Director of Finance & Operations

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau &
Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance

Position Summary

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) is seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to serve as a senior member of the leadership team and lead the financial and operational infrastructure of both the HVAB and the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA). This is a hands-on, in-office leadership role responsible for day-to-day accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, grants, administration, multi-site office operations, HR coordination, and board/committee financial support.

The successful candidate will bring structure, accuracy, accountability, and practical operational discipline to a modernizing destination marketing organization. This role is designed for a finance and operations professional who can manage the details while helping the President & CEO, Board, Commissioners, and staff make informed decisions.

Core Role Priorities

• Provide equal financial oversight and day-to-day accounting support for HVAB and HVSEA.
• Create consistent financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal control practices across both organizations.
• Modernize office operations, administrative workflows, and documentation across the main office and satellite offices in Bellefonte and Philipsburg.
• Supervise assigned operations and administrative employees, including the Operations Support Manager and employees connected to satellite office locations.
• Support transparent grant administration, audit readiness, board reporting, and public accountability.

Essential Duties

Finance, Accounting & Reporting

• Manage day-to-day accounting functions for HVAB and HVSEA, including payables, receivables, deposits, reconciliations, financial records, and supporting documentation.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, budget-to-actual reports, cash flow updates, and financial summaries for the President & CEO, Finance Committee, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders.
• Lead annual budget development for HVAB and HVSEA in coordination with the President & CEO, leadership team, and appropriate board committees.
• Maintain accurate tracking of restricted funds, grant allocations, sponsorship revenue, event-related income and expenses, vendor obligations, and organizational commitments.
• Coordinate payroll, banking, insurance, accounting software, outside accounting support, annual audit preparation, tax filings, and financial compliance deadlines.
• Strengthen internal controls, approval processes, documentation standards, and financial procedures across both organizations.

Operations & Multi-Site Office Management

• Oversee daily operations of the HVAB office and ensure consistent procedures across the main office and satellite offices in Bellefonte and Philipsburg.
• Supervise the Operations Support Manager and assigned administrative or operations staff, including employees working in or supporting satellite office locations.
• Coordinate office systems, facilities needs, vendor relationships, contracts, supplies, technology, records management, and operational policies.
• Create practical workflows for purchasing, approvals, invoice processing, reimbursements, deposits, document retention, and office coverage.
• Identify and implement process improvements that reduce duplication, improve accountability, and support a more modern and responsive organization.

Grant, Event & Program Financial Administration

• Oversee the financial administration of HVAB grant programs, including award tracking, reimbursement review, disbursement documentation, recipient reporting, and audit-ready files.
• Support HVSEA event and program financial tracking, including budgets, actuals, vendor payments, sponsorship tracking, contracts, and post-event reporting.
• Ensure grant, event, and program records are complete, organized, and aligned with approved budgets and reporting expectations.

Human Resources, Payroll & Compliance Support

• Coordinate HR administration, including payroll support, personnel files, onboarding documentation, benefits coordination, job posting administration, policy records, and review schedules.
• Work with outside HR, payroll, benefits, legal, insurance, and accounting partners to keep records current and ensure required deadlines are met.
• Support clear staff accountability through updated position descriptions, procedures, calendars, and documentation systems.

Board, Committee & Stakeholder Support

• Prepare financial and operational materials for the President & CEO, Finance Committee, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and related committees as requested.
• Attend and present at board or committee meetings when needed, translating financial information into clear, decision-ready summaries.
• Support reporting needs connected to Centre County Commissioners, auditors, banks, grant recipients, vendors, municipalities, and tourism stakeholders.

Other duties as assigned or that become evident.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, operations, administration, nonprofit management, or a related leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing day-to-day accounting, budgets, financial reports, reconciliations, audit preparation, and internal controls.
• Experience supervising staff and managing administrative or operational systems.
• Strong proficiency with accounting software, spreadsheets, financial reporting tools, payroll systems, and office productivity platforms.
• Ability to work full-time, five days per week, in-office in Centre County, with occasional meetings or events outside standard business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, CMA, MBA, MPA, or related advanced degree or professional certification.
• Experience with nonprofit, public-sector, tourism, hospitality, economic development, chamber, association, sports commission, or community-based organizations.
• Experience with grant administration, restricted funds, reimbursement-based programs, sponsorship tracking, event budgets, or public-facing financial reporting.
• Experience working with a board of directors, finance committee, auditors, public officials, or government stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is accurate, organized, practical, and comfortable in a hands-on leadership role. This person should be able to close the books, explain the numbers, improve a workflow, supervise staff, support multiple offices, and help modernize systems without losing sight of the public trust connected to HVAB and HVSEA’s work.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references. Application materials should demonstrate experience in financial management, accounting, operations, internal controls, staff supervision, nonprofit or public-facing administration, and systems improvement.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is an equal opportunity employer. HVAB is committed to building a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace that supports the organization’s mission, staff, partners, and the broader Centre County community.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Military leave
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $105,000