Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Financial Officer- at the City of South Bend Venues, Parks, & Arts is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the comprehensive financial operations and strategic fiscal health of a diverse portfolio of venues. This includes the Morris Performing Arts Center, , Palais Royale Ballroom, and City-owned parking garages.

Reporting directly to the Finance Director for Venues, Parks and Arts (VPA), this role is central to driving strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and detailed reporting.

This position plays a critical role in preparing accurate financial records, executing journal entries, and performing detailed reconciliations especially for enterprise and agency funds. Additionally, this role is responsible for converting third-party financial statements into monthly general ledger journal entries using advanced tools like Microsoft Power Query and Excel modeling templates.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs assigned duties related to financial operations for the Finance Division, in accordance with established City policy and procedures, including but not limited to:

• Provide comprehensive financial oversight for all events held at Morris Performing Arts, and Palais Royale Ballroom, as well as the ongoing financial operations of City-owned parking garages.
• Collaborate closely with event managers, operations, and sales teams to develop detailed, event-specific budgets, including revenue projections (ticket sales, concessions, merchandise, rentals, sponsorships) and granular expense estimates.
• Oversee the accurate and timely tracking, reconciliation, and reporting of all event-related revenue streams.
• Prepare detailed post-event financial settlements, recaps, and profitability reports, analyzing actual performance against budget and identifying variances.
• Reconcile box office receipts, credit card transactions, and cash collections for events and parking.
• Support contract review from a financial perspective for events.
• Perform monthly and quarterly general ledger account reconciliations, ensuring balances align with supporting documentation.
• Prepare and book accurate journal entries for revenue recognition, expense allocation, accruals, and fund transfers.
• Develop and maintain robust financial forecasts, including scenario planning and cash flow projections for all managed facilities.
• Monitor financial performance against budget and forecast, providing in-depth analysis and strategic recommendations to the Finance Director for VPA, and General senior leadership, and the Board.
• Oversee the preparation of all internal and external financial reports for Morris Performing Arts, Palais Royale Ballroom, and City-owned parking garages, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Assumes additional responsibilities as requested.

Stakeholder Relations

• Act as the primary financial liaison with the Board of Directors, particularly Hotel/Motel Board, and Civic Board of Managers.
• Collaborate effectively with all department heads and facility managers.
• Manage & maintain positive/healthy relationships with banks, and other financial service providers.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in financial management, with at least 2-4 years in a senior financial role overseeing complex operations.
• Significant experience in non-profit finance is highly preferred, ideally within an arts or cultural organization or managing multiple distinct operational entities.

Strong preference for candidates with direct experience in event accounting, venue financial management, or hospitality finance.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY:

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and comprehensive financial reporting.
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and non-profit accounting standards.
• Advanced proficiency in accounting software, specifically Microsoft Dynamics, and expert-level Microsoft Excel skills.
• Proven ability to serve, mentor, and develop within a finance team.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• High level of integrity, ethical conduct, and discretion.
• Experience with ticketing systems, particularly "Etix", event management software, and POS systems is a significant plus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• May require evening or weekend work, particularly during peak reporting cycles, board meetings, major events and or theatre productions.

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.