The New York Philharmonic seeks an experienced senior-level finance executive to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO.)The CFO leads financial and information technology strategy and operations, manages financial and technology risks, and ensures the accuracy and integrity of the company's financial reporting. The CFO serves as the primary contact with Lincoln Center. As a key member of the executive leadership team (ELT), the CFO reports to the President and CEO, and collaborates closely with other senior leaders and the Board of Directors.
A Successful CFO Will
- Provide vision and execution of strategy with business process and systems for optimal internal controls, operating efficiencies, and best practices across the organization while embracing the NY Phil's vision and values.
- Be a leader and thought partner to the Board and Executive Leadership Team in advancing artistic, operational, and financial initiatives.
- Effectively communicate, listen, and collaborate with the musicians and staff to understand needs and deliver key sustainable support.
- Lead, coach, and develop resources toward better financial processes, performance metrics, business analytics and financial integrity.
- Provide leadership and guidance on expanding areas of new business of The New York Philharmonic
- Work closely with partners at Lincoln Center to ensure efficient and productive management of David Geffen Hall and other assets.
The New York Philharmonic connects with millions of music lovers each season through live concerts in New York and around the world and digitally, as well as through broadcasts, recordings, and education and community programs. After returning to a transformed David Geffen Hall in 2022, the Orchestra is building on a legacy of more than 180 years, collaborating with today's greatest musical artists and connecting with our communities. Gustavo Dudamel will become the Philharmonic's Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Music and Artistic Director in the 2026–27 season.
Primary Responsibilities
- Strategy and Leadership – Understand the internal and external environment in which the New York Philharmonic operates, and ensure the organization is ready to respond to the opportunities and challenges of an ever changing fiscal and economic environment
- Partnership & Collaboration – Work closely with the CEO, Board, and Executive leadership and Lincoln Center to ensure operations are financially sustainable within the organization's mission, objectives, and goals.
- Leadership – Continue to drive transformation of the finance and accounting functions through structural design, process improvements, new tools, and systems applications to support effective and efficient financial management and analysis. Establish financial objectives and build a team to support organizational strategies for staff and musicians with excellent customer service.
- Financial Planning & Analysis – Oversee the analysis and evaluation of financial results, trends, fluctuations, and ratios that will drive higher levels of financial performance, improvement initiatives, and growth. Assist in analyzing the financial impact of major business decisions and artistic/operational issues affecting the organization. Develop the annual budget and long-term financial projections considering organizational initiatives, Capital and Campaign budgets, and liquidity requirements.
- Accounting & Compliance – Provide oversight for accounting, financial reporting, and compliance: Steward financial reporting accuracy and consistency and develop and maintain effective internal control systems. Oversee the audit engagement and ensure compliance with policies and procedures. Responsible for tax, risk management, legal, and related areas.
- Information Technology – Ensure effective information technology infrastructure and platform management to maximize productivity, deliver best practices, and safeguard data.
Detail Of Duties And Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Stewardship and Leadership
- Direct the work of Finance, Accounting, and Information Technology verticals, fostering a results-driven culture.
- Manage overhead, programmatic, and capital expenditures to ensure they achieve budgetary and broader financial goals.
- Manage banking, creditor, and investment advisor relationships and uphold good business practices with financial institution partners.
- In partnership with the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer and Investment Committee, manage the endowment and pension investment portfolios.
- Manage financial aspects of Lincoln Center Performing Arts relationship within the guidelines of the constituency agreement terms.
- Coordinate, maintain, and monitor insurance programs, ensuring risk management best practices.
- Evaluate best practices and recommend actions related to the organization's financial and information technology matters.
Stakeholder engagement
- Administer financial and board-level reporting: develop accurate and timely financial statements, balance sheets, cash flow forecasts, tax returns, and other financial disclosures for internal stakeholders, external auditors, and regulatory agencies.
- With the President & CEO, support the Board Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees and report on all finance and operations to the Board of Directors.
Internal Processes and Cross-Team Collaboration
- Oversee budgeting and forecasting processes: develop annual and quarterly budgets in consultation with the President & CEO, executive leaders, and Senior Director, Finance; develop projections based on current data, anticipated revenues and expenses, and staffing.
- In partnership with the Senior Director, Finance, manage the annual audit and serve as the chief compliance and risk management officer.
- Oversee financial aspects of the organization's defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans.
- Work with VP, People & Culture to manage annual health insurance plan renewal and associated services.
- Direct ad hoc financial analysis for special projects, organizational initiatives, and the Collective Bargaining negotiation.
- Develop streamlined systems and processes for reporting in a rapidly growing and complex organization with diverse revenue streams.
- Continually evaluate and improve internal controls and processes.
- Build a collaborative and welcoming high-performance finance team
- Commitment to contributing to an inclusive working environment
Information Technology leadership
- In collaboration with the Director, Information Technology (IT) oversees the organization's monitoring, governance, and optimization of IT infrastructure and operations.
- Ensure all IT systems, policies, and projects align with business goals, security requirements, and industry standards.
- Work with IT team to establish best practices, mitigate risk, comply with policies, and implement technologies to enhance efficiency, performance, and data security.
- Ensure IT team has the resources, training, and support needed to maintain high-performance standards.
- Oversee incident response and disaster recovery initiatives to ensure business continuity during IT failures or security breaches.
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree and CPA required; MBA preferred; Legal training and professional experience preferred.
- Collaborative and strategic professional with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound, informed judgment and make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
- At least 10 years of executive level financial management and leadership experience.
- A forward-looking leader, with a customer service focus, who creates collective confidence across the organization.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to foster meaningful and collaborative relationships with staff, internal and external leadership, the Board and key external audiences.
- Experience leading functions beyond finance and accounting, particularly within a nonprofit organization with diverse revenue streams and fundraising campaigns.
- Knowledge of internal control frameworks and compliance requirements (e.g., GAAP, IRS regulations) to establish and maintain effective financial controls and ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards.
- Deep understanding of financial risk factors and mitigation strategies, including liquidity risk, credit risk, market risk, and operational risk, to protect financial assets and interests.
- Proficient in financial modeling techniques to forecast financial outcomes, evaluate investment opportunities, and support strategic decision-making, such as scenario analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, and sensitivity analysis.
- Proven experience in managing cash flow, optimizing working capital, and overseeing treasury functions such as cash forecasting, liquidity management, and investment portfolio management.
- Ability to develop and implement financial strategies aligned with organizational goals and objectives, including capital planning, debt management, and financial sustainability initiatives.
- Demonstrated success in managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, maintaining high standards, and meeting deadlines under pressure.
- Proficient in database and accounting computer application systems.
The New York Philharmonic offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to our full-time employees, including:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
- Employer contributions to the 403(b) plan after one year of employment
- Employer paid Life and Disability insurance
- 12 Holidays
- Competitive Vacation benefits
Please direct questions or submit a resume and a cover letter to ellen@romberg-associates.com with the subject line:
New York Phil CFO search.
The New York Philharmonic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not discriminate based on age, immigration or citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, marital and partnership status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran or active military service member, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws in its employment policies.
