Director of Finance

thecontemporaryaustin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Contemporary Austin seeks a Director of Finance to oversee financial health and sustainability, working closely with leadership. This role combines strategic oversight with operational management, ensuring compliance and effective practices.

Key duties include financial strategy development, managing audits and budgeting, and team leadership. A Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting, along with 10 years of experience in a senior role, is required. The role encourages a collaborative ethos, ensuring transparency in financial management.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in a senior financial management role in the non-profit sector.
• Experience managing a budget of $8 million or greater.
• Strong ethical standards and collaborative leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Develop and guide the museum’s financial strategy.
• Monitor working capital and liquidity, identifying solutions for sustainability.
• Lead annual audit preparation and compliance.

Skills

Financial strategy development

Leadership and team management

Budget management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

MBA and/or CPA certification

Tools

QuickBooks

Excel

Salesforce

Project management systems

Job description

About the Role

The Director of Finance is a key leadership role responsible for stewarding the financial health, integrity, and long‑term sustainability of The Contemporary Austin. This position blends strategic financial leadership with hands‑on operational oversight, supporting a dynamic organization where art, education, and community engagement intersect.

As a trusted partner to the Executive Director, Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees, the Director of Finance helps shape thoughtful decisions that allow the museum to fulfill its mission while furthering the organization’s fiscal health, preparing for growth, and ensuring continuous efficiency and current best practices. The role oversees financial processes, reporting, compliance, the annual audit, budgeting, cash flow, endowment activity, and core business practices across the organization.

The director supervises the finance team and serves as the primary liaison to the Finance and Endowment Committees, ensuring transparency, strong governance, and clear communication with stakeholders. They play a central role in helping the museum remain socially mindful, creatively ambitious, and operationally strong.

Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Stewardship

• Develop and guide the museum’s financial strategy, including annual and multi‑year budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Maintain rolling cash flow models and provide scenario planning that supports organizational resilience and opportunity.
• Monitor working capital, liquidity, and financial risks while proactively identifying solutions that strengthen sustainability and long‑term health.
• Proactively seek and implement solutions to enhance the museum's financial performance and systems.
• Oversee restricted fund accounting and ensure compliance with donor intent and nonprofit reporting standards.
• Act as the primary contact for the museum's finance and endowment committees, ensuring effective communication and alignment with financial strategies and maximizing the group’s engagement.

Endowment & Fund Management

• Partner with the Endowment Committee and investment advisors to align investment performance with board‑approved spending policies.
• Work closely with the Advancement and Directors Office to support endowment fundraising and ensure proper reporting and management of endowment funds.

Operations, Systems & Compliance

• Strengthen financial controls, accounting processes, and reporting systems to improve clarity and organizational effectiveness.
• Closely manage liquidity and ensure proper use of restricted funds.
• Lead annual audit preparation and execution, including documentation, auditor coordination, and implementation of recommendations.
• Oversee tax filings, contracts, insurance relationships, and regulatory compliance.
• Supervise accounts payable and receivable processes to ensure accurate, timely and efficiently handled financial transactions.

Organizational Partnership & Leadership

• Collaborate across museum departments to build transparent budgets, compensation strategies, and benefit planning aligned with financial goals.
• Partner with Development on grant compliance, contributed revenue reconciliation, and financial reporting.
• Prepare and present financial updates and insights to leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Lead, mentor, and develop finance staff while fostering a culture of accountability, curiosity, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field; MBA and/or CPA certification is highly preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years in a senior financial management role in the non‑profit sector.
• Experience managing a budget of $8 million or greater.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a track record of effectively leading a finance team and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Experience in managing financial operations, including budget development, financial forecasting, and reporting.
• Comfort translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insight for non‑financial audiences.
• Capital campaign experience preferred.
• Strong ethical standards and a collaborative leadership style rooted in care and candor.
• Proficiency in financial software applications, such as QuickBooks, Excel, Salesforce, and Ramp, as well as familiarity with project management systems.

Skills and Approach

• Exceptional organizational, prioritization, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong ethical standards and commitment to confidentiality.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, including willingness to give critical feedback and manage relationships.
• Strong supervisory and management (both people and project) skills.
• A genuine passion for the mission of the museum and a dedication to promoting its core values, as well as its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA)

The Contemporary Austin values a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, and we seek to model these values in our hiring and engagement practices for all our artistic and educational programs. We welcome applications from BIPOC candidates as well as individuals who bring new perspectives in a host of ways. It is the policy of The Contemporary Austin not to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status and to take action to ensure that those seeking to do business with the Contemporary are treated fairly. The organization is currently pursuing a multi‑year DEIA effort and seeks individuals who share our commitment to this work.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.