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Associate Head of School for Finance & Operations
The School
Lake Forest Country Day School is a pre-kindergarten to eighth grade independent school. Through inspired teaching and partnership with families, the school nurtures a love of learning and builds a foundation of strong character, preparing students to navigate their path with purpose.
The 420 enrolled students come from 286 families in 34 communities to the 33 acre campus to become young learners and leaders with the guidance, support, and high expectations of a highly skilled team of adults across all roles in the school. Families are attracted by the commitment to excellence, an innovative interdisciplinary program, the personal touch of each interaction, and the warm and welcoming community. The school’s commitment to affordability is represented in consistent financial assistance to 24% of families representing a commitment of more than 15% of tuition revenue. The school is poised for continued success having achieved a 6th consecutive year of enrollment growth, $35 million in combined endowment funds, $18 million in bonds outstanding, and a strategic plan rollout underway in the Head of School John Melton’s third year in the role.
The Opportunity
The Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations provides financial expertise, operational skill, and conspicuous leadership for the business office and the overall administration of the school, ensuring the relationships and resources are in place to sustain a high-quality educational and professional experience in line with the core beliefs and mission of the school.
The Associate Head works directly with the Head of School, the business office team, and the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees to ensure financial and operational objectives are achieved. With the mandate to create the conditions for a successful learning environment and a resilient community, the Associate Head builds relationships, prioritizes and anticipates needs, and brings creative data-informed solutions into practice.
Engaging across all of the School's essential activities, this person directly manages 3 people who execute the accounting and finance, benefits administration, and facilities operations functions. The Associate Head retains responsibility for legal affairs, compliance, and risk management.
In support of the governance and fiduciary responsibilities of the Lake Forest Country Day Board of Trustees, the Associate Head provides timely and accurate analysis and reporting. This person serves as a staff liaison to two highly engaged board committees and two subcommittees, supporting a combined 23 board related meetings over 9 months. The Associate Head works directly with the Head of School and Controller to craft and execute the School’s operating budget and strategic financial planning. The Associate Head offers the Head of School direct leadership and support in envisioning and executing on the organizational structure, administrative tools and systems, and business decision-making.
The Candidate
The successful candidate will take a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the work, building relationships and implementing best practices in the systems that support efficient school operations. This position requires superb management and organizational skills. The successful candidate will be a team player who is happy and effective leading in a workplace infused by the School’s core beliefs and focused on delivering an exceptional education and student and family experience. The Associate Head will demonstrate personal accountability and operate with integrity and humility.
Essential responsibilities include:
Fiscal Management and Accounting
● Manage the School's financial resources in partnership with the Head of School.
● Supervise Business Office personnel and all accounting functions.
● In collaboration with the Controller, develop, refine, and implement the annual operating budget by obtaining input from all relevant stakeholders.
● Oversee cash, investments, loans, credit facilities, and asset management, with direct treasury management responsibility.
● Establish a regular process for review, update, and consistent application of appropriate internal controls, policies, and financial procedures.
● Coordinate the planning, execution, and financing of major construction projects.
● Oversee the annual financial and 403(b) audits.
● Ensure the timely and accurate submission of all required reporting and compliance filings, including the annual Form 990.
● Ensure that proper cash levels are maintained in designated reserves and endowment based on operating cash flow expectations.
● Prepare long-term financial forecasts and projections, including maintaining the School's financial model, to provide financial insights to the Head of School and Board of Trustees in evaluating strategic initiatives.
● Serve as the staff liaison to the school’s investment fund manager, and the following board committees and subcommittees: finance, buildings and grounds, investment, and audit, respectively.
● Ensure that the School's business and financial policies position the school to mitigate and reduce enterprise risk.
● Coordinate with the Associate Head of School for Advancement and the Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director of Enrollment to establish and regularly assess enrollment revenue goals.
● Coordinate with the Associate Head of School for Advancement and the Director of Development to establish and regularly assess annual giving revenue goals.
Personnel Management
● In coordination with outside counsel and the human resource benefits coordinator, ensure that the School's personnel policies support its programs and that the School's actions regarding hiring, compensation, training, promotion, and separation conform with state and federal requirements, and are in line with the School's strategic goals.
● Ensure the human resources function appropriately addresses all staff personnel issues, including evaluation, compensation, discipline, hiring, and termination.
● Establish and supervise the administration of personnel programs and policies as they relate to hiring and termination procedures, time off, Workers’ Compensation, safety and security training, performance evaluation, and compensation.
● Provide appropriate information to the Head of School for salary comparisons, both internal and external, including the coordination of the preparation of employment contracts.
● Oversee background checks and fingerprinting of new hires and the maintenance and security of personnel records.
