Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences is seeking an accomplished Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). Reporting to the Head of School, the CFOO serves as a member of the senior leadership team (Administrative Planning Committee or “APC”) and oversees all of the financial and operational activities of the School’s $64 million annual operating budget. 

In partnership with the Head of School, the CFOO serves as a strategic administrator and provides leadership and managerial oversight, supervising a team of four key directors across the following areas: Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Facilities and Operations, and Auxiliary Programs.  In all, this position will supervise, directly or indirectly, approximately 75 people.

Alongside the Head of School, the CFOO establishes, cultivates and maintains excellent working relationships with a wide network of employees, trustees, consultants, advisors, faculty, and colleagues within the community, and local agencies and organizations externally. This includes providing financial guidance, forecasting and leadership in financial, operational and real estate matters involving the school.

(The current CFOO is departing to take a similar CFOO position at another independent school in Los Angeles; he can be available to provide transition support on a part-time basis to the new incoming CFOO.)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership

• Oversees the development and management of the school’s operating budget and long-range financial plans, including acquisition and management of debt and compliance with the lender’s debt covenants for the school’s loan. 
• Reviews and approves operational and project-based capital budgets. 
• Oversees and demonstrates responsibility for the school’s financial reporting and tax reporting.
• Oversees treasury functions, cash management and cash flow forecasts, including investment of operating cash, reserve funds, and endowment.
• Oversees and coordinates outside banking and accounting relationships. Ensures compliance with contractual and external obligations, including with banking partners and IRS regulatory reporting.
• Provides the Head of School and Board of Trustees with financial and other pertinent information necessary for making key policy and operational decisions. Attends meetings of the Board of Trustees and its Executive Committee, serving as liaison to the following committees: Finance, Audit, Investment, Real Estate and 403(b) Retirement Plan. Supports both the Head Compensation Committee and Executive Committee as assigned.
• Works with the Office of Admission and Affordability to coordinate enrollment projections and impact on the school’s revenue.
• Liaisons with the Investment Committee of the Board and with the external financial advisor for the management of the school’s endowment.
• Coordinates the financial aid (Affordability Program) budget with the Office of Admission and Affordability and coordinates the information technology budgets with the Director of Technology.

Administration & Management

• As member of the APC, meets weekly to discuss school operations and participates in long-range planning as well as policy and procedural development institution-wide. Advises all managers as necessary regarding financial and legal implications of operations.
• Works closely with the Associate Head of School on a broad range of administrative, personnel, compensation and operational issues, jointly supervising the Director of Human Resources in various employee relations and compensation areas.
• Works closely with the Director of Advancement to coordinate the work of the Business and Advancement Offices and frequently reconcile revenue flows. Develops and analyzes financial reports supporting fundraising, endowment management, foundation reporting and communications.
• Represents the school in state and nationwide organizations such as CAIS, Cal-ISBOA, NBOA and NAIS, and ensures that annual benchmarking surveys requests from these organizations are submitted yearly.

Supervises four key directors: 

1. The Controller, who manages budget and treasury operations, audit coordination, and banking relationships while supervising accounting staff responsible for general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and project management. 
2. The Director of Human Resources, who oversees personnel policies and practices school-wide, supervises employee benefits and compensation management, and manages employee relations.
3. The Director of Facilities, who is responsible for management, maintenance, and planning for the physical plant, security operations, event set-up and logistics, custodial, and transportation.
4. The Director of Auxiliary Programs, who is responsible for the Elementary School after-school program (Hang Out), summer program, master calendar, substitute teachers scheduling, facilities rentals, food service, and other auxiliary services as needed.

Risk Management

• Supervises a wide range of business operations, including insurance policy management, legal advice and assistance, and risk management policies and procedures.
• Oversees and reviews contractual obligations of the school in all areas and guides managers in the development of outside agreements as well as liability waivers and related procedures.
• Oversees the review, revision, and enforcement of student enrollment contracts with legal counsel. Works with parents to resolve unusual situations as required. Works closely with the Director of Enrollment Management and the Director of Affordability (Financial Aid) to ensure fair and equitable financial aid policies and awards. Ensures coordination between Accounts Receivable/Student Billing and Affordability.
• Participates in school-wide committees such as Risk Management and Implementation, both in conjunction with the Associate Head of School.
• Procures or obtains legal advice for matters relating to employee relations, land use and real estate transactions.

Operations and Facilities

• Manages personnel practices to ensure compliance with labor laws and other legal affairs.
• Chairs the 403(b) Committee for the employee retirement plan, working in conjunction with outside retirement plan financial advisors to ensure the strength and viability of the plan, and communicating with employees regarding changes and strategies.
• Supervises the Director of Facilities in the administration of the school’s facilities and operations.
• Provides management and budget oversight to construction projects, coordinating with project architects and managers, and assists in long-range plant planning as requested by the Head of School.
• Oversees, along with the Project Manager consultant (Owner’s Representative), the construction of the school’s Bezdek Center for the Performing Arts, which is in mid-construction.
• Oversees, negotiates, and manages real estate relationships, both as tenant and landlord, and coordinates property acquisitions, working with brokers, consultants and/or outside property managers.
• Acts as external liaison to the City of Santa Monica, the Chamber of Commerce and in various aspects of operations as required.
• Ensures compliance with contractual, regulatory, and municipal requirements.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The CFOO will be a strategic and results-driven leader with a track record of success in similar roles of progressively greater responsibility, with experience in managing schools or organizations with similar levels of budget size and operating complexity. 

The CFOO will have a strong finance and operations background, excellent relationship-building capabilities, and excellent communication skills. A strong complement to the Head of School, the CFOO will be relied upon for their good business judgment, analytical mindset, great capacity for flexibility and adaptability to shifting priorities or needs, and sound and influential decision-making abilities.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of financial leadership experience at an organization of similar size (or demonstrated successful rapid upward mobility). Finance executives with corporate, nonprofit, K-12 schools or university level experience who are mission-driven and passionate about education will be given special consideration. 

The CFOO will have both financial and operational experience, and experience working with human resources, facilities and/or information technology. 

The CFOO will have a service mindset along with business savvy and good judgment to establish the necessary trust and credibility with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, faculty, colleagues, parents, students, and external partners. A bachelor’s degree is required, and an MBA or CPA is desired.

About Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences

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