Career Center

ORGANIZATION 

The College Art Association (CAA), as the preeminent international leadership organization in the visual arts, promotes the arts and its understanding through advocacy, intellectual engagement, and a commitment to the diversity of practices and practitioners. Based in New York City, CAA is a learned society and a professional association that supports those who study, teach, write about, advocate for, and/or create art and design. CAA honors diversity and acknowledges the extraordinary range of backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, work styles, education, rank, skills, and experiences that make the advancement of art and design integral to culture.  

Of paramount importance to CAA is the promotion of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access within the fields of art, art history, and design. As CAA strengthens and builds its programs, committees, staff, and board it aspires to foster an inclusive culture welcoming of visible and invisible differences, including but not limited to age; ethnicity; gender; gender identity; language differences; nationality; parental status; physical, mental, and developmental abilities; race; religion; sexual orientation; skin color; socioeconomic status; and human styles. CAA defines inclusion as a collaborative work-in-progress. It encourages all CAA constituents to embrace and adopt the ongoing practice of inclusion while advancing art, design, and their histories. 

CAA advances the highest standards of instruction, knowledge, and practice in the visual arts to stimulate intellectual curiosity and advance skills that enrich the individual and society. To realize this vision CAA: 

• Represents, promotes, and advocates for the visual arts nationally and internationally; 
• Creates new opportunities for dialogue among members; 
• Explores new forms of communication using innovative and improved technology; 
• Addresses career development and workforce issues to assist professional growth; and 
• Strengthens organizational leadership, membership, and financial support. 

CAA’s Annual Conference is among the largest international gatherings of post-secondary visual arts and design professionals in the country, celebrating, advancing, and sharing research and creative work. In 2021, the first ever all-digital conference included over 365 sessions, a book and trade fair, and a range of content that spanned from traditional fields of study to contemporary issues. CAA also publishes four scholarly journals in art and art history— The Art Bulletin, Art Journal, Art Journal Open, and caa.reviews—as well as a weekly email newsletter. In addition, CAA provides grants to subsidize the publication of scholarly manuscripts in art, art history, and visual studies. 

Over the past three years CAA has worked to build a stronger community and lay the framework for long-term sustainability. A six-year strategic plan was launched in 2020 aligned with five fundamentals to create a long-term sustainable business model for the association. It includes a multifaceted development function and an emphasis on utilizing digital-first technologies to provide value to an expanded membership by championing access, inclusivity, and diversity. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Controller will be responsible for the operation, supervision, and oversight of CAA financial accounting, finance, and administration.  

• Maintain the financial accounting records of the organization consistent with required standards.
• Oversee the timely processing of all day-to-day financial transactions, including cash receipts, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash flow, and investment accounts.
• Manage the grant accounting process, including indirect cost accounting.
• Maintain banking relationship with operating and investment service providers.
• Oversee Finance & Administration Manager in monthly and yearly close.
• Oversee creation of annual operating budget and related schedules.
• Oversee creation of monthly financial performance metrics and reports for staff and Board of Directors. 
• Work as primary contact with external auditors in annual audit and tax filing, including oversight of audit schedules and financial statements. 
• Maintain insurance relationship for liability insurance coverage.
• Create, maintain, and review grants and awards schedules, applications, and reports. 
• Oversee Finance & Administration Manager in processing of bi-weekly payroll. 
• Administer the employee benefits programs, including the pension plan.
• Maintain health, dental, vision, life insurance relationships, including FSA/DCA annual renewals and open enrollments.
• Develop, in collaboration with the leadership team, human capital and staffing goals, objectives, and systems to enhance organizational strategic plans.
• Work with Executive Director and employees on Human Capital development plans and manage coordination/recordkeeping of professional development and training opportunities.
• Develop/streamline standard operating procedures for employee onboarding and employee separation.
• Update/maintain the employee handbook.
• Work with the Chief of Staff to design employee orientation and other measures to improve understanding of CAA’s mission, strategic plan, and address culture issues.
• Work with the Chief of Staff to improve/streamline the employee performance review process.
• Act as a liaison between the organization and external benefits providers, including but not limited to health, disability, and retirement plan providers, in conjunction with the Finance Department.
• Maintain employee files, job descriptions, and other employee documentation, ensuring confidentiality of all records and information.
• Manage employee recruitment for the organization.
• Stay up to date with research/best practices/standards for HR policies.
• Answer questions from employees: standard policies, benefits, hiring processes, etc.
• Develop and implement innovative initiatives and tools to enhance DEAI awareness, capabilities, and competencies.
• Participate in Board, Executive, and Audit Committee meetings.??
• Work with staff to identify and address operational issues in relation to all programs and initiatives, including CAA Publications, Annual Conference, membership, development, information technology, grants, and awards. 
• Oversees Annual Conference registration and operations.
• Work to implement strategic solutions through technology or tactical support to maximize staff and software functionality. 
• Maintain relationship with landlord, including building operations issues and support. 
• Work collaboratively with other members of the Senior Leadership Team for strategic planning and advancing the goals of CAA.?
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Executive Director.??

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree (MBA preferred).
• Minimum of five years of Controller and Human Resources/Human Capital management experience.
• Comfortable in all aspects of finance and HR including but not limited to employee relations, recruiting, administration, benefits, compensation, compliance, and staff development.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) and/or ability to train/learn quickly.
• Excellent critical thinking/problem solving skills; solution-oriented and proactive.
• Ability to self-direct and multi-task, prioritize/manage time effectively, and move seamlessly between projects/tasks with an eye on ever-shifting priorities.
• Willingness to adapt to continual change and commit to constant improvement.
• Unwavering commitment to ethics, respect, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Superior communication skills, specifically speaking/writing persuasively and listening attentively.
• Conflict resolution experience.
• Strong interest or experience in the arts. 

About College Art Association

The College Art Association (CAA), as the preeminent international leadership organization in the visual arts, promotes the arts and its understanding through advocacy, intellectual engagement, and a commitment to the diversity of practices and practitioners. Based in New York City, CAA is a learned society and a professional association that supports those who study, teach, write about, advocate for, and/or create art and design. CAA honors diversity and acknowledges the extraordinary range of backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, work styles, education, rank, skills, and experiences that make the advancement of art and design integral to culture.

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