Chief Financial & Operations Officer - DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES EXECUTIVE SEARCH, INC

D EERFIELD A SSOCIATES has been retained by The Hotchkiss School, located in Lakeville, Connecticut, to conduct a national search for a Chief Financial & Operations Officer.

Position Summary

Hotchkiss seeks a Chief Financial & Operations Officer (CFOO) who will be a strategic and operational leader providing counsel to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. The CFOO will ensure the efficient and effective stewardship of the School’s physical and financial resources, operation of support services, oversight of risk management for the School, and project management for the campus master planning and future multi-building capital project initiatives. The CFOO reports to the Head of School and serves as a member of the administrative leadership team. This opportunity is available July 1, 2025.

The CFOO will ensure the continued excellence of the School’s financial and business operations. The new hire will also serve as a resource to the administrative leadership team and other groups on campus. In these roles, the CFOO enables the School to deliver on its educational mission and ambitions. At Hotchkiss, the CFOO plays a critical role in its development and execution of the advancement/capital campaign strategy.

The CFOO has responsibility for nine direct reports and oversight of approximately ninety-five (95) staff members. The CFOO provides leadership and direction for the Finance, ITS, Facilities, Safety & Security, and Child Care teams as well as ancillary and support services. They will serve as the primary School liaison for the Board of Trustees’ committees of Finance, Audit & Risk, Investment, and Buildings, Grounds and Environment.

A School with approximately 145 faculty FTEs, 163 staff FTEs, an annual operating budget of $61 million, an endowment of $600 million, and an 827-acre campus located in the scenic northwest corner of Connecticut, the scale of the enterprise is comparable to a small liberal arts college. The School’s ability to fulfill its important and ambitious mission depends entirely on the sound and energetic management of its human, physical, and financial assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a highly collaborative relationship with the Head of School and Board of Trustees and consult and advise on financial, risk and operational strategy for the School.
• Develop sophisticated planning for the short- and long-term financial health of Hotchkiss; ensure adequate controls, lead the strategic financial planning for the School’s multi-year plan, annual operating budgets, capital budgets and forecasting.
• Oversee and support the full range of financial and accounting functions including financial planning, reporting and analysis, accounting services, budget planning, cash control, treasury management, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, strategic sourcing, procurement, contracts, cashier, and tax reporting.
• Oversee the management of the physical plant, including new construction and major renovation projects.
• Provide the professional leadership necessary to maintain strong finance, facilities, ITS, security, and child care teams; support and develop employees, including performance management and coaching.

Skills and Work Experiences

15 years total experience in financial leadership roles with strong analytical skills and a deep knowledge of accounting and finance, legal and risk management, payroll, and facilities. Knowledge and experience in setting up and monitoring effective financial controls and providing financial modeling and forecasting skills.

Critical Leadership Capabilities

• Adopts a long-term perspective about the School’s finances while also cognizant of short-term needs; brings a sophisticated understanding of the financial levers and risks.
• Provides accurate, comprehensive, and transparent financial information to the senior administrative team and board members to inform priority setting and helps guide multi-year decision-making and long-term implications of capital investments.

Contact Information

To explore this career opportunity on a confidential basis, interested candidates should send a resume, a letter of interest (outlining your career aspirations, applicable work experiences and personal interest in the opportunity), and a list of 5 references including contact information (which will only be contacted if mutual interest is determined) to: