Chief Financial Officer

About the role

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) oversees all aspects of financial operations within the school, reports directly to the Head of School, and is a member of the senior leadership team. This position works in close and regular collaboration with the Head, Board of Trustees, and administrators to ensure adequate resources—human, financial, and operational—are available to support the excellence of Waterford’s liberal arts program and its people.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Head of School and other senior staff in short-term and long-term strategic financial planning;
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with staff to identify their needs and seek a full range of business solutions;
• Partner with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to develop financial strategy and scenarios, the annual operating budget, and maintain long-range financial model;
• Partner with the Board Finance Committee and Investment Committee; work closely with Board committees and provide them with independent perspective on the organization’s finances, facility needs, budgeting, and strategic planning;
• Evaluate long-range economic trends and develop projections for future enrollment; research and provide analysis of opportunities for the best use of campus, possible campus expansion, and alternative revenue strategies to strategically enhance financial performance;
• Administer and supervise all business and financial operations of the school;
• Develop, plan, and recommend procedures for proper financial and operational controls;
• Operate and supervise the Business Office, building and grounds, food services, the school store; serve a key role in the employee and vendor contract processes as well as in legal matters, insurance, and employee benefits;
• Manage the preparation of monthly and annual financial reports, including the annual audit;
• Serve as a liaison in connection with construction projects in process; assist in planning and managing all future capital improvement projects;
• Serve as liaison to public agencies, city, county, and state for issues of institutional concern;
• Lead the financial audit;
• Assume other assignments as determined by the Head of School.

Qualifications

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance;
• CPA and MBA are helpful/preferred;
• Seasoned and mature leader with at least 10 plus years of broad finance and operations related experience; background in an educational institution or not-for-profit is preferred;
• Public accounting experience is preferred;
• Creative, strategic, and forward thinker with experience in major institutional capital improvement projects highly desirable; ability to provide sound financial expertise so as to position the school for continued growth;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong organizational ability.

Skills

• Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance;
• CPA and MBA are helpful/preferred;
• Seasoned and mature leader with at least 10 plus years of broad finance and operations related experience; background in an educational institution or not-for-profit is preferred;
• Public accounting experience is preferred;
• Creative, strategic, and forward thinker with experience in major institutional capital improvement projects highly desirable; ability to provide sound financial expertise so as to position the school for continued growth;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong organizational ability.

Benefits

• Medical;
• Dental;
• 403(b).

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A