Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO)

About the role

The Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) is a critical member of the senior leadership team and a trusted partner to the Head of School, the Board of Trustees, and school leaders across all divisions. This leader is accountable for the comprehensive management of St. Martin’s financial, operational, and physical resources, ensuring that the school’s people, systems, and assets are aligned with its mission and Strategic Plan 2025.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to the Head of School and Board of Trustees; attend all regular Board meetings and Finance, Physical Assets, and Risk Management committee meetings to provide accurate and complete financial information in support of fiduciary responsibilities.
• Lead the annual operating budget process, incorporating input from all divisions and departments; develop multi-year financial models aligned with strategic priorities and enrollment trends.
• Provide clear, insightful financial analysis and reporting to support institutional decision-making, including investment, capital project, and reserve management reports.
• Ensure strong stewardship of operating funds, reserves, debt, and the endowment; monitor all loans and indebtedness, including inter-fund loans and transfers; coordinate financing of major capital projects in partnership with the Head of School and Board committees.
• Develop recommendations to the Finance Committee on tuition increases, financial aid budgets, and salary planning.
• Collaborate with the Director of Development to establish operating support targets and align financial planning with philanthropic priorities and capital campaigns.

• Accounting, Compliance & Business Office Operations

• Direct all financial operations, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, student billing in FACTS, financial aid management in Clarity, employee benefits administration, and annual audits.
• Establish and maintain sound internal controls and financial procedures in compliance with GAAP and applicable FASB standards, including ASC 958, which governs not-for-profit financial reporting, net asset classification, and revenue recognition; supervise all accounting and bookkeeping personnel.
• Oversee preparation of accurate and timely financial statements; coordinate relationships with independent auditors, manage annual audit work papers, and respond to auditor recommendations.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including ADA, OSHA, IRS reporting, EPA, and all independent school standards.
• Lead and mentor the business office team, fostering professional growth, accountability, and a culture of service and excellence.

• Operations & Facilities Management

• Provide leadership and integration across all operational functions, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with institutional goals and the Strategic Plan.
• Supervise and support the Director of Facilities in establishing and maintaining standards of building maintenance and cleanliness; monitor priorities and schedules for timely completion of work.
• Serve as school liaison for campus master planning and capital construction; coordinate planners, architects, engineers, and contractors for major renovation and building projects under the direction of the Facilities committee.
• Oversee the management and scheduling of all campus facilities for school activities and external groups; supervise arrangements and services for outside events.
• Manage a comprehensive Facilities and Grounds Plan in alignment with Strategic Plan 2025, prioritizing enhancements that elevate the campus environment and student experience.
• Ensure all safety systems are fully functioning; coordinate with government and insurance inspectors to ensure compliance with all health, safety, and building codes.
• Identify and manage preventive maintenance and capital project initiatives for buildings, mechanical systems, grounds, and equipment.

• Human Resources Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of the human resources function in close partnership with the Director of Human Resources, ensuring alignment between financial planning, compensation strategy, and institutional priorities.
• Oversee implementation of all personnel programs and policies related to hiring and termination, time off, Workers’ Compensation, safety, training, performance evaluation, and compensation.
• Assist the Head of School and Board in establishing and enhancing employee benefit programs; provide internal and external salary comparison data and oversee preparation of employment contracts.
• Ensure HR systems, policies, and employment practices comply with all applicable state and federal regulations.
• Partner with the Director of Facilities in hiring all support staff for the maintenance department.

• Student Billing & Financial Aid

• Supervise student enrollment contracts and accounts receivable in FACTS; oversee the administration of student financial aid in Clarity.
• Manage aged accounts receivable; work directly with families on financial matters related to their children’s enrollment.
• Collaborate with the Director of Enrollment Management and Head of School in the analysis, review, and approval of individual financial aid awards.
• Administer the tuition refund insurance program, including review and approval of claims.
• Support enrollment management and tuition strategy through financial modeling and scenario planning aligned with the school’s strategic enrollment goals.

• Safety, Insurance & Risk Management

• Oversee enterprise risk management, including financial, operational, and regulatory risks; serve as liaison with the school attorney.
• Work with insurance advisors and brokers to ensure that adequate, appropriate, and cost-effective insurance is maintained, including public liability, property and casualty, directors and officers, and Workers’ Compensation.
• Advise the Head of School of any situations that may present potential safety or legal risks to the school.
• Oversee ongoing safety and security audits, training, and emergency protocols to ensure the well-being of students, faculty, staff, and visitors across all campuses.

• Auxiliary Services & Revenue Development

• Supervise and support the Food Service Director to ensure high-quality, nutritious dining.
• Evaluate and maximize auxiliary income sources, including facilities rental and licensing; help identify and launch new revenue streams to support long-term institutional sustainability in alignment with the Strategic Plan.
• Develop and monitor key financial and operational metrics to assess program performance and inform strategic decisions.

• Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as a collaborative and visible leader across the St. Martin’s community, building trust and credibility with faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, and Board members.
• Maintain professional relationships with the school’s banks, lawyers, auditors, investment managers, insurance carriers, architects, contractors, vendors, and government regulators.
• Partner closely with academic and administrative leaders to support programmatic innovation and ensure operational needs are met in service of the mission.
• Foster a culture of accountability, service, integrity, and continuous improvement across all departments reporting to the CFOO.
• Collaborate with advancement leadership to align financial planning with fundraising priorities, endowment growth, and donor relations.

Qualifications

• Professional Experience

• Significant experience in financial and operational leadership within an independent school or similarly complex, mission-driven nonprofit organization; prior independent school CFO/CFOO experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success overseeing budgeting, financial planning and analysis, accounting, reporting, and audits in a nonprofit environment.
• Proven ability to lead and integrate multiple operational functions including facilities management, human resources, food service, technology, and auxiliary services.
• Proven ability to develop long-range financial models, build multi-year capital plans, and align resources with strategic institutional priorities.
• Experience working closely with a Head of School (or equivalent) and a Board of Trustees, including committee engagement and governance support.

• Leadership & Management Skills

• A strategic thinker who can translate institutional vision — including St. Martin’s Strategic Plan 2025 — into actionable financial and operational plans.
• A collaborative, visible leader who builds trust, communicates effectively, and works across divisions and departments with credibility, warmth, and respect.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams; strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience leading through periods of change, growth, and transition; comfort managing multiple priorities in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and a deep commitment to the values of Faith, Scholarship, and Service that define St. Martin’s.

• Financial & Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, cash management, contract negotiation, and audit processes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize and communicate complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Google Suite, and Adobe Acrobat; experience with Blackbaud software is highly recommended.
• Understanding of enrollment dynamics, tuition modeling, and financial sustainability in independent schools.
• Working knowledge of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, IRS Form 990, and related compliance requirements.