Employment

Director of Finance & Administration

Reports to: CEO
Classification: Exempt
Status: Full-time

About The Gallo Center for the Arts

The Gallo Center for the Arts (GCA) is a state-of-the-art performing arts complex located in the heart of vibrant downtown Modesto, CA. The Gallo Center features two indoor performance venues—the 1,248-seat Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and the 440-seat Foster Family Theater — as well as year-round outdoor community programming in the Modesto Rotary Music Garden. The mission of the Gallo Center is to enrich the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley by providing an inspirational civic gathering place where regional, national, and international cultural activities illuminate, educate, and entertain. The Gallo Center celebrates the diversity of our community by offering an array of cultural opportunities designed to appeal to and be accessible to all. For more information about the Gallo Center for the Arts, please visit GalloArts.org.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance & Administration oversees and manages all financial operations for the Gallo Center for the Arts, LLC; Gallo Center for the Arts, Inc.; and the Central Valley Center for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role serves as the organization’s senior financial advisor and a key contributor to its strategic direction. The Director plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the Gallo Center’s long-term economic strategy, ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources while advancing the organization’s mission and objectives. This position ensures that all financial activities comply with established accounting standards, policies, and regulatory requirements. The Director regularly collaborates with and guides the CEO and the Board of Directors on fiscal matters, serving as a trusted partner in decision-making.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities

Financial and Business Management – 85%
Provides strategic direction and oversight for all financial systems and operations of the Gallo Center for the Arts. Develops, maintains, and refines the operating budget to align resources with programmatic and organizational goals. Ensures adherence to Gallo Center policies and sound business practices.

Director of Finance & Administration

  • Advise and partner with the CEO to develop and implement a comprehensive fiscal strategy and budget planning process.
  • Lead analysis of resource demand, utilization, and allocation; recommend budgetary policies that enhance organizational performance.
  • Establish and maintain internal financial controls to ensure operational efficiency, reliable reporting, resource protection, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
  • Supervise finance staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and merit recommendations.
  • Ensure timely, accurate preparation of financial reports in accordance with GAAP, distributing to the CEO, Board, County, staff, lenders, and other stakeholders.
  • Serve as primary liaison for the Board of Directors’ Finance, Investment, and Audit Committees.
  • Provide strategic financial analysis of current operations and future projections to support informed decision-making by management and the Board.
  • Oversee all core financial functions, including ticket office deposits, accounts payable/receivable, contracts, payroll, and related operations.
  • Develop and enforce policies to ensure accurate revenue and expense allocation.
  • Directly prepare recharge and rental rates; conduct annual reviews with the CEO and department directors to identify revenue opportunities and ensure full cost recovery.
  • Implement systems to track, monitor, and analyze income-generating activities in accordance with industry best practices.
  • Provide monthly financial status updates to the CEO and department directors using established reporting metrics.
  • Enhance departmental business systems for timely and accurate financial data, streamlined recharge procedures, and operational best practices.
  • Collaborate with the COO on system specifications to improve accounting functionality and reporting.
  • Prepare financial strategies and resource materials for Board presentations as requested by the CEO.
  • Manage cash flow and coordinate with the Board Finance Committee to secure financing when necessary.
  • Serve as the primary contact for annual independent audits, ensuring timely resolution of findings or recommendations.

Administration and Human Resources – 15%

  • Provide leadership in partnership with the COO to set operational priorities and improve efficiency across administrative functions.
  • Identify and pursue opportunities for process improvements and productivity enhancements.
  • Serve on the senior management team to establish strategic objectives and long-term plans.
  • Advise department directors on resource utilization and strategies to achieve programmatic goals.
  • Promote a positive workplace culture grounded in respect and consistent with Gallo Center personnel policies.
  • Partner with Human Resources to maintain legally compliant policies and procedures.
  • Collaborate with HR on employee relations, including terminations, leaves of absence, workplace investigations, and related matters.
  • Ensure the rollout of annual employee training by department directors.
  • Review EEO-1 and California Pay Data reports annually for accuracy before submission.
  • Occasionally review and submit timecards for payroll processing.

