Director of Finance

Arts Admin Jobs; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) match

Job summary

Philharmonic Society of Orange County, based in Irvine, CA, seeks a Director of Finance to lead financial strategy, cash management, and controls for a major performing arts organization. This on-site role reports to the President and Artistic Director, with supervision of one Finance & HR Associate.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree (CPA or MBA preferred) and 7–10 years in nonprofit financial leadership; experience with audits and board reporting is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; CPA or MBA preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• Nonprofit or performing arts experience is valuable but not required.
• Experience presenting to boards, managing audits, and leading budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial guidance to executive team, board, and senior leadership.
• Develop multi-year financial model aligned with strategic plan.
• Oversee accounting, reporting, and internal controls.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

CPA or MBA

Job description

Job Title: Director of Finance
Location: Irvine, CA (on-site)
Enrollment Type: Full-time, exempt
Department: Finance and Administration
Primary Reporting to: President and Artistic Director; COO
Supervisor to: One direct report (Finance & HR Associate)
Compensation: $125,000-$135,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience
Benefits: Medical, Vision and Dental insurance; 401(k) plan available with employer match

ABOUT THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY

Founded in 1954 as Orange County’s first music organization, the Philharmonic Society presents the world’s greatest symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, soloists and international artists. The performances take place at various venues in Orange County, including the world-class Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Irvine Barclay Theatre, and Soka Performing Arts Center.

The Philharmonic Society’s nationally recognized Youth Music Education Programs, offered free of charge, engage more than 75,000 students annually through curriculum-based music education programs that aim to inspire, expand imaginations, and encourage learning at all levels. These programs are made possible by the Committees of the Philharmonic Society comprised of 450 volunteer members who provide more than 50,000 hours of in‑kind service each year. As a key youth program, the Orange County Youth Symphony & String Ensemble (OCYS/E) provides top‑tier training to the area’s most talented young musicians through multi‑level ensemble instruction, leadership training, touring opportunities, challenging professional repertoire, and performances in world‑class venues. The Philharmonic Society also promotes life‑long learning by connecting with colleges and universities to conduct masterclasses and workshops and providing pre‑concert lectures to introduce audiences to program selections.

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County is to foster an appreciation for music by presenting national and international performances of the highest quality while also providing dynamic and innovative music education programs for individuals of all ages.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Strategy

• Provide the President and Artistic Director, the executive team, and board leadership with financial guidance on organizational strategy.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year, long-range financial model incorporating operating results, cash flow, and key revenue and expense assumptions. The model should help leadership assess financial sustainability and evaluate strategic alternatives. Director is expected to translate the model into actionable recommendations, not merely maintain a spreadsheet.
• Partner with the executive team on the business model—pricing, program‑level contribution, earned and contributed revenue mix, and the economics of new initiatives.
• Align the financial plan with the strategic plan as it is adopted and keep the two connected as it is implemented.
• Keep key stakeholders current on financial health through regular updates and forecasts.

Cash and Treasury

• Responsible for cash management, forecasting, and related controls.
• Develop and maintain short-term and long-term cash flow forecasts and recommend strategies to manage liquidity, debt obligations, and working capital needs.
• Manage relationships with the Philharmonic Society’s primary banking, lenders and financial institutions, including lines of credit.
• Advise the President and Artistic Director, the Board Chair, and the Finance Committee on capital structure and long-range financial strategy.
• Coordinate management of internal endowment funds and investments in accordance with Finance and Investment Committee policies and oversee accounting for the external endowment.
• Coordinate the organization’s insurance program, including liability, cybersecurity, and workers’ compensation coverage, with the Finance Committee.

