YBCA brings together artists, audiences, and perspectives under one roof. We believe it’s this synergy that makes the city what it is today and will be for years to come–a hotbed for new and emerging creativity—a place where the diversity of the Bay Area comes to life and its artists, people, and ideas thrive.

YBCA aims to be a catalyst for conversations around critical social and cultural questions, using art as a medium to engage audiences in meaningful dialogues. To do this, YBCA is committed to supporting artists who push boundaries and challenge conventions, encouraging experimentation and innovation in the arts.

YBCA’s Mission Vision, and Values

Mission: To be a gathering space for creative expression that fosters meaningful connection for all.

Vision: To be a catalyst of creative exploration, expression and innovation that empowers artists, inspires community and drives lasting social change.

Values:

• Belonging: We believe the arts are for everyone.

• Inclusive Collaboration: We are stronger together.

• Optimism: Art has the power to inspire change.

• Curiosity: We believe that learning is at the center of all artistic expression.

Job Title:    Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Reports to:        CEO

Classification:  Full Time, Exempt

Direct Reports: Senior Accounting Manager, Staff Accountant, Financial Analyst (Temporary)

Works with: Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief External Relations Officer, Head of Special Events & Performing Arts, Executive Assistant   

Compensation: $206,000 plus 100% of health, dental, vision

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) seeks a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who will strengthen the financial operations of the organization to increase the speed, accuracy, and integration of accounting, finances, reporting, budgeting, investments, and the audit. The CFO reports to and works closely with the CEO to implement financial practices that will help YBCA grow its operations and fulfill its mission.

As the Chief Finance Officer at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, this pivotal leadership role encompasses the strategic oversight and comprehensive management of finance, accounting, budgeting, reporting, and audits. The CFO will achieve YBCA’s three strategic goals; ensure financial stability, maintain trust of stakeholders, and promote financial understanding. Central to this position is the establishment of a robust partnership with the CEO and Board Treasurer, rooted in mutual trust and a shared vision, making the CFO an integral and influential voice on the executive leadership team. The CFO is instrumental in building strong effective relationships with staff, Board members and specifically with the Finance and Audit Committees. This role involves directing, administering, and coordinating organizational activities, aligning policies, goals and objectives set forth in conjunction with the CEO and Board and consistently enhancing the financial acumen of the organization's staff.

What you'll do

Accounting

• Ensure the integrity of YBCA’s day-to-day accounting processes, procedures, and preparation of financial statements applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for nonprofit organizations. 

• Regularly assess and improve upon our overall financial functions, ensuring that the accounting, bookkeeping, audit, general ledger, bank reconciliations and taxes are organized and accurate.

• Oversee the organization's payroll, verifying the accuracy of payroll as well as the proper filing of all payroll tax returns and payroll tax deposits.

• Oversee YBCA’s banking activities and actively manage cash flow to ensure it meets agency needs.

• Manage the monthly and year-end accounting closing process; responsible for the accuracy of all general ledger account balances.

• Oversee, review, and update internal controls.

• Utilize our Sage Intacct financial software system as well as our Salesforce CRM system.

• Ensure compliance with all GAAP requirements including nonprofit related FASB pronouncements

Finance

• Report on financial results and issues to the CEO and Board of Directors.

• Develop and execute a long-term revenue model/business plan with multiple revenue streams to achieve ambitious goals.

• Prepare, analyze, and present monthly, quarterly, and yearly financial reports.

• Compare actual performance to budget and interpret the results of operations for Department Managers, the COO and the CEO

• Oversees the implementation of the annual audit and ensures that the organization is in legal compliance as it relates to accounting, finance, donors, grants, etc. 

• Prepare various reports to government agencies

• Monitor and manage fiscal resources within budget parameters and provide accurate financial reports in a timely manner.

• Represent finance in cross-functional, org-wide decision-making, strategy development, and operational execution.

Budgets

• Lead the annual budgeting process, aligning to multi-year strategic goals and financial plans.

• Lead the quarterly forecast process, including setting revenue projections and forecasts, budgeting expenses, and establishing cost standards

• Develop and revise budgets for individual departments and programs, and new/proposed/expanded services.

Contracts & Compliance

• Oversee and review the preparation of all program financial reporting required by funding sources. 

• Manage the negotiation and execution of agency contracts with funding sources, vendors, and collaborative service providers.

• Monitor changes in legal, regulatory, and administrative environments and implement changes needed to maintain compliance.

• Maintains good working relationships with auditors, bankers, attorneys, and other professional advisors.

• Manage the agency’s insurance program, including ongoing risk analysis.

• File annual corporate reporting.

Team Management

• Oversee and improve a dynamic, hybrid team currently consisting of three internal employees in addition to several external resources.

