Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Manhattan School of Music

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Manhattan School of Music (MSM), internationally renowned for the excellence and breadth of its conservatory programs, seeks a Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to join a vibrant leadership team at one of the world’s preeminent, independent conservatories. The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will be a proactive and collaborative leader, a superb communicator with a commitment to transparency, have a substantial record of strategic financial leadership., and will be dedicated to moving MSM forward as a center of excellence in classical music, jazz, and musical theatre.

Founded as a community music school by Janet Daniels Schenck in 1918, today MSM is recognized for its 970 superbly talented undergraduate and graduate students who come from more than 50 countries and nearly all 50 states; its innovative curricula and world-renowned artist-teacher faculty that includes musicians from the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the top ranks of the jazz and Broadway communities; and a distinguished community of accomplished, award-winning alumni working at the highest levels of the musical, educational, cultural, and professional worlds.

The School fosters a supportive atmosphere, valuing individuals and welcoming creative exploration, and provides the training to attain the highest standards of performance. MSM’s rigorous curriculum and superb artist-faculty, who continue their own creative explorations at some of this country’s most prestigious institutions and the world’s great stages, give students the artistic experience and the technical foundation to succeed in the highly competitive world of the arts. Exchange programs, distance learning, and entrepreneurial opportunities further expand the School’s breadth, depth, and reach. Offering more than 800 concerts, recitals, master classes, and community events each year, MSM is a vigorous contributor to the cultural fabric of New York City.

The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer reports to President James Gandre and will work in close partnership with the President, the Board of Trustees, and the senior leadership team.  The CFO will hold responsibility for the development, implementation, and oversight of the $60 million annual operating budget, will plan and lead financial initiatives and strategic financial planning, manage systems analysis and controls, create financial models and forecasts, enhance and strengthen the overall effectiveness and efficiency of financial controls and operations, and oversee investments.  The CFO will oversee facilities management, maintenance, and construction, including dining services, campus safety and security, IT, payroll, and accounts payable and purchasing.  The CFO’s leadership team includes an Associate Vice President and Controller, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Campus Safety, and an Assistant Vice President for IT/Chief Information Officer.

The Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will be a confident, self-assured, and innovative financial leader with superb analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.  The ideal candidate will be a seasoned professional of the highest integrity who embraces a team environment, serves as a resource for many individuals and groups within the institution, and works with colleagues in a spirit of partnership, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility.  The CFO will demonstrate the ability to lead and mentor a team, build trust, and possess the interpersonal skills to create and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of internal and external constituents. 

Additionally, the CFO will have outstanding leadership and strategic planning skills, including the ability to lead change with an inclusive style that fosters team building; demonstrated success in planning, managing, and stewarding resources; evidence of an entrepreneurial orientation with an eye to new opportunities and emerging challenges; proven ability to work productively with a supportive Board of Trustees; broad experience in managing finance (accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting) for a complex organization, preferably in higher education; in-depth understanding of strategic financial analysis and best business practices; knowledge and in-depth experience with not-for-profit accounting; proven ability to create and develop multi-year financial models and forecasts; demonstrated ability and familiarity with not-for-profit debt markets (taxable and exempt) and related debt issues; ability to see the big picture without losing sight of the details; significant understanding of federal and state compliance and other regulatory issues and enforcement requirements; experience in business process re-engineering, reviewing, and re-aligning systems, policies, and personnel management to improve service delivery and productivity; experience managing relationships with external constituents, including auditors, bankers, investment managers, attorneys, and others; knowledge and experience planning and supporting capital project development, facilities, maintenance, and purchasing departments; ability to incorporate strategic goals into a coherent financial plan; knowledge of the current issues and unique financial challenges facing higher education institutions; and knowledge of building and technology systems and ability to manage staff effectively and anticipate issues before they become problems.  To view the full position profile visit:  https://assets.storbecksearch.com/files/resources/msm-cfo-pd.pdf.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please send a cover letter and resume/CV, in confidence, to:

Steve Leo, Partner

Vicki Henderson, Senior Associate

Storbeck Search

MSMCFO@storbecksearch.com

610-572-4296

Equal employment and equal educational opportunity have been and will continue to be fundamental principles at Manhattan School of Music, where employment and enrollment are based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination or harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the status of being transgender, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Manhattan School of Music does not permit retaliation against individuals who oppose a discriminatory practice or participate in an investigation.