Now hiring for the Business Manager Position
The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art (CRMA) seeks a highly skilled manager of the organization’s finances, business affairs, and operations. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Business Manager is a critical leadership position.
The Business Manager is a collaborative leader in business and operational affairs (accounting, human resources, retail, and IT) who works with outside consultants as well as the Board of Trustees to improve organizational and financial health. The Business Manager is also involved in the supervision of facility operations and processes (security, maintenance, janitorial, guest services) of a dynamic Museum.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail oriented, self-motivated and has significant experience in non-profit management. The successful candidate possesses a sophisticated understanding of non-profit budgeting and reporting, QuickBooks experience, and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g., fundraising and programming staff, funders, board members, and volunteers). They will be comfortable setting organization-wide policies and procedures as well as managing day to day operations. The successful Business Manager will be a passionate champion of CRMA’s values who builds the organization’s capacity to achieve its vision.
Responsibilities:
Manage Museum finances (80%)
• Prepare annual budgets in conjunction with Executive Director and Finance Committee
• Prepare monthly financial reports in QuickBooks
• Manage cash flow, accounts payable, accounts receivable
• Identify and act upon opportunities to improve net income
• Liaison to the Board’s Finance Committee, provide regular updates on museum’s financial position, risks and opportunities, and progress toward strategic objectives
• Review and pay bills, post income, expense and general journal transactions, transmit ACH transactions, reconcile bank statements
• Track restricted funds and grant-related expenses and revenues, provide financial reports to funders and staff. Work with Director of Development to ensure timely donation processing, gift reports, and contributed revenue statements
• Administer employee pay records and support independent payroll processor
• Serve as primary liaison with outside accounting firm, currently Clifton Larson Allen, assisting in processing and timely filing of tax forms (990, 1099, 5500 forms, etc.)
• Manage employee benefits, including paid time off, retirement match, health insurance, short and long term disability, etc.
Manage CRMA’s Business Affairs and maintain and monitor Operational Systems and Equipment (20%)
• Oversee front of house guest experience including Museum Store
o Assist training of guest experience staff and volunteers on policies
• Identify and act upon opportunities to improve staff performance, satisfaction, and efficiency
• Maintain licenses and certifications (e.g., insurance, building inspections)
• Maintain auditable processes and standard operating procedures
• Ensure CRMA meets regulatory and compliance requirements
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention efforts; maintain Staff Handbook
• Manage external IT consultants and contracts (network, printers, phones)
• Supervise Facilities Manager and Museum Store Manager
• Recommend, administer, and implement operating policies, security policies, and procedures
• Maintain and update disaster preparedness plans, risk management planning in collaboration with Curatorial staff, Facilities Manager, and Finance Committee
• Prepare staff and volunteers for emergencies
• Provide staff training on museum systems
Perform other related duties in a professional manner.
Characteristics and competency
The Business Manager will be a goal oriented and confident self-starter with the ability to influence and motivate others. Curious and insightful, they will serve as a thought-partner to the Executive Director. Work is performed in a fast-paced but flexible environment, where interruptions are frequent.
Other key competencies of this role include:
• Innovation and change management: An active listener who helps stakeholders bring the Museum’s mission to life. Analyze data, communicate key metrics and insights to stakeholders
• Customer focus and diplomacy: Builds rapport with stakeholders regardless of cultural differences
• Planning, organizing, and prioritizing: Ascertains and communicates top priorities. Detail-oriented with ability to anticipate, plan, and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Teamwork and project management: Organizes and motivates others to accomplish goals. Holds self and colleagues accountable; supports and builds internal processes; inspires stakeholder confidence
Qualifications
• Three years’ experience in budgeting, preparation of financial statements; and non-profit management
• Experience in human resources functions and benefits package management
• A passion for the arts in our community
• Strong communication and presentation skills sufficient to effectively present data, insights, and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences
• In-depth working knowledge of general accounting concepts and practices
• In-depth understanding of nonprofit financial practices, including grant contracts, restricted funds, etc.
• Strong computer skills including QuickBooks, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience with credit card processing systems
• Ability to maintain highest confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information
• Ability to work some extended hours during events
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and help resolve complaints with tact and courtesy
• Knowledge of security operations and workplace safety is desirable
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job or may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions to the extent the CRMA may do so without undue hardship. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to follow and give oral and written instructions in English; stand, walk, and/or sit for extended periods of time with limited breaks; use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arm, and reach above shoulder height. The employee is regularly required to climb or balance, squat, kneel, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to detect smells and lift, drag and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted. The employee is required to visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. Special vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to move about their work area, between areas in the buildings and the grounds, ascend and descend stairs. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and generally does not require the use of hearing protection equipment.
The preceding job description indicates the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time nor does it proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and a minimum of three professional references to Executive Director Sean Ulmer at sulmer@crma.org. No phone calls please. Deadline: February 10, 2025. Review of applications to begin immediately with a start date shortly after offer is accepted.
Full Time
Pay/Salary: $55,000 to $60,000
Benefits:
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
The mission of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art (CRMA) is to excite, engage, and educate through the arts.
Established in 1895, the CRMA is among Iowa’s oldest cultural organizations, and the oldest cultural institution in Cedar Rapids. Begun as an Art Club, the organization evolved into the Cedar Rapids Art Association, the Cedar Rapids Art Center, and currently the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. From modest beginnings in local living rooms to a gallery space on the second floor of the Carnegie Library to then occupying four floors in a former printing press building, its current landmark structure was designed by architect Charles Moore and opened in 1989. During its evolution, the CRMA has expanded its permanent collection to include nearly 8,000 objects, including the world’s largest collection of works by internationally recognized artist Grant Wood. In addition, the CRMA regularly hosts and presents juried, curated, and traveling exhibitions, featuring local, regional, national, and international artists, and offers a diverse array of youth and adult art education programs, outreach activities, and special events.