Finance operations manager

About The Foundation For Contemporary Arts

Since its inception in 1963, the mission of the Foundation for Contemporary Arts (FCA) is to encourage, sponsor, and promote innovative work in the arts. FCA was founded by and depends on artists and a community of like-minded supporters—including philanthropic individuals, foundations, and government agencies—to fund its programs. To date, over 1,000 artists have contributed artworks to help fund grant programs that directly support individual artists. FCA annually awards unrestricted, by-nomination grants to 23 artists working in dance, music/sound, performance art/theater, poetry, and the visual arts in recognition of their artistic contributions; and maintains a by-application emergency grants fund, decided and disbursed monthly, to help over 200 artists per year with unexpected presentation opportunities and project-related emergencies. In 2025, FCA’s inaugural Creative Research Grants provided 30 artists with $10,000 awards to support critical exploratory phases of their artistic process. Since FCA’s inception, more than 7,500 grants awarded to artists and arts organizations—soon to surpass $30 million—have provided opportunities for creative exploration and realization of new work.

An organization founded by artists, for artists, FCA has grown carefully over decades—and is focused today on strategic and sustainable growth of artist support through our core programs, and our capacity to meet the evolving needs of the experimental field. For more information about FCA and its programs, please visit our website.

Job Description

FCA is seeking a full-time, permanent Finance and Operations Manager who will report to the Executive Director and play a pivotal role in our team of eight. The position works closely with the Deputy Director and provides guidance as needed to the Artwork and Operations Associate and external bookkeeper.

The Finance and Operations manager is responsible for ensuring that FCA’s day-to-day business and financial operations run effectively and efficiently, both in-office and remotely; encompassing office management, accounting and finance management, employee benefits administration, IT and administrative systems. The position works in close coordination with the Artwork and Operations Associate to ensure supportive infrastructure for FCA’s artwork contributions and sales activities to further the organization’s mission.

FCA is committed to cultivating access, accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and programs. We value the perspectives and contributions of staff to achieving all aspects of our mission.

Core Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Management

• Support the Executive Director in developing and managing the organization’s annual budget, periodic financial reports and long-term financial forecasts
• Manage and process vendor and grantee payments and cash receipts; ensure proper documentation, coding and approvals and post all transactions into accounting system
• Prepare and submit payroll, securing necessary approvals
• Reconcile credit card and petty cash expenses
• Review quarterly sales tax filings
• Work closely with external bookkeeper to prepare and support annual audit and tax return filings
• Coordinate and support Investment Committee and Finance Committee meetings
• Manage the creation, maintenance and closure of investment accounts; maintain records and process transactions
• Maintain financial records in a standardized, audit-ready manner
  
  

Employee Benefits and HR Support

• Onboard new employees and orient them to benefits, work policies, office procedures
• Monitor and ensure accuracy of payroll and benefits portal (Gusto)
• Administer benefits plan renewals and individual enrollment in coordination with insurance broker
• Work closely with Executive Director and coordinate with employment attorney to ensure organizational policies are values aligned, compliant and up to date
• Manage the distribution of annual W-2s for employees and 1099s for independent contractors
• Maintain and refine consistent and equitable staff recruitment processes, post job openings and assist with initial screening; support related advancement efforts
• Support annual performance review processes and HR compliance trainings
• Other HR duties as necessary
  
  

Administration and Office Management

• Serve as primary point of contact for office and visitors; including daily correspondence, shipping, and deliveries
• Monitor and maintain the physical office and remote work platforms—including fixtures, office equipment and workstations, furnishings, supplies, technology, and cloud-based tools
• Maintain organizational policies and procedures
• Work closely with the Artwork and Operations Associate to ensure the infrastructure to support the receipt, care, inventory, and sales fulfilment of donated artworks and ephemera
• Administer core vendor relationships and accounts, annual subscriptions, contracts, and memberships. Identify areas of potential savings and shop new vendors as needed.
• Provision all email and software accounts for staff, interns, and contractors
• Ensure implementation of office tech policies; engage cybersecurity assessments as needed and enforce digital best practices; coordinate with IT consultant
• Maintain and administer renewal of organizational insurance policies
• Maintain and update office and staffing schedule (on site and remote), arrange office-wide events and related hospitality
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, accounting or finance preferred
• 3-5 years of general finance management experience, preferably in an arts organization; prior grantmaking experience a plus
• Demonstrated knowledge of nonprofit accounting practices and regulations; prior internal and external audit experience preferred
• Experience managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking procedures in a nonprofit context
• Prior office management, and human resources experience preferred
• Tech competence and ability to quickly learn and orient others to new software and office systems; ability to review and streamline related systems
• Strong project management skills with the ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines
• High level of personal and professional integrity; discretion in working with confidential information
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a collaborative team
• Excellent written and spoken communication; ability to liaise with all stakeholders
• Keen attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy and consistency
• Fluency in QuickBooks Online or other accounting software, Microsoft Office, Google platform and Bill.com preferred; experience with Artbase or other database implementation a plus
  
  

Compensation and Hours

The position is full-time, exempt. Compensation range is $95,000 - $110,000 per year, commensurate with experience. FCA provides medical, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to full-time employees, paid holidays (including a winter break), 15 days of paid vacation annually, and a Simple IRA employer-matched retirement plan. FCA’s staff works on a hybrid schedule with three days per week in person at FCA’s New York City office. This position involves periodic in-person events outside normal business hours.

Equal Opportunity Employment

FCA is committed to providing access, accessibility, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for disabled people and individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to access or participate in the job application or interview process, and/or to perform essential job functions please contact Kathleen Flynn, 212-807-7077, [email protected].

If you believe that you could excel in this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume. Preference will be given to applications received by August 15.