Finance Director

Overview

Montgomery Whitewater, Montgomery Alabama

Finance Director

Salary Range: $117,000 to $160,000

Company Description

Montgomery Whitewater is a world-class outdoor adventure destination and Olympiccaliber whitewater venue located in Montgomery, Alabama. Purpose-built for both recreation and competition, the park features engineered whitewater channels for rafting, kayaking, and flatwater activities, along with ropes courses, climbing, biking and trail access, live events, dining, and community programming. Recognized as one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places, Montgomery Whitewater serves as both a regional tourism driver and a community asset, hosting international sporting events, festivals, corporate outings, educational programs, and family-friendly experiences year-round. The organization is committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences while expanding access to outdoor recreation, adventure sports, and economic growth in the River Region.

Benefits : Health Insurance 401K Flexible Time O Hours & Work Conditions This position is primarily Monday–Friday and office-based, but also requires on-site support, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. The role often requires working more than 40 hours per week during peak operational periods and events. Occasional heavy lifting and extended periods of standing or walking may be required.

Reports Directly To

Montgomery County Community Cooperative District (MCCCD) Board of Directors

Position Summary

The Finance Director serves as the senior financial leader for Montgomery Whitewater and is responsible for the organization’s overall financial management, fiscal strategy, accounting oversight, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, strategic funding initiatives, and long-term financial planning. This role exists to ensure the long-term financial sustainability and strategic growth of Montgomery Whitewater while supporting the organization’s mission as a world-class outdoor recreation destination, economic development asset, and community resource.

The Finance Director operates as a strategic financial partner to the MCCCD Board, CXO, department leadership, and key stakeholders. This position is responsible for ensuring financial discipline, accountability, transparency, and long-term stewardship while remaining aligned with the established vision, operational philosophy, and strategic direction of Montgomery Whitewater.

The Finance Director role is intended to be solutions-oriented, collaborative, strategic, and growth-minded. This position is not intended to function as a barrier to innovation, programming, development, or operational progress, but rather as a strategic financial resource focused on helping the organization responsibly achieve its goals. The Finance Director must understand that Montgomery Whitewater is not simply a recreational venue, but a publicly supported strategic asset focused on quality of life, economic development, tourism, workforce attraction, outdoor recreation access, and long-term community impact.

Organizational Structure & Authority

The Finance Director reports directly to the Montgomery County Community Cooperative District (MCCCD) Board of Directors.

The following departments/functions report to the Finance Director:

• Finance & Accounting
• Facilities & Maintenance
• Partnership/Sponsorship

The Finance Director serves as the organization’s senior financial leader and strategic financial advisor. This role is responsible for helping ensure the long-term financial sustainability, stewardship, and strategic growth of Montgomery Whitewater through sound financial management, planning, forecasting, strategic funding development, resource development, fundraising, funding strategy, and operational collaboration.

The Finance Director has full authority and oversight over

• Finance and accounting operations
• Financial reporting and forecasting
• Budgeting and financial planning
• Accounts payable and receivable
• Banking and treasury management
• Audit coordination
• Financial systems and related software
• Financial controls and compliance
• Strategic financial planning
• Long-range financial sustainability planning
• Strategic funding initiatives and external financial partnerships
• Organizational fundraising efforts outside of sponsorship and partnership sales
• Governmental funding coordination, appropriations support, and public funding initiatives • Facilities & Maintenance financial oversight and asset stewardship
• Partnership and sponsorship financial planning and forecasting

The Finance Director works collaboratively with department leadership to support operational success through responsible financial planning, resource allocation, operational efficiency, long-term sustainability, and strategic growth.

Departmental Collaboration & Operational Alignment

The Finance Director works collaboratively with department leadership on organizational initiatives that carry financial, operational, capital, sustainability, or long-term strategic implications. This collaboration is intended to support responsible organizational growth and ensure initiatives align with Montgomery Whitewater’s long-term financial sustainability and strategic objectives. Department leaders retain operational authority over their respective departments, including operational procedures, programming decisions, guest experience standards, departmental strategy, staffing decisions, creative direction, branding execution, activity and attraction development, and department-specific operational needs.

