Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description | Controller

Division | Finance, Retail & Operations

Department | Accounting

Reporting Relationship | Interim CFO Consultant & Interim COO

About The Newark Museum of Art :

We acknowledge the traditional homelands of the Lenape, also known as the Delaware, upon which The Newark Museum of Art resides.

We welcome everyone with inclusive experiences that spark curiosity and foster community.

Founded in 1909 and located in New Jersey, The Newark Museum of Art (NMOA) is the state's largest museum and ranks twelfth nationally in terms of collection size. Global and diasporic, the collection includes more than 130,000 artworks, as well as significant holdings of science and natural history. From the ancient world to the art of today, NMOA boasts exceptional quality and depth in the Arts of Global Africa; Arts of Global Asia, featuring a renown Tibetan collection and Buddhist altar; Arts of the Americas, with particular strength in Native American art; Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean, and Decorative Arts.

Visitor-and community-centered, NMOA responds to the evolving needs and interests of the diverse publics it serves by offering exhibitions, programming, a research library, paid internships, and local and global partnerships. A four-acre campus includes the National Historic Landmark Ballantine House (1885); the Ward Carriage House (1868); the Old Stone School House (1784); and the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden. NMOA has launched an era of transformation to create an engaged citizenry by reimagining the role of the art museum for the 21st century.

Job Summary:

As a member of the Directors Group within the Leadership Team, the Controller is critical to the Museum’s Strategic Vision Plan. The Controller develops strong partnerships with department heads to promote cross-functional work. This individual oversees financial governance strategy and compliance, and will work closely with the Interim CFO and Interim COO to keep Finance Committee members and the Trustees abreast of critical financial matters. Responsible for continuously evaluating the Museum’s financial risks to mitigate and minimize exposures. Leads financial business process improvement and change management. Collaborates to implement the organization’s strategy, while promoting collective effort and unity.

Work Schedule:

This position is a full-time, hybrid onsite/remote position, required to work onsite at least three (3) days per week / may work from home up to two (2) days per week. Flexibility in scheduling is required as needed.

Responsibilities:

Closing and Controllership

• Completes monthly, quarterly, and annual closing on a timely basis.
• Oversee financial governance strategy and compliance.
• Develop an annual budget, forecast and/or mid/long-term financial plan in collaboration with the Museum’s senior leaders and department heads. 
• Establishes, reviews, and standardizes the Museum’s accounting policies and procedures.
• Responsible for assessing the design and effectiveness of internal controls. Works with user departments to search for improvements and provide practical solutions.
• Oversee the purchase-to-pay business cycle. Manages expense classifications, accounts payables and accruals.
• Oversee the revenue cycle by monitoring various income streams, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial records, and assessing the collectability of receivables.
• Works closely with the Development department to manage grants and contributions and assist in related grants reporting.
• Oversees merchant banking and other online transactions to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Develops and tracks capital project budgets with Facilities and Development departments. Monitors and adapts to changes and deviations.

Financial Reporting

• Responsible for the issuance, maintenance, and improvement of managerial reporting. Provides monthly variance analysis and solutions to the deviations. 
• Responsible for various presentation materials for committees, executives, and other ad hoc projects.
• Ensures timely issuance of audited financial statements and filing of various tax forms including Form 990. Primary contact for an external accounting firm.

Treasury Management

• Manages cash flows. Maintains effective banking and broker relationships and employs their services.
• Maintains a healthy level of working capital by utilizing cash flow from revenue and purchase cycles. 
• Monitors various financing vehicles to manage cash flow and maintain sufficient working capital, including debt, credit cards, and other liabilities. 
• Monitors financial covenant requirements and ensures the requirements are met. 

Leadership

• Trains, develops, and mentors internal accounting teams.
• Collaborates closely with the People and Culture team to ensure accuracy of compensation and benefits.
• Collaborates closely with the Grants Compliance team to ensure effective journal controls are in place.
• Commits to advancing the Museum’s commitment to a culture of inclusive excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• CPA or equivalent certification is required. 

• Minimum ten (10) years’ experience in accounting; with five (5) years functioning in a leadership role; nonprofit experience required.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning and analysis, audit management, budgeting, general ledger oversight, payroll, and grant accounting.
• Experience in grant compliance; familiarity with Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) a plus.
• Progressive experience managing diverse teams, including hiring, mentoring, and performance development.
• Experience with Blackbaud required.
• Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear insights for trustees, artists, department leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Proven capacity to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously with precision and sound judgement.

• Strong project management skills are required. 

• Audit experience is preferred. 

• Governmental reporting experience is preferred. 

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. 

• Possesses extensive ERP implementation experience and understands the IT controls in finance. Has high level of Project Management skills

• Holds in-depth knowledge and stands as Subject Matter Expert in accounting rules and regulations including: USGAAP, USGAAS, FASB Accounting Section Codification (ASC) 958 Not for Profit Entities, Yellow Book Audit, IRS regulations, and other finance and compliance requirements.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and internal control integrity.
• Emotional intelligence and sensitivity to the creative culture of a museum environment, operating effectively within a collaborative leadership structure.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Ability to remain in a stationary period for extended periods of time, move about, access, and operate computer equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to fifteen (15) pounds.
• Ability to move throughout the Museum’s offices, galleries, facilities, and meeting spaces to engage with staff, trustees, and external partners.
• Ability to navigate accessible public and administrative areas of the Museum, including use of elevators.

Salary: $125,000–$140,000 annually, based on experience and expertise; includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical plan, dental plan, vision, life insurance, Pension, 401K retirement, and generous paid time off

The Newark Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Upholding this commitment, we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, placement, transfer, layoff, recall, leaves of absence, and termination.

We embrace a culture of inclusive excellence, ensuring that people of all backgrounds, identities, or abilities are empowered to explore, learn, contribute, and engage with the arts. Since its founding in 1909, the Museum has been grounded in the belief that art and learning are for everyone. The Museum reaffirms its dedication to this inclusive vision, which has shaped its aspirations, actions, and policies for over a century. More information on the Newark Museum of Art’s commitment to a culture of inclusive excellence can be found here.

The Newark Museum of Art is dedicated to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As an integral part of this commitment, reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants and employees to support them in performing the essential functions of their roles, unless doing so would cause undue hardship on the organization. For inquiries regarding reasonable accommodation, please contact [email protected].