SCIENCENTER
Position Announcement
Posting date: Updated January 1, 201x
Director of Finance and Human Resources. The Sciencenter, a handson science museum in Ithaca, NY, seeks an individual experienced in
financial management and human resources to direct its administrative
work in these key areas.
This position, which reports to the executive director and is part of the
senior management team, will ensure that the Sciencenter maintains
sound financial systems, budgeting, and monitoring, while administering
payroll, benefits, and other elements of human resource management.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week) exempt position with full Sciencenter
benefits.
For application instructions, please visit:
www.Sciencenter.org/AboutUs/Employment.asp
The Sciencenter is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Employment Opportunity Employer
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Application Instructions for the Position of
Director of Finance and Human Resources
We welcome your application for the position of Director of Finance and
Human Resources at the Sciencenter of Ithaca, NY.
Please review the attached position description and include the following
four items in your application:
1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. 1-2 page bulleted summary that briefly explains how your previous
experience supports each item listed in the duties and
responsibilities section of the position description.
4. List of 3-4 references: Provide the affiliation, day and evening
phone numbers, mailing address, and email address for your
references. (Do not send letters of reference – we will contact your
references directly.)
Application deadline: Friday, March x, 201x
 Please email your application as an attached Word or PDF file to:
jSmith@Sciencente.org (Please do not embed your application in the
text of an email message).
 We will confirm receipt of your application by email.
 Applications received will be reviewed in early March 201x.
 We anticipate a target starting date of mid-April 201x.
Thank you for your interest in the Sciencenter. We look forward to
receiving your application.
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SCIENCENTER
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Director of Finance and Human Resources
TITLE OF SUPERVISOR: Executive Director
MAIN FUNCTION
The Director of Finance and Human Resources is a member of the
Sciencenter’s senior management team and serves two distinct functions
for the organization. First, this position helps to ensure sound fiscal
management by overseeing the areas of business and finance. Second,
this position ensures implementation of human resource policies and
procedures, oversees staff benefits and supports overall staff
development.
SCOPE
Oversees $2M budget. Provides human resources support for staff of 26.
Works in close collaboration with the executive director and associate
director for program, department heads and members of the
Sciencenter’s board of trustees.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Management (45%)
Business Management – Oversees general business management of
the Sciencenter, including: payroll; insurance; coordinating with and
monitoring work of bookkeeper; preparing invoices for payment;
processing and monitoring credit card activity; and oversight of general
ledgers and accounts. Prepares annual federal indirect cost proposal.
Budgeting and Planning – Drives annual budgeting process across six
museum departments and grant-funded projects; integrates annual
budget with the Sciencenter’s annual work plan, grants and salaries.
Budget Monitoring and Reporting – Tracks income and expenses for
museum operations, grant-funded and capital projects; creates monthly
budget and dashboard reports for the finance committee and
department/project heads.
Audit Coordination and Support – Prepares required materials and
oversees annual audit; serves as liaison with external auditor.
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Endowment Fund Management – Implements investment strategy as
directed by finance committee; creates quarterly investment reports;
assists in creating endowment fund reports to donors.
Campaign Planning Support – Assists Advancement Department by
providing support in feasibility studies, campaign budgets and strategic
planning.
Staff Liaison - Serves as staff liaison for finance committee; attends
monthly finance committee meetings as well as bimonthly board
meetings.
Human Resources (45%)
Benefits Administration – Oversees enrollment in health, retirement and
flex-spending plans; assists with insurance processing, workers’
compensation, disability and other insurance claims; ensures
implementation of staff professional development benefits.
General HR Support – Supports department heads in hiring, annual
performance review and termination processes; co-coordinates new staff
orientations; ensures implementation of HR policies and procedures;
updates Sciencenter Staff Handbook; communicates changes in
employment law with supervisors and staff; assists in staff recognition;
helps to coordinate cross-department staff training and professional
development.
Record-keeping and Reporting – Maintains personnel records for staff;
ensures compliance with all official employment forms; develops and
maintains system to ensure appropriate documentation and records exist
for recruiting and hiring of staff.
Personnel Management and Other Administrative Duties (10%)
Staff Supervision – Coordinates work and provides managerial
supervision for Grant Projects Manager, support staff and contract
workers for capital and/or facility-related projects.
IT Support - Serves as administrative staff contact for contracted IT
support; sets up workstations for incoming staff.
Other – Assists the Executive Director and Associate Director for Program
in other work, as assigned.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
Must have a passion for the Sciencenter and its mission of educating,
engaging and empowering youth with science
Four-year college degree required; MBA with concentration in non-profit
finance and/or human resources preferred
3+ years of non-profit finance and/or business experience required
(including: budget development, tracking and reporting; payroll oversight;
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audit support; oversight of accounts payables/receivables and
investments)
1+ years general human resources or equivalent experience required
(including: benefits administration; hiring and training staff; implementing
human resources policies and procedures); SHRM membership preferred
Experience supervising professional staff, strongly preferred
Excellent written and oral communication skills required, with special care
given to interpersonal communication, timeliness, and the ability to handle
sensitive information appropriately
Strong computer skills required (Microsoft Office - Word, Excel,
PowerPoint), accounting software (QuickBooks), internet and email
applications; advanced IT skills welcomed
Must be able to interpret and develop clear, concise and accurate
financial reports
Must be adept at developing and implementing systems (especially for
organizing work, time and physical workspace)
Excellent attention to detail required, particularly as it pertains to budgets,
figures, deadlines and policies
Must exhibit sound judgment, maturity, the ability to make good decisions
and handle confidential information appropriately, while holding high
ethical standards for self, work and others
Must be collaborative, helpful, team-oriented, flexible and willing to learn
new things
Must be able to work amid frequent interruptions
Experience working with federal funding agencies in the area of grant
administration preferred
Working Conditions:
Fast-paced, non-profit museum environment. Must work well in both an
individual and team setting.
Time Commitment:
Full time (40 hr/wk) exempt position. Occasional early morning, weekend
and/or evening work required.
Salary and Benefits:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Full
Sciencenter benefits provided.
The Sciencenter is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
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