In collaboration with department leadership and the MCCCD Board where appropriate, the Finance Director evaluates:

• Financial feasibility
• Long-term sustainability
• Operational e iciency
• Capital planning
• Funding strategy and funding structure
• ROI potential • Revenue opportunities
• Overall strategic financial impact

This collaboration most commonly applies to

• New attractions or activities
• Capital projects
• Infrastructure improvements
• New operational systems or technologies
• Major programming initiatives
• Organizational expansion opportunities
• Significant operational investments

The Finance Director’s role is to support organizational leadership and departmental success through financial expertise, strategic planning, and responsible stewardship, not to centralize operational control outside of the Finance Director’s assigned areas of responsibility. While the Finance Director plays an important role in evaluating the financial viability and sustainability of organizational initiatives, this position does not independently determine operational programming, guest experience standards, attraction concepts, creative direction, environmental design standards, or sponsorship branding integration.

Those responsibilities remain with the appropriate operational and brand leadership teams in alignment with the strategic direction established by the MCCCD Board. The Finance Director maintains authority over financial planning, funding strategy, capital structuring, and financial sustainability planning related to organizational initiatives and development projects. The Finance Director likewise does not maintain hiring or firing authority outside of the departments directly reporting to the role. Partnership & Sponsorship Financial Oversight

The Partnership/Sponsorship function shall report functionally to the Finance Director for purposes of:

• Revenue planning
• Sponsorship forecasting
• Financial goal setting
• Partnership valuation
• Contract financial review
• Long-term partnership sustainability
• Strategic funding coordination

The Finance Director shall work collaboratively with the Brand & Guest Experience Department regarding sponsorship structure, integration, deliverables, branding standards, and guest-facing implementation.

A ll sponsorships, partnerships, naming opportunities, and revenue-generating agreements must align with Montgomery Whitewater’s established:

• Brand standards
• Guest experience standards
• Strategic positioning
• Environmental design standards
• Long-term organizational vision

Revenue generation alone shall not justify sponsorship decisions that negatively impact:

• Brand integrity
• Guest experience
• Environmental cohesion
• World-class positioning
• Long-term asset value
• Public perception

Final sponsorship structure and implementation shall require alignment between finance, brand/marketing leadership, executive leadership, and the MCCCD Board where appropriate.

Strategic Planning Responsibilities

The Finance Director works closely with the CXO and MCCCD Board to develop and maintain:

• Long-range strategic financial plans
• Multi-year capital improvement plans
• Site development and expansion plans
• Asset lifecycle planning
• Programmatic investment strategies
• Revenue growth strategies
• Financial sustainability models
• Short-, mid-, and long-term operational forecasts

This includes participating in the development of

• 1-year operational plans
• 5-year strategic plans
• 10-year growth plans
• Long-term site development roadmaps

The Finance Director must understand that organizational value is not solely measured through direct revenue generation. Certain programs, experiences, and investments may provide indirect financial benefit through:

• Increased guest retention
• Increased length of stay
• Increased food and beverage spending
• Increased return visitation
• Brand enhancement
• Tourism impact
• Community impact
• Economic development outcomes

The Finance Director must be capable of evaluating both direct and indirect return on investment within the broader mission and strategic purpose of Montgomery Whitewater.

Public Stewardship & Financial Accountability Montgomery Whitewater operates as a publicly supported strategic asset and community investment. The Finance Director is responsible for ensuring all organizational finances are managed with the highest standards of:

• Transparency
• Accountability
• Ethical stewardship
• Regulatory compliance
• Fiscal responsibility
• Long-term sustainability

The Finance Director shall establish and maintain appropriate financial controls, oversight procedures, reporting systems, procurement standards, and accountability measures necessary to protect public resources and organizational assets.

This role is responsible for ensuring

• Proper handling and reporting of public funds
• Compliance with all applicable governmental requirements
• Financial documentation standards
• Audit readiness
• Responsible procurement and financial procedures
• Long-term protection of organizational financial health

Accurate and timely financial reporting to the MCCCD Board The Finance Director must understand the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with strategic investment and public impact.

