Director, Controller

Chicago Blackhawks; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus program

Job summary

The Chicago Blackhawks seek a Director, Controller to lead financial operations, reporting, compliance and internal controls for the organization. This senior role partners with executive leadership to ensure financial integrity while driving efficiency in a fast-paced sports environment.

Ideal candidate has extensive accounting experience, CPA, and leadership in multi-entity settings, with strong GAAP knowledge and ERP expertise. In-office Chicago location, standard hours, bonus eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required or preferred.
• CPA certification required.
• 9+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership roles and public accounting background.
• Experience in sports, entertainment, or multi-entity environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key financial advisor to the EVP, Finance and executive team, providing insights to guide strategic decisions.
• Evaluate and implement financial systems and technologies to enhance automation, scalability, and reporting capabilities.
• Develop and enforce accounting policies that align with GAAP, league standards, and organizational goals.
• Partner with department heads to support financial literacy, cost management, and resource allocation.
• Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, revenue recognition and accounting systems.
• Direct monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of financials.
• Ensure GAAP compliance, league reporting requirements, and regulatory filings.
• Lead annual audits and liaise with external auditors, league officials, and tax authorities.
• Monitor and strengthen internal controls, risk management practices, and financial governance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team.
• Foster accountability, innovation, and professional growth.
• Align team objectives with organizational strategy and metrics.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA certification

Master’s Degree or MBA preferred

Job description

Career Opportunities with Chicago Blackhawks

A great place to work.

Careers At Chicago Blackhawks

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

Job Title: Director, Controller
Department: Finance
Reports To: EVP, Finance
Location: Chicago / United Center (In-Office)
Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm / Monday - Friday
Status: Fulltime, Exempt
# Direct Reports: 3
Compensation: The expected annual salary range for this position is $115,000 - $145,000, with final compensation offer based on the candidate's years of experience, skills, qualifications, and overall fit for the role. This role is eligible to participate in the Company's annual bonus program.

Role Summary:

The Director, Controller is a senior leader within the accounting and finance team, responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial operations, reporting, compliance, and internal controls across the Chicago Blackhawks and affiliated entities. This role serves as a strategic partner to executive leadership, driving financial integrity, operational efficiency, and long-term fiscal health. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong leadership and thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance sports environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Commercial

• Serve as a key financial advisor to the EVP, Finance and executive team, providing insights to guide strategic decisions
• Evaluate and implement financial systems and technologies to enhance automation, scalability, and reporting capabilities
• Develop and enforce accounting policies that align with GAAP, league standards, and organizational goals
• Partner with department heads to support financial literacy, cost management, and resource allocation

Operational

• Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, revenue recognition and accounting systems
• Direct monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of financials
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, league reporting requirements, and regulatory filings (e.g., Sales & Use Tax, Amusement Tax)
• Lead annual audits and liaise with external auditors, league officials, and tax authorities
• Monitor and strengthen internal controls, risk management practices, and financial governance

Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and professional growth
• Align team objectives with broader organizational strategy and performance metrics

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; Master’s Degree or MBA preferred
• CPA certification required
• 9+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership roles and public accounting background
• Experience in sports, entertainment, or multi-entity environments strongly preferred
• Expert knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (NetSuite preferred) and Excel
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage complex projects
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Passion for sports and understanding of the business of professional athletics a plus
• Ability to adapt to occasional variations in schedule including working nights, weekends, and holidays as business needs dictate based on the event calendar.
• Must demonstrate our organizational values of integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality

The Chicago Blackhawks is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

What It’s Like Working Here:

The Chicago Blackhawks experience isn’t just on the ice. Our office, located in the United Center, promotes a fun, engaging, fast-paced and collaborative atmosphere where we can celebrate both hockey and each other. Our commitment to curating an environment where all individuals feel empowered to bring their best self to work each day can be seen throughout our organization. Whether you are a job seeker looking to join the organization, a current member of our amazing team, or someone looking to help support our mission, our goal is the same – to reimagine the potential of hockey through memorable, inclusive experiences.

Perks and Benefits:

Competitive total rewards package, full benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, paid life insurance), employee assistance program (EAP), comprehensive PTO package, social events, volunteer opportunities, and learning and development. Employer-paid breakfast, lunch, parking, on-site gym and training classes, employee ticket program, and more.

The Team:

The Chicago Blackhawks started their journey as one of the NHL’s “Original Six” professional ice hockey teams in 1926. Members of the Central Division in the NHL’s Western Conference and six-time Stanley Cup Champions (1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015), the team calls the United Center home.

Each day the Team works to uphold our mission to reimagine the potential of hockey. At its core, the team and greater organization uphold its mission through its core values centered around integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality. They are fiercely dedicated to evolving and delivering new and legendary fan experiences and captivating new and diverse audiences, both on and off the ice. As part of their unwavering commitment to drive impact and purpose in the Chicago community, the organization opened the Fifth Third Arena (the team’s official practice facility and community space for youth hockey development), continues to make expansions to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, and acquired the AHL team the Rockford IceHogs.

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to grow in its commitments to honor and celebrate Black Hawk's legacy by offering our platforms, making meaningful contributions, collaborating with Native American people, and reimagining ways to support the many Native American people and communities they live amongst and alongside. They engage in this work through their formal partnership with Black Hawk’s ancestral tribe, the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, which the tribe established with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021.