Chief Financial Officer

John Michael Kohler Arts Center; Sheboygan (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chief Financial Officer at John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI provides strategic financial and operational leadership for a nationally recognized arts institution with a multi-faceted program including exhibitions, the Arts/Industry residency, and the Art Preserve.

The CFO directs financial activities, budgeting, forecasting, audits, IT and HR coordination, and serves as a liaison to the board finance committee.

Qualifications

• Excellent management and supervisory abilities.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Proficient with database and accounting software systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for all financial functions including budgeting, forecasting, and long-range modeling.
• Prepare and present financial reports and projections to the Board Finance Committee.
• Oversee accounting operations, annual audits, and tax filings for the organization and related entities.
• Oversee IT and HR departments and coordinate cross-functional leadership with other directors.
• Hands-on involvement in month-end close, financial reporting, and audit preparation.

Skills

Management

Analytical skills

Accounting software

Written and verbal communication

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

The Chief Financial 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 Financial 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 CFO 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:

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed below. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• 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 — includingnearly 60years 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 CFO 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 CFO 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.