• Conduct ongoing assessment of organization’s staff by evaluating competency, productivity and performance; identifying structural and/or capacity gaps or obstacles to growth; and implementing appropriate strengthening processes and solutions.

• Provide technical coaching and professional development to team members.

Board of Directors

• Act as the primary financial liaison to YBCA’s Board of Directors (Board), with support from our CEO.

• Support the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to the Board on all financial matters.

• Work closely with the CEO, Board Chair, and Board Treasurer to set the Board’s annual plan and meeting schedule.

• Present financial reports. 

General Organizational Oversight

• Participate in critical strategic planning and decision-making for the organization overall. Ensure that organization activities and operations are carried out in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws governing business operations.

• Work with insurance brokers to develop appropriate levels of insurance related to YBCA activity and advise staff on processes and procedures to mitigate risk.

• Serve as a member of the leadership team, participating proactively in strategic planning, organizational goal setting, and morale building.

• Provide advice to other chief officers on financial planning and compliance matters.

Interpersonal Skills 

• A warm leader who exudes confidence and care for others.

• Exceptional emotional intelligence who builds enduring relationships.

• A person oriented toward the greater good of the organization and the arts ecosystem of the Bay Area.

• Someone with a respectful and accessible leadership style, self-assured and comfortable with situations of ambiguity, and able to easily relate to a wide range of constituencies.  

• Excellence without ego – provide five-star customer service to both internal and external stakeholders.

• Proactive collaboration – intentionally seeking out others to solve problems before they start.

• An entrepreneurial and resourceful leader who is able to recognize and act on new and potential opportunities.

• 
  

• A ‘get-it-done’ attitude who will not only provide strategic direction but do the nitty-gritty work too and the perseverance to get through the hard days.

• Demonstrated ability to function well as an independent worker and self-starter, team builder, problem-solver and strategic thinker.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance or Accounting, or MBA.

• CPA required.

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in senior financial management of nonprofit organizations. 

• Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative environment that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and works effectively with people of varied backgrounds, experiences, points of view, and aspirations.

• Knowledge of operations, financial systems and internal control methodology.

• Demonstrated abilities in strategic planning, budgeting and financial reporting.

• Proficiency in managing technological resources and information systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to effectively present in group settings.

• Ability to effectively manage internal teams and departments - as well as relationships with Boards, financial institutions, independent auditors and key business partners.

• Senior level planning capacity, particularly as it relates to the development of integrated programmatic, financial and information systems required to support a multi-layered organization.

Compensation & Benefits

• 4 weeks of vacation plus 10 holidays plus 3 floating holidays per year

• 100% fully paid medical, dental, vision for individual employee coverage

• 403b with up to 4% company match, after six months

• Life & AD&D insurance, including voluntary, and long term disability insurance

• Health care flexible spending account, dependent care flexible spending account, and commuter benefits.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Office Hours

YBCA is located in the SOMA District of San Francisco. Historically, business hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (local time); however, nights and weekends are common. We operate a hybrid workplace with most people working from home Monday & Friday and in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The expectation is for everyone to operate in a way that supports organizational outcomes, and we believe our leaders are capable of managing their own hours in support of their work and broader organizational goals. You have the flexibility to design your schedule based on the goals of the organization, the deliverables you are advancing on any given week, and your personal priorities. Generally, people here work 37.5 to 45 hours a week. 

Travel

It is estimated that 5% of this role’s time will be spent traveling primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Residence.

Residence in the San Francisco Bay area is required with three days in office per week.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is committed to diversity in its programming and in creating a work culture and environment that is reflective of San Francisco Bay Area demography. The Center encourages and actively recruits applicants representing dimensions of difference that include — but are not limited to — age, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender or political affiliation.

YBCA will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

Accommodations

YBCA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact accommodations@ybca.org with the subject line “Accommodations Request”.

Health and Safety

At YBCA, we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our community. Our current COVID-19 health and safety protocols meet or exceed local, state, and federal public health requirements. We require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Exemption from these requirements will be reviewed according to standards set forth by state and local health agencies and reasonable accommodations will be made for those providing valid exemptions.

All initial interviews will be conducted remotely via phone or video conference. Please note that this position may perform some work remotely and on site responsibilities. 

Application Status

After you apply, you will receive a confirmation email to let you know that your resume has been received. A member of our recruiting team will personally review your application and, if you are a potential match for one of our open positions, we will be in touch. If there is not a match right now, we will keep your resume on file for future opportunities.

Agencies and Recruiting Firms: Please note that we will only review applications submitted directly by candidates and do not accept resumes or pay fees to third parties. Any unsolicited resumes received will be considered the property of YBCA.