The American Academy in Rome is the oldest overseas center for research and study in the arts and humanities. Each year, the Academy awards the Rome Prize to a select group of artists and scholars who are invited to live and work in a dynamic international community in the heart of Rome. To support the work of these Fellows, the Academy also hosts programming in Rome, New York, and around the United States.

AAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The American Academy in Rome is an American non-profit organization with its principal finance and fundraising operations in New York and its program operations in Rome.

The Director of Finance will be a strategic thought-partner, and report to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. The successful candidate will be a hands-on and participative manager who will lead and develop an internal team to support the following areas: finance, business planning and budgeting. The Director of Finance is responsible for the organization’s long-term financial health and growth.

The successful candidate will be a strategic professional who has broad-based expertise and depth in the relevant areas of the Academy’s needs, ideally from work experience in multi-national non-profit organizations. The ideal candidate will appreciate the Academy’s unique profile as a hybrid academic and cultural institution, as well as the complexities of concurrent operations and business models in two different countries.

Supervision

Based in New York and reporting to the CFAO, the Director of Finance is a key partner to the finance team in both NY and Rome. The Director of Finance oversees the staff in New York, which consists of a Senior Accountant, Accountant and consultants. They also oversee staff in Rome, which consists of a Deputy Director of Finance, Senior Accountant, Junior Accountant and the Senior Cashier.

Responsibilities

Accounting, Finance, and Budgeting

• In conjunction with the CFAO, and senior management staff in New York and Rome, establish broad financial and budget goals, priorities, strategies, and benchmarks based on an understanding of internal needs and external circumstances, and analyze Academy-wide activities and data to monitor financial status and health and measure against goals and relevant trends.
• Oversee financial and accounting systems, controls, reporting, and records to ensure compliance with organizational policies and applicable laws and regulations, including cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants management and endowments.
• Provide active guidance and support in annual and multi-year budget planning and management (both operating and capital), including planning and consolidating budgets, developing budgets with managers, reviewing and analyzing budgets, monitoring budget to actuals, balancing and reforecasting, evaluating year-end performance, and working with staff to drive revenue and control costs.
• Manage the general ledger, all subsidiary ledgers, and all financial records, including preparing and posting journal entries, reviewing and approving new vendors, reviewing coding of transactions, preparing reconciliations, and overseeing cash transactions; and in collaboration with the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer in New York, manage the chart of accounts and project codes to ensure a coherent accounting structure across both locations.
• In collaboration with the CFAO, and with the Deputy Director of Finance & Administration, oversee and manage the funds invested to allocate and update funds available in the Academy’s endowment.
• Perform other accounting, finance, and budget management responsibilities as needed and directed.

Administration and Human Resources

• Oversee insurance and risk management, including reviewing and negotiating policies and renewals, handling claims and audits, establishing and monitoring vendor insurance requirements.
• Review contracts and insurance requirements for special projects.
• Oversee insurance, tax, and legal requirements for the Academy.
• Support CFAO in relevant Board and Committee activities, including preparing agendas, reports, and presentations; reporting to Board and Committees if needed; reviewing minutes; and ensuring timely follow up on action items.
• Maintain awareness of relevant industry trends, standards, and best practices at similar institutions, as well as businesses and other organizations, in order to ensure compliance, appropriate controls, and effective management, as well as to set standards for comparison and development.
• In collaboration with the CFAO and finance team, oversee and manage full range of human resources processes and systems in collaboration with the HR Consultant to ensure compliance with internal policies and applicable law, including compensation and payroll, and benefits administration in both NY and Rome.
• Perform other administrative and human resources management responsibilities as needed and directed.

Qualifications and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function at an exceedingly high level. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or related area of study.
• At least eight to ten years of professional experience in progressively responsible roles and proven record of skillfully and effectively managing accounting, finances, budgets, and human resources with at least seven years at the management level, ideally in a combination of non-profit organizations and finance, accounting, or other similar companies, or comparable combination of experience and substantial knowledge of non-profit management.
• Understanding and appreciation of non-profit cultural institutions, and genuine interest in the Academy’s mission and work.
• Demonstrated strength in strategy, organization, planning, and analysis, especially with respect to budgets, operations, and projects.
• Ability to translate financial concepts to—and to effectively collaborate with—programmatic and fundraising colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds.
• A proven record in grants management.
• Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; knowledge of accounting and reporting software.
• Significant strength in managing time, organizing work, and being highly accountable in dynamic and creative settings with competing demands on attention and frequently changing and conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, be proactive, and take initiative with minimal direction or guidance, balanced with skill in executing plans and detailed tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Proven management abilities with substantial skills in developing and supporting staff, assessing and designing workflows, working productively with all levels of management and staff, and collaborating with colleagues in another location.
• Excellent professionalism and diplomacy in representing Academy internally and externally, with superior writing, editing, oral communication, and presentation skills in both Italian and English, especially on financial, business, and legal matters.
• Exceptional judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive situations and matters.
• Advanced skills in accounting software (the Academy uses Financial Edge and is moving to Sage Intacct), knowledge of donor database software helpful (the Academy uses Raisers Edge and is moving to Salesforce).
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office suite, especially in Excel.
• Accessibility to respond to urgent and emergency situations outside of business hours.

The American Academy in Rome is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to the well-being and future of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, and vision coverage to ensure you and your family stay healthy. Additionally, we offer robust retirement benefits to help you plan for your future. We value your experience, and our competitive salary will be commensurate with the expertise you bring to our team. Join us to enjoy a supportive work environment with exceptional benefits tailored to your needs!

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter outlining your interest in the Academy, the contributions you expect to make to the Academy’s mission, and your qualifications for the position of Director of Finance to https://aarome.bamboohr.com/careers/58. Applications will be accepted through August 30, 2024. The compensation is $145,000–$155,000 annually.