Director of Finance

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Organizational Overview

The Museum of Us (formerly the San Diego Museum of Man) is located on the unceded ancestral homelands of the Kumeyaay Nation in what is now known as Balboa Park. Our mission is inspiring human connections by exploring the human experience—in all of its beauty and its messiness. With our community’s guidance, we’ve transformed an old-school anthropology museum with a legacy of colonial and racist harm into a human-centered museum that builds understanding, empathy, and belonging, and—in turn—the capacity to effectuate positive change. We’re a place for everyone, but especially for those who haven’t been able to tell their own stories in mainstream museums. We’re also a place for the new and future generations of museum-goers, who will continue to expect more from their cultural institutions. The driving force behind our work is developing better and better practices in what a decolonial and anti-racist museum can look like and then creating a ripple effect in the museum field (and beyond). Four interrelated themes loom large for us: Identity, Home, Wellness, and Justice. Every one of our projects/initiatives begins with an examination of whether (and, if so, how) the work is oriented around and informed by our decolonial and anti-racist commitments.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Finance at the Museum of Us will be responsible for oversight of all finance activities. The Director of Finance will be involved in supporting presentations to the board finance and audit committee and will work closely with the senior leadership team. The Director of Finance will ensure that the Museum of Us has the systems and procedures in place to support effective program implementation and conduct flawless audits. The Director of Finance will lead all day-to-day finance operations and supervises a team of two staff members (Staff Accountant and Office Manager).

Key Responsibilities

• Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner. Prepare monthly financial statements for senior leadership and the Board of Trustees that include analysis and explanations of budget to actual variances. Prepare monthly admissions revenue analysis reports for all staff.
• Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with staff; perform regular cash reconciliation and monthly bank account reconciliations.
• Oversee all financial, project and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and project budgets throughout the grant/project period; complete financial reporting materials for all government, corporate, and foundation grants.
• Lead the annual budgeting and planning process, in collaboration with the Senior Leadership team, and including regular check-ins with all staff.
• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, including payroll, ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures.
• Support the Executive Director in engaging the board’s audit and finance committees around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery.
• Oversee all financial, project and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and project budgets throughout the grant/project period; collate financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants.
• Coordinate the production and filing of all Federal, State and City required compliance financial reports.
• Coordinate all audit activity.
• Review and approve all financial contracts for signature by the Executive Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Minimum of a BA; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation versus simple reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board or other outside partners.
• Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments.
• A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants.
• Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software.
• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly.
• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.

ADA Notations

• Regular sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, balancing, crouching, stooping, and communication (talking/hearing).
• Occasional lifting/moving up to 25 lbs.
• Vision requirements include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Noise conditions range from quiet to moderate noise.
• Some travel may be required in the completion of normal job duties.

Salary & Benefits

• Full-time salary range of $70,000 - $85,000 annually.
• Rooted in a focus on equitability and sustainability, we offer an exceptional employee benefits package, including:
  • Medical/dental/vision/life insurance and disability benefits;
  • 14 paid holidays, with the ability to substitute employee-designated holidays for museum-designated holidays;
  • Vacation (10-20 days/year, depending on seniority) and sick leave (10 days/year);
  • Three days paid Community-Centered leave to support and build community however define it;
  • Matching retirement contribution plan, up to 6% of your annual salary;
  • $200 in “Museum Bucks” for you to support your work-life balance;
  • Birthday and anniversary gift cards;
  • Hybrid work from home arrangements, when feasible; and
  • A human-centered and highly supportive environment, which encourages team members to bring their whole selves to work.

Application Process

To apply for the Director of Finance position, please email your resume and include a cover letter or email message that elaborates on your experience analyzing and presenting financial information to accountspayable@museumofus.org.