Director of Finance - Hudson Valley Shakespeare - Hudson Valley Shakespeare

Director of Finance

Position Profile



About the Opportunity



Hudson Valley Shakespeare (HVS) is in the midst of a transformational moment as an organization. After undergoing tremendous artistic and programmatic evolution in recent years, following the successful transition from a founding leader to the installation of Artistic Director Davis McCallum in 2014 and Managing Director Kendra Ekelund in 2022, HVS is in a place of great strength in terms of its mission, work, and leadership. At the same time, HVS (known as Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, until recently) has just broken ground on building a new permanent home in Garrison, NY, a LEED Platinum certified open-air theater, to be named the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center. The new theater will be located on 98-acres of land overlooking the Hudson River, conveyed to the organization by philanthropist and longtime conservationist, Christopher Davis, and providing the organization the opportunity to evolve from a seasonal festival to a cultural anchor for the Hudson Valley and an enduring destination for arts lovers nationally and globally. Now in the public and final phase of a triumphant $58 million capital campaign to complete this project, HVS is poised to assemble a stronger staff infrastructure, provide increased resources to artists, and elevate its presence with the local community and national theatre landscape.



To meet this moment and operate from a position of strength, HVS seeks a highly motivated, skilled, and experienced Director of Finance to join the team. The Director of Finance is charged with overseeing the financial health and sustainability of Hudson Valley Shakespeare, and managing all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, strategic analysis, financial reporting, and compliance. In addition to being a capable business administrator and manager of financial operations, this leader must be adept at communicating with organizational leadership, board members, and external consultants. Overseeing a two-person finance department, they will bring an expertise in nonprofit financial compliance and planning, and a strategic mindset, ready to respond to the complexity of HVS’s current goals and activities. They will work in close partnership with the Artistic Director, Managing Director, and an engaged and energized Board to position the organization for long-term success.



About Hudson Valley Shakespeare



HVS Mission: Rooted in the landscape of the Hudson Valley, with the plays of William Shakespeare as our touchstone, HVS engages the widest possible audience in a theatrical celebration of our shared humanity.



HVS Core Values: Excellence, Inclusion, Playfulness, Generosity, Sustainability



HVS Now: Located eighty minutes north of Manhattan, Hudson Valley Shakespeare (HVS) is a professional non-profit theater company that presents a rotating repertory season of both Shakespeare and more contemporary plays and musicals in an open-air theater overlooking the Hudson River. Founded in 1987, HVS’s critically acclaimed body of work is forged from the most essential of elements – actors, audience, language, and landscape. The company’s spectacular 98-acre campus serves as a vibrant hub for the local community, a cultural and educational anchor for the region, and a national model for environmental sustainability in the performing arts. It encompasses publicly accessible spaces where visitors can picnic and walk, rehearsal studios and production shops where artists carry out creative work, and also houses a successful for-profit restaurant and event space, called The Garrison, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the non-profit theater company. After 38 years of performing in a seasonal tent, in the summer of 2026, HVS will welcome audiences to its first-ever permanent home – the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, designed by the celebrated architecture firm Studio Gang. Protected from the elements but open to the landscape, the Scripps Theater Center will be the first purpose-built LEED Platinum theater in the United States.



HVS History: HVS was founded by Melissa Stern and Terry O’Brien in September 1987 with an outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Manitoga, home of industrial designer Russell Wright, in Garrison, NY. O’Brien led the theater for 27 years, directing more than 30 productions, and stepped down as Artistic Director in December 2013. After a nationwide search for his successor, HVS’s Board appointed Davis McCallum as Artistic Director in May 2014. Under McCallum’s leadership, HVS established HVStories, a multi-year exploration of the people, history, and culture of the Hudson Valley, and Full Circle, a community engagement program inspired by 2016’s citizen-driven production of Our Town. In 2017, HVS produced its first ever world premieres — Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice (a co-production with Primary Stages in New York) which went on to be one of the most-produced plays in the country, and Lauren Gunderson’s The Book of Will (produced in partnership with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts). Recent seasons have balanced bold productions of Shakespearean classics with contemporary plays by writers such as James Ijames, Anne Washburn, Madeline Sayet, Whitney White, and Heidi Armbruster. Over the last two seasons, HVS has continued to break ground with new world premiere productions Penelope, a musical re-imagining of The Odyssey; and Medea: Re-Versed, a brand-new hip-hop version of Euripides’ classic, written by Luis Quintero and co-produced with Red Bull Theater and Bedlam.



