Description

Director of Finance & Administration  
Samuel H. Kress Foundation 
Reports to: President 

About the Samuel H. Kress Foundation 
The Samuel H. Kress Foundation (Kress) is a private foundation that supports the study, preservation, and enjoyment of European art from antiquity to the pre-modern era through its competitive grant and fellowship programs. Founded in 1929, Kress serves the field of art history as practiced in American art museums and institutions of higher education, and in an array of research centers and libraries throughout the world. The Foundation further supports training and research in art conservation as well as the professional practice of art conservation. Kress has an average endowment of $100 million, with an annual program budget of approximately $3 million and an operating budget of approximately $1.5 million. The Foundation has a staff of five full-time employees.  
 
Position Overview 
The Samuel H. Kress Foundation seeks a Director of Finance & Administration who will be a strategic partner to the President, and will lead and develop Finance and Accounting, Planning and Budgeting, and Human Resources, in addition to Administration and IT functions at the Foundation. The Director of Finance & Administration will perform all financial and accounting duties while partnering with Foundation leadership and Board members in strategic decisions regarding financial planning and operations. Kress is a very lean, fully integrated organization, and the Director of Finance & Administration will be closely involved in all aspects of the Foundation’s operations, infrastructure, and grantmaking. Key Responsibilities:

Finance and Accounting

Responsible for all aspects of the Finance and Accounting function of the Foundation which includes:

• Maintaining the general ledger and all supporting subledgers and schedules
• Ensuring the timely and accurate reconciliation of all cash accounts and managing cash balances
• Processing all disbursements, including accounts payable, grants, staff-related payments (payroll, reimbursements), taxes, etc.
• Performing monthly reconciliation of all accounts (checking, investment, etc.)
• Verifying the eligibility of the Foundation’s grantees and ensuring that the Foundation meets expenditure responsibility requirements for applicable grants
• Manage the month-close process to make sure all transactions are recorded, including bank reconciliation, and all journal entries are appropriately reviewed
• Develop, implement, and document sound fiscal policies and internal controls for the Foundation, and work with external auditors to ensure accounting policies are consistent with GAAP
• Ensure accurate record keeping and documentation of the Foundation’s financial statements
• Lead the annual audit and 990-PF process, including the preparation of requested schedules, financial statements and note preparation, and act as primary liaison with the Foundation’s auditors and tax preparers
• Liaise with external advisors and members of the Finance & Audit Committee on the management of Foundation’s investment portfolio
• Prepare ongoing quarterly and annual budget analyses and other relevant financial reports, as requested by the President and/or Finance & Audit Committee
• Prepare all tax and financial filings as required by law
• Ensure that the Foundation remains in compliance with all regulatory requirements for private non-profit foundations

Budgeting and Planning

• Working closely with the President, manage the annual budgeting process to prepare and recommend annual budgets for operations (including capital expenditure) and programs
• Develop an annual cash management plan in support of ongoing Foundation operations
• Build and maintain tools and reports to clearly communicate financial information (including operating and program budgets) to the President, the Finance & Audit Committee and the Board of Trustees

Human Resources

Oversee all Human Resource functions, including:

• Processing payroll and keeping payroll-related records
• Managing and tracking employee retirement, healthcare, transit, and paid time off benefits
• Reviewing with the President, on an ongoing basis, the Foundation’s employee benefits plans and policies for cost and competitiveness
• Preparing and ensuring the accuracy of employer-reported quarterly and annual tax filings and documentation
• Oversee annual filing requirements for employee retirement plans
• Maintain internal benefits-related documentation including the Employee Handbook and Benefits Summary
• Ensure that the Foundation is compliant with all local, state and federal employment practices, staying current with all policy changes applicable to the Foundation
• In partnership with President, coordinate the annual staff performance review process

IT Services

• Oversee IT functions for the Foundation, including the selection of and partnership with external vendors and consultants
• Implement protocols and maintain compliance with industry best practices, including for cybersecurity and long-term secure data storage

Administration/Operations

• Liaise with and manage contracts for the Foundation’s vendors, consultants, and suppliers
• Manage all business insurance policies (GL, D&O, etc.) for the Foundation

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience 

• Experience working in private foundations
• At least 10 years of senior level financial, operations, and systems experience, preferably in a philanthropic setting
• Demonstrated expertise in accounting and financial management best practices
• Experience leading audit, compliance, contracts and budget management processes
• Demonstrated experience advising on strategic Human Resource decisions
• Experience overseeing and implementing a variety of IT systems
• Current knowledge of GAAP and regulatory requirements for non-profit philanthropic foundations
• Strong strategic decision-making skills, including at the Board and senior executive level
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptional discretion and judgment and a high level of integrity and confidentiality relating to all Foundation and Board matters
• Excellent relationship-building skills

The ideal candidate will be: 

• Innately and intellectually curious, and share a commitment to the Foundation’s mission 
• A solutions-oriented self-starter who is responsive, proactive, flexible, and proficient at analysis, problem solving, and innovation 
• Deeply familiar with organizational systems and data, and how operational workflows might be integrated and optimized 
• Highly effective at setting and managing priorities and deadlines 
   

Working Conditions

This full-time position is based at the Foundation’s headquarters. Foundation staff generally work 4 days a week in-person. Occasional travel is required for conferences and meetings. The role requires flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for events and Board meetings. 
 
Compensation & Benefits 
The Samuel H. Kress Foundation offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, professional development opportunities, and generous paid time off.  
The annual salary range for the Director of Finance & Administration is $175,000 - $190,000, depending on experience. 
 
To Apply 
Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@kressfoundation.org with “Director of Finance & Administration” in the subject line.  
 
  
The Samuel H. Kress Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.