Chief Financial Officer - St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

REPORTS TO: President and CEO
DIRECT REPORTS: Controller, Director of Human Resources, Director of Facilities, Director of Information Technology
KEY INTERACTIONS: President & CEO, Executive Management Team (COO, CPO, CMC, VP Education and Community). Board Chair; Treasurer; Chair of Endowment Trust

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for managing the financial, capital, technological and human resources strategies, overseeing all financial aspects of the SLSO. The CFO plans and directs the organization’s overall financial plans, accounting policies and practices including strategic planning involving projections, evaluating progress and meeting objectives.  Oversees and directs budgeting, audit, tax, accounting, insurance, pension, endowment, facilities, information technology and human resources.

After a two-year renovation and expansion, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) is preparing its return to Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center in September 2025, a pivotal time in the history of the institution upon completion of a $155 million campaign. As a key member of the executive leadership team, this is an opportunity to create a lasting impact on the overall organization and the St. Louis community, shape the future of one of America’s leading orchestras and elevate the SLSO as a leading arts organization in our region as it approaches its 150^th anniversary in 2030.

This inspirational leader will: 

• Provide vision and execution of strategic plan via business process improvements and system enhancements for greater control, operating efficiencies, and best practices across the organization while embracing SLSO’s core mission of enriching people’s lives through the power of music.
• Lead, coach, and develop resources towards better financial processes, performance metrics, and business analytics. 
• Partner with the Executive Team to advance strategic, artistic and operational initiatives that meet or exceed financial objectives. 
• Reinforce financial integrity through oversight of standardized processes and practices, and consistent application of policies.

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

1.       Leadership – Drive the transformation of the finance and accounting function through structural design, process improvements, and systems application to support effective and efficient financial management and analysis. Establish financial strategies and build team to support alignment around strategies in both a union and non-union environment.

2.       Financial Analysis – Oversee the analysis and evaluation of financial results, trends, fluctuations, and ratios that will drive higher levels of financial performance, improvement initiatives, and growth. Assist in analyzing the financial impact of major business decisions and artistic/operational issues affecting the organization. 

3.       Strategic Planning – Serve as a resource, sounding board, and analyst to align financial, technical and human resources under the Strategic Plan. Develop the annual budget and long-term projections in support of plan. Develop and implement the Capital and Campaign budgets and related financing requirements. 

4.       Accounting Oversight – Provide oversight for accounting, financial reporting and compliance. Steward financial reporting accuracy and consistency, and the development and maintenance of effective internal control systems. Oversee the audit engagement and ensure compliance with policies and procedures. Responsible for tax, risk management, legal and related areas.

5.       Building Management – Oversee the future preservation, enhancement and functioning of Powell Hall at the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, SLSO’s concert venue and music campus. Work in partnership with President and CEO and Facilities team to provide safe building environment and plan for future capital improvements and expansion.

6.       Information Technology and Human Resources – Ensure proper information technology infrastructure and platform to maximize productivity and job satisfaction. Provide counsel to President and CEO and HR team on internal resource needs, management and planning, insurance and pension. Work closely with HR team on human resources, developing a culture that supports retention and career advancement and training.

FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1.       Direct the Finance Team in providing and directing procedures and systems necessary to maintain proper records and to afford adequate accounting controls and services; oversee daily financial operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, etc.

2.       Develop accounting policies to comply with generally accepted accounting principles, tax requirements, and management reporting requirements. Determine cash balance and allocate funds.

3.       Provide and implement strategy on budget process, capital expenditure planning, campaign and forecasting needs. Direct and oversee annual budget preparation and maintain forecasts; generate monthly and annual reports that reflect financial activity.

4.       Review and approve all financial statements. Analyze financial data as requested; develop long-term financial projections and strategies.

5.       As a member of Executive Team, work on long-term strategic and revenue generation planning, and new product financial modeling.

6.       Manage insurance programs – board liability, property and casualty, employment liability, health insurance and retirement plans in partnership with Director of Human Resources; negotiate organization’s insurance coverage on annual basis. Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreement as applicable.

7.       Provide support to manage organization’s endowment investments in conjunction with Endowment Trust board and committee members.

8.       Oversee Facilities maintenance and operations, supervising Director of Facilities and building team.

9.       Oversee information technology operations including hardware and software requirements; supervise Director of Information Technology.

10.   In collaboration with the President and CEO, oversees the functioning and membership recruitment for the Audit & Finance and Endowment Trust.

11.   Maintain excellent communication with Executive Team and the President and CEO.  Work with each department to ensure accurate and efficient tracking systems for income.

