Chief Administrative Officer

John Michael Kohler Arts Center; Sheboygan (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center, anchored in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, seeks a Chief Administrative Officer to lead strategic financial and operational initiatives for a nationally recognized arts institution. The CAO will direct budgeting, forecasting, audits, IT and HR, and engage with senior leadership and the board to advance the organization’s mission.

This hands-on leader will oversee multiple departments, coordinate annual tax filings, and manage external relationships with banks,

Qualifications

• Excellent management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Proficient in database and accounting computer application systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Sets the strategic direction for all financial functions, including multi-year planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial modeling.
• Reviews and presents reports summarizing financial position, business activity, and projections; liaison to the Board Finance Committee.
• Approves financial and personnel budgets with the Executive and Deputy Directors for presentation to the Finance Committee and Board.
• Oversees financial compliance for grants and restricted funds in coordination with Development staff.
• Manages the consolidated annual audit for JMKAC, Creation and Preservation Partners (CAPP), and CASP; coordinates annual tax filings.
• Oversees accounting operations for CAPP and CASP in addition to JMKAC's core financial functions.
• Oversees IT, HR, and digital collections leadership; ensures alignment with institutional priorities.

Skills

Financial leadership

Board liaison

Forecasting

Accounting proficiency

HR oversight

IT oversight

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The Chief Administrative Officer provides strategic financial and operational leadership for the John Michael Kohler Arts Center — a nationally recognized institution with nearly 60 years of history advancing artists and connecting creativity to the community. Anchored in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and active in national conversations about contemporary, self-taught, and underrecognized art, JMKAC operates a multifaceted organization that includes exhibitions, the internationally regarded Arts/Industry residency program, the Art Preserve (the world's first museum dedicated to artist-built environments), community education, and a collection of more than 25,000 works.

The Chief Administrative Officer will direct and oversee the financial activities of the corporation, direct the preparation of current financial reports and summaries, and create forecasts predicting future growth. Oversee Accounting department, budget preparation, and audit functions. Oversee IT & HR Departments. Works with other department heads to monitor each department and make recommendations.

This is a role for a leader who is as comfortable presenting complex organizational strategy to a board finance committee as they are rolling up their sleeves to close out month-end financials alongside their team. At JMKAC, leadership means doing the work — not just directing it. We are looking for a CAO who sees their job as enabling the people around them and who brings genuine engagement to the details, not just the strategy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Sets the strategic direction for all financial functions, including multi-year planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial modeling in support of the organizational strategic plan.
• Reviews and presents reports summarizing financial position, business activity, and projections; serves as primary staff liaison to the Board Finance Committee
• Approves financial and personnel budgets with the Executive and Deputy Directors for presentation to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors
• Oversees financial compliance for grants and restricted funds in coordination with Development staff
• Manages the consolidated annual audit for JMKAC, Creation and Preservation Partners (CAPP), and Collection Acquisitions and Stewardship Partners (CASP); coordinates annual tax filings
• Oversees accounting operations for CAPP and CASP in addition to JMKAC's core financial functions
• Manages external relationships with banking institutions, insurance providers, auditors, benefit plan administrators, and government agencies
• Advises leadership on insurance coverage for property, liability, and organizational risk
• Actively participates in the work of the accounting department, including contributing directly to month-end close, financial reporting, and audit preparation as needed — this is a hands-on leadership role

Human Resources

• Oversees the legal and operational dimensions of Human Resources, including recruiting, benefits administration, employee relations, discipline, compliance, and day-to-day HR function
• Partners closely with the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, who leads the cultural dimensions of HR — onboarding, belonging, staff engagement, training, and soft benefits — to ensure a cohesive and equitable employee experience
• Prepares reports required by regulatory agencies

Information Technology

• Provides strategic oversight of the Manager of Information Technology, who manages the organization's infrastructure, networks, hardware, and software systems
• Oversees the organization's digital security posture, including proactive threat monitoring, staff cybersecurity protocols, and incident response — the CFO serves as the senior organizational leader in the event of a security incident or breach

Digital Collections and Information Systems

• Provides strategic oversight of the Director of Digital Collections and Information Systems, who manages JMKAC's extensive digital assets — including nearly 60 years of content archives, exhibition image records, collection data management, rights and reproductions, publication and book creation processes, and the organization's online research portal
• Ensures that the organization's digital collections infrastructure is resourced, supported, and aligned with institutional priorities

Direct Reports/Organizational Structure

The CAO provides direct supervision to four positions: the Controller, the Director of Digital Collections and Information Systems, the Manager of Information Technology, and the HR Generalist. The Controller oversees two Staff Accountants. The Director of Digital Collections and Information Systems leads a team of five. This is a leadership role with meaningful organizational reach — the CAO is responsible for the health, development, and performance of this full team.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Proficient in database and accounting computer application systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.