Job Description

Organization

Overture Center for the Arts (Overture Center) was dedicated on September 18, 2004, in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Its mission is to support and elevate the communitys creative culture, economy, and quality of life through the arts, and to be the regions preeminent stage for extraordinary artistry, diverse talent, and community engagement.

Overture Center features seven performance spaces and five galleries with national and international touring artists, nine resident companies, and hundreds of local artists engaging audiences in educational and artistic experiences annually. The facility is designed by Csar Pelli and includes multiple venues, galleries, and spaces that support music, theater, dance, and related programs.

Complementing its resident companies, the Center presents a broad 20252026 season with Broadway productions and other touring shows, education and engagement programs, and performances such as the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Cirque Mechanics.

Overture Center Foundation, Inc., a private nonprofit, became the sole operator of Overture Center on January 1, 2012. The organization engages a large staff, a substantial part-time workforce, many volunteers, and a budget of roughly $24 million for the year ending June 30, 2026, with an endowment of about $8 million.

Position Summary

As a member of Overture Centers executive shared leadership team, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO) will guide the organizations strategic direction, leadership culture, and operational success in partnership with their fellow Co-CEOs and the Board of Directors. This role combines executive leadership in financial and business operations with shared responsibility for the strategic, cultural, and mission-driven direction of the organization. The CFO / Co-CEO will oversee budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, legal affairs, risk management, insurance, administrative operations, and governance support, and will safeguard the Centers tax-exempt status.

As a partnering Co-CEO, they will provide collaborative executive leadership to ensure unified strategic direction, operational excellence, and cultural alignment across the organization. They will share responsibility for strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and representing Overture Center in the community. The role includes leadership in Administration and Finance and acting as a backup to the other Co-CEOs to ensure continuity and shared accountability.

Roles and Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership and Strategy

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and partner with the Co-CEOs to shape strategy, champion an inclusive culture, and align financial practices with organizational goals.
• Model shared leadership and co-accountability in decision-making, risk management, and mission delivery.
• Direct the Manager of Executive Support and Board Operations in supporting the Executive Leadership Team, coordinating meetings, managing executive communication, and delivering on special projects.
• Lead special cross-functional initiatives that support innovation, organizational alignment, and administrative excellence as required.
• Represent Overture Center internally and externally, fostering trust, visibility, and mission alignment across stakeholder groups.
• Participate in the Capital Projects and Capital Expenses Work Group, steering financing, budgeting, and risk management for facility upgrades and major equipment purchases.
• Oversee all federal and state nonprofit tax filingsIRS Forms 990, 990-T, Wisconsin Form 4-T, and related schedulesensuring accuracy, compliance, timely submission, and ongoing protection of tax-exempt status, including adherence to lobbying and political-activity limits.
• Embrace other organizational leadership and strategy responsibilities as required.

Finance, Business Operations, and Risk Management

• Provide data-driven strategic leadership of the Finance and Business Operations functions, including multi-year financial modeling, contingency planning, internal controls, and budget development that promote transparency and accountability.
• Partner with Programming, Marketing, and Operations to forecast and reconcile all earned-revenue streams and lead settlements to protect margins and ensure cash flow.
• Monitor and manage cash flow, liquidity, and short- and long-term financial sustainability.
• Ensure effective oversight of payroll processes in partnership with the Director of Finance, including compliance and integration with budgeting and systems.
• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, systems, training, and internal controls aligned with nonprofit best practices.
• Maintain relationships with banking partners and financial institutions to support operating needs, compliance, and investment strategies.
• Oversee enterprise-wide risk management, including insurance coverage, claims, legal compliance, and cybersecurity strategy in coordination with IT.
• Embrace other finance, operations, and risk management responsibilities as required.

Board and Governance Support

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Finance, Audit, Investment, Governance and Nominations, and OFC Committees of the Board.
• Participate in Board meetings, Executive Committee sessions, and committee chair meetings.
• Provide direction to the Manager of Executive Support & Board Operations to ensure timely preparation of meeting materials and effective board communications.
• Monitor board policy compliance and ensure actions are documented and executed.
• Collaborate with the Board and fellow executives to ensure alignment between strategic plans and operational execution.
• Lead endowment and long-term investment strategy with the Board Investment Committee, monitoring performance and policy compliance to safeguard long-range financial stability.
• Embrace other board and governance support responsibilities as required.

Internal Culture Development and External Relations

• Champion a workplace culture grounded in trust, transparency, collaboration, and innovation, promoting belonging and accountability.
• Integrate employee experience, inclusion, and engagement metrics into planning and leadership evaluation.
• Serve as a thought leader to ensure culture aligns with the Centers mission and financial stewardship.
• Oversee business contracts and participate on the Negotiation Team for union agreements, and oversee resident-organization rent models and co-promotion agreements.
• Collaborate with legal counsel to reduce organizational risk and handle legal matters.
• Embrace other internal culture and external relations responsibilities as required.

Traits and Characteristics

The CFO / Co-CEO will be a visionary leader who values collaboration and has strong people skills. They will thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritize, and communicate effectively. Desired traits include strategic thinking, trustworthiness, adaptability, and a sense of humor, with a commitment to the arts and to improving the Centers experience.

Experience and Qualifications

The CFO / Co-CEO will have senior management experience in a multifaceted, multi-venue public events facility, with a minimum of eight years in finance and business leadership, including four years in a senior role. A bachelors degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field is required; a CPA or MBA is strongly preferred. Experience in nonprofit arts or cultural organizations and governance is strongly preferred, with knowledge of nonprofit financial regulations, GAAP, budgeting, and compliance. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and budgeting software, and strong digital literacy are beneficial. Overture Center encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds with relevant leadership experience.

Working Conditions

This is a hybrid office position with remote and on-site responsibilities. Regular use of standard office equipment and digital communication is required. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be needed to attend events or represent the organization.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range is $170,000 to $185,000. Benefits include vacation and holiday time, medical, life, vision, and dental insurances, short- and long-term disability, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching and vesting details described in the original text.

Application and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments, please visit the artsconsulting link in the original posting. Email: OvertureCenter@ArtsConsulting.com

Overture Center for the Arts is committed to social and racial justice through access, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and strives to create an inclusive environment for diverse communities.

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