Critics from the New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Wall Street Journal have applauded the clarity, energy, wit, and imagination of our productions, and the unique and playful nature of the actor-audience relationship under the tent. By reaching over 35,000 audience members and more than 15,000 students and educators annually, as well as transferring productions to other regional theaters, engaging our community through radically participatory art-making, and connecting with area schools through year-round education programming; the impacts of our work are broadly felt throughout the tri-state region.



About Philipstown, Hudson Highlands, and the Hudson Valley



Hudson Valley Shakespeare is located in Garrison, NY (a hamlet in the town of Philipstown), amidst the spectacular scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands. Approximately 50 miles north of New York City, the theater is a 70-minute train ride to Grand Central Terminal and all of the city’s theatrical and cultural offerings. The gateway to the Hudson Valley, the Hudson Highlands region is distinguished by its dramatic landscapes, its long history of land conservation and environmentalism, and its own cultural vibrancy.



In addition to HVS, other local anchor arts organizations include Dia: Beacon, Maggazzino Italian Art, Jacob Burns Film Center, Storm King Art Center, Caramoor, and many more. A short drive from the theater are the towns of Peekskill, Cold Spring, and Beacon, which each have thriving downtowns, including thriving communities of local artists.



More resources about the Hudson Valley and local community:



Cold Spring Chamber of Commerce: https://www.coldspringnychamber.com/



Travel Hudson Valley: https://travelhudsonvalley.com/



The NY Times, Living in: Garrison, NY (2018): https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/24/realestate/living-in-garrison-ny.html



The NY Times, Living in: Cold Spring, N.Y.: A Sylvan Village That Beckons City Commuters (2019): https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/10/realestate/cold-spring-ny-a-sylvan-village-that-beckons-city-commuters.html



Job Description



Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director of Finance is a key member of the HVS senior management team and will collaborate with fellow senior staff, board members, and external stakeholders, to develop financial strategies aligned with the theater’s objectives and provide oversight and management of the organization’s on-site for-profit hospitality subsidiary business, The Garrison. Additional key duties include oversight of all accounting matters, ensuring transparency and GAAP compliance for all aspects of a $62M capital project with significant state and federal investment, oversight of the budgets spending and forecasting for the capital project, overseeing and supporting the annual external audit, monitoring reserve funds and investment accounts related to the capital campaign, and performing sophisticated financial analysis and modeling. This individual will work in collaboration with HVS’s leadership, Board, and staff as well as external stakeholders and consultants to support artistic excellence and realize the organization’s mission and values, while ensuring long-term financial security and compliance.



Duties & Responsibilities



Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop financial strategies aligned with the theater's objectives

• Identify and pursue opportunities for financial growth and sustainability

• Evaluate and plan for future ongoing capital needs

• From a financial perspective, support the ongoing institutional transformation and construction of facility assets, planning adequately for future insurance and maintenance needs

• Design and execute complex financial models to support sound business decisions in a time of rapid institutional growth



Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead a collaborative institution-wide budgeting initiative annually, in consultation with Executive leadership

• Create and maintain forecasts and long-range projections and financial models

• Prepare cash flow and balance sheet projections to ensure adequate capital for all needs

• Conduct monthly financial forecast reviews

• Monitor and analyze financial performance against budgets



Financial Operations

• Maintain accounting control over a capital campaign and construction project budget of $63.5M and an annual operating budget of roughly $3.7M (with an expectation to increase to $5M in the next few years)

• Participate in building a strong working partnership with The Garrison, in order to maintain oversight of their budget of $4.6M

• Oversight of the organization’s significant cash reserves and investment fund

• Supervise a part-time Controller and full-time Finance Associate

• Manage the organization’s cash flow and maintain adequate reserves

• Lead and oversee the annual consolidated financial audit of the nonprofit and its for-profit subsidiary entity

• Execute and monitor capital investments, as guided by Executive Leadership and the Board



Financial Reporting

• Manage the preparation of internal financial reports and key performance metrics to provide management insight into revenue and operating expense trends

• Propose and maintain best accounting and reporting practices to track project spending across multiple departments