● Assist the Head of School and the Board of Trustees in establishing and documenting employee benefit programs.
● In conjunction with the Associate Head of School for Advancement, serve as acting Head of School when the Head of School is away from campus.
Risk Management
● Serve as a resource to mitigate liability exposure through policies, procedures, training, audits, investigations, and engineered solutions.
● Maintain the School's insurance coverage, liability, and risk-related policies and controls. Work with insurance advisors and brokers to ensure adequate, appropriate, and cost-effective insurance is in place.
● Oversee all campus and work safety issues, regulatory and environmental compliance, and any legal matters in consultation with the Head of School.
● Serve as liaison with the school attorneys and local municipal government offices and services.
Physical Plant & Services
● In collaboration with the Director of Facilities, ensure the
resources and planning are in place to undertake facilities maintenance and special projects, including major infrastructure investments.
● Partner with the food services vendor leadership to enable the required staffing, procurement process, catering and event support, and vendor solutions are in place to sustain a positive overall dining experience, including oversight of menu planning.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be an experienced executive and a team player who possesses:
● Education and experience equivalent to a master's degree in accounting, business, finance, or a related field.
● Experience in or knowledge of independent schools is beneficial.
● At least five years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer or business manager with significant managerial experience is preferred.
● Advanced Excel and analysis skills, prior experience working across technology platforms, and a strong working knowledge of business accounting policies, procedures, practices, and financial software programs, such as Blackbaud, preferred.
● Demonstrated effectiveness working with trustees, employees, and external constituents.
● Experience working with external auditors, implementing internal controls, and managing compliance-related issues.
● Demonstrated ability to manage and execute all duties with an equitable and inclusive approach that supports the diverse needs of employees.
● Ability to perform school functions on designated evenings and weekends required.
The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $170,000 and is dependent upon relevant experience. The school’s comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision services coverage, as well as a 403(b) retirement matching program, substantial paid time off, and eligibility for generous tuition remission that applies to employee dependents enrolled at the school. Lake Forest Country Day School seeks and embraces diversity among our faculty, staff, and student body.
LFCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
Interested candidates, please contact Narwhal Talent Partners: Peter G. Hamilton | (617) 620-9268
Christian G. Henry | (857) 285-3364
search@narwhaltalent.com
All inquiries are treated as confidential
Back
Lake Forest Country Day School is a pre-kindergarten to eighth grade independent school. Through inspired teaching and partnership with families, the school nurtures a love of learning and builds a foundation of strong character, preparing students to navigate their path with purpose.
The 420 enrolled students come from 286 families in 34 communities to the 33 acre campus to become young learners and leaders with the guidance, support, and high expectations of a highly skilled team of adults across all roles in the school. Families are attracted by the commitment to excellence, an innovative interdisciplinary program, the personal touch of each interaction, and the warm and welcoming community. The school’s commitment to affordability is represented in consistent financial assistance to 24% of families representing a commitment of more than 15% of tuition revenue. The school is poised for continued success having achieved a 6th consecutive year of enrollment growth, $35 million in combined endowment funds, $18 million in bonds outstanding, and a strategic plan rollout underway in the Head of School John Melton’s third year in the role.
The Opportunity
The Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations provides financial expertise, operational skill, and conspicuous leadership for the business office and the overall administration of the school, ensuring the relationships and resources are in place to sustain a high-quality educational and professional experience in line with the core beliefs and mission of the school.
The Associate Head works directly with the Head of School, the business office team, and the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees to ensure financial and operational objectives are achieved. With the mandate to create the conditions for a successful learning environment and a resilient community, the Associate Head builds relationships, prioritizes and anticipates needs, and brings creative data-informed solutions into practice.
Engaging across all of the School's essential activities, this person directly manages 3 people who execute the accounting and finance, benefits administration, and facilities operations functions. The Associate Head retains responsibility for legal affairs, compliance, and risk management.
In support of the governance and fiduciary responsibilities of the Lake Forest Country Day Board of Trustees, the Associate Head provides timely and accurate analysis and reporting. This person serves as a staff liaison to two highly engaged board committees and two subcommittees, supporting a combined 23 board related meetings over 9 months. The Associate Head works directly with the Head of School and Controller to craft and execute the School’s operating budget and strategic financial planning. The Associate Head offers the Head of School direct leadership and support in envisioning and executing on the organizational structure, administrative tools and systems, and business decision-making.
The Candidate
The successful candidate will take a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the work, building relationships and implementing best practices in the systems that support efficient school operations. This position requires superb management and organizational skills. The successful candidate will be a team player who is happy and effective leading in a workplace infused by the School’s core beliefs and focused on delivering an exceptional education and student and family experience. The Associate Head will demonstrate personal accountability and operate with integrity and humility.
