Director, Finance and Accounting – Corporate

About Sesame Workshop:

Sesame Workshop is the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. For over 50 years, we have worked at the intersection of education, media, and research, creating joyful experiences that enrich minds and expand hearts, all in service of empowering each generation to build a better world. Our beloved characters, iconic shows, outreach in communities, and more bring playful early learning to families in more than 150 countries and advance our mission to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder.

Position Summary:

The Director, Corporate Finance and Accounting is a senior member of the Corporate Finance department, reporting to the VP of Finance Controller with a sideline to the AVP of Finance Assistant Controller. This role manages two staff members in accounts receivable and accounts payable and is responsible for overseeing daily accounting operations, month-end close, and assists with audits, budgeting, and reporting. The Director also serves as the NetSuite and Coupa administrator, ensuring systems are optimized to support efficient workflows and accurate financial reporting.

This position exists to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of Sesame Workshop’s corporate financial operations. By delivering reliable financial information, maintaining strong internal controls, and driving process improvements, the Director enables leadership to make informed decisions and ensures the organization’s financial sustainability. The role plays a key part in aligning financial operations with Sesame Workshop’s broader mission to serve children and families worldwide.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of professionals in accounts receivable and accounts payable, ensuring effective performance management, training, and career development.
• Oversee and execute daily accounting operations, including month-end close, journal entries, cost allocation entries, payroll entries and account reconciliations, ensuring compliance with GAAP and internal controls.
• Serve as NetSuite, Coupa and JournyX administrator, managing system maintenance, upgrades, and user support while optimizing functionalities and training team members on best practices.
• Support audit readiness, preparing workpapers, ensuring adherence to financial policies, and recommending improvements to strengthen internal controls.
• Assist in budget development and forecasting, providing variance analysis and actionable insights to senior management and stakeholders.

• Drive process improvements, identifying and implementing efficiencies and automation opportunities within finance and accounting workflows.
• Partner with internal Finance team members to ensure accurate recording of deposits, timely month-end close, proper allocations, and compliance with tax filing requirements.
• Coordinate with the Operations team to strengthen procurement workflows and facilitate process improvements that enhance efficiency and accountability.
• Build and foster relationships with non-finance teams to align financial processes with operational needs and ensure smooth collaboration across departments.
• Engage with external consultants to drive finance transformation initiatives and support system enhancements such as NetSuite, Salesforce, Filmtrack and Coupa optimization.
• Collaborate with auditors to support unclaimed property reviews, annual audits, and compliance requirements.
• Support treasury functions and align cross-functional workflows to maintain accurate, efficient, and compliant financial operations.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

• Eligible to work in the United States.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 8 years of progressive experience in accounting roles.
• Strong knowledge and hands-on experience with NetSuite and Coupa.
• Experience with both accounts receivable and accounts payable.
• Proven track record in month-end close, audits, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work a hybrid schedule

Other Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (complex formulas, pivot tables, power queries).
• Experience with IBM Planning Analytics, JournyX and ADP.

• Strong change management skills, including leading through change and influencing others.
• Experience managing large-scale finance projects or system implementations.
• Nonprofit industry experience.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) Statement

Sesame Workshop is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy-related condition, familial status, domestic violence victim status, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

PSEA Statement

Sesame Workshop is an equal-opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on the business needs, job requirements & suitability of the candidate. Sesame Workshop strictly follows the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of program participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Sesame Workshop staff, consultants, visitors to the program and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected from them.