WETA operates four digital television channels, Classical WETA 90.9 FM, innovative literacy websites, and educational content for learners of all ages. WETA is also the second-largest station producer of content for the public television system; productions and co-productions include PBS NewsHour; Washington Week; documentaries with Ken Burns, history and genealogy series with scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; and performance and arts specials from the nation’s leading cultural venues. WETA, licensed to the District of Columbia to serve the Greater Washington community, operates on an annual budget of over $100 million with over 300 staff and headquarters and production studios in Arlington, Virginia. 

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Chief Financial Officer will provide executive level management of annual and long-term financial plans for WETA.   Provide advice and counsel to the President & Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer on business operations, strategic planning and financial management.

The Chief Financial Officer reports directly to the President & Chief Executive Officer and is a member of WETA’s Executive Management Committee. The Chief Financial Officer is also the organization’s Treasurer with direct responsibilities to WETA’s Board of Trustees.

The Chief Financial Officer is the primary staff support to the Audit, Finance and Budget and Investment Committees of WETA’s Board of Trustees. Presents the annual WETA operating and capital budgets to the Finance Committee and the Board and prepares financial forecasts and special analyses as required. 

Accounting/Finance, IT (Information Technology) and Facilities departments report to the Chief Financial Officer. 

Specific Responsibilities:

• Play a key role in the strategic and financial planning process of the company, providing analysis and recommendations of financial and operating targets. Provide analysis and recommendations to support senior management decision-making on strategic issues.
• Oversee the development of the annual operating budget and financial plan, the capital budget, and periodic forecasts. Ensure that annual budgets support the priorities in the strategic plan. Monitor and report on actual performance against budget, as necessary.
• Work directly with the Finance, Audit and Investment Committees of the WETA Board of Trustees to enable Trustees to discharge their fiduciary responsibilities on the basis of appropriate knowledge of WETA’s operations, financial results and financial position, policies and procedures, and status with regulatory and oversight bodies.
• Lead Accounting/Finance operations to ensure efficient, cost-effective accounting operations with strong internal controls that result in clean financial statement audits, prompt payments and collections, and consistent compliance with the requirements of CPB, the IRS, the NEH, the U.S. Department of Education, other Federal agencies, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Arlington County, WETA’s lenders and the other diverse entities that WETA’s operations touch.
• Lead the IT operations to ensure deployment of efficient, functional, secure and cost- effective technical infrastructure (hardware and software) in support of business operations. Ensure that IT is considered strategically as WETA pursues its business objectives.
• Lead the operations of Facilities to provide a safe and productive working environment for WETA’s employees and safeguard WETA capital assets at a cost-effective price.
• Communicate effectively with staff of all levels continuing the transparent and open communication efforts underway by Management.
• Perform related special projects or other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Excellent business judgment and the ability to develop successful business strategies and financial plans.
• Demonstrated success in developing staff and teams to produce high quality results.
• Broad expertise in financial management, including non-profit accounting operations, GAAP, budgeting and performance monitoring, capital deployment and expenditures, investment/endowment management, treasury and cash management, financing structures, insurance, and compliance. Solid understanding of non-profit accounting, private and government grant accounting, accounting and finance systems and platforms, and related subjects.
• Highly effective leader, manager and supervisor capable of coaching direct reports, modeling solid management behavior across the organization, and helping shape strategic initiatives through consensus-building and leading internal cross-functional teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with strong customer service orientation. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to represent WETA.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience managing multiple corporate functions inside a complex non-profit environment or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EDUCATION:

• CPA and accounting or finance degree required. MBA desirable.