Associate Chief Financial Officer

Walton Arts Center; Fayetteville (AR); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO

Event tickets

Executive leadership exposure

Job summary

Walton Arts Center is seeking an Associate Chief Financial Officer to guide long-term financial health for Walton Arts Center, Walmart AMP, NWA Entertainment, and affiliates. This role reports to the CFO and leads through the Director of Finance, focusing on strategic planning, risk management, and executive decision support.

The ideal candidate brings a strong nonprofit finance background, executive leadership experience, and proficiency with enterprise financial systems, ready to partner with

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, including executive level budgeting, forecasting, and organizational strategy.
• Experience leading finance professionals through subordinate managers.
• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit financial management, fund accounting, tax-exempt regulations, and GAAP.
• Experience presenting financial information to executive leadership, Finance Committees, and boards.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience leading organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with enterprise financial systems and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership to guide long-term health and sustainability.
• Lead enterprise budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and long-range planning.
• Translate financial data into insights for executive and Board decisions.
• Develop financial performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Oversee internal controls, regulatory compliance, and financial integrity.
• Support audits, Form 990 preparation, and regulatory reporting.
• Collaborate with leadership on pricing, contracts, and growth initiatives.
• Coach and mentor the Finance Department and participate in executive planning.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Relationship building

GAAP knowledge

Excel proficiency

ERP/enterprise systems

Organizational change

Education

Master's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

CPA (preferred)

Tools

Financial Edge

Tessitura

Sage

QuickBooks

Job description

Description

About Us

At Walton Arts Center and the Walmart AMP, we believe the arts are essential to a thriving, connected community. Together, our two campuses present world-class performances, concerts, and cultural experiences that reach hundreds of thousands of patrons each year across Northwest Arkansas and beyond.

Walton Arts Center operates a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre and 269-seat black box theatre in Fayetteville, while the Walmart AMP is an 11,000-capacity outdoor amphitheater in Rogers and one of Billboard’s top-rated amphitheaters nationwide. Our success is driven by talented, mission-aligned staff who value relevance, inclusivity, sustainability, and excellence.

We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion across our stages, audiences, workforce, volunteers, and boards—and we are seeking leaders who share those values.

Position Overview

The Associate Chief Financial Officer (Associate CFO) serves as a strategic financial leader and trusted advisor to the Chief Financial Officer, helping guide the long-term financial health and sustainability of Walton Arts Center, Walmart AMP, NWA Entertainment, and affiliated entities.

As a member of the senior leadership team, this position provides executive level financial leadership by translating complex financial information into strategic business decisions that strengthen organizational performance, support growth, and advance the organization's mission.

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Associate CFO provides leadership through the Director of Finance, who oversees the organization's daily accounting operations. The Associate CFO focuses on strategic financial planning, forecasting, enterprise risk management, organizational performance, governance, financial analysis, and executive decision support rather than transactional accounting.

This role collaborates extensively with executive leadership, department leaders, Human Resources, external partners, and the Board of Directors to ensure sound financial stewardship while supporting innovation, operational excellence, and long-term organizational success

Requirements

Essential Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership
• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and executive leadership to develop and execute long term financial strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
• Lead enterprise budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and long range financial planning efforts.
• Evaluate organizational performance and identify opportunities to improve financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
• Translate financial data into meaningful insights that support executive and Board level decision making.
• Develop financial performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools that measure organizational success.

Financial Stewardship & Governance

• Provide executive oversight of financial operations through the Director of Finance, ensuring strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, financial integrity, and accountability.
• Support the development and implementation of financial policies, procedures, and governance practices.
• Oversee organizational cash flow planning, liquidity management, and financial risk mitigation strategies.
• Partner with the CFO to oversee annual audits, Form 990 preparation, grant compliance, and regulatory reporting.
• Maintain strong relationships with external auditors, financial institutions, government agencies, and other strategic partners.

Business Partnership

• Collaborate with executive leadership to evaluate new business opportunities, capital investments, major contracts, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide financial guidance supporting programming decisions, pricing strategies, event profitability, and organizational growth.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities while recommending solutions that support long term organizational objectives.
• Support cross functional initiatives that improve organizational efficiency and financial performance.

Organizational Leadership

• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Finance Department through the Director of Finance while fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Build leadership capability within the Finance team through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
• Participate as an active member of the senior leadership team, contributing to enterprise wide planning and organizational initiatives.
• Represent the Finance Division during executive meetings, Finance Committee meetings, Board meetings, audits, and other organizational functions as assigned.

Human Resources Partnership

• Partner with Human Resources to support compensation strategy, workforce planning, organizational design, benefits financial analysis, and other enterprise initiatives.
• Provide financial insight that supports talent investment decisions and long term organizational effectiveness.

Leadership Competencies

• Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to:
• Think strategically while maintaining strong financial stewardship.
• Build trusted partnerships across all levels of the organization.
• Lead through influence, collaboration, and sound judgment.
• Communicate complex financial concepts in a clear and actionable manner.
• Foster innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop high performing teams through coaching and mentorship.
• Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and ethical leadership.
• Balance mission driven decision making with fiscal responsibility.

Minimum Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, including executive level responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and organizational strategy.
• Demonstrated experience leading finance professionals through subordinate managers.
• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit financial management, fund accounting, tax exempt regulations, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience presenting financial information to executive leadership, Finance Committees, and governing boards.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, communication, and relationship building skills.
• Experience leading organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with enterprise financial systems and Microsoft Excel.

Preferred

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Experience within performing arts, entertainment, hospitality, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience with event settlement accounting and complex revenue structures.
• Experience partnering with Human Resources on compensation planning and organizational strategy.
• Experience using Financial Edge, Tessitura, Sage, QuickBooks, or similar enterprise financial systems.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of $105,000-$125,000 based on experience.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and paid time off benefits.
• Complimentary or discounted tickets to performances and concerts.
• Direct exposure to executive leadership, Board governance, and strategic decision-making

Physical

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual collaboration tools.
• Must be able to endure standing or walking for extended periods of time on various surfaces such as concrete, grass, and inclined surfaces.
• Must be able to endure outdoor elements including cold, heat, wind, and/or precipitation
• Must be able to work in large, crowded environments, with flashing lights, loud music and noises, pyrotechnics, and cannons as part of shows and events
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, computers, and mobile devices.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and special events as business needs require.
• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance consistent with applicable laws and organizational expectations.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment with occasional travel between Walton Arts Center and Walmart AMP locations. Occasional attendance at performances, concerts, meetings, and special events may be required, including evenings and weekends.

Walton Arts Center and Walmart AMP are equal opportunity employers and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, organizational needs, and applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Walton Arts Center and the Walmart AMP are equal opportunity employers committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace.