Director of Finance
Director of Finance
(full-time)
Mission
Our mission is to unlock human potential, build community, and enrich quality of life through theatre that reflects the wonder and complexity of our time.
The Director of Finance is a key member of Actors Theatre of Louisville’s leadership team, responsible for strengthening the financial and people systems that support the organization’s long-term sustainability.
Reporting to the Managing Director, this role oversees budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, accounting, cash management, audit and compliance, while also leading human resources functions including payroll, benefits, and employment compliance.
The position currently supervises two direct reports and manages relationships with external vendors, contractors, and professional service partners supporting the organization’s finance and HR functions.
About Actors Theatre of Louisville
At Actors Theatre of Louisville, we’re memory makers, joy creators, problem solvers, connection builders, and believers in what can happen when people come together. Whether you work onstage, backstage, in the lobby, in an office, or in a spreadsheet, every member of our team plays a role in creating experiences that matter.
Our mission is to unlock human potential, build community, and enrich quality of life through theatre that reflects the wonder and complexity of our time. We do that as a community hub for local theatre makers, businesses, and partners; as the State Theatre of Kentucky, ensuring our region is present in the stories we tell and communities we serve; and through learning and creative engagement opportunities for students and lifelong learners of all ages.
There is no single path to becoming part of the Actors Theatre team. We welcome candidates whose experience comes from the arts, nonprofit service, business, hospitality, education, community organizations, or other environments that require creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and care. We value what you have learned through your work, education, training, and lived experience, and equivalent combinations will be considered.
If you’re energized by making things work, helping people thrive, solving the puzzle, and building something meaningful alongside a small and mighty team, we hope you’ll consider bringing your talents to Actors Theatre.
Land Acknowledgement
Summary of Position:
The Director of Finance provides strategic and hands-on leadership for Actors Theatre of Louisville’s finance and HR functions. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director oversees budgeting, forecasting, accounting, financial reporting, cash management, audit and compliance, payroll, benefits, and employment compliance.
This role partners closely with executive leadership and department supervisors to translate financial and workforce information into clear, actionable guidance, strengthen organizational systems, and identify financial, operational, and workforce risks. The Director currently supervises two direct reports and works with external vendors, contractors, and professional service partners.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative, resourceful leader who can balance long-term strategy with day-to-day execution in a creative, fast-moving nonprofit environment.
Essential Functions
• Lead Actors Theatre’s annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Prepare and present timely, accurate financial reports, dashboards, and analysis for executive leadership and the Board.
• Oversee accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, and month- and year-end close.
• Monitor cash flow, liquidity, investments, debt, restricted funds, and overall financial position.
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, approval processes, and appropriate segregation of duties.
• Coordinate annual audits, tax filings, grant and funder reporting, and other financial compliance requirements.
• Identify and manage vendor contracts and relationships such as commercial insurance, tax preparation, and legal services.
• Oversee payroll administration, including wages, deductions, taxes, employer contributions, and payroll reconciliation.
• Administer employee benefits, retirement plans, leave programs, workers’ compensation, and unemployment processes.
• Maintain and consistently administer the employee handbook, HR policies, and employment procedures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, engaging outside counsel or specialists when appropriate.
• Maintain effective document management systems, ensuring confidentiality, accuracy, and appropriate access.
• Partner with executive leadership and department supervisors to evaluate financial and staffing implications of organizational decisions.
• Identify financial, operational, and workforce risks and recommend practical solutions that strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, financial analysis, and long-term financial planning.
• Experience navigating a complex organization during a period of growth, recovery, and organizational change, with the ability to build stronger systems while remaining responsive to evolving needs.
• Experience preparing financial reports and translating complex financial information into clear, actionable information for executive leadership, department leaders, and Boards.
• Experience with endowment and investment oversight, including analyzing investment performance, understanding spending policies and draws, and working with investment advisors and Board committees.
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including restricted funds, grants, pledges, endowments, and revenue recognition.
• Experience managing complex payrolls with multiple employee classifications and compensation structures, including salaried, hourly, part-time, temporary, seasonal, union, and contracted workers.
• Experience working in a unionized environment with collective bargaining agreements, including interpreting contractual financial and employment obligations.
• Experience with payroll, benefits administration, retirement plans, and employment compliance.
• Strong systems and technology skills, including Excel and accounting, payroll, and financial reporting platforms.
• Strong judgment, discretion, organization, and a collaborative, service-oriented approach to managing sensitive financial and personnel matters.
• Collaborative and resourceful leadership style, with the ability to balance strategy and hands-on execution.
• Ability to work effectively within a small, highly collaborative team where people wear many hats and priorities can shift quickly.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to bring clarity and structure to complexity without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Ability to actively manage cash flow, including during urgent situations, while maintaining sight of the organization’s long-term financial health.
• Comfort operating with limited support staff and taking ownership of both high-level analysis and day-to-day work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Teams, and other collaborative systems.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented approach.
• Interest in serving as an ambassador for a nonprofit service organization and cultural institution in the Louisville and greater Kentuckiana community.
Minimum Qualifications
Actors Theatre of Louisville welcomes candidates whose experience comes from the arts, nonprofit service, business, hospitality, education, community organizations, or other environments that require creativity, collaboration, adaptability, and care.
We value what you have learned through your work, education, training, and lived experience, and equivalent combinations will be considered.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $80,000–$100,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Full-time employee benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; an employer-funded HSA; a 403(b) retirement plan; paid time off; and 16 paid holidays annually.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter to Emily Tarquin at executiveleadership@actorstheatre.org with the subject line:
ATL: Director of Finance
In addition, please answer the following questions so that we might get to know you better:
1. Why does this position interest you?
2. What do you anticipate will be your greatest success and largest learning curve?
3. How does this role and the schedule fit within your life demands?
4. Please submit your salary requirement within the range listed above.
Following a review of all initial applicants, a curated group of candidates will proceed to a one-on-one interview with the Hiring Supervisor.
From there, the Hiring Supervisor will advance 2–5 applicants to be interviewed by a panel of employees.
Following the panel, a contingent offer will be sent to the top candidate. A satisfactory background check and reference check process will solidify the offer.
The anticipated start date is November 30, 2026. Start date can be negotiated with selected candidate.
No phone calls, please.
No phone calls please
