Director of finance, broadcast media center

The University of Montana invites applications for a Director of Finance for Broadcast Media Center (BMC), home of Montana Public Radio (MTPR) and KUFM-TV, part of Montana PBS. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director oversees BMC’s fiscal affairs and manages more than $12 million in public media funding from state appropriations, grants, UM Foundation gifts and bequests, the Montana Community Foundation, and general unrestricted donor revenue. The Director is responsible for the financial management of both MTPR and KUFM-TV, including reporting, analysis, day-to-day operations, compliance, audit preparation, budgeting, and purchasing. The Director also supervises financial staff and communicates with the BMC’s directors and staff. We are seeking a leader whose accounting, budgeting, financial management, and human resources expertise will strengthen our team.

About Montana Public Radio (MTPR)

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage financial activity and reporting compliance for all department grants, advise principal investigators on proposal budgets and expenditure tracking, and when required prepare the schedules and reconciliations external auditors need to complete trial balances and audited financial statements.
• Promote a culture of sound fiscal management. Represent BMC on financial matters within the university system and to outside agencies and auditors, and coordinate with UM Business Services, Internal Audit, Research and Sponsored Programs, the UM Foundation, and the KUSM-TV Director of Finance at Montana State University on statewide Montana PBS financial management.
• Oversee financial planning and reporting for state appropriations, grant funding, and millions of dollars in donor revenue held at UM, the UM Foundation, and the Montana Community Foundation.
• Oversee KUFM-TV ancillary business activities, including product sales, production services, and royalties.
• Ensure financial statements follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Establish BMC policies and procedures that align with UM and other accounting requirements.
• Approve accounts payable payments, funding sources, and specialized account coding.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for the Allegiance Fundraising Database on financial matters.
• Develop annual budgets with BMC directors across programming/production, news, engineering, development/outreach, and management.
• Create and monitor project budgets, track expenditures and revenue, and prepare historical reports and long-range projections for the BMC Director.
• Prepare employment contracts and appointments, advise management on staffing plans and budgets, and work with UM Human Resources to ensure policy compliance.
• Set objectives, procedures, and priorities for accounting staff, and select, hire, train, and evaluate team members.
• Occasional in and out of state travel may be required.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Management or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Proven experience in full accrual accounting and direct application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience preparing and presenting budgets and forecasts.
• Proficiency using enterprise accounting software packages and spreadsheets.
• Solid experience preparing financial data and schedules for auditors.
• Successful record of effective staff supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or certification, e.g., CPA/MAcct/MBA.
• Extensive knowledge of institutional procedures or non-profits practices.
• Solid experience in non-profit and/or governmental accounting.
• Demonstrated experience serving on a management team.
• Proven experience in providing human resource functions.
• Some knowledge of local, state and federal guidelines and regulations.

Additional Information

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program. The expected work schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm, with occasional evening and weekend work. Screening of applications will begin after the priority closing date; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover Letter: addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position.
• Detailed Resume: listing education and describing work experience.
• Three (3) professional references: names and contact information.

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always”; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. Background check is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to background investigations per UM's policy and procedure.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information.

Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.