Essential responsibilities include:
Fiscal Management and Accounting
● Manage the School's financial resources in partnership with the Head of School.
● Supervise Business Office personnel and all accounting functions.
● In collaboration with the Controller, develop, refine, and implement the annual operating budget by obtaining input from all relevant stakeholders.
● Oversee cash, investments, loans, credit facilities, and asset management, with direct treasury management responsibility.
● Establish a regular process for review, update, and consistent application of appropriate internal controls, policies, and financial procedures.
● Coordinate the planning, execution, and financing of major construction projects.
● Oversee the annual financial and 403(b) audits.
● Ensure the timely and accurate submission of all required reporting and compliance filings, including the annual Form 990.
● Ensure that proper cash levels are maintained in designated reserves and endowment based on operating cash flow expectations.
● Prepare long-term financial forecasts and projections, including maintaining the School's financial model, to provide financial insights to the Head of School and Board of Trustees in evaluating strategic initiatives.
● Serve as the staff liaison to the school’s investment fund manager, and the following board committees and subcommittees: finance, buildings and grounds, investment, and audit, respectively.
● Ensure that the School's business and financial policies position the school to mitigate and reduce enterprise risk.
● Coordinate with the Associate Head of School for Advancement and the Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director of Enrollment to establish and regularly assess enrollment revenue goals.
● Coordinate with the Associate Head of School for Advancement and the Director of Development to establish and regularly assess annual giving revenue goals.
Personnel Management
● In coordination with outside counsel and the human resource benefits coordinator, ensure that the School's personnel policies support its programs and that the School's actions regarding hiring, compensation, training, promotion, and separation conform with state and federal requirements, and are in line with the School's strategic goals.
● Ensure the human resources function appropriately addresses all staff personnel issues, including evaluation, compensation, discipline, hiring, and termination.
● Establish and supervise the administration of personnel programs and policies as they relate to hiring and termination procedures, time off, Workers’ Compensation, safety and security training, performance evaluation, and compensation.
● Provide appropriate information to the Head of School for salary comparisons, both internal and external, including the coordination of the preparation of employment contracts.
● Oversee background checks and fingerprinting of new hires and the maintenance and security of personnel records.
● Assist the Head of School and the Board of Trustees in establishing and documenting employee benefit programs.
● In conjunction with the Associate Head of School for Advancement, serve as acting Head of School when the Head of School is away from campus.
Risk Management
● Serve as a resource to mitigate liability exposure through policies, procedures, training, audits, investigations, and engineered solutions.
● Maintain the School's insurance coverage, liability, and risk-related policies and controls. Work with insurance advisors and brokers to ensure adequate, appropriate, and cost-effective insurance is in place.
● Oversee all campus and work safety issues, regulatory and environmental compliance, and any legal matters in consultation with the Head of School.
● Serve as liaison with the school attorneys and local municipal government offices and services.
Physical Plant & Services
● In collaboration with the Director of Facilities, ensure the
resources and planning are in place to undertake facilities maintenance and special projects, including major infrastructure investments.
● Partner with the food services vendor leadership to enable the required staffing, procurement process, catering and event support, and vendor solutions are in place to sustain a positive overall dining experience, including oversight of menu planning.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be an experienced executive and a team player who possesses:
● Education and experience equivalent to a master's degree in accounting, business, finance, or a related field.
● Experience in or knowledge of independent schools is beneficial.
● At least five years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer or business manager with significant managerial experience is preferred.
● Advanced Excel and analysis skills, prior experience working across technology platforms, and a strong working knowledge of business accounting policies, procedures, practices, and financial software programs, such as Blackbaud, preferred.
● Demonstrated effectiveness working with trustees, employees, and external constituents.
● Experience working with external auditors, implementing internal controls, and managing compliance-related issues.
● Demonstrated ability to manage and execute all duties with an equitable and inclusive approach that supports the diverse needs of employees.
● Ability to perform school functions on designated evenings and weekends required.
The salary range for this role is $140,000 - $170,000 and is dependent upon relevant experience. The school’s comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision services coverage, as well as a 403(b) retirement matching program, substantial paid time off, and eligibility for generous tuition remission that applies to employee dependents enrolled at the school. Lake Forest Country Day School seeks and embraces diversity among our faculty, staff, and student body.
LFCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
Interested candidates, please contact Narwhal Talent Partners: Peter G. Hamilton | (617) 620-9268
Christian G. Henry | (857) 285-3364
search@narwhaltalent.com
All inquiries are treated as confidential
A co-educational independent private school for students age 2 through Grade 8.
Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888.
Schedule a tour!
Graduating students of strong character with a passion for learning since 1888.
Schedule a tour!
