Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Southern Association of Independent Schools, Inc.; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 275,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

St. Anne's-Belfield School in Charlottesville, VA seeks a Chief Financial and Operating Officer to join the SALT and guide strategic priorities, financial strategy, and operations.

The role partners with the Head of School and Board on sustainability, budgeting, and capital planning, while overseeing HR, IT, facilities, risk, and vendor management. The CFOO will lead data-driven decision making, strengthen controls, and drive organizational effectiveness to support mission-driven education and

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience overseeing finance, operations, or administrative functions within independent schools or similarly complex organizations.
• Strong financial management: budgeting, forecasting, investments, long-range planning and fiscal oversight.
• Excellent communication, judgment, integrity, and service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership & governance: plan long-term sustainability and align resources with priorities.
• Financial stewardship: budgeting, forecasting, reporting, internal controls, regulatory compliance.
• Operational leadership: manage campus operations, systems, and administrative services; drive process improvements.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Communication skills

Relationship management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree required

CPA/MBA preferred

Job description

St. Anne's-Belfield School, one of Virginia's premier independent schools, seeks an accomplished and strategic Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) to join the Senior Administrative Leadership Team (SALT) and help shape the next chapter of an institution defined by innovation, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to developing exemplary citizens and visionary leaders.

Reporting to and partnering with the Head of School, Dr. Autumn Adkins Graves, the CFOO serves as the school's chief financial strategist and operational leader, overseeing all aspects of finance, facilities, human resources, information technology, risk management, and long‑range capital planning. The CFOO is a key member of the Senior Administrative Leadership Team and a trusted advisor to the Board of Trustees.

As St. Anne's-Belfield advances ambitious strategic priorities focused on teacher excellence, civic engagement, purposeful technology, innovation, philanthropy, and student preparation for an increasingly complex future, the next CFOO will play a pivotal role in aligning financial resources, operational systems, and organizational strategy to support these aspirations.

Key Responsibilities of the CFOO Role at St. Anne's-Belfield:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Partner with the Head of School and Board on strategic planning and long‑term sustainability
• Align financial and operational resources with institutional priorities
• Provide data‑informed analysis to support decision‑making and risk management

Financial Stewardship

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, investments, cash management, and financial reporting
• Ensure strong fiscal oversight, internal controls, and regulatory compliance
• Lead long‑range financial planning and resource allocation

Operational & Administrative Leadership

• Provide leadership for the school's operational functions, systems, and administrative services
• Strengthen organizational effectiveness through process improvement and technology integration
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and service

Human Resources, Facilities & Risk Management

• Oversee human resources, compensation, benefits, and workforce planning
• Lead facilities operations, campus planning, and capital projects
• Manage risk, compliance, insurance, and business continuity efforts

Community Leadership

• Build strong relationships across the school community and with external partners
• Lead and develop high‑performing teams
• Serve as a visible, collaborative, and trusted institutional leader

About St. Anne's-Belfield School

Founded in 1910, St. Anne's-Belfield School is an independent, coeducational day and boarding school serving approximately 960 students from age two through Grade 12 on two beautiful campuses in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The school's mission, inspired by founding Headmistress Mary Hyde DuVal, is simple yet enduring: "We wish our students to become strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul." The school is achieving its vision of inspiring and preparing the next generation of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders through a community culture of purpose, belonging, and continuous growth and innovation – all outlined in their new “Portrait of a 2036 Graduate.”

Located adjacent to the University of Virginia and nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers an exceptional quality of life, combining natural beauty, cultural richness, higher education, and a vibrant community environment.

Candidate Profile

• An appreciation for the relationship between mission, strategy, and financial sustainability
• A genuine enthusiasm for independent school education and student‑centered leadership
• Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, integrity, and a commitment to service
• Significant leadership experience overseeing finance, operations, or administrative functions within an independent school, educational institution, nonprofit organization, or similarly complex enterprise
• Demonstrated expertise in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, investments, long‑range planning, and fiscal oversight
• Experience serving as a strategic partner to senior leaders and governing boards
• Success leading diverse operational functions, such as human resources, facilities, technology, risk management, or auxiliary services
• A proven ability to lead organizational change, improve systems and processes, and increase operational effectiveness
• Experience with campus planning, capital projects, facilities stewardship, and vendor management
• Strong leadership, team‑building, and relationship‑management skills, with the ability to foster trust and collaboration across stakeholder groups

Education and Credentials

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• CPA, MBA, CFA, or other relevant professional credentials are valued but not required
• Independent school, higher education, or other mission‑driven leadership experience is preferred

The Search Process

St. Anne’s-Belfield School has engaged NBOA Advisory Services to lead the search for its Chief Financial and Operating Officer.

Download the St. Anne’s-Belfield School CFOO Search Position Profile at: https://www.nboaadvisoryservices.com/st-annes-belfield

All inquiries, nominations, and questions should be directed in confidence to: James Palmieri, CEO and Search Lead [e-mail]

Search Timeline

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
• Priority will be given to applications received by September 25, 2026
• The position is open until filled, with a desired start date of January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter
• The salary range for this position is $275,000 – $300,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Additionally, school employees enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees through all stages of life and career (see here)

As an inclusive community, St. Anne's-Belfield School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. Anne’s-Belfield School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, sex, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or any status protected by applicable law in the administration of its employment policies or any other academic programs administered by the school.