Accounting, Reporting, and Controls

• Direct the timely preparation and maintenance of all accounting records and reports, including the general ledger, financial statements, and forecasts, in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and statutory requirements.
• Responsible for the monthly close, including the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, concert reporting, and variance analysis.
• Design and maintain internal controls appropriate to the organization’s size, including segregation of duties across cash receipts, recording, and deposit.
• Lead the annual financial audit process and coordinate preparation of required tax filings, including Forms 990 for the Philharmonic Society and the Philharmonic Society Foundation, in collaboration with external auditors.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
• Lead the annual budgeting and reforecasting process in partnership with the President and Artistic Director and department leaders, ensuring that financial plans reflect organizational priorities and that variances are identified and addressed.
• Provide financial information for grants, reports, and surveys.

Technology and Systems

• Lead the continued implementation and optimization of the organization’s accounting and business systems, improving workflows, reporting, internal controls, and user adoption in partnership with outside systems consultants and internal stakeholders.
• Retire manual workarounds carried over from prior systems and restore program‑and concert‑level reporting.
• Coordinate with the IT consultant and organizational leadership on cybersecurity risks and technology needs that affect financial operations and business continuity.
• Oversee financial system‑related policies, procedures, and training.

Board and Governance

• Serve as staff liaison to the Finance and Audit Committees.
• Prepare concise, decision‑ready Board materials designed to be read in advance, with clear recommendations where Board action or direction is required.
• Maintain official corporate records, including the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and IRS exemption certificate, and ensure that Board and committee actions on financial matters fall within the Bylaws.

Management Team

• Demonstrate proactive communication regarding organizational risks, challenges, and opportunities, along with recommended solutions.
• Professional demeanor, independent judgment, and the confidence to engage in candid, constructive disagreement with colleagues and the President and Artistic Director.
• Set annual goals in writing tied to the strategic plan, reviewed at midyear and again before the fiscal year closes.
• Serve in the senior leadership concert duty rotation.
• Other duties as assigned.

SCHEDULE AND WORK EXPECTATIONS

The position is based on‑site in Irvine, California. Regular evening and occasional weekend work is required, including Board and committee meetings and a share of the concert duty rotation across the subscription season. Schedules are published in advance wherever possible.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position supervises one direct report: Finance and HR Associate

REQUIREMENTS & COMPETENCIES

Analysis and Judgment

Ability to define problems, establish facts, and reach defensible conclusions from incomplete information. Comfort building and defending a multi-year financial model. Sound judgment about which decisions belong to the Board, which to the executive team, and which are this role’s alone.

Communication

Ability to communicate clearly (both in writing and verbally) for people with varying degrees of financial fluency, and to present to the Board, committees, and staff. Ability to prepare concise, decision‑ready Board materials that stand on their own without requiring narration.

Current Systems

• Accounting: Financial Edge
• Payroll: Payroll is currently processed through the Philharmonic Society’s PEO, Vensure
• CRM: Tessitura
• Microsoft Office, with advanced Excel

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; CPA or MBA preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressive financial leadership experience preferred, including experience presenting to boards, managing cash flow, overseeing audits, and leading organizational budgeting processes.
• Experience improving accounting systems, workflows, and reporting capabilities is important.
• Nonprofit or performing arts experience is valuable but not required.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic outlook paired with willingness to work in detail.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Discretion with confidential financial and personnel information.
• Collaborative disposition across departments with different priorities and pressures.
• Professional demeanor and the confidence to disagree with the President and Artistic Director in the room rather than after it.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The expected pay range for this position is $125,000–$135,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The Philharmonic Society provides this range as a good‑faith estimate of the compensation it reasonably expects to offer. The final salary will be determined based on factors including the scope of responsibilities, qualifications and experience, organizational budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market compensation for comparable positions.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The role requires frequent computer‑based work, telephone use, and written communication, along with routine sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, and kneeling. Occasional lifting or carrying of items weighing up to 30 pounds may be required. The Philharmonic Society will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Philharmonic Society is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Philharmonic Society does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Philharmonic Society of Orange County
Attn: Human Resources
1124 Main Street, Suite B
Irvine, CA 92614
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.philharmonicsociety.org