12.   Attend, prepare presentations and set agendas for various staff, committee and board meetings as needed.

13.   Respond to finance related or general information inquiries from staff, vendors, or general public.

14.   Perform other duties as needed or directed.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will have very strong interpersonal skills and be comfortable interacting with individuals from varied and diverse backgrounds. They will have broad finance and operations experience, including experience with nonprofit organizations and will be adept at working with multiple stakeholders to assess strategic needs, to deploy resources to the most critical priorities, and to balance the needs of the organization with continuous improvement. Embracing the mission of the SLSO and a genuine love for music and the arts will be critical to this position.

Knowledge and Experience: 
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related area. Master’s preferred. Ten or more years of applicable experience with experience working for a nonprofit in a supervisory role.  CPA designation (required) and Public accounting experience (preferred). Knowledge and understanding of the economics of a nonprofit organization. Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Knowledge of financial and accounting reporting systems. Experience must include supervisory, and ideal candidates would have information technology, human resources and facilities experience with sufficient background to perform duties of the position. 

Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent leadership skills and ability to motivate and influence teams in a positive manner.
• Strategic planner with ability to deal with complex factors not easily evaluated.
• High level of financial analytical skills and data analysis. Knowledge of short- and long-term budgeting and forecasting techniques, capital and campaign experience a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to display considerable tact while achieving results and working with diverse constituents.  Strong presentations skills for both small and large audiences.
• Superb problem-solving skills and ability to handle full and complete access to confidential data and to perform difficult, involved, or highly technical projects.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and develop individuals and teams. Experience working with board leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint required).
• Strong attention to detail and exceptional project management skills.
• Commitment to the mission of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Knowledge of orchestral music and the performing arts a plus.

Working Conditions:

The typical office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ability to work extra hours as determined by the workload and concert schedule (occasional concert duty and weekend assignments). Ability to sit for long periods of time and move throughout office. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull up to 10-30 pounds. Hybrid schedule offered.

The SLSO embraces a world in which every life is enriched through the power of music. We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion and connectedness where a diverse team of employees can grow and thrive. The collective sum of our employees’ individual differences, experiences, knowledge, self-expression, and talent are represented in our culture, innovative spirit and the SLSO’s achievements. In recruiting for our team, we welcome candidates’ uniqueness in culture, social identities, expression, and viewpoints. The SLSO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 145th year with the 2024/2025 season and its sixth with Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director. Widely considered one of the leading American orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.

The core of the SLSO’s artistic foundation is its dynamic partnership with Denève, whose energetic musicianship, visionary storytelling, and collaborative spirit have created stronger connections with local and visiting artists, as well as advanced the SLSO’s role as a leader in music education. The SLSO musical family also includes two resident choruses: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, founded in 1976, performs choral-orchestral music from the Baroque era to today; and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, founded in 1994, focuses on the performance and preservation of music from the African diaspora. The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, founded by Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin in 1970, is the region’s premiere training orchestra for high school and college students.

In March 2023, the SLSO broke ground on a 65,000-square foot expansion and renovation of the orchestra’s home, Powell Hall—the first major renovation project at the historic Grand Center building since it became the SLSO's permanent home in 1968. Led by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, the project will transform the audience and artistic experience while protecting Powell Hall's historic character and celebrated acoustics, creating a state-of-the art center for community, innovation, and powerful music experiences. While construction is underway, the SLSO will perform throughout the community. The Jack C. Taylor Music Center, with the revitalized Powell Hall at its heart, will open in 2025.

An integral part of the vibrant St. Louis community, the SLSO enjoys a long history of robust and enduring artistic collaborations with individuals and organizations locally and around the world. Orchestra musicians share dozens of education and community performances throughout the region each year at medical facilities, places of worship, community centers, and schools. For more than 20 years, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Pulitzer series has highlighted today’s leading musical voices through innovative performances in collaboration with and reaction to the exhibitions at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The SLSO has served as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for more than 45 years. The orchestra also continues to foster impactful artistic collaborations, including a chamber music series with The Sheldon, as well as regular partnerships with The Muny, Saint Louis Dance Theatre, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and others. Beyond the St. Louis region, the SLSO's impact is realized through Saturday night concert broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio and Classic 107.3, acclaimed recordings, regular touring activity, and a digital portfolio that includes a robust online education platform with curriculum materials, interactive programs, activities, and learning opportunities for all ages.

Since the arrival of Marie-Hélène Bernard as President and CEO in 2015, the SLSO has aligned its mission to make music more accessible, while fostering a culture welcoming to all. Building on its momentum, the SLSO serves as a convener of individuals, creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally. For more information, visit slso.org.