Strategic Funding, Resource Development & External Financial Partnerships

The Finance Director shall play a leading role in identifying, pursuing, coordinating, and supporting financial resources necessary for the long-term sustainability, growth, and development of Montgomery Whitewater. This responsibility extends beyond traditional accounting and financial management and includes proactive engagement in strategic funding initiatives, public funding opportunities, economic development partnerships, and long-term capital planning.

The Finance Director is expected to work collaboratively with the MCCCD Board, executive leadership, elected o icials, public agencies, financial institutions, economic development organizations, tourism partners, community stakeholders, and external funding partners to help secure resources that support the organization’s mission and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities may include

• Assisting in the development of long-term funding strategies
• Identifying grants, appropriations, incentives, and economic development opportunities
• Supporting state and local funding requests and legislative appropriations initiatives
• Working with governmental and public partners regarding funding opportunities and strategic investment initiatives
• Assisting in the development of capital funding plans and long-range financial sustainability strategies
• Evaluating financing structures and funding alternatives for future development projects
• Identifying opportunities to reduce or avoid unnecessary debt obligations through creative funding approaches, partnerships, incentives, phased development strategies, sponsorship support, or alternative financial structures
• Assisting in the development of public/private partnerships and strategic financial collaborations
• Coordinating financial planning e orts related to future site development, infrastructure investment, and organizational growth
• Supporting organizational fundraising initiatives outside of traditional sponsorship activities

The Finance Director must understand the unique financial realities associated with developing and operating a large-scale public recreation and economic development asset.

This role requires the ability to think strategically and creatively about long-term financial sustainability while balancing:

• Fiscal responsibility
• Public stewardship
• Organizational growth
• Economic impact
• Community value
• Long-term asset development

The organization seeks a financial leader who understands that strategic investment and thoughtful growth are essential to the long-term success and sustainability of Montgomery Whitewater.

Essential Responsibilities Financial Leadership & Oversight

• Lead all financial operations for Montgomery Whitewater
• Maintain accurate and timely financial records
• Oversee all accounting functions
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Produce departmental and organization-wide profit and loss statements
• Maintain cash flow forecasting and financial projections
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable functions
• Review and approve invoices, payments, and disbursements
• Manage banking relationships and financial accounts
• Coordinate annual audits and financial reviews
• Ensure compliance with all applicable financial regulations and reporting requirements
• Establish and maintain internal financial controls
• Monitor organizational financial performance and key financial metrics
• Provide regular financial reporting to the MCCCD Board Budgeting & Forecasting
• Lead annual budgeting process across all departments
• Work collaboratively with department leadership to establish realistic and strategic budgets
• Monitor departmental spending and financial performance
• Develop revenue and expense forecasts
• Assist departments in evaluating operational e iciency and financial sustainability
• Identify opportunities for responsible cost optimization and operational improvement Partnership & Sponsorship Financial Management
• Work collaboratively with the Partnership/Sponsorship function to establish annual sponsorship and partnership revenue goals
• Assist in the development of long-term sponsorship and partnership revenue strategies
• Evaluate partnership opportunities from a financial and organizational sustainability perspective
• Assist in determining partnership valuation, pricing structures, and financial feasibility
• Review sponsorship agreements and partnership contracts for financial alignment and organizational sustainability
• Support long-term partnership planning and revenue forecasting
• Coordinate sponsorship financial planning with broader organizational budgeting and strategic planning efforts

Work collaboratively with the Brand & Guest Experience Department to ensure sponsorship opportunities align with:

o Brand standards

o Guest experience standards

o Environmental design standards

o World-class positioning

o Long-term organizational vision

• Assist in evaluating the financial impact of sponsorship integrations, naming opportunities, and partnership activations
• Support the development of sponsorship structures that generate revenue while protecting the long-term integrity and value of the Montgomery Whitewater brand Strategic Financial Planning
• Assist in evaluating future attractions, programs, and capital investments from a financial perspective
• Develop financial models related to expansion opportunities, programming, and infrastructure improvements
• Evaluate long-term sustainability of organizational initiatives
• Participate in organizational strategic planning and development discussions
• Assist in identifying diversified revenue opportunities
• Develop financial strategies that support long-term organizational growth

