Chief Financial Officer

Silicon Valley International School has retained Armanino to lead the search for their Chief Financial Officer. Please see below for details on the role, and further directions on how to apply directly through Armanino. We look forward to hearing from you!

Silicon Valley International School
Palo Alto, CA

Chief Financial Officer

Silicon Valley International School (INTL) seeks a skilled and thoughtful leader to serve as the school’s next Chief Financial Officer (CFO) starting in June 2024.

INTL is a PS-12th grade independent school accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization,
California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), and the French Ministry of Education. The school is a bilingual immersion school of 715 students that offers three language tracks (Chinese, French, and
German).

Reporting directly to the Head of School (HoS), INTL’s next CFO will be a trusted strategic and critical business partner responsible for the coordination and execution of the school’s financial management, reporting, legal compliance, and operations of our two campuses. The CFO will lead the talented and highly functioning teams in the Business and Facility Offices.

The CFO will work in strategic partnership with the Head of School and the Board of Directors and collaborate regularly with the Senior Administrative Team to ensure financial sustainability, assess and enhance risk management policies and protocols. The CFO will support and execute all the main strategic initiatives including securing a loan to build a new site, developing the high school, and improving faculty compensation.

Candidates will possess outstanding financial knowledge and skills, strong leadership through seasoned expertise, innovative thinking, effective communication, understanding of and respect for the school’s core values, and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Strategic Partner to the Head of School and Board of Directors

• Acts as financial partner with the HoS, driving financial planning and analysis to ensure the long-term financial visibility into the school's future.
• Supports the strategic planning process.
• Establishes financial and capital strategies that are consistent with strategic priorities.
• Ensures implementation of a multi-year, data-based business model in support of strategic priorities.
• Assists the HoS and the Board in the financing and development of the new school site.
• Oversees the long-term investment strategy to grow the school’s resources (Endowment, Strategic
• Reserves and Operating Reserves) in partnership with the Investment Committee and the HoS.

• Measures and reports on KPI’s to ensure the HoS and the Board is aware of the organization’s performance, both financial and as it relates to the school’s mission.
• Strategically analyzes resources and explores alternative revenue sources.

Leads the Business Office

• Oversees all business office functions including all financial reporting to the HoS, Board of Directors, and various Board committees.
• Works with the HoS to prepare, present, and interpret operating budget and financial reports to the
• Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors.

• Reports financial performance relative to budget.
• Oversees operations related to accounting, finance, investment, audit, compliance, financial aid, risk management, and purchasing.
• Builds and/or maintains the school’s short- and long-term strategic financial models.
• Maintains strong relationships with banks and lenders to ensure that funding is secured for the needs of the school and to ensure compliance with loan terms.
• Manages the investment of endowment funds and operating cash reserves in accordance with resolutions approved by the Investment Committee and adopted by the Board of Directors.
• Coordinate with the Investment Manager the reporting of investment performance to the InvestmentCommittee.
• Ensures compliance with all local and state reporting requirements.
• Oversees the preparation of statistical and survey reports for National Association of Independent
• Schools (NAIS), CAIS, Independent School Business Officers Association (ISBOA) and other organizations as may from time to time be appropriate.

• Works with the HoS in all matters of employee relations, including guidelines on hiring, benefits, compensation, preparation of salary scales, retirement plans, and compliance with all relevant state and federal employment rules and regulations.
• Develops and manages an appropriate control environment to safeguard the school’s resources.

Leads Facilities Operation

• Directs and manages Facilities Operations on our two campuses.
• Participates in annual facilities maintenance planning and implementation.
• Coordinates closely with the Facilities Director on oversight of the physical plant, grounds, and construction functions.

Oversees Risk Management

• Oversees risk management programs in partnership with the HoS, through the evaluation of insurance needs and coverages, completion of annual applications, review of insurance proposals and selection of appropriately rated carriers (programs including property, casualty, medical, workers’ compensation).
• Administers and manages all employee benefit programs including health insurance, retirement, worker’s compensation, life insurance, and other related plans.

Collaborates Effectively with all Other Departments

• Reviews financial aid applications and makes recommendations on financial aid award amounts.
• Serves on the Financial Aid Committee and, with others, makes final determinations of financial aid awards.
• Partners with the Technology Office to budget for strategic IT initiatives, as well as the prudent and timely replacement of existing IT infrastructure.
• Provides guidance on human resources, operations, risk management, etc.
• Oversees rental agreements and other operating leases.
• Engages, in conjunction with the HoS, with legal counsel, financial advisors, auditors, and other professional service firms as necessary and appropriate.
• Collaborates effectively with Advancement, Enrollment Management, and other departments.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes
Required Educational Background and/or Experience

• Undergraduate degree with a preferred emphasis on finance and/or accounting.
• CPA license is required. An MBA degree or significant business education at the graduate level is highly desirable.
• Ten years of related experience in business or financial administration, of which three to five years should be at the management or executive level with a similar breadth of responsibilities.
• Familiarity with not-for-profit management theory and practice, and not-for-profit accounting and reporting standards.
• Demonstrated strategic planning ability as well as effective interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Previous experience in an educational environment is preferred, but not essential.

Necessary Skills and Abilities

• Ability to collaborate with all members of the senior leadership team to strategically implement the main pillars of our future strategic plan.
• Operational acumen to identify gaps so as to drive improvements.
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and direct others in the accomplishment of their objectives.
• Experience with management information systems, particularly automated accounting systems.
• Excellent communication skills, including listening as well as oral and written expression.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to objectively assess and respond to difficult workplace situations.
• Ability to analyze problems, think creatively, synthesize solutions, and establish priorities that address the details and timeliness needed to achieve the intended results, effectively utilize available resources, and complete work and/or projects on time and according to plan.
• Gather information on issues impartially considering all sides, and make logical, clear decisions that are within time and resource constraints.
• Support the school’s mission/objectives.

Salary Range and Work Environment
Salary Range: $245,000 - $300,000, DOE. The environmental conditions are typical of an academic setting with offices and classrooms located in multiple locations within the same general proximate area.

How to Apply: You can apply directly to this position via Indeed AND/OR via email to Caroline at caroline.morris@armaninollp.com. Indicate in the subject line, “INTL, application, [insert your first and last name]” and provide the following:

• A cover letter expressing your particular interest in this position
• A current resume and LinkedIn profile
• Three professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each
• (references executive summarywill not be contacted without the candidate’s permission)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $250,000.00 - $300,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• [ANSWER REQUIRED] Please describe your experience managing a facilities department and/or supporting the development or renovation of a new site/building/related structure.
• [REQUIRED ANSWER] Please describe your experience supporting a capital campaign for a private school/institution.
• [ANSWER REQUIRED] This role requires someone with deep FP&A capabilities/expertise. Please describe your expertise in financial modeling / planning and analysis (FP&A) and how it has played a critical role in supporting the strategic financial plans of an organization.
• [ANSWER REQUIRED] A requirement of this role is experience leading the financial department for a private school. Please describe your experience doing this and specify/include the type of institution (i.e. private, international, etc.), and the size of the institution (i.e. staff, budget, and students).

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPA (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Palo Alto, CA 94303 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Palo Alto, CA 94303: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person