Chief Financial Officer

Dover, MA, United States

The Chief Financial Officer manages all aspects of Charles River School’s finances, including strategic financial planning, budgeting, accounting, and reporting. The Chief Financial Officer will also oversee all human resources functions, as well as the physical plant and food services operations. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the Chief Financial Officer is a member of the senior leadership team and several Board of Trustees committees. The ideal candidate is a mission-driven strategic thinker with uncompromising judgment and integrity, experience in an independent school preferred, and a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.

The next Chief Financial Officer will oversee an operating budget of more than $8 million supported by an endowment of $10 million. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work with conflicting demands and timescales in a busy and ever-changing school environment. They will be able to balance and prioritize the competing needs of the school.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Provides leadership, oversight and management of the day-to-day operation of the business office including payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accounting, and school supply functions.

Collaborates with the Head of the School on financial aspects of strategic planning initiatives.

Oversees the physical plant and food services operations.

Effectively supervises Business Office Associate and Director of Facilities.

Manages and oversees the auditing process.

Manages, develops and directs the annual operating budget.

Plans and prepares forecasts of the financial condition of the school. Reports to the Head of School, the Finance Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Board of Trustees on the results of the present operations of the school, pro forma projections for future operations, and annual audits of the financial statements of the School.

Provides the financial information and planning that builds trust among faculty, administration, staff, the Board of Trustees, and the parent community.

Liaisons with the endowment portfolio manager, providing information on invested funds and implementing decisions of the Board and Finance Committee.

Maintains compliance with governmental regulations and changing regulatory environment by staying current on law and regulations that may affect compliance.

Establishes policies, procedures, standards and strategies for areas of responsibility and provides appropriate internal controls and strengths to safeguard the school’s assets.

Oversees the risk management function and purchases property, casualty, liability and workers compensation insurance.

Manages human resources including employee relations, benefits and compensation, and safety for employees.

Oversees and directs implementation and administration of employee benefit programs such as health insurance, dental insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, workers compensation, employee assistance, retirement and other related plans.

Selects or approves and directly oversees relationships with business service providers (e.g., banks, auditors, attorneys, insurers, investment managers, food service and transportation providers, contractors, consultants). Secures the highest level of quality products and services for the school’s business functions, including measurements of cost effectiveness.

In partnership with the Head of the School and other staff and trustees, evaluates, pursues, and manages additional (non-tuition) revenue-generating opportunities using the School’s resources.

Completes other responsibilities as assigned by the Head of School.

To Apply:

A cover letter describing why you are interested in working at CRS and how your talents and experience are a fit for this position.

A current résumé.

A list of three professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without notifying the candidate first).

This is a full-time exempt position and reports to the Head of School. The salary for this position will be commensurate with experience. CRS employees enjoy a competitive employee benefits program including medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement plan contribution, and voluntary supplemental life insurance and long-term care coverage.

Charles River School actively seeks candidates who will contribute and are committed to a diverse school community and inclusive educational practices. Interested individuals should send materials (listed above) to [email protected] (please include Chief Financial Officer in subject line) and fill out the CRS Employment Application by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/KuQLJ6nF8ctLecLG7 .

Charles River School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, personnel policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs and athletic and other school- administered programs. It is the policy of Charles River School to admit students of any race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin.

Leadership and Personal Qualities

A successful candidate will be dependable and attentive to detail, with the ability to manage the pressures of fast-paced financial operations.

Experienced strategic thinker who can develop and execute a financial vision for the future of the school.

Demonstrated experience in the development of analysis for strategic decision-making, including key cost drivers, competitive analysis, market analysis, etc.

Experience developing long-range capital and operational budget planning.

Experience in determining alternative revenue sources in a non-profit setting.

Experience in human resource management, employee benefits and payroll procedures.

Demonstrated experience in measuring and improving organization-wide productivity.

Effective collaboration skills, consistent meaningful contribution to senior leadership teams, and a focus on process as well as outcome.

Exceptional written/verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to distill complex topics and then communicate them effectively to varied audiences.

Bachelor’s degree required; CPA and/or MBA preferred

Five or more years of financial and business leadership in a non-profit or for-profit organization(s) including work with non-profit boards is a plus; independent school experience a plus.

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