• Oversee balance sheet accounts and ratios

• Understand and anticipate the reporting needs for Executive Management and the Board of Directors. Prepare and present timely, accurate, transparent, and comprehensive financial reports for senior leadership, board of directors, and stakeholders



Capital Project

• Support the Managing Director and Artistic Director in oversight and execution of the planned site development and construction project

• Consult with executive leadership, board members, consultants and stakeholders on strategic deployment of capital resources to accomplish institutional goals

• Maintain accurate cash flow projections for all capital needs, including two phased construction efforts for the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, and HVS’s Artist Lodging

• Lead the organizational effort to secure financing, as needed, to bridge gaps in capital cash flow for construction

• Manage oversight of capital sources and uses, particularly with respect to grant allocation and accounting

• Uphold strict grant accounting practices to support reimbursement requests and required reporting

• Monitor and ensure compliance with capital grant restrictions and institutional obligation



Compliance and Risk Management

• Evaluate, refine, and monitor financial control systems to safeguard organizational assets

• Continuously assess financial risks and opportunities and develop risk management plans and mitigation strategies as needed

• Ensure compliance with financial accounting standards and regulations, and with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory laws and financial and tax reporting rules

• Monitor and ensure compliance with requirements of federal, state, local and private funding sources



Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as staff liaison to the Board’s Finance & Investment, Audit, and Governance Committees

• Build and maintain relationships with external partners such as auditors, banks, funders, or lending institutions

• Represent the theater in financial discussions with stakeholders and potential partners

• Ensure that the Finance Department staff is serving HVS’s community of artists capably, with the accurate and timely issuance of payments, reimbursements, and supporting tax documentation



Business Administration

• Oversee IT hardware and software systems for HVS, including any software transitions that involve numerous departments, in order to meet business needs and maintain successful relationships with outsourced service providers and consultants

• Monitor, negotiate, and review organizational business and administrative contracts

• Consult with the Managing Director on best practices for delegation of authority with regard to contracts and agreements

• Monitor vendor contracts and agreements, including records maintenance, implementation of billing and collection schedules, and the creation of 1099s

• Directly manage relationships with financial and administrative service vendors and consultants

• Evaluate business insurance needs and maintain appropriate policies

• Oversee the organizational payroll, including expense reimbursements, retirement plan contributions, benefit allocations, and tracking of employee PTO



Team Leadership

• Establish strong relationships with department heads to support their business needs

• Create clear and transparent communications about financial operations and activities across departments

• Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement

• Mentor and develop the finance and accounting team, consisting of a Controller and Finance Associate (within HVS) and a G&A Manager (within the Hospitality subsidiary)

• Support HVS in fostering our core values of Excellence, Inclusion, Generosity, Playfulness, and Sustainability and in our work to become an anti-racist institution



Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting, and/or having earned an MBA or CPA is ideal for this role.

• At least 5 years of experience working in financial management.

• Experience working at a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization is advantageous.

• Understanding of large/complex capital construction projects is a significant strength.

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills to drive better business performance.

• A proactive and collaborative growth mindset.

• Proficiency in financial software and tools (GL, AP, CRM, and POS systems), and Microsoft Office suite. QuickBooks, Bill.com and Sage Intacct experience is a plus.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Commitment to the values and mission of Hudson Valley Shakespeare.

• Appreciation for the beauty of the HVS environment and passion for sustainable practices.



Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you're returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.



Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role.



Compensation



The salary for this position is $110,000-120,000. Hudson Valley Shakespeare provides comprehensive benefits, including providing access to insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability upon eligibility); offers paid time off; and parking. Employees contribute to their health insurance coverage.



HVS offices are located within a renovated cottage on the organization’s new property, located at 2015 Route 9 in Garrison NY. Team members work onsite in the office four days of the week, with some flexibility as needed.



HVS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse and equitable environment, and we strongly encourage applications from people of color and women. Candidates from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply.



Application Instructions



The Director of Finance search is being conducted on behalf of Hudson Valley Shakespeare by Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. The search is being led by Search Consultant Brenna Thomas, in consultation with and support from the TOCG search team.



Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.



To apply, visit the online application (https://tinyurl.com/zn97rsbt) and submit your materials. For best consideration, please apply by April 11, 2025. While we will still accept and consider applications received after this date, we encourage you to apply as early as possible for the best chance at being considered for the position. Please note that meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview. No phone calls, please.


Salary: $110,000-120,000