Fractional CFO at Kelly Strayhorn Theater

About the position Kelly Strayhorn Theater seeks a Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide senior-level financial leadership during a period of organizational growth, capital planning and strategic transition. Working closely with Co-Executive Directors, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors, the Fractional CFO will strengthen financial oversight, improve forecasting and cash management, and support long-term financial sustainability. This role serves as a strategic advisor and senior financial reviewer, providing final oversight, analysis, and guidance across financial systems, while partnering with in-house staff and third-party accounting support. This role does not perform day-to-day bookkeeping or payroll processing, but ensures accuracy, clarity, and alignment across all financial functions. ABOUT KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER Named after 20th-century entertainment legends and Pittsburgh natives Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, Kelly Strayhorn Theater is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people. KST takes a multidisciplinary approach to presenting contemporary performing arts while examining the questions that define and inspire us as individuals and communities.

Responsibilities

• FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT, CONTROLS & SYSTEMS
• Provide senior-level review and oversight of the General Ledger, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and appropriate classification in alignment with nonprofit, funder, and audit standards.
• Serve as a trusted resource for accounting questions, financial controls, and complex financial decision-making.
• Oversee and advise on financial policies, internal controls, and risk management practices as organizational needs evolve.
• Work in partnership with in-house bookkeeping staff and a third-party accounting firm that performs month-end close, providing final review and approval of financial statements.
• CASH MANAGEMENT, INVESTMENTS & LIQUIDITY
• Advise on cash management strategy, including operating reserves, liquidity planning, and timing of cash inflows and outflows.
• Provide guidance on investment strategies appropriate for a nonprofit organization, including CDs, CD ladders, reserve accounts, and risk-appropriate vehicles.
• Support leadership in aligning cash availability, earned revenue cycles, and restricted funds, with strict oversight of restricted funding requirements to safeguard financial stability.
• REPORTING, GOVERNANCE & EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION
• Prepare and/or review monthly and periodic financial reports for the Finance Committee and Board, including narrative analysis and interpretation
• Attend bi-monthly Board and Committee meetings as required, particularly for audit review and annual budget discussions.
• Support reporting to banks, funders, and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with covenants, grant requirements, and capital commitments.
• Assist leadership in responding to complex financial inquiries from funders, lenders, and board members.
• BUDGETING, FORECASTING & FINANCIAL PLANNING
• Advise on and review annual and multi-year operating budgets developed by staff, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and financial sustainability.
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts and scenario models to support planning and decision-making.
• Lead cash-flow forecasting and expense projection to support proactive management and early identification of risks or opportunities.
• CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, FINANCING & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
• Support the creation, review, and ongoing updating of the capital project budget, including cash flows, cost assumptions, timing, funding sources, and related campaign reporting.
• Serve as a financial strategy partner for the capital campaign, with increasing engagement as the campaign becomes more active, including preparation of campaign financial reports.
• Develop financial modeling related to campaign timing, cash flow, debt capacity, and project phasing to inform capital and financing decisions.
• Assist in evaluating, securing, and managing financing, including preparation for lender conversations, analysis of financing options, and review of terms and implications.
• Contribute financial insight to business planning and major organizational initiatives.
• AUDIT & COMPLIANCE SUPPORT
• Prepare financial statements for review by auditors (including footnotes), as well as supporting schedules and information needed for 990.
• Provide final oversight of audit materials, schedules, and responses, ensuring accuracy and readiness.
• Support leadership in addressing audit findings, recommendations, and follow-up actions.

Requirements

• Senior-level financial leadership experience, including work as a CFO, fractional CFO, or equivalent role.
• Demonstrated experience with nonprofit financial management, including audits, board reporting, funder compliance, and restricted funds.
• Strong expertise in cash-flow management, forecasting, financial modeling, and capital planning.
• Experience advising organizations through capital campaigns, financing strategies, and real estate or facility transitions, including working with boards, lenders, and campaign leadership.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging and the willingness to prioritize and foster a commitment to valuing differences of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances.
• Strategic, steady partner comfortable working with executive leadership and boards.
• Systems-oriented thinker who balances detail with long-term vision.
• Independent, proactive contractor who brings clarity, rigor, and calm to complex financial decisions.
• High level of discretion and integrity when handling sensitive financial information.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working within the Pittsburgh and regional philanthropic and financial landscape is valuable, especially given the organization’s engagement with local foundations, lenders, and public funding partners.

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