Chief Finance and Operations Officer

Santa Catalina School; Monterey (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-campus housing

Insurance and retirement benefits

Job summary

Santa Catalina School seeks a Chief Financial and Operating Officer to lead the school's finance and operations, partnering with the Head of School and Board to advance best practices in management. The role emphasizes quantitative analysis, strategic decisions, and a culture of continuous improvement with transparency and collaboration.

The CFOO will oversee budgeting, financial controls, facilities, technology, human resources, safety, risk management, and capital projects, while fostering a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s preferred
• CPA or five years of fund accounting experience preferred
• MBA or five years of strategic planning experience preferred
• Five years of team leadership experience, including supervising managers or directors
• High proficiency in using technology for financial analysis, operations management, modeling, and reporting; Blackbaud's Financial Edge desired
• Experience in educational finance preferred
• LiveScan background check required by law

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel to the Head of School and to the Board of Trustees and engage with Finance, Audit, Risk, and Investment committees
• Support Leadership Team on financial and operational initiatives
• Coordinate and oversee the annual operating and capital budgeting process and tuition revenue analysis
• Manage relationships with bankers and oversee financial and investment processes
• Oversee all operational functions: facilities, transportation, technology, HR, safety, risk management, contracts, and insurance
• Serve as project manager for capital building projects with architects and contractors
• Incorporate environmental sustainability in facilities planning
• Develop and sustain a positive, productive team culture
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Financial analysis

Operations management

Modeling

Reporting

Internal controls

Risk management

Nonprofit accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

MBA

Tools

Blackbaud's Financial Edge

Job description

The Chief Financial and Operating Officer is an important school leader and a critical strategic partner to the Head of School, the Leadership Team, and the Board of Trustees. The CFOO provides oversight and is responsible for creating, leading, and managing a comprehensive operations program that incorporates best practices in financial controls, facilities management, and technology management (in collaboration with a third-party provider). The CFOO reports to and works closely with the Head of School to establish and clearly articulate an ambitious vision for best practices in management. The program is built upon quantitative analysis, strategic decision-making, and an ethos of continuous improvement while fostering a culture that emphasizes strong financial controls, personal relationships, high-touch customer service, communication and transparency, entrepreneurism, flexibility, and collaboration.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide counsel to the Head of School and to the Board of Trustees, and forge collaborative relationships with the chairs of the Finance, Audit, Risk, and Investment Committees
• Engage and support all members of the Leadership Team on financial and operational initiatives that impact or originate within their respective departments
• Coordinate and oversee the annual budgeting process, both operating and capital, develop financial models for planning and budgeting, lead the tuition setting process, and analyze tuition revenue
• Manage the organization’s relationship with its bankers
• Oversee all financial and investment processes, systems, and services — including the audit, benefits, tax filings, accounting, investments, and cash management
• Oversee all operational functions for the school, including facilities, transportation, technology, human resources, campus safety and security, emergency planning, risk management, contracts, and insurance
• Serve as project manager and/or advisor for capital building projects, coordinating planning and design functions among the school, architects, building contractors, and owner’s representatives in collaboration with the Head of School
• Incorporate environmental sustainability when working with the facilities director on matters related to buildings, grounds, safety, and transportation
• Develop and sustain a positive, productive, and supportive team culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• CPA, or five years of fund accounting experience preferred
• MBA, or five years of strategic planning experience preferred
• Five years of team leadership experience, including supervising managers or directors
• High proficiency in using technology for financial analysis, operations management, modeling, and reporting; experience with Blackbaud's Financial Edge desired but not required
• Demonstrated success working in educational finance preferred
• A commitment to the mission and identity of Santa Catalina School
• A desire to participate fully in the Santa Catalina community
• Successful completion of a LiveScan criminal background check as required by law

Competencies

• Outstanding interpersonal skills; approachable and welcoming demeanor with good listening, humor, tact, intuition, and confidentiality
• Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
• Knowledge of best practices and industry standards in school finance and operations
• Understanding of current independent school challenges, trends, and issues facing independent schools
• Excellent writing, communication, and verbal skills
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills and digital literacy
• Ability to assess and respond to the needs of the school and act as a representative of the school
• Commitment to professional growth and education
• Ability to function well under stress
• Understanding of how to implement, leverage, and/or manage: internal controls, accounting and risk management policies, risk mitigation, and the audit process, including audited financial statements for nonprofits
• An ability to create and maintain positive, supportive, and trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and positions
• An ability to work as a team member to problem solve, compromise, and collaborate, bringing flexibility and the willingness to give and take direction when necessary
• Drive and self‑motivation, an ability to multitask, and exceptional business judgment

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises the Human Resources Generalist, Transportation Manager, Controller/Accountant, Technology Support Specialist, and Director of Facilities

Responsible for evaluation of all direct reports, including hiring and termination decisions in consultation with the Head of School

Working Conditions and Compensation

Work at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time each day

Ability to access buildings and facilities throughout a 36-acre campus, with reasonable accommodations, in order to meet with students and faculty

Work in a school environment with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and people

Additional time is required beyond a normal day or week for evening and weekend meetings

Santa Catalina School offers competitive insurance and retirement benefits

Salary Range: $150,000–190,000 annually, depending on experience and on-campus housing availability

Equal Employment Opportunity

Santa Catalina School is an equal‑opportunity employer. Employment at Santa Catalina School is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and reproductive health decision‑making), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, citizenship, military or veteran status, Family care or medical leave status, or other categories defined by state law, federal law or local ordinance.