Controller

Playwrights Horizons | New York, NY | 

$120,000-$135,000/year | Full-Time, Exempt 

Hybrid-preferred, Fully remote work will be considered for applicants outside of NYC

Application Deadline: May 10, 2024

Welcome to Playwrights Horizons

Playwrights Horizons is an award-winning nonprofit Off-Broadway theater that develops and produces new work of emerging and established American playwrights and musical theater artists. The organization produces 5 to 6 shows a year, commissions and develops new plays and musicals, runs an undergraduate theater school in conjunction with New York University, and operates Ticket Central that offers email marketing services for the New York City not-for-profit performing arts community, and Playwrights Rehearsal Studios, a rehearsal facility that serves the Off-Broadway and downtown community.

We believe that playwrights are the great storytellers of our time, offering essential contributions to civic discourse and illuminating life’s greatest paradoxes. And we believe in the singularity of a writer’s voice, valuing the broad, eclectic spectrum and diversity of American writers. Here, writers are supported in every stage of their growth. Playwrights Horizons is committed to building a more just future for everyone — particularly those from historically oppressed communities, including the Lenape nation, whose land is home to our work. As we expand the US theater canon, we aim to make Playwrights Horizons a theater that is an anti-racist center of ideas, dialogue, curiosity, and a liberated imagination.

The organization is led by Artistic Director Adam Greenfield, and outgoing Executive Director Leslie Marcus. Leslie will step down as Managing Director in July 2024. Playwrights Horizons is actively engaged in a search to identify the next Managing Director. You can learn more about Playwrights Horizons here.  

The Job  

Playwrights Horizons seeks an experienced Controller to oversee the management and reporting of its financial activities, including all general accounting functions such as budgeting, grants reporting, cash flow analyses, investment monitoring, insurance and risk management policies, payroll, banking, tax reporting and audit. The Controller works collaboratively with the Managing Director on financial trend analysis, strategic planning, and streamlining business operations.

The Controller is the leader of a 4-person business staff and is integral to the successful implementation of the financial goals of the organization. The Controller reports to the Managing Director and the Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees.  

Your Roles and Responsibilities

• Oversee day to day financial operations, including accounting functions, banking, credit card management, investment, grant and endowment tracking, audit, insurance, and tax reporting such as Form 990
• Prepare internal and external financial reports and statements, including monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting as needed
• Work closely with Managing Director and Department heads on annual budget preparation, projections and forecasts
• Work with the Development Department on financial materials for grant proposals and reporting
• Prepare and track financial analyses for various components of the organizations' operations
• Prepare internal Cash Flow, including monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting as needed
• Maintain and improve existing processes, procedures, and reporting functions
• Identify, recruit, and train new Finance team members, as applicable
• Supervise all members of the Finance Department

Who are we looking for? 

In addition to the proven experience in the above responsibilities, top candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Degree in Accounting, CPA preferred
• 5+ years financial experience at a performing arts organization
• Experience in managing and leading a team and being a strong collaborator
• Proficient in G-Suite 
• Proficient in accounting software, preferably Financial Edge & Tessitura
• Familiarity with other programs such as Concur and Ungerboeck a plus
• Strong written, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Ability to multitask, work under pressure, and meet deadlines
• Preference will be given to NYC-based applicants who can commit to a 3-day in-office hybrid work schedule, but fully remote work will be considered for qualified candidates outside of New York City.

At Playwrights Horizons, we believe that a broad spectrum of voices enriches the quality and vitality of our work. Playwrights Horizons is an equal opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity in its staffing and to equitable and inclusive practices. The organization is interested in receiving applications from people of all races, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, classes, religions, and people with disabilities.

The facilities at Playwrights Horizons are fully accessible and ADA compliant.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $120,000 - $135,000 per year. Full-time, exempt.

Benefits Package: 

Playwrights Horizons offers a comprehensive benefits package including 15 days (three weeks) of vacation, four personal days, and 10 sick days, as well as 10 holidays. Employees have access to individual medical, dental, and vision coverage, with various plan options available through Oxford Health Plans. Playwrights Horizons partially subsidizes health and dental insurance and provides vision insurance at no charge to employees. Our benefits package further includes life insurance policy, a 403b retirement plan, and flexible spending accounts for medical, dental, and dependent care expenses. Other perks include half-day Fridays, health reimbursement accounts, Transitchek for transportation expenses, and complimentary and staff-rate tickets to our productions. 

How do I apply? 

Please fill out the survey on this page. Applications are due no later than April 26th 2024.