Position Summary

The Financial Operations Lead plays a critical role in the Executive Director for the Arts’ business activities as a member of the Business Office team and reports to the Assistant Director, Budget & Business Strategy. Working alongside other members of the Carolina Performing Arts staff, this position contributes to the planning and administrative efforts necessary to engage, collaborate with, and present artists such as Rhiannon Giddens, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Martha Graham Dance Company. This role leads financial accounting and processing for accounts payable and accounts receivable, contributes to budget reconciliation and reporting, and supports overall business operations for the unit. They are the primary processor for program expenses that vary year to year. They must be comfortable and effective operating in a fast-paced environment and independently handling a high volume of complex transactions, paperwork, and customer service requests while meeting multiple monthly, quarterly, and annual deadlines. As an arts presenting and producing organization, each fiscal year we regularly engage dozens of artists and collaborators as new independent contractors, utilize purchase orders to fulfill contracts for our series performances, source university and private labor to support our technical production and event services needs, and remit monthly sales tax for ticket revenue, among other more routine business transactions.

This position will consistently maintain and apply superior technical knowledge in accounting processes, procedures, and system operations to ensure supported departments follow all relevant campus, state, federal and other agency policies in relation to finance. The Financial Operations Lead must also be knowledgeable of the rules and regulations as they pertain to each distinct funding source that comprises the unit’s $8 million annual budget and must interpret and advise on their application for the unique business needs of the unit. Our budget spans 47 accounts including ticket sales, revenue from billed events, gifts, endowments, state and F&A funds, as well as funding from federal, state, and private granting organizations. This position supports effective account management by evaluating allowable expenses and ensuring all financial activities remain in compliance with applicable guidelines.

The Financial Operations Lead is expected to serve as a consultant, subject matter expert, and valued collaborator for colleagues across the organization. They will cultivate and maintain strong relationships with administrative service units across UNC who support accounting services, procurement, and other business operations and act as a principal negotiator with these units to develop resourceful solutions to complex, non-routine payment issues when they arise. This individual must be dynamic, curious, collaborative, and comfortable with helping drive change.

Minimum Education & Experience: High school diploma or equivalency and one year of experience in accounting work; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced demonstrated knowledge and skills with standard business programs such as Microsoft Office365 Suite as well as virtual communication and collaboration tools like Zoom. Expertise and comfort working in Microsoft Excel is essential.
• Ability to demonstrate superior interpersonal skills, clear and concise written and verbal communication skills, problem-solving, confidentiality, and organizational skills while operating in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize deadlines, and balance short-term tasks with longer-term projects.
• Ability to work independently and with limited direction, while also able to identify when to ask for help or seek expertise from others
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to assess accuracy, validity, and integrity of data as well as the ability to retain and organize high volumes of information
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy of transactions
• Experience applying a customer service approach to problem-solving as evidenced by communication and interpersonal skills that would support effective and diplomatic collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders including colleagues, senior leaders, staff in central administrative offices, and external partners (ie. artists, vendors, community organizations)
• Willingness and ability to received constructive feedback, manage ambiguity, and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to build internal stakeholder relationships across the organization with staff, senior leaders, and team members in a manner that contributes to a values-driven culture
• Proven ability to connect one’s own work and goals to the broader mission and values of an organization
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for and alignment with Carolina Performing Arts’ mission and institutional values of curiosity, humility, and ambition

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting; or Associate’s degree in business administration or accounting and one year of experience
• Professional experience in higher education and/or nonprofits
• Experience with PeopleSoft or other Enterprise Resource Planning systems in a higher education setting
• Knowledge of UNC finance and accounting procedures, policies, and systems including ConnectCarolina, InfoPorte, and Ramses
• Demonstrated ability to independently explain financial concepts both orally and in writing and to communicate effectively, efficiently, and diplomatically, with staff and external partners who have varying levels of business and/or financial literacy
• Ability to design, logically work through, and articulate complex processes
• Ability to track and manage business processes and transactions from start to finish
• Experience with cash handling and audit processes
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of GAAP and internal controls

To view full position details and requirements, and to apply, please visit https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/249829 and reference NACUBO in your application. EOE.

About Carolina Performing Arts at UNC Chapel Hill

The mission of Carolina Performing Arts (CPA) is to spark curiosity, inspiring all members of our community to discover and more fully engage with the world. We collaborate with dynamic and compelling artists from across the globe to create novel, mission-driven performing arts experiences in partnership with our community. We also open our venues to others to explore, create, and celebrate their own work. Through the Office of the Executive Director for the Arts, CPA oversees all artistic programming, campus and community engagement, marketing and fundraising for its presented, commissioned and produced work, and manages all operations of its venues including facility rentals, technical production, audience services and ticketing. Carolina Performing Arts thrives because of our collaborations with a diverse cohort of partners that create deeper understanding for our audiences and enable us to be empathetic visionaries. As our campus, state, nation, and world continue to reckon with systemic injustices, we are committed to being an agent for change and making certain that our internal practices reflect the values that are made visible on the stage. We have identified a set of eq...uity priorities and goals to guide us in evaluating and redesigning our own systems, operations, and culture. In September 2021, CPA launched a permanent Equity Council made up of eight staff members, including a leadership representative, who serve as an advisory body supporting the development and execution of those priorities. Our work is made possible – and made better – through the contributions of team members from a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We seek to recruit and develop staff to create a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable organization.

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Connections working at Carolina Performing Arts at UNC Chapel Hill