Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

TITLE: Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO)

DEPARTMENT: Administration

SUPERVISOR: Executive Director

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Exempt

COMPENSATION: $125,000-$140,000/year, excellent benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement programs (defined benefit pension as well as 401k), paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation



Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) seeks a Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO) to serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to and participating as a thought partner with the Executive Director and playing a critical role in the overall strategic management and leadership of the Union. The Deputy Director, COO is responsible for coordinating, planning, modeling, and reporting on all financial activities, delivering effective and efficient accounting and financial systems, policies, and processes that meet the current and future business requirements of the Union. Additionally, the Deputy Director, COO partners on the Union’s external relations strategy and leads human resources, information technology, facilities, and operational activities. The Deputy Director, COO serves as a driver of cross-functional collaboration ensuring that all operational and strategic decisions are supported by sound financial insights. Candidates should have 10+ years of experience managing and executing accounting (nonprofit preferred) and strategic finance at a senior level; 5+ years of experience managing diverse teams; excellent administrative and operational skills; strong communication skills; technological proficiency; a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion; exceptional collaborative and people management skills; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of theatrical unions and guilds and/or experience with the professional theatrical community preferred. Full position profile at: https://sdcweb.org/about/employment-opportunities/.



The position is full-time and requires physical presence in the workplace. To comply with SDC’s Safety Protocols and Vaccination Policy, employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All staff and visitors are also currently required to wear a face mask when in the office.



Please email cover letter and resume to be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled; no calls. Email to Jobs@SDCweb.org. SDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:



Organizational Leadership:

• In partnership with the Executive Director and Executive Board, establish or recommend strategic organizational, financial, and operational goals, objectives, and policies and participate in long-range and annual planning

• Play a leadership role in stewarding strong people management practices and policies throughout the organization deeply embedded in diversity, equity, and inclusion values; be adept at working, coaching, and managing across lines of difference and approach conversations about DEI with thought and care

• Support the Union’s strategy for external relations, industry positioning, and communications, developing and resourcing systems, structures, and processes and participating as a representative of the Union in industry and public settings



Strategic Financial Leadership:

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Finance Committee of the Executive Board, initiating timely communications with the Treasurer regarding meetings, reports, and financial issues

• Develop and conduct a thorough review of the annual budget with the Board to evaluate key assumptions and targeted outcomes to gain Board approval

• Prepare timely monthly financial statements and ensure financial reporting, monitoring, analysis, and planning processes are in place to support the ongoing and future needs of the Union

• Develop regular reporting and analysis of industry trends and activity, including monitoring key metrics and forecasting assumptions, analyzing Member employment and compensation trends, and conducting ad hoc financial analysis as required

• Manage and supervise administrative staff and all aspects of finance and accounting, including accounts receivable and payable, cash flow, cash management, payroll, employee benefits, deposits, and disbursements

• Manage the continuous improvement of accounting, financial, and operational processes with the goal to achieve best practices

• Supervise Membership and Employer billing, and the processes of collecting Member dues and assessments, ensuring accurate employer royalty calculations and Member compensation, and managing the collection process

• Coordinate annual audit, tax, and compliance activity, analyze results, and make recommendations for improvements to internal controls

• Ensure timely compliance with all required government, tax, and other legal reporting obligations

• Lead security and risk management strategies including commercial insurance coverage and related operational policy decisions to protect the Union

• Support accounting and operational tasks for the SDC-League Pension and Health Funds, as needed

• Supervise accounting tasks for SDC Foundation; collaborate with the Foundation Director on long-range planning for SDCF and the preparation of SDCF’s annual budget and financial reports



Operational Leadership:

• Recognize and anticipate opportunities and challenges as they relate to finance and operations systems, generating ideas, strategies, and solutions to drive departmental, cross-departmental, and cross-Union collaboration and impact

• Lead negotiations and manage ongoing relationships with outside vendors including, but not limited to, landlords, banks and financial institutions, cash and investment management providers, external auditors, outside counsel, insurance brokers, employee benefit providers, primary vendors, and key suppliers

• Develop, coordinate, and implement short- and long-term plans for capital improvements, maintenance, and infrastructure

• Provide thought partnership, guidance, and tactical support to other senior leaders in the organization to advance operational and long-term goals

• Remain knowledgeable of all collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), promulgated agreements, and the SDC-League Pension and Health Funds, attending meetings and providing support as necessary

• Participate in CBA negotiations, as necessary, providing financial history or modeling

• Implement and supervise day-to-day office policies, procedures, and operations

• Manage information technology, including computers (hardware and software) and network, through both daily management and strategic initiatives. Work with outsourced company to ensure that all information technology needs are being addressed in a timely fashion and that appropriate and timely investments are made.



KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Working knowledge of and skills in nonprofit finance, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, modeling, and cost control principles in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

• Knowledge of federal and New York State nonprofit finance and labor regulations and reporting

• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections

• Strong communication skills in written, oral, presentation, and group contexts; ability to clearly, confidently, and convincingly present analyses and recommendations around major financial and operational decisions

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, a collaborative style, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels with staff, Board, Members, and external stakeholders, leveraging strong intellectual, conceptual, and analytical skills

• Ability to motivate teams and produce materials in a timely manner and simultaneously manage multiple projects

• Knowledge of theatrical unions and guilds preferred

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and strategic thinking

• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work effectively within time constraints

• Proficient in Microsoft Office software, database software, and accounting software

• To comply with SDC’s Safety Protocols and Vaccination Policy, employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All staff and visitors are also currently required to wear a face mask in the office.



EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of experience managing and executing accounting and strategic finance as a CFO, COO, or other senior financial leader in a well-managed organization

• 5+ years of experience managing diverse teams to ambitious goals

• Experience helping an organization build and refine financial and operational systems, expertise, and controls over time

• Proven experience managing budgets and operations of commensurate size and complexity and related financing and cash management techniques

• A demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion

• Experience within the professional theatrical community and with its key stakeholders preferred (Members, producers, general managers, service organizations)



ABOUT SDC

SDC is the theatrical union that represents 4,300 professional stage Directors and Choreographers throughout the United States, protecting the rights, health, and livelihood of all its Members working in jurisdictions including: Broadway and National tours, Off-Broadway, Association of Non-Profit Theatre Companies, New York City (ANTC), League of Resident Theatres (LORT), Council of Resident Stock Theatres (CORST), Traditional Summer Stock (TSS), New England Area Theatres (NEAT), Dinner Theatre (DTA), Regional Musical Theatre (RMT), and Outdoor Musical Stock (OMS). SDCweb.org




Salary: $120,000-$140,000/yr