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Controller

Job Summary: The Controller is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial management for Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (ESPHS). This includes financial strategy, reporting, compliance, budgeting, and internal controls. The Controller serves as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on financial matters, ensuring the organization’s fiscal health and sustainability. Due to the sensitive nature of this position, confidentiality and professionalism are paramount. This role will direct and support an environment of diversity and inclusion where staff of varying backgrounds can thrive, and assist other employees in the performance of their job duties as described below.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership

  • Lead the organization’s financial strategy, ensuring alignment with ESPHS’s mission and long-term goals.
  • Develop and implement innovative financial policies and processes to enhance efficiency, internal controls, and compliance.
  • Advise the CEO and Board of Directors on financial planning, performance, and risk management.
  • Oversee the organization’s reserves in collaboration with external financial advisors.
  • Manage and coordinate the budget process across the organization. Consolidate results for CEO and Board of Directors review and approval.
  • Developing and monitoring systems to manage both operational and programmatic work.

Financial Operations and Compliance

  • Direct the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
  • Ensure compliance with all accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.
  • Manage the annual organizational audit and ensure timely submission of the Form 990 tax return.
  • Lead and coordinate the budget planning process across departments, presenting consolidated results for approval.
  • Supervise month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial records.

Reporting and Analysis

  • Develop and present financial dashboards, analyses, and forecasts to the Leadership Team and Board of Directors.
  • Provide actionable insights on financial performance, trends, and variances to support strategic decision-making.
  • Collaborate with the advancement team to ensure accurate grant reporting and compliance with donor requirements.
  • Complete month-end close processes, including bank reconciliations and general ledger accounts reconciliations.
  • Gather and summarize data for reports, formulate dashboards, find solutions to various administrative problems, and prioritize workload.

Accounts Payable and Receivable

  • Oversee accounts payable processes, ensuring accurate coding and compliance with grant and budgetary guidelines.
  • Manage accounts receivable, including grant invoicing, deferred revenue, and revenue recognition.
  • Ensure timely processing of 1099 reporting and other regulatory filings.

Payroll and Benefits Administration

  • Oversee payroll processing and ensure accuracy in payroll-related financial reporting along with HR Director.
  • Collaborate with the HR Director to allocate employee benefits costs appropriately and streamline annual benefits enrollment processes.
  • Ensure compliance with 401(k) administration and year-end reporting requirements along with HR Director.


Experience

  • Minimum of a BA, ideally with accounting or financial management degree.
  • MBA, CPA, or CMA preferred
  • Strong operational experience. Ideally has worked for 5+ years in a socially responsible organization with progressive experience leading to at least five years’ experience in financial/operational/administrative and human resource management, ideally an organization that has seen significant growth or scale; Or: at least five years of experience and a record of accomplishment in senior management. Knowledge of organizational development, personnel management, budget and resource development, basic accounting practices, board management, and strategic planning.
  • Demonstrated success in developing and monitoring systems to manage both operational and programmatic work that involves a high level of collaboration.
  • Analytical ability to gather and summarize data for reports, formulate dashboards, find solutions to various administrative problems, and prioritize workload.
  • Fiscal responsibility including maintaining budgets and managing budget projections
  • Strong analytical, technology, communication, and organizational skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Ability to work weekends, evening hours, or holidays as needed and assigned
  • Enthusiasm for, if not expertise in historic sites, nonprofits
  • Advanced Excel skills required, as well as experience with financial applications such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intact, or Financial Edge.
  • Grant management experience a plus.


Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Excellent people skills, with an ability to partner with a dynamic leadership team.
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment
  • Flexible and able to multi-task; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment while also driving toward clarity and solutions.
  • Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, guiding investment in people and systems, and meeting deadlines.
  • Passion for our work and a commitment to working in the nonprofit sector with its attendant challenges and satisfactions.


Working Conditions

Typical schedule is Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30 pm, with some early mornings, evenings, and weekends as necessary. Option to work from home two days per week when appropriate to the needs of the job.


How to Apply:

Apply HERE by March 1, 2025.


About ESPHS:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is a museum interpreting the legacy of American criminal justice reform from the site of the world’s first penitentiary. The facility pioneered the large-scale use of solitary confinement in the early 19th century and housed approximately 85,000 people during its 142 years of operation. The building itself was an architectural wonder: it had running water and central heat before the White House, and its revolutionary wagon-wheel design has been copied by more than 300 prisons around the globe. Although the prison now stands in ruin, its story remains relevant today.

Today, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site attracts hundreds of thousands of guests from around the world each year to explore the site’s fascinating past and contemplate some of the most critical issues facing our nation. Its innovative public history program draws connections to contemporary justice reform through an approach that values multiple perspectives, amplifies marginalized voices, and respects a broad range of visitors’ interests and learning styles.

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation that operates the penitentiary, a National Historic Landmark, as an historic site and museum.

Commitment to Diversity:
We strongly believe in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that a diverse workforce brings together unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, leading to increased creativity, innovation, and better decision-making. As such, we actively seek out and value job applicants from all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, ages, or disability. Our commitment to DEI extends throughout our hiring process, ensuring equal opportunities and fair treatment for all candidates. We firmly believe that by fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, we can create a stronger, more vibrant, and more successful organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.

ESPHS strongly believes in second chances and, as such, is committed to providing appropriate employment opportunities to those who have been incarcerated. As a condition of employment, all individuals who accept an employment offer must complete a criminal background check. Eastern State will review any criminal record and make appropriate employment decisions in accordance with applicable law and its policies.

2017 American Aliance of Museums Excellence in Exhibitions Overall Winner