Chief Finance & Operations Officer at Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School

Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School seeks a full-time Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO) beginning July 1, 2024. The CFOO reports to the Head of School and is a member of the Beauvoir Administrative Team. The CFOO is responsible for managing and overseeing the School’s Business Office, finances, and facility operations in a manner that complies with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as a high degree of efficiency, effectiveness, ethics, and integrity. The CFOO works collaboratively and creatively with colleagues across the school, ensuring that faculty, staff, and programs have ample resources at their disposal; current and future projects are well-funded and well-managed; and Beauvoir’s current resources and future financial sustainability are managed responsibly. As a senior leader, the CFOO supports the School’s educational mission, embodies its values, serves as a role model, and promotes professional practices at all times.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION

• Keep the Head of School apprised of all business, operational, and financial matters.
• Responsible for all business aspects of the school, including finance, investments, facilities, risk management, human resources, information technology, and other assigned operational functions. In particular, the CFOO will focus on strategic and financial planning, maintain fiscal discipline, oversee capital projects; and initiate and ensure that financial resources, such as endowment, cash and debt, are properly administered.
• Lead and manage financial and business office operations of the school, including accounting, accounts payable, revenue and collections, and internal controls.
• Oversee, lead, supervise, and evaluate the Controller, Accounts Payable and Office Manager, Senior Staff Accountant-Revenue, Director of Human Resources, Director of Facilities, Security and School Resource Officer, Health Room personnel, Director of Technology, Chef and Director of Food Services, and field trip transportation handled by the School Administrative Assistant.
• Mentor staff, especially those performing budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial reporting, and facility management.
• Coordinate and collect financial input data from different departments for the annual budget.
• Ensure that best practices are followed in student enrollment and tuition assistance administration. Collaborate with the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid to support recruitment and retention goals of the School while maximizing tuition revenue and meeting sustainability goals.
• Administer grants from regional, state, and local grantor agencies, serve as primary liaison, and ensure compliance with all grant requirements.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts for capital projects and all decisions having a financial impact, and both short- and long-term planning.
• Prepare regular financial forecasts to project fiscal year operating results.
• Engage in strategic planning for the School with the Head of School and other members of the Leadership Team.
• Prepare financial analyses to support planning for and implementation of long-term goals set forth by the Administration and the Board.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Identify areas for cost savings, increased productivity and efficiency, and reduced waste and financial risk.
• Prepare and coordinate with School and PECF auditors and the PECF Audit Committee.
• Collect, analyze, and/or interpret financial or operational information to include trend analysis and identify gaps and/or opportunities for new business initiatives.
• Advise and prepare written materials for the Head of School and Administration on topics of finance and facility operation and other school materials as necessary. Recommend financial strategies, objectives, benchmarks, and metrics in support of leadership goals and strategic plans.
• Support Governing Board committees, including the Finance Committee and the Investment Subcommittee, as well as the Building and Grounds Committee. Serve as the primary staff member for these committees.
• Prepare Board reports and attend Board meetings and Executive Committee meetings as needed.
• Represent the School and coordinate with the PECF staff and trustee committees; serve on the PECF Finance and Operations committees; Close-wide crisis management and security task forces; and any other committees deemed appropriate.
• Oversee timely and accurate preparation of monthly and quarterly financial reports, analyses, and forecasts consistent with management needs, Board and PECF requirements, and industry best practices.
• Administer cash and investment transactions and processes in accordance with PECF policies, Beauvoir’s Investment Policy Statement, and the decisions of the Investment Subcommittee.
• Oversee risk management, safety and security policies, business continuity plans and recovery measures, insurance, regulatory compliance, and administration of legal matters. Conduct risk assessments, communicating risk issues to the Board and Administration with recommendations/plans to minimize, mitigate, or eliminate risk by employing specific modifications/improvements. Review and approve contracts and ensure appropriate and current files are maintained for contracts, certificates of insurance, performance bonds, and pending claims. Collaborate with key staff and participate in campus emergency preparedness and response. Provide support, education, and training to build risk awareness.
• Manage and oversee payroll and human resources in concert with PECF staff, including policies and procedures, regulatory compliance, benefits, retirement plans, occupational health and safety, documentation, and employee support.
• Act as Project Manager on special interdepartmental projects; identify project tasks; oversee project budget; conduct cost analysis; act as liaison with vendors and ensure compliance with best practices.
• Review and administer all contracts for the School.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, including safety and energy, Health Room, information technology, facility repairs and maintenance, and custodial services.
• Manage third parties including food services, facilities, design and construction consultants and/or others as required.
• Maintain business relationships with consultants, vendors, and colleagues at other schools.
• Coordinate with PECF Shared Services, including facilities, grounds, finance, human resources, and police force.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in other school activities including (but not limited to) covering lunch duty periodically, working with a “buddy” class, participating in school-wide training and planning, and professional development.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• At least ten years of financial leadership in an independent school, nonprofit, or similar environment.
• Advanced degree in business administration or related field; CPA or MBA preferred.
• Strong background in finance, budgeting, investing, and cash management.
• Experience in facilities management, construction, or related disciplines a plus.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to details.
• Outstanding communication skills: ability to communicate with employees, families, and members of the Board.
• Compatibility with the School’s values, culture, and current administration and faculty is a must. Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work environment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Demonstrated experience will include budgeting and planning, financial forecasting and analysis, endowment and/or investment management, accounting, human resources, business operations, and oversight of facilities and capital projects.
• Ability to balance attention to detail with strategic thinking and long-range objectives.
• Adept at analyzing, organizing, summarizing, and articulating complex financial information.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Skilled in graphical representation of information in the form of charts, diagrams, pictures, and dashboards with programs and tools such as Excel, Tableau, PowerPoint, or other is required.
• Supervisory experience leading teams, giving feedback, facilitating meetings, and coaching and mentoring is required.
• Ability to work collaboratively and strategically with senior departmental leaders to create mission-driven outcomes.
• Experience in an educational setting or similar not-for-profit organization is a plus.
• Proficiency with contracts, risk management, insurance administration, audit support, and regulatory compliance is required.
• Portfolio management is beneficial, but not required.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass periodic and general background checks, FBI background check, child safety screening, and, at the discretion of the school, drug and alcohol screening.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; credibility and ethical conduct.
• Excellent writing and editing skills; ability to write and format professional correspondence, memos, and support documentation.
• Mature judgment and discretion; ability to maintain confidentiality and composure under pressure working with sensitive or confidential information.
• Consistent and prompt attendance; conscientious about timeliness of assignments and the quality of work product.
• Compliance with the provisions of the Beauvoir Faculty & Staff Handbook and Employment Manual.

WORKING CONDITIONS (SCHEDULE, PHYSICAL DEMANDS, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT)

• This position requires work outside normal business hours as needed, including evenings and weekends.
• The position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, and stooping in the performance of daily activities.
• The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard.
• The position requires near and far vision for reading and preparing written reports and other documents.
• Acute hearing is also required when providing phone assistance.
• The need to lift, drag, push, and pull files, reports, and other materials weighing up to 25 pounds is required.

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and résumé to: Cindi Gibbs-Wilborn, Head of School, at Cindi.Gibbs-Wilborn@cathedral.org, with “CFOO and (your name)” written in the subject line.

Beauvoir the National Cathedral Elementary School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.