Manager of Education Finance

Straz Center for the Performing Arts•Tampa, FL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Education Finance at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts serves as the primary financial business partner for the Patel Conservatory. This role is responsible for financial operations, accounting functions, admissions administration, enrollment reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and business support for the Education department. Reporting to the Vice President of Administration, the Manager acts as the operational finance leader for the Conservatory and Education programs, collaborating with the Chief Arts Education Officer and Education leadership team to ensure accurate financial reporting, effective business processes, sound financial controls, and operational support for an accredited performing arts conservatory. The Manager also contributes to the financial sustainability and operational effectiveness of various Education programs, including music, dance, theater, community engagement, outreach programs, camps, classes, and workshops.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience collaborating successfully with diverse administrative and operational teams.
Strong technical knowledge of GAAP, non-profit fund accounting, and revenue recognition rules.
Detail-oriented mindset with exceptional analytical, balancing, and administrative skills, and quantitative scenario modeling and analysis experience.
Theatrical or Dance financial support.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to remain poised and effective in a dynamic, fast-paced theater and school environment.
Ability to maintain strict financial confidentiality and utilize appropriate professional discretion.
Advanced math, data modeling, and Excel proficiency required (including pivot tables and complex lookups).
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, or related field.
Minimum 5-7 years of finance, accounting, or FP&A experience.
Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in financial analysis, non-profit fund accounting, or school administration/tuition-based accounting environments, along with related system migrations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with and knowledge of ASAP, Tessitura, Financial Edge NXT, or a related high-volume non-profit CRM and database accounting software preferred.
Availability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional nights and weekends, to support major Conservatory events, productions, or fiscal year-end closing periods.

Responsibilities

Manages the day-to-day accounting and financial operations for Education, overseeing accurate recording, reconciliation, and reporting of Education-related financial activity.
Leads the development, compilation, and management of the annual operating budget for the Patel Conservatory, including separate departmental tracking for Dance, Music, Theater, and other programs/events as needed.
Partners with department chairs and production staff to build accurate financial models, expense forecasts, and budgets for showcases, mainstage productions, intensives, and summer camps.
Conducts monthly reviews of actual expenditures against budget.
Forecasts seasonal enrollment-driven revenue cycles to ensure operational efficiency.
Applies a knowledge of performing arts operations and event production processes to effectively align fiscal oversight with the artistic and logistical demands of showcases and mainstage productions.
Performs business planning scenario analysis and quantitative business modeling projects as needed for business growth and expansion opportunities.
Performs internal audits and records settlements at the conclusion of all education related events.
Collaborates with the Education Admissions Office to ensure accurate registration, enrollment processing, and tuition administration.
Establishes, implements, and enforces payment and risk management policies to ensure smooth operational alignment.
Monitors enrollment activity and provides reporting on student registration trends, partnering with Education leadership to track enrollment goals and revenue expectations.
Performs daily and monthly audits and reconciliations between the student registration system (e.g., ASAP) and the core organizational general ledger (e.g., Financial Edge).
Serves as the lead financial administrator for institutional scholarships to track available fund balances, audit applications against restricted donor accounts, and verify applied awards.
Coordinates financial tracking of education grants, sponsorships, scholarships, and restricted funds.
Maintains documentation supporting grant compliance and reporting requirements established by funders.
Partners on matters regarding restricted funding activity.
Monitors scholarship awards and related financial commitments and assists with preparation of grant financial reports.
Monitors compliance and tracks distributions for government contracts, corporate sponsorships, and restricted donor funds earmarked for educational and community engagement programs.
Develops and maintains Education financial policies, procedures and workflow processes.
Tracks and reviews payroll allocations to ensure accurate expenditure distribution across specialized programs.
Supports purchasing, contracts, vendor management, and expense administration.
Verifies financial terms and budgetary availability for teaching artist contracts, guest instructors, and independent contractors prior to Human Resources execution.
Collaborates with IT on financial systems, student information systems, and reporting tools.
Identifies opportunities to improve operational efficiency and administrative processes.
Performs other financial or administrative special project duties as determined by the Vice President of Administration.