Director of Finance Operations
At a glance
Director-level FP&A role at The Metropolitan Opera. New York · full-time · $150,000–$175,000 base.
financeroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Run accounts payable, gift processing, media finance and finance systems, setting service measures and clear accountability
- Oversee invoice payments, donor contribution records, media billing and collections, and related reconciliations
- Work with the Controller on operational controls and compliance, and with planning leaders on financial decisions
- Lead finance automation and process redesign, reducing manual steps and building dashboards to track performance
- Guide finance operations staff and coordinate system priorities with Information Systems and other teams
What you bring
- A finance, accounting, business administration or related bachelor's degree
- At least eight years in progressively responsible finance operations roles
- At least three years leading finance operations teams
- Hands-on experience with accounts payable, payroll, process improvement, and ERP or financial systems initiatives
Who this fits
This director-level role suits someone who has led finance operations teams and can balance transactional oversight with systems and process change. The position is based on-site in New York.
From the employer
The Director of Finance Operations is responsible for the leadership, management, and continuous improvement of the Metropolitan Opera's transactional and operational finance functions. This position oversees Accounts Payable, Payroll, Gift Processing, Media Finance, Business Systems, and finance process improvement initiatives.
The Director ensures efficient, scalable, customer-focused operations while maintaining strong operational controls and service levels. The role partners closely with the Controller to support accurate accounting and compliance and with the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis to support financial planning and operational decision-making.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead core transactional finance functions:
- Accounts Payable
- Gift Processing
- Media Finance
- Business Systems
- Establish service standards, operational metrics, and accountability measures.
- Develop and mentor finance operations staff.
- Create a culture focused on customer service, process excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Partner with the Controller to ensure effective operational controls and compliance.
- Oversee invoice processing and payment execution.
- Ensure timely and accurate vendor payments.
- Manage banking and payment vendor relationships.
- Optimize payment timing and cash disbursement processes.
- Improve cycle times, exception handling, and workflow efficiency.
- Oversee recording and processing of contributions.
- Ensure compliance with donor intent and gift acceptance requirements.
- Partner with Development on donor reporting and stewardship needs.
- Manage major gift processing activities.
- Oversee financial operations associated with media distribution activities.
- Manage invoicing, collections, cash application, reconciliations, and revenue tracking.
- Coordinate reporting for media partners and revenue-sharing arrangements.
- Support audit and reporting requirements associated with media activities.
- Lead finance-related business systems and technology platforms.
- Partner with Information Systems to establish finance system priorities.
- Ensure data integrity and system effectiveness.
- Support ERP enhancements, upgrades, and integrations.
- Develop reporting and workflow solutions that improve efficiency and accuracy.
- Lead finance automation initiatives.
- Evaluate and redesign business processes to improve efficiency and scalability.
- Reduce manual work and eliminate redundant processes.
- Implement best practices for finance shared services and transaction processing.
- Develop operational dashboards and key performance indicators.
- Partner with:
- Controller
- Director of Financial Planning & Analysis
- Human Resources
- Development
- Information Systems
- Legal
- Support organization-wide initiatives involving finance processes, systems, and controls.
- Participate in major system implementations and transformation efforts.
Finance Operations Leadership
Accounts Payable Operations
Revenue Operations
Gift Processing
Media Finance
Business Systems Administration
Process Improvement and Transformation
Cross-Functional Partnership
Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum 8 years of progressive finance operations experience.
- Minimum 3 years leading finance operational teams.
- Strong experience managing Accounts Payable, Payroll, and business process improvement.
- Experience leading ERP and financial systems initiatives.
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
- Strong project management and change management experience.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.