) plan and up to 27 days of PTO/Holidays per year.

• Direct the day-to-day financial operations of the Patel Conservatory, ensuring accurate accounting, reconciliation, reporting, and analysis of financial activity. Serve as the primary business user for the school management and enrollment system (ASAP) and financial accounting system (Financial Edge NXT).
• Oversee daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting activities, including general ledger reconciliations, financial transaction imports, and month-end and year-end close requirements. Coordinate regularly with Straz Center Finance to resolve discrepancies and address matters affecting Education financial operations.
• Lead the development, management, and refinement of the Conservatory's annual operating budget, including departmental budgets for Dance, Music, Theater, and other programs and activities, in accordance with Straz Center budget assumptions, timelines, and approval processes.
• Prepare and present monthly financial reports, budget-to-actual analyses, variance reports, and financial forecasts for the CAEO and Straz Center Finance leadership. Monitor financial performance, identify significant variances, trends, risks, and opportunities, and communicate findings and recommended actions.
• Maintain accurate operating forecasts based on enrollment, tuition, ticket sales, payroll, teaching artist costs, production expenses, facility usage, and other key financial drivers, consistent with Straz Center's consolidated forecasting process.
• Partner with department chairs and program leaders to establish budgets, evaluate financial performance, and support responsible management of approved departmental resources.
• Oversee…