Position Available: Director of Finance and Operations
Start Date: Open until Filled
12-Month Administrator position
THE CHURCH FARM SCHOOL
1001 E. Lincoln Highway
Exton, PA 19341
Apply by letter to the address above (Attn: Human Resources) or by email: [email protected].
Include by separate attachments your cover letter, resume of qualifications and experiences and names and contact information for three professional references. Please enter the position in the email subject line.
Why choose Church Farm School for your next career opportunity?
When you join our team, you will work with colleagues who are enthusiastic about our mission – to prepare a diverse group of boys with academic ability and good character to lead productive and fulfilling lives by making a college preparatory education financially accessible. The Church Farm School is an independent boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12 in the Episcopal tradition. Church Farm School was founded in 1918 and is in Exton, PA. Additional information about CFS can be found at www.gocfs.net.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) is a key member of the Administrative Leadership Team at Church Farm School, an all-boys independent boarding and day school. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the DFO is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day leadership of the school’s financial management and operations, ensuring fiscal integrity, operational efficiency and alignment with the school’s mission and values.
The selected candidate will be an active and curious thought-partner to fellow members of the Administrative Leadership Team and a strong collaborator and communicator. The individual will have the ability and an eagerness to question the status quo, explore new ideas and develop the financial models/projections necessary to evaluate new programs.
This role oversees multiple departments and functions, including finance, investments, business office, facilities, risk management, student services and campus operations. The DFO collaborates with faculty, staff, administration and trustees to foster a culture of transparency, accountability and sustainability.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
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Financial Management and Strategy
- Oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, reporting, audits, payroll, student services including billing and compliance.
- Manage cash flow, banking relationships and investments in coordination with the Finance Committee and external advisors.
- Prepare regular financial reports for the Head of School, Board of Directors and relevant committees.
- Ensure financial systems, controls and procedures are in place and aligned with best practices.
Business Office and Risk Oversight
- Lead all business functions, including accounts payable/receivable, purchasing, tax filings and internal controls.
- Manage the school’s risk management program, including insurance coverage and proactive risk mitigation strategies.
- Review and approve all contractual obligations and vendor agreements.
Operational and Facilities Oversight
- Direct facilities management, capital planning, campus safety, transportation and student services. Manage facility/auxiliary rental program.
- Oversee campus infrastructure, including maintenance, renovations and long-range facilities planning. Provides vision for long-term planning.
- Lead the Safety Committee and emergency response planning.
Investment and Endowment Management
- Administer the school’s investment portfolio in accordance with Board policy.
- Collaborate with investment consultants and custodians to monitor performance, allocation and compliance.
- Provide timely reports to the Finance and Investment Committees.
Board and Committee Engagement
- Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Finance, Audit and Buildings and Grounds Committees.
- Prepare agendas, reports and meeting materials in coordination with committee chairs.
- Participate in strategic planning and serve as a trusted advisor to the Board and Head of School.
School Leadership and Community Involvement
- Serve on the Administrative Leadership Team and support key campus events and duties.
- Participate in weekend administrator coverage rotation and student-centered campus life.
- Actively participate in school activities through the year.
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Minimum of 10 years of financial and operational experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Experience in an independent school, nonprofit or higher education setting strongly preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field required. CPA, MBA or master’s degree strongly preferred.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and strong project management capabilities.
- Deep knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit financial management and risk oversight.
- Experience with financial and operational software; Blackbaud or similar systems preferred.
- Experience in critically assessing and reinventing inherited budget structures, systems and reframing processes and procedures for operational effectiveness and organizational evolution.
- Familiarity with programs unique to independent schools, including financial aid award oversight, state tax credit programs like Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity School Tax Credit (OSTC) and the management of Special-Purpose Entities (SPEs) in conjunction with EITC/OSTC.
Preferred Competencies and Personal Attributes:
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Collaborative leadership style with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to manage and mentor staff and build consensus across diverse teams.
- High personal integrity, discretion and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
- Mission-aligned with a passion for boys’ education and the values of Church Farm School.
- Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in both practice and philosophy.
- Highly organized, proactive and solutions-oriented.
- Keen understanding of the role administrators play in an organization's fundraising effort with a willingness to nurture vendor relationships toward that end and embrace opportunities to solicit partners for philanthropic support when appropriate.
Church Farm School is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Church Farm School welcomes and celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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