Director of Finance

Director of Finance

Location: Paducah, KY

Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Department: Finance

Reports to: Executive Director

ABOUT THE CARSON CENTER: The Carson Center for the Performing Arts, also known as The Luther F.

Carson Four Rivers Center, is a regional, multiple-use facility with beautiful spaces for public and private events of all types. Enjoy superb staging and near-perfect acoustics for a wide range of entertainment, cultural, and educational programming.

The mission of The Carson Center for the Performing Arts is to serve the Four Rivers region as a leader in presenting exceptional live performances and cultural experiences that are both entertaining and educational, while also being economically beneficial to our community.

The Carson Center is located in downtown Paducah, Kentucky, and overlooks the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. It is a significant component of Paducah’s downtown area revitalization and serves a diverse population from a four-state region and beyond. The Carson Center is a not-for-profit organization (501(c)(3).

THE ROLE IN A NUTSHELL This role leads all financial strategy, planning, and oversight for The Carson

Center and ensures the organization operates with clarity, discipline, and long-term sustainability.

The Director of Finance is responsible for budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, and internal controls, while also serving as a key partner in organizational decision making.

This position connects day to day financial operations with broader strategy. It ensures that reporting is accurate, timely, and useful, and that financial decisions are grounded in reality rather than assumption.

This is a finance first role. Success comes from building strong systems, improving visibility, and creating a steady financial foundation that supports both operations and growth.

While this is primarily a finance role, it includes periodic on site presence during events to support real time coordination, event settlement, and financial accuracy

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership

• Lead all financial operations including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly financial statements and internal reporting
• Build and maintain a culture of accountability, clarity, and financial discipline
• Supervise finance staff and support their development

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with leadership
• Develop rolling forecasts and financial projections
• Monitor performance against budget and identify risks and opportunities
• Provide clear, actionable financial insight to support decision making

Accounting and Compliance

• Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, receivable, and payroll coordination
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and regulatory requirements
• Manage audit preparation and serve as primary liaison with external auditors
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial policies

Cash Flow and Financial Strategy

• Monitor cash flow and manage liquidity to ensure operational stability
• Oversee banking relationships, line of credit, and financial instruments
• Support long term financial planning including reserves and endowment strategy
• Identify opportunities to reduce volatility and improve financial position

Event and Revenue Reporting

• Improve tracking and reporting of event level financial performance
• Ensure accurate allocation of revenue and expenses across programming
• Partner with operations and programming to strengthen financial visibility on events
• Support post event settlement and financial reconciliation processes

Administration and Systems

• Maintain financial systems including QuickBooks and support implementation of new tools such as Momentus
• Oversee vendor contracts, financial records, and documentation
• Ensure payroll, benefits, and financial processes are coordinated effectively
• Provide data and reporting to support organizational planning

Cross Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Operations, Programming, Development, and Marketing
• Ensure financial considerations are integrated early into planning
• Participate in leadership discussions and strategic planning
• Model a steady, practical, and solutions-oriented leadership style

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TABLE

Experience

• Five to seven years of experience in finance, accounting, or financial management
• At least three years of leadership experience
• Experience in nonprofit, performing arts, or similar environment preferred

Skills

• Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
• Experience with nonprofit accounting and fund tracking
• Ability to translate financial data into clear insights
• Experience managing audits, compliance, and financial controls
• Comfortable working with financial systems and Microsoft Office

Mindset

• Grounded and steady leadership style
• Clear communicator who can make financial information accessible
• Strong sense of ownership and follow through
• Focused on building systems rather than reacting in the moment

BONUS POINTS FOR...

• Experience working in a performing arts or nonprofit arts environment
• Familiarity with event based financial models
• Experience with endowments, grants, and restricted funds
• CPA

WHY JOIN US?

• Compensation: This is a full time, exempt position with a salary range of $70,000 - $75,000,

depending on experience.

• Health & Wellness: Benefits include group health, dental and vision insurance, Flexible Spending

Account, paid time off, paid holidays, and 401k match.

HOW TO APPLY Send a cover letter and resume to info@thecarsoncenter.org.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Carson Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person