Jobs

The Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO) will join Cardigan Mountain School’s senior administrative team as the school’s principal financial and operational leader and a trusted strategic thought partner to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and senior leadership team. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the CFOO will oversee a broad portfolio that includes finance, accounting, budgeting, purchasing, forecasting, human resources, risk management, facilities, technology, transportation, school store, health services, and food service. This exciting opportunity offers the next CFOO the chance to guide an already financially and operationally healthy school. The CFOO will preserve what works, strengthen systems and teams, and help Cardigan adapt thoughtfully for the future. As the institution matures, the CFOO will navigate opportunities and challenges associated with continued financial growth and campus expansion while supporting the school community.

Responsibilities

In addition to embracing Cardigan Mountain’s mission, supporting its Head and leadership, and representing the school at professional and public forums, the new CFOO has several primary responsibilities:

Financial Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership, analysis, and management of all financial resources and operations
• Establish financial and capital strategies aligned with institutional priorities
• Oversee comprehensive financial reporting to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and committees
• Build and/or maintain short- and long-term strategic financial models
• Manage annual budgeting processes in collaboration with department heads and budget holders
• Oversee annual financial and 403(b) audits
• Reviews and ensures the application of appropriate internal controls and financial policies and procedures

Board and Committee Relations

• Serve as the staff liaison to the Board’s Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Personnel Committee, and Investment Committee
• Provide regular financial monitoring, budget updates, and performance reports
• Present strategic financial analysis, relevant modelling, and recommendations to the Board

Investment and Endowment Management

• Oversee administration of the school’s endowment
• Execute investment policy and implement Investment Committee decisions
• Coordinate with endowment consultants, investment managers, and custodians
• Ensure effective endowment allocations and performance management

Operations Management

• Oversee school operations including Facilities, Food Service, Technology, School Store, Health
• Services, personnel management, and vendor relations
• Coordinate closely with facilities management to oversee the physical campus, including buildings and grounds maintenance, capital planning, and construction projects
• Ensure compliance with all local and state reporting requirements

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve on the Head of School’s Leadership Team
• Lead, co-lead, or participate in various school teams, committees, and professional development
• Collaborate effectively with all school departments including Admissions, Advancement, Academic Affairs, Health Services, and Student Life
• Manage and develop Business Office staff

Employee Benefits and Banking

• Oversee employee onboarding, payroll procedures, and related financial processes
• Oversee the employee benefit programs including health insurance, retirement, and related plans, all employment practices related to non-academic personnel, employee morale, payroll services, and compliance reporting
• Ensures that the school’s personnel policies support its programs and that the school’s actions regarding hiring, compensation, training, promotion, and separation conform with state and federal requirements, and are in line with the school’s strategic goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Oversee human resources function to appropriately address all staff personnel issues including evaluations, compensation, discipline, hiring, and terminations.
• Maintain relationships with banks and lenders to secure funding and ensure loan compliance

Risk Management

• Serve as a resource to mitigate liability exposure through a system of policies, procedures, and appropriate insurance coverage
• Responsible for the school’s insurance coverage, liability, and risk-related policies and controls. Works with insurance advisors and brokers to ensure that adequate, appropriate, and cost-effective insurance is in place
• Oversee all campus and work safety issues, regulatory and environmental compliance, and any legal matters in consultation with the Head of School
• Serve as liaison with the school attorneys

Qualifications and Risk Management

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, CPA, or equivalent advanced degree preferred
• 5-10 years of senior-level experience in financial planning and management
• Proven experience managing teams, setting clear goals, responsibilities and accountability, and creating organizational cohesion
• Strong record in designing, implementing, and managing large-scale organizational change
• Experience with non-profit boards and senior administrative teams
• Advanced Excel skills, prior experience working in a Google environment, and a strong working knowledge of business accounting policies, procedures, practices, and financial software programs, such as Blackbaud and other accounting software
• Demonstrated interest in leveraging AI and emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency

Preferred Experience

• Independent school, and particularly boarding schools, or higher education experience preferred
• Experience in other educational or non-profit sector financial management
• Knowledge of endowment management and investment oversight
• Familiarity with private independent school operations and unique financial considerations
• Experience with construction project planning and oversight
• Experience with debt financing

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional communication skills with excellent written, verbal, and presentation abilities
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex subjects and communicate them to varied audiences
• Demonstrated ability to manage personnel with diverse backgrounds and execute all duties with demonstrated sensitivity, and an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, gender, and ethnic backgrounds
• Proven experience in strategic decision-making analysis
• Strong knowledge of business and non-profit accounting policies and procedures
• Ability to think and plan strategically and creatively
• Skilled at supervising, managing, and delegating multiple functions
• Ability to thoughtfully and diplomatically implement change
• Excellent negotiation skills with external vendors
• High customer service standards
• Demonstrated commitment to equitable and inclusive practices
• Strong technology skills

More Information How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact Todd Gochman and Elyse Waterhouse at Carney Sandoe & Associates:

TODD GOCHMAN
Consultant
todd.gochman@carneysandoe.com

ELYSE WATERHOUSE
Senior Consultant
elyse.waterhouse@carneysandoe.com