General Duties and Requirements

  • Participate in ongoing professional development and self-directed learning as provided by the Company.
  • Support all co-workers and treat them with dignity and respect.
  • Be able to think and act quickly and efficiently in emergencies.
  • May drive on company business.
  • Present a positive view of GCA to the community.
  • Comply with all GCA policies and procedures, including but not limited to workplace safety, reporting work-related injuries, Infection Control, and preventing potential safety risks for staff, clients, and others.
  • Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at GCA. Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time, and prepared to begin their workday. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule. Late arrivals, early departures, or other absences from scheduled hours are disruptive and should be avoided.
  • The list of job duties and requirements needs to be more inclusive. Management, at its discretion, may assign additional responsibilities.

Education and Experience

  • Education: A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or equivalent is required; CMA, CPA, or MBA is preferred.
  • Experience: Minimum five years in a senior financial leadership role, preferably within the nonprofit performing arts sector or equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices, and trends of effective financial and organizational management.
  • Proven leadership and decision-making skills; ability to organize problem-solving sessions and guide others toward practical solutions.
  • Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills and experience to recruit, train, and manage personnel effectively.
  • Expert knowledge of accounting software packages; MIP and QuickBooks preferred; a working knowledge of Tessitura is also strongly preferred.
  • Expert knowledge of standard accounting principles and practices.
  • An understanding and appreciation for organizational and interpersonal dynamics, the ability to perceive conflict in business settings, and the skill to develop strategies to manage it.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely.
  • Strong analytical skills with proven ability to research and interpret data, write cogent and persuasive reports, and present analyses both orally and in writing.
  • Demonstrated experience in financial management (i.e., allocation of resources, budget preparation, economic analysis, rate development, and revenue projections).
  • Strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability to work on projects with competing deadlines and to establish goals and workload priorities independently; flexibility in dealing with people and competing demands.
  • Demonstrated strong writing skills and experience in preparing reports, proposals, protocols, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other projects; ability to edit copy for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Ability to contribute to a diverse workplace through ideas or experience.
  • Proficient at applying various software programs (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, accounting) to accomplish assignments; ability to learn new software as necessary.
  • Ability to act independently, as well as part of a team.
  • Appreciation for the performing arts is desirable; the ability to represent a nationally recognized performing arts center with professionalism and integrity is required.
  • Thorough knowledge of and ability to interpret Gallo Center personnel, budgetary, and business practices and procedures.
  • Ability to stay current with California labor law, policies and practices; ability to assimilate and practice university and campus Human Resources policies and practices.

Environmental Conditions

  • Indoors in a typical office environment, approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of the time.
  • Frequent computer uses at the workstation.
  • Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
  • May occasionally move (walk or drive) from one work location to another.

Physical Demands

  • Must be able to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
  • Use one or two hands to grasp, move, handle, control, feel, and assemble objects, tools, or controls.
  • Ability to walk, sit, stand, stoop, crouch, and climb stairs.
  • Visual Acuity (Far/Near).
  • Ability to drive a vehicle.
  • Regular and Consistent Attendance.

Compensation and Benefits

The Gallo Center for the Arts offers a competitive compensation package with an estimated base salary range between $130,000 and $140,000 commensurate with experience and ability, and benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, accidental death and dismemberment and life insurance, 529 college savings plans, long-term disability coverage, 401(k) matching plan, vacation, holiday, and sick pay.

ADA/FEHA: The Gallo Center for the Arts will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California's Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO: The Gallo Center for the Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

How do I apply?

Interested candidates should submit resumes and cover letters in a single Word or PDF document saved as the candidate's first and last name. All submissions should be emailed to Chad Hilligus at chilligus@galloarts.org with the subject line “Director of Finance & Administration Application – Your name” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

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