Position: Chief Financial Officer
Hours: ~25-30 hours per week
Location: Fort Worth, Texas (Onsite)
Compensation: $150,000 annually (based on part-time W2 employee of FWSO, ~25-30hrs/wk)
Reports To: President & CEO

About the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) is a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant cultural landscape, uniting exceptional artistry with community impact. With an annual operating budget of $15.5 million, thousands of donors, and a dedicated staff of 75, the FWSO delivers performances and education programs that enrich the region. The organization is proud of its artistic excellence, collaborative spirit, and commitment to serving North Texas through music.

Position Overview

Collaborate closely with the President & CEO and Senior Director of Accounting to prepare budgets and forecasts; oversee cash, debt, and endowment assets; develop management and Board reports; and present financial updates to the Finance, Executive, Endowment, and Board committees.

The successful candidate will bring deep financial expertise, strong nonprofit acumen, and comfort engaging with sophisticated stakeholders and board members. This individual will lead budgeting, forecasting, endowment management, and audit oversight, while mentoring internal staff and modernizing financial systems and controls.

Job Responsibilities

Budgeting and forecasting:

Partner with President & CEO and leadership team to develop annual budget for Board approval
Prepare current-year forecasts for Finance Committee, Executive Committee, and Board meetings
Partner with the President & CEO and other members of the leadership team to develop 3-year forecast, including costing out potential new projects and initiatives
Streamline budget tracking and forecasting process and prepare regular updates for President & CEO and Board
Collaborate with Senior Director of Development to prepare monthly forecasts of Development revenue in current fiscal year

Endowment management:

Track Endowment balances across different fund managers; prepare reports for Endowment committee, including funds borrowed against Endowment LOC
Calculate Endowment draw based on 12Q rolling average; manage cash balances across fund managers; with SDA, take annual Endowment draw on August 1st of each year
Make interest payments on Endowment loan balances, based on calculations by SDA
Work with outside Endowment fund managers to implement recommendations of the Endowment Committee
Track cash balances for expected needs (e.g. annual draw) and make recommendations to President & CEO and Endowment committee on required asset liquidations
Make updates to Investment policy at the request of the Endowment committee; ensure investment fund manager compliance

Board relations:

Work closely with Board Treasurer to keep him informed, and respond to questions and concerns
Along with the President & CEO, meet regularly with the Board and key committees (e.g. Executive, Finance, Endowment, Audit)
Respond to Board and committee questions and requests for analysis (involving the SDA as required)

Cash and debt management:

Update 18-month rolling cash flow forecast for Board and committee meetings using pivot table from monthly close and actual EOM cash balances; report biweekly on the forecast to the President & CEO
Coordinate with Senior Director of Accounting to ensure adequate cash for payables and payroll
Determine short to mid-term borrowing needs and work with President and CEO and Executive Committee to increase Endowment Line of Credit (LOC) debt limits (if required)
Prepare required updates for Line of Credit with banking partner

Financial analysis:

Complete monthly rollups from G/L to Board-level reporting
Complete reconciliation from audited P&L to Board management reports showing adjusted P&L based on approved Endowment draw
Prepare margin analysis of Pops programs (movies, video game music), and other concert programs by request of the President & CEO
Collaborate with SDA and Director of Development to prepare monthly forecasts of estimated contributions for fiscal year
Support Development in preparing customized financials for grant applications

Other:

Prepare 990s (including extension) and Form 5500, working with outside auditors or consultants
Manage liability insurance renewals, including STD, LTD, vehicle insurance, etc.
Manage tax withholdings for foreign artists, in coordination with VP, HR and SDA
Implement cross-organization password management system
Other duties as requested

Key Outside Vendor Relationships:

Outside investment managers (two)
Banking relationships to support endowment (two)
Liability insurance provider
Outside law firm (co-managed with President and CEO)

Required Skills/Abilities:

Demonstrated highest level of personal integrity and professional ethics
Advanced analytical and quantitative capabilities, including developing complex financial models and spreadsheets
Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion and sound judgment
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively
Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to prioritize competing demands, multitask effectively, and adapt in a fast-paced environment
Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to work effectively alongside senior leadership and cross-functional partners

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field; master’s degree or MBA preferred
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in finance
Demonstrated success working with financially sophisticated Boards, investment managers, and Board committees
Outstanding leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Proven experience collaborating within cross-functional executive teams

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work that primarily involves being stationary up to 75% of the time.

Expected Work Hours:

Office hours of the symphony are 9 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday. Work hours for fractional position to be mutually agreed upon. This position is fully on-site.

Why This Role Matters

FWSO is at an exciting inflection point. Following recent restructuring and the launch of a $4 million campaign, the organization is strengthening its financial foundation to support long-term artistic and operational growth. This role is central to that effort — bringing stability, clarity, and insight to the financial operations while allowing the CEO to focus on fundraising, artistic planning, and strategic initiatives. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of Texas’s most respected cultural institutions.

Compensation and Structure

This position is designed as part-time leadership role with an annualized compensation of up to $150,000.

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