Finance Director & Strategic Budget Leader

Architecture; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & wellness

401(k) with match

Paid holidays & vacation

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) seeks a seasoned Director of Finance to lead the finance and accounting functions. You will own the annual budget, oversee the monthly close, and partner with department leaders to ensure sound financial practices across the nonprofit.

You will drive financial reporting, internal controls, and audits, while coaching staff and improving systems. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the CFO/EVP in a high-impact culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience with at least 3 years managing a team.
• Experience stabilizing or rebuilding a finance function and leading close processes.
• Proven ability to own annual budget and month-end close processes.
• Strong command of GAAP, internal controls, and audit preparation.
• Ability to translate financial information for non-finance leaders.

Responsibilities

• Own the annual budget process from start to finish and present to leadership and the Board.
• Manage budget-to-actual performance and forecasting throughout the year.
• Maintain cash flow visibility and support modeling and scenario planning.
• Oversee monthly and year-end close, reconciliations, and journal entries.
• Lead annual audit and tax filings with external auditors.
• Establish and maintain SOPs, internal controls, and finance calendar.
• Partner with department leaders to educate and coach on budgets and spending.
• Improve financial systems, reporting tools, and workflows.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Analysis

GAAP

Audit preparation

Staff coaching

Education

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

Tools

Excel

Accounting software

Job description

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) seeks a seasoned Director of Finance to lead the finance and accounting functions. You will own the annual budget, oversee the monthly close, and partner with department leaders to ensure sound financial practices across the nonprofit.

You will drive financial reporting, internal controls, and audits, while coaching staff and improving systems. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the CFO/EVP in a high-impact culture.