Fiscal Contracts Officer

EQUITY STATEMENT
Mass Cultural Council is committed to the equitable investment of all resources and to providing leadership that fosters a cultural sector where racial diversity thrives, decolonization is realized, and inclusion, accessibility, and belonging are the norm. The rich diversity of Massachusetts’ communities, residents, and visitors is essential to the Commonwealth’s continued vitality and success.

We believe that seeing the world through multiple perspectives—and bringing those ideas to life—is the responsibility of the cultural sector and its leaders. Mass Cultural Council supports creative voices through co-created, innovative, equitable, inclusive, and accessible programs and grantmaking.

Our commitment to advancing equity is rooted in meaningful cross-sector collaboration and partnership. This work centers the leadership, insight, and lived experiences of those most impacted by systemic inequities. Together with these communities, we have developed a suite of equity plans that confront structural barriers and commit us to sustained, measurable action:

ABOUT MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL
Mass Cultural Council is an independent state agency that advances the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector by celebrating traditions and talents, championing its collective needs, and equitably investing in public resources through a wide range of grants, initiatives, and advocacy for artists, communities, organizations, and schools.

Our Vision
Mass Cultural Council envisions a diverse creative and cultural sector that is valued as essential in the Commonwealth.

Our work is grounded in the following values:

1. Creativity: We believe that creativity is the key to solving many of society’s concerns and advancing this asset helps to make the Commonwealth a preeminent place in the nation for it to thrive.

1. Public Service: We serve the Commonwealth and all who live, work, visit, and play here by amplifying creativity, providing resources, expanding relationships, and championing transformational changes that maintain and grow a thriving creative and cultural ecosystem.

1. Inclusion: We work to build a diverse and equitable creative and cultural sector in the Commonwealth, ensuring that all who practice and participate in creative and cultural expression see themselves in it.

ADVANCING THE CULTURAL SECTOR THROUGH CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS
Mass Cultural Council is leading a statewide effort to advance the cultural sector and position it as a critical asset and essential partner in addressing the Commonwealth’s most pressing challenges. Through strategic partnerships, policy initiatives, and relationship building, the Agency collaborates across sectors—including health, education, housing, transportation, climate, agriculture, accessibility, workforce, and economic development—to expand resources, foster growth, advance equity, and expand the cultural sector’s impact. This cross-sector work ensures the sector is embedded in the Commonwealth’s vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient future.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Business Operations department oversees payments to organizations, individuals, and vendors; leads strategic budget development and financial management; coordinates departmental expenditures and procurement; and provides comprehensive agencywide support in cultural equity and access, human resources, payroll, facilities, and information technology.

The Fiscal Contracts Officer (Accountant III) reports to the Controller on the Fiscal Operations Team. The Contracts Officer interacts with agency staff, vendors, and grantees to manage the grant contracting process from generation of contracts to payments; and monitors contractual compliance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Duties will evolve over time and include other tasks or projects relevant to the position and operational needs.

Contract Processing (90%)

• Manages DocuSign forms by initiating, tracking, and managing electronic agreements, ensuring secure and authenticated signatures, troubleshooting issues, and maintaining detailed digital records.
• Assists with contract content preparation, answers related questions and liaises between grantees and agency staff.
• Enters and reconciles grantee/vendor encumbrances and payments for the agency's grant awards, ensuring timely fund encumbrance and disbursement.
• Reviews, navigates, and monitors grant activity in the SmartSimple Grant Management System, including awards and expenditure patterns, ensuring adherence to grant stipulations.
• Ensures returned fiscal documents are accurate and compliant.
• Reviews vendor contract documents for completeness and compliance.
• Performs periodic reconciliation of SmartSimple, MOSIAC, and internal budget tracking sheets, ensuring records are current and accurate.

Financial Management and Reporting (10%)

• Assists with internal and external Federal grant reporting requirements.
• Provides additional administrative and financial tasks and support across the department as necessary.

After a training period, this position will be eligible for hybrid work. The Mass Cultural Council staff operates within a hybrid work model and expects its employees to work in the Boston Back Bay office eight (8) preset days per calendar month and attend in person meetings as preplanned.

COMPENSATION
Bargaining Unit: 06 NAGE, Accountant III, Grade 10. Pay is determined by the Commonwealth’s NAGE Unit 6 collective bargaining agreement between the range of $65,578.50- $94,378.44 annually.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Below are characteristics we will look for in the selection process. We recognize that the depth of each individually and the balance of all of them collectively may vary from candidate to candidate and as such, encourage applications from individuals with a range of background experiences and skills.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of contracting systems, and grant policies/regulations.
• Demonstrated ability in advanced spreadsheet software, including Microsoft Excel, to manipulate and analyze data for informed decision-making.
• Aptitude to learn Mass Cultural Council’s grants management system; SmartSimple and other financial applications as needed.
• Ability to interact with employees and constituents of different backgrounds and styles while demonstrating professionalism, courtesy, and a customer-centric approach.
• Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned programs and activities.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks within the Finance department as needed.

Mass Cultural Council currently follows a hybrid work model requiring employees to work in the Boston office (10 St. James Ave) at least eight days per month (minimum 60 hours) starting on September 1, 2025. This requirement is reviewed annually and if it changes employees will be notified two months prior to the change.

In-person attendance is required for meetings, training, site visits, and events as directed. Employees must live within commuting distance and be available for occasional travel, including evenings, weekends, and short-notice requests. These expectations reflect our dedication to public service and statewide engagement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical and sensory demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the job.

Physical Skills: Few physical demands are required to perform the work. Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks.

Motor Skills: Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the job may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a telephone, personal computer and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills: Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.