Finance Director

The Opportunity

Opera Paralèlle (OP) is a thriving nonprofit arts organization dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary opera. With a commitment to artistic excellence and innovation, collaboration, and relevant, diverse storytelling, we are poised for significant growth and expansion. As we embark on this exciting journey, we are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Finance Director to join our team.

Serving as a key member of OP’s leadership team, the Finance Director will play a critical role in managing and improving the financial performance of the organization. The Finance Director will be responsible for overseeing and analyzing financial data, developing financial strategies, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. This is a hybrid, part-time, exempt position, averaging 24 hours per week, that will report to and work closely with the Managing Director.

If you have a strong background in finance, exceptional analytical skills, and a proven track record of success in financial management, and thrive in a kind, dynamic, creative, and growth-oriented environment, we invite you to apply and contribute to our exciting journey of expanding artistic horizons.

Who We’re Looking For

This section describes the skills and experience that are most important to this position. We realize not everyone will be equally strong in all of these areas. We also know you can bring strengths and talents beyond what we’ve described. If you are excited about this role and our mission, we welcome your application.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field
• Proven work experience in a Finance Director or similar role, ideally with a nonprofit arts organization
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit financial management and practices
• High level of proficiency in financial analysis and forecasting
• In-depth understanding of nonprofit accounting standards and regulations, especially in the performing arts industry
• Excellent knowledge of QuickBooks
• Highly organized professional with strong analytical skills and profound attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
• Respect for diverse backgrounds and voices and a commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and equity
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• CPA or CFA certification is a plus
• Knowledge and/or interest in opera also a plus

Key Responsibilities

General

• Oversee and manage the financial operations of the organization
• Analyze financial data to provide strategic recommendations for improving financial performance
• Maintain bank accounts and investments as directed by the Board of Directors, Treasurer, and Managing Director
• Develop, prepare, and submit for approval a reliable annual budget
• Supervise bookkeeping and ensure that books of accounts are accurate
• Provide financial and budgetary information for grant proposals

Compliance & Reporting

• Monitor and report on financial performance, including variance analysis and key financial metrics
• Provide monthly financial statements, including cash flow projections, for Board review and approval
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and ensure that all periodic tax and regulatory filings are done in a timely manner
• Oversee preparation for the execution of the annual audit/financial review
• Review all contracts for fiscal liabilities, with the Contracting Associate
• Ensure that grants and restricted gift reporting requirements are met
• Provide data for annual surveys required for participation in reporting about the organization, and for the field

Collaboration

• Work closely with the Managing Director to help ensure timely and effective management of organizational resources
• Serve as liaison to the Finance Committee and Investment Committee
• Provide financial guidance and support to senior management
• Collaborate with other departments to drive cost reduction and operational efficiency initiatives
• Assist in the preparation and review of departmental financial statements and reports
• Manage and develop skills of OP’s Bookkeeper and Contracting Associate

OP is a growing organization with many interdepartmental collaborations. Supporting and collaborating across departments is essential for every member of our team.

Location, Schedule, and Physical Requirements

• OP’s administrative offices are located on the fourth floor of 44 Page Street in San Francisco, close to public transportation (BART and MUNI) and accessible by one set of stairs and one elevator.
• Events and performances of OP productions take place in varying local sites around San Francisco (and possibly throughout the Bay Area).
• We offer a hybrid working environment with general office hours Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We're happy to accommodate a partial remote work schedule, but prefer a candidate who can work in our office typically one day a week.
• This position requires the ability to sit at a computer, speak, and type for extended periods of time.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is year round, part time, and exempt. The actual hours/days required per week may shift depending on the intensity of the OP performance season and tax reporting cycles, with a maximum average of 24 hours per week, and a liberal allowance for time off after intensive periods of work (especially after budget, tax filings, and audit/financial review completion). Compensation is competitive and commensurate with responsibilities and experience, with an annual salary of $69,000–$75,000.

Who We Are

Based in San Francisco, Opera Parallèle (OP) is an award-winning, female- and artist-led contemporary opera company. Collaboration is in our DNA, as well as a drive to create and keep opera relevant and accessible for our diverse modern world.

Since 2010, Opera Parallèle has become one of the foremost presenters of new opera in the country. A dedication to current issues, 20th- and 21st-century composers, immersive opera experiences, and hands-on, intergenerational community engagement puts OP at the vanguard of making opera meaningful for today’s audiences. OP is on a growth trajectory, with increasing national visibility and a current organizational budget of about $2.5M. OP is governed by a 16-member Board of Directors passionate about innovation and access in opera.

OP’s core expertise is in staging new opera and creating chamber (slimmed-down) orchestrations of larger operas adaptable to many venues, giving many works an afterlife and accessibility beyond their initial run. OP enjoys close relationships with creators and producing partners working in opera, the performing arts, and visual art, and its founders are often sought by today’s top composers to develop the chamber premiere of operas they’ve debuted at top international houses.

OP is committed to creating an inclusive work environment through diversity of people, ideas, talents, and experiences. We value providing a culturally safe workplace, and we recognize that this looks different for everyone. Our work with existing staff and new hires to identify and respect cultural safety needs and build trust across the organization is ongoing, to ensure that all staff can feel engaged and thrive. OP is actively working on increasing fluency in equity issues and is participating in ongoing organization-wide assessment and training in equity, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome open dialogue about how we can continue to improve our support for our community in all aspects of our work.

Please visit operaparallele.org to learn more about who we are, what we do, and the values we embrace.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Opera Parallèle is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and maintains a policy of non-discrimination with respect to employees and applicants for employment. No aspect of employment will be influenced in any matter by race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, pregnancy, disability, medical condition (including HIV or AIDS status), genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member), veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

We value a strong, diverse team, and women, trans- and gender-nonconforming folks, queer people, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. We acknowledge this list is incomplete and encourage you to apply if your lived experience informs your desire to support our commitment to telling diverse, relevant stories through contemporary opera.