Senior Director of Finance and Business Operations

Department: Executive Location: Los Angeles, CA Compensation: $150,000 - $165,000 / year
Description
About Us Our Client, represents over 8,400 producers. It is a non-profit trade organization that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the full producing team in film, television and emerging media. The Guild invests in its core values that benefit the industry at large. These values are rooted in facilitating employment for its members, advocating for sustainable practices in production that minimize human and environmental harm, and ensuring a set culture that advances safety and creates viable pathways into the guild for the next generation of producers, particularly those from populations under-represented in the industry. Year-round it hosts a number of educational, mentoring and professional networking programs, as well as industry events that honor excellence in producing. About the Role This is a pivotal leadership role designed for a strategic finance leader who will help shape the financial and operational systems of our organization. As the Senior Director of Finance, you will serve as a key advisor to the executive team, driving long-term financial planning and business performance across all levels of the organization. You will be responsible for aligning financial and business operations with Guild objectives, ensuring disciplined resource allocation, evaluating and maintaining relationships with the Guild’s business vendors, and supporting sustainable, profitable growth. This role requires deep financial and operational insight to support membership and, program initiatives, as well as staff operational efficiency. You will lead organization-wide forecasting, budgeting, and financial modeling, while enhancing systems and processes that support scale and agility. A strong understanding of project-based financials, and executive level decision making is essential. This position will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. About The Candidate We are looking for an executive with a proven track record in strategic finance leadership. This individual is a forward looking, finance executive who brings both strategic vision and operational discipline. They have led at the intersection of finance and business operations, translating complex financial data into clear, actionable strategies that drive growth, efficiency, and long-term value creation. With executive level presence and the ability to influence across all levels of the organization, they are adept at partnering with senior leadership, project teams, and external stakeholders and supporting the business operations of the Guild’s internal departments. The ideal candidate has built and led high performing finance teams, implemented enterprise level systems, and is adept at allocating resource allocations and organizational scaling. They thrive in dynamic environments and bring a deep understanding of how to align financial infrastructure with business goals.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute long term financial plans aligned with Guild objectives, including investment strategy and risk mitigation
Oversee organization wide financial forecasting, annual budgeting, multi-year planning, and variance analysis across the Guild, affiliated Foundation, and program-based initiatives.
Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and senior leadership on financial decisions, growth initiatives, business operations, and organizational priorities.
Improve and maintain financial systems, processes, internal controls, and governance practices to support scale, transparency, and compliance.
Manage the Guild’s internal business operations, systems and workflows.
Oversee, evaluate and manage the Guild’s relationships with third-party business vendors in support of Guild operations.
Provide executive oversight of all financial operations, including general ledger, receivables, payables, payroll, credit cards, expense management, vendor contracts, and operational agreements.
Deliver clear, timely financial reports and performance analysis; weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually, to inform executive decision-making. As well as lead the preparation of quarterly and annual financial reporting materials for evaluation by the Chief Executive Officer.
Drive financial planning, forecasting, and cash management to guide the organization’s long-term fiscal strategy and sustainability.
Work closely with the Guild’s outside accountants and other professionals to direct day-to-day financial and accounting functions, ensuring audit readiness and adherence to nonprofit accounting standards, GAAP, tax, and regulatory requirements.
Experience with handling audits end-to-end, partnering with auditors, accountants, and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
Establish and evolve financial policies, systems, and internal controls that support operational efficiency, transparency, and organizational growth.
Proactively assess and manage financial risk, including insurance and compliance considerations, to protect the organization’s assets and mission.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; CPA strongly preferred
5+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, responsibility within a nonprofit preferred
Own and lead the full budgeting lifecycle for the Guild and the Foundation, providing data-driven recommendations to the CEO
Have demonstrated ability to align financial strategy with organizational mission, governance requirements, and long-term sustainability
Experience in nonprofit accounting and compliance for both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) entities, Form 990 filings, and restricted funds
Expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, cash flow management, and scenario planning at the executive and board level
Strong track record partnering with third party operations and vendors
Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to senior audiences
Ability to support and manage audit processes, ensuring compliance and readiness.
High ethical standards, sound judgment, discretion, and a collaborative leadership style
Technologically proficient with modern financial systems, reporting tools, and business intelligence platforms (QuickBooks, bill.com, Bank of America CashPro)
Core Competencies

Strategic Mindset - Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies
Financial Acumen - Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions
Business Insight - Applying knowledge of business goals and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals and drive efficient business operations
Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences
Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances
Compensation Range, Reporting Structure and Work Schedule Compensation Range: $150,000 – $165,000, commensurate with skills and experience (full-time, exempt position) This position reports to: Chief Executive Officer Direct reports: Director of Operations and Director of Business Operations Location: Los Angeles. The Guild works on a hybrid schedule of in-office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and remote on Monday and Friday.
Benefits

Medical, dental and vision coverage options. 10 paid holidays per year and 2 paid personal days. For employees based in California, monthly parking at the office is paid by the Guild.
Equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected classes as defined by law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.