Systems & Operational Support

• Assist departments, as operational needs arise, in evaluating financial systems, software, POS systems, CRM platforms, inventory systems, and operational tools from a financial and organizational efficiency perspective
• Work collaboratively with departments to identify systems that improve operational effectiveness and financial visibility while ensuring the operational and functional needs identified by department leadership are met
• Support departments in evaluating vendor agreements, contracts, pricing structures, and the financial implications of operational software or system decisions
• Assist in identifying opportunities to improve organizational e iciency or reduce unnecessary redundancy where appropriate, provided such changes do not negatively impact departmental functionality, operational e ectiveness, guest experience, or organizational standards
• Collaborate with department leadership on software and system evaluations as needed in support of operational growth, evolving departmental needs, or organizational development initiatives

Facilities & Asset Stewardship

• Oversee financial planning and stewardship related to organizational assets and infrastructure
• Work with Facilities & Maintenance leadership regarding:

o Capital repair planning

o Preventative maintenance budgeting

o Asset lifecycle management

o Infrastructure investment planning

o Long-term maintenance forecasting

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
• CPA designation preferred
• Extensive experience in accounting, financial management, budgeting, forecasting, audit coordination, financial reporting, and long-term financial planning
• Demonstrated experience managing complex organizational finances involving multiple revenue streams, departments, operational divisions, and capital assets
• Experience developing and overseeing organizational budgets, financial controls, capital planning strategies, and long-range financial models
• Experience working with publicly supported entities, municipalities, tourism organizations, hospitality operations, recreation venues, entertainment venues, economic development initiatives, or similarly complex organizations preferred
• Experience with governmental funding processes, appropriations, grants, incentives, strategic partnerships, and public/private collaboration preferred
• Strong understanding of financial controls, compliance standards, procurement procedures, public stewardship responsibilities, and organizational accountability systems
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments while supporting operational and strategic objectives
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to provide clear financial guidance to leadership, boards, public officials, financial institutions, and stakeholders

The successful candidate must be capable of providing consistent, responsive, and highlevel financial oversight and strategic support to Montgomery Whitewater.

Preference may be given to candidates with

• Experience overseeing both daily accounting operations and long-term strategic financial planning
• Access to strong accounting, reporting, compliance, and financial management resources • Experience supporting organizations with complex operational structures and multiple departments
• The ability to provide continuity, responsiveness, and consistent financial oversight as the organization continues to grow and evolve
• Experience coordinating audits, financial reviews, governmental reporting, and organizational compliance procedures
• Availability for regular in-person meetings and operational coordination in Montgomery, Alabama

Preferred Characteristics

The ideal candidate will

• Understand the purpose and mission of Montgomery Whitewater
• Be aligned with the MCCCD Board’s strategic vision
• Be collaborative and solutions-oriented
• Be growth-minded and creative in financial strategy
• Understand the importance of quality of life, economic development, tourism, and community impact
• Balance fiscal discipline with strategic investment
• Understand the responsibilities associated with managing publicly supported assets and public funds
• Understand that preserving long-term brand value is as important as generating short-term revenue
• Be capable of supporting innovation without unnecessarily restricting progress
• Understand that world-class organizations require continual investment, reinvestment, and evolution
• Operate with professionalism, transparency, accountability, and long-term thinking Mission

Alignment

All financial leadership decisions must align with the strategic framework, mission, operating principles, and long-term vision established by the MCCCD Board. Financial stewardship at Montgomery Whitewater is intended to support:

• World-class execution
• Long-term sustainability
• Strategic growth
• Community impact
• Economic development
• Responsible public stewardship

The Finance Director role exists to help responsibly advance the vision of Montgomery Whitewater, not redefine it.

Interested applicants should click the APPLY button to submit a resume.