MCC Theater seeks a pro-active, experienced Director of Finance to lead organizational initiatives that will ensure sustainable, compliant financial operations and long-range planning/analysis. The new Director will have a proven track-record in financial forecasting and accounting and play a key role in charting the future course of MCC’s operating plans.
Founded in 1986 as Manhattan Class Company, MCC began as a collective of young actors, writers, and directors determined to steer their own artistic development and redefine the NYC theater scene with the kind of stories they wanted to see on the stage. That work continues today in Hell’s Kitchen at The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, a hotbed of creativity where our artists, students, and staff have the freedom to take artistic risks all under one roof.
Who is MCC Theater?
MCC Theater is an award-winning off-Broadway theater company. Our mission is to provoke conversations that have never happened and otherwise never would. We are dedicated to producing work that pushes audiences, artists, and students alike to confront and consider preconceived notions about contemporary social issues. We fulfill our mission across four program areas: annual productions of new plays and musicals; artistic development; deep and enriching public engagement programs; and in-school and after-school educational programs that foster in high school students the desire to be heard and the courage to speak out.
With the opening of the $20 million state-of-the-art Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space on West 52nd Street in January 2019, MCC brought all programming and administrative operations under one roof for the first time in its history. The space features two state-of-the-art theaters, the Newman Mills Theater (245 seats) and the Susan & Ronald Frankel Theater (100+ seats, flexible configuration), two studios and ample public space. Notable recent productions include Wolf Play, soft, The Wrong Man, BLKS, School Girls; or The African Mean Girls Play, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Hand to God, Punk Rock, and many others over its 30+ years.
Who is in leadership?
Bernie Telsey (he/him/his) is one of the Artistic Directors at MCC theater and co-founded the organization along with Bob LuPone as a collective of actors, writers, and directors eager to develop their craft in a highly collaborative manner shortly after graduating from New York University with a degree in Theater Administration and Acting. In 1986 the company, then called Manhattan Class Company, received its not-for-profit status and began producing the plays it was developing. During this time, Telsey began working at Simon & Kumin Casting as an assistant and then as a casting director at Risa Bramon & Billy Hopkins Casting. He opened his own award-winning casting office, The Telsey Office, in 1988. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Casting Society of America as Vice-President, and the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Will Cantler (he/him/his) is one of the Artistic Directors at MCC Theater. He studied at Washington & Lee University before a precipitous move to New York. He joined MCC Theater in 1984 and was instrumental in the company’s evolution into a non-profit producing organization in 1986 with MCC’s first New York production, Beirut by Alan Bowne. He directed early productions for MCC including Bowne’s Sharon and Billy starring Marisa Tomei, and Just Horrible by Nicholas Kazan. He joined Bernie Telsey and Bob LuPone as a Co-Artistic Director after a number of years as Associate AD. He is also an award-winning casting director and partner in The Telsey Office, focusing on plays.
Blake West (he/him/his) has been Executive Director of MCC Theater since 2007, after serving for one year as Director of Development. During his tenure he has led the organization through a period of expansion that included a $45 million capital campaign and the building of MCC’s multi-theater complex, The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, which opened in 2019. Prior to MCC he was Director of Planning and Projects at Manhattan Theatre Club during their expansion to Broadway. He was previously Account Executive at The Karpel Group, where he worked on marketing campaigns for numerous film, television and theater projects, including the original production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, De La Guarda, The Laramie Project, and others. He started his career as a public relations writer and editor.
What will you do?
The Director of Finance will lead the long-range planning and coordinate the day-to-day financial operations of MCC. This position works closely with Executive and Artistic Directors and several board committees to develop strategic financial plans for the institution.
The Director of Finance is a member of MCC’s senior leadership team, reports directly to the Executive Director, and works closely with MCC’s two Artistic Directors, and will foster a collaborative relationship with the General Manager and other department leaders. The Finance Department includes a full-time Finance & Business Manager, as well as a full-time Finance Assistant. The Director collaborates closely with outside vendors and consultants including auditors, banking institutions, insurance brokers, employee benefits brokers, and 403b plan administrator.
Areas of Accountability
Overview
• Establishes long-range priorities for operations and capital expenditures, including developing multi-year planning operating budgets and cash flows modeling on 2–3-year horizons.
Finance
- Directly manages and coordinates the activities of the finance department, ensuring that U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are followed in keeping MCC’s financial records.
- Drives and reports revenue and disbursement cycles; projects and manages cash flow and makes determinations regarding any variances and works with the Executive Director and others to take appropriate steps to get back on track and/or plan.
- Works with Director of Development and Director of Marketing to ensure earned and contributed income goals are met
- Coordinates financial communications across the institution
- Creates annual budgets, cash flow reports and projections; establishes and evaluates key performance metrics and trends.
- Establishes and maintains financial objectives and policies as well as written procedures and internal controls.
- Coordinates financial inputs for grant applications and reporting.
- Manages team of two; Finance and Business Manager and Finance Assistant.
HR
- • Manages the administration of payroll and benefits.
• Steward departmental management of renewals of institutional and employee health insurance policies; direct related audits, such as workman’s comp audit - Act as a complaint handler for the organization pursuant to the Anti-Discrimination & Harassment policy
- With General Manager and Executive Director, ensuring organization remains compliant with federal, state, and local laws pertaining to payroll, paid time off, leave, and other personnel matters
- With outside consultants, review and maintain company HR policies; ensure Employee handbook and onboarding materials remain up to date.
Compliance
- Develops on-going policies and procedures on budgeting and drives initiatives to improve operational efficiency, improve control and reduce risk.
- Directs month-end, quarter-end and year-end closings of the general ledger; directs year-end audit and 990 preparations.
Board
- Liaison to the Finance, Audit, Investment and HR & Equity committees.
- Prepares regular financial reports on scheduled period basis.
- Reports on quarterly financials at board meetings in conjunction with the Executive Director and Board Treasurer.
Who are we looking for?
The ideal candidate will be a confident, strategic, and creative thinker with experience in financial forecasting, accounting, and financial compliance management. This should include at least 2 years of experience managing direct-reports, and/or consultants, and experience with supporting or managing a nonprofit audit. This individual will bring an understanding of not-for-profit structure, facility with financial planning and possess strong leadership skills and capability. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, as well as strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask effectively.
The new Director of Finance will bring the ambition and proven track-record of financial forecasting, accounting, and dedication to support long-range institutional strategic goal setting and planning.
MCC’s Core Values are central to the way this company operates, so a commitment to uphold these values in all practices and use them as the lens through which we view our work is a must.
How much are we paying and what are the perks?
COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience ranging $90,000-$100,000/yr
BENEFITS: Medical, dental and vision benefits, opt-in 403(b), generous paid time off, and other benefits.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: This is an in-person position. Work-from-home hours are available. The facilities at MCC Theater are fully accessible and ADA compliant with self-opening entrance doors, elevators, ramps, and ADA-compliant restrooms on both floors. Proof of vaccination and boosting against COVID-19 required.
Start Date
July 2023
How do I apply?
Email jobs@mcctheater.org to submit your application. Application deadline is June 12, 2023.
We know there are great candidates that may not have all of the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other fully transferable skills. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
MCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.