Senior Director of Finance

Job Summary:  

The Senior Director of Finance & Administration is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial management and administrative operations at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (ESPHS). This includes financial strategy, reporting, compliance, budgeting, internal controls, and oversight of the Human Resources department. The Senior Director provides strategic guidance and operational leadership to ensure the fiscal health and long-term sustainability of the organization. In collaboration with the HR Director, this role ensures organizational compliance with employment laws, supports a healthy and inclusive workplace culture, and oversees compensation, benefits, and employee relations processes. Due to the sensitive nature of this position, confidentiality and professionalism are paramount. Experience with nonprofit fundraising, capital accounting practices, and HR leadership are essential. 

Duties & Responsibilities:  

Strategic Financial Leadership  

• Lead the organization’s financial strategy, ensuring alignment with ESPHS’s mission and long-term goals.  

• Develop and implement innovative financial policies and processes to enhance efficiency, internal controls, and compliance.  

• Advise the CEO and Board of Directors on financial planning, performance, and risk management.  

• Oversee the organization’s reserves in collaboration with external financial advisors.  

• Manage and coordinate the budget process across the organization. Consolidate results for CEO and Board of Directors review and approval.  

• Developing and monitoring systems to manage both operational and programmatic work.  

Financial Operations and Compliance   

• Direct the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.  

• Ensure compliance with all accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.  

• Manage the annual organizational audit and ensure timely submission of the Form 990 tax return.  

• Lead and coordinate the budget planning process across departments, presenting consolidated results for approval.  

• Supervise month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial records.  

Reporting and Analysis   

• Develop and present financial dashboards, analyses, and forecasts to the Leadership Team and Board of Directors.  

• Provide actionable insights on financial performance, trends, and variances to support strategic decision-making.  

• Collaborate with the advancement team to ensure accurate grant reporting and compliance with donor requirements.  

• Complete month-end close processes, including bank reconciliations and general ledger accounts reconciliations. 

• Gather and summarize data for reports, formulate dashboards, find solutions to various administrative problems, and prioritize workload. 

Accounts Payable and Receivable   

• Oversee accounts payable processes, ensuring accurate coding and compliance with grant and budgetary guidelines.  

• Manage accounts receivable, including grant invoicing, deferred revenue, and revenue recognition.  

• Ensure timely processing of 1099 reporting and other regulatory filings. 

Payroll and Benefits Administration   

• Oversee payroll processing and ensure accuracy in payroll-related financial reporting along with HR Director.  

• Collaborate with the HR Director to allocate employee benefits costs appropriately and streamline annual benefits enrollment processes.  

• Ensure compliance with 401(k) administration and year-end reporting requirements along with HR Director.  

Human Resources Oversight and Organizational Administration 

• Provide executive-level oversight and strategic direction to the Human Resources department, working in close collaboration with the HR Director. 

• Ensure HR policies and procedures align with organizational goals, promote equity and inclusion, and comply with all applicable employment laws and regulations. 

• Support and advise on employee relations, performance management, workforce development, and labor compliance matter for both union and non-union employees. 

• Oversee organizational compensation structure and benefits administration, including 401(k) compliance, healthcare plans, and annual enrollment processes. 

• Partner with the HR team to foster a culture of transparency, trust, and engagement across the organization. 

• Support HR and executive leadership team by ensuring HR initiatives support strategic priorities and mission alignment. 

About ESPHS:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is a museum interpreting the legacy of American criminal justice reform from the site of the world’s first penitentiary. The facility pioneered the large-scale use of solitary confinement in the early 19th century and housed approximately 85,000 people during its 142 years of operation. The building itself was an architectural wonder: it had running water and central heat before the White House, and its revolutionary wagon-wheel design has been copied by more than 300 prisons around the globe. Although the prison now stands in ruin, its story remains relevant today.
Today, Eastern State Penitentiary attracts hundreds of thousands of guests from around the world each year to explore the site’s fascinating past and contemplate some of the most critical issues facing our nation. Its innovative public history program draws connections to contemporary justice reform through an approach that values multiple perspectives, amplifies marginalized voices, and respects a broad range of visitors’ interests and learning styles.
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation that operates the penitentiary, a National Historic Landmark, as an historic site and museum.

Commitment to Diversity:
We strongly believe in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that a diverse workforce brings together unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, leading to increased creativity, innovation, and better decision-making. As such, we actively seek out and value job applicants from all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, ages, or disability. Our commitment to DEI extends throughout our hiring process, ensuring equal opportunities and fair treatment for all candidates. We firmly believe that by fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, we can create a stronger, more vibrant, and more successful organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

ESPHS strongly believes in second chances and, as such, is committed to providing appropriate employment opportunities to those who have been incarcerated. As a condition of employment, all individuals who accept an employment offer must complete a criminal background check. Eastern State will review any criminal record and make appropriate employment decisions in accordance with applicable law and its policies.

Qualifications and Experience   

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required; MBA, CPA, or CMA strongly preferred.  

• Has 7+ years of experience in supporting an HR function.  

• Strong operational experience: ideally has worked for 5+ years in a socially responsible organization with progressive experience 

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in financial management, including leadership roles.  

• Proven track record in nonprofit financial management, including grant compliance and reporting.  

• Advanced proficiency in financial software (e.g., QuickBooks) and Excel; experience with data visualization tools a plus.  

• Strong operational and strategic mindset, with the ability to drive financial planning and process improvements.  

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams and present complex financial information to non-financial audiences.  

Benefits & Perks  

• Paid Time Off: Includes two weeks of paid vacation (80 hours), nine holidays, a week off between Christmas and New Year’s (subject to CEO discretion), plus additional sick, personal, and floating holidays. 

• Health Care: Aetna plans with basic dental included; vision coverage via EyeMed. Employee premiums are fully covered. 

• Life Insurance: Coverage through MetLife equal to 100% of salary, up to $50,000. 

• Disability Insurance: Short- and long-term plans via MetLife with 50% employee cost-sharing. 

• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan administered by Vanguard with a 4% employer contribution after one year of service. 

• Compensation: 120k - 130k Anually 

Working Conditions
Typical schedule is Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30 pm, with some early mornings, evenings, and weekends as necessary.
Option to work from home two days per week when appropriate to the needs of the job.