Chief Financial And Operating Officer

Collegiate School seeks an experienced and mission aligned financial leader to serve as their next Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CF&OO). Reporting to Head of School, the CF&OO serves as an integral thought partner and leader on strategic and operational affairs at Collegiate. The CF&OO will collaborate regularly with other School administrators and oversee the Business Office, Human Resources, Facilities, Technology, Food Service, and Nursing. In addition, the CF&OO will work closely with Collegiate’s Board of Trustees ensuring the continued financial health of the School. Desirable candidates will possess significant financial acumen, along with demonstrated leadership experience, high emotional intelligence, and interest in engaging in a lively and fast-paced academic community.

Responsibilities

In addition to embracing Collegiate School’s mission, supporting its Head and leadership, and representing the School at professional and public forums, the new CF&OO has a number of primary responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership, analysis, and management of finances and operations.
• Establish Financial and capital strategies that are consistent with strategic priorities.
• Serve on the Head of School’s Administrative Team and lead, co-lead, or participate in several other teams and committees.
• Be an active participant in the daily life of the School.
• Oversee all business office functions including all financial reporting to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and various committees.
• Serve as chief staff liaison to the Board's Finance, Investment, and Audit Committees
• Build and/or maintain the School’s short- and long-term strategic financial models.
• In partnership with the Investment Committee, oversee the administration of the School’s endowment.
• Oversee School operations including personnel, maintenance, and vendors.
• Maintain strong relationships with banks and lenders to ensure that funding is secured for the needs of the School and compliance with loan terms.
• Administer and manage all employee benefit programs including health insurance, retirement, worker’s compensation, life insurance, and other related plans.
• Manage insurance programs including property, casualty, medical, workers’ compensation.
• Ensure compliance with all local and state reporting requirements.
• Collaborate effectively with Advancement, Enrollment Management, and other departments.
• Participate in diversity, equity, and belonging professional development.
• Coordinate closely with the Facilities Director on oversight of the physical plant, grounds, and construction functions.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA and/or CPA preferred;
• Meaningful experience creating and executing financial planning and management strategies;
• Experience in an independent school preferred, though individuals outside of schools with strong Financial and leadership skills are welcome;
• Experience managing a team, setting clear goals, responsibilities, expectations, and clear methods of accountability;
• Proven record of accomplishment designing, implementing, and managing large-scale organizational change;
• Superb communication skills; excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills;
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex subjects, distill them, and then communicate them to varied audiences;
• Experience on senior administrative teams and working with non-profit Boards;
• Demonstrated experience in measuring and improving organization-wide productivity;
• Demonstrated experience in the development of analysis for strategic decision-making, such as key cost drivers, competitive analysis, market analysis, organizational strengths, and weaknesses, etc.;
• Experience in human resource management, employee benefits (including pension plans), and payroll procedures.
• Knowledge of business and not-for-profit accounting policies, procedures, practices, facilities, and software programs. Blackbaud experience a plus;
• Ability to think and plan strategically and creatively;
• Ability to supervise, manage, and delegate multiple functions and activities;
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and work effectively under pressure;
• Skilled at negotiating and initiating contracts with external vendors;
• Aptitude for high customer-service standards;
• Consistent demonstration of an entrepreneurial mindset;
• Demonstrated commitment to equitable and inclusive practices;
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with all constituencies;
• Interest in participating actively and regularly in a fast-paced and lively school environment;
• A track record of strong integrity.

To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current résumé;
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:

Greg Britton

Chief Operating Officer, Search & Consulting Group

ggb@carneysandoe.com

Sara Shulman

Practice Leader – Development and Finance

sara.shulman@carneysandoe.com