Business Manager/CFO

Position Summary

The Gunston School seeks a strategically-oriented and experienced financial and business leader to fill the key position of Business Manager/CFO. This is a retirement replacement, so the position commences on July 1, 2020, although an earlier start date may be possible. The CFO reports directly to the Head of School and supports the Board of Trustees in implementing the school’s mission and strategic plan. The CFO, in partnership with the Assistant Business Manager, is responsible for the organization, management and implementation of comprehensive business, financial, and investment initiatives for the school. 

Please send your resume and cover letter to Headmaster John Lewis at jlewis@gunston.org.

• The CFO is a key member of the senior leadership team that oversees the day-to-day operation of the school as well as the “big picture” issues and ambitious plans that outline the school’s future.

• The ideal candidate for this high-profile position will be both an effective administrative leader who can manage information, people, and processes, and a strategic thinker who has exceptional leadership and critical thinking skills. Our goal is to recruit a seasoned professional who will build on the significant accomplishments of the outgoing Business Manager/CFO (who is retiring in August 2020) and determine what policies, technologies and programs need to be adapted to respond to the needs of the school and its strategic priorities. The candidate will be proficient with accounting systems, cash management, human resources, accounts payable and receivable, and financial aid. Demonstrated leadership in implementing change, fostering a high level of teamwork and customer service while embracing technological advancement is required.

• Responsibilities include management and strategic leadership of the Business Office to ensure that appropriate financial controls are utilized effectively. The CFO generally oversees the realms of finance, facilities and security, budgeting and planning, purchasing, technology, endowment, risk management, legal, housekeeping, human resources, summer programs, food service,and related interactions with parents, faculty, staff, and administration.

Job Duties 

• Initiate/facilitate the development of metrics to assess performance in critical areas and make data-informed decisions.

• Actively participate in significant ways in strategic planning, campus master planning and capital campaign processes. 

Legal and Regulatory

• Manage all legal matters and work closely with the school’s attorneys. 

Operations and Facilities

• Oversee the physical plant, grounds and construction functions. Lead Director of Buildings and Grounds to plan and direct all upkeep, replacement and renewal of the physical plant. Oversee Project Manager for all major projects. Serve as liaison to the Board of Trustees for the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

• Oversee the Director of Information Technology in efforts to provide optimal technological solutions and support throughout the school.

• Manage and direct the day-to-day operation of the Business Office including payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accounting functions, school store and support staff.

• Oversee the risk management function and purchase property, casualty, liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

• Manage the expenses of the school. Secure the highest level of quality products and services for the school’s business functions, including measuring cost effectiveness. Oversee school operations, effectively determining whether functions should be serviced internally or outsourced.

• Oversee the Director of Safety and Security (who also serves as Project Manager), who is responsible for running the school’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) team and the Emergency Response Team (ERT). Participate in these groups.

Human Resources

• Provide leadership to faculty and staff regarding employee hiring, terminations and oversight issues. Develop employee policies and procedures. Oversee and direct implementation and administration of employee benefits programs such as retirement and other related plans, health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, workers’ compensation.

• Prepares and processes all aspects of payroll including annual W-2 preparation.

• Prepares employee employment letters and individual benefit analysis.

• Oversee and manage the school’s staff employees.

• Work on all related Human Resources programs and policies. 

• Manage the staff employee hiring, training and assessment process.

• Develop and implement staff employee handbooks.

• Interpret and apply federal and state employee law.

• Administers and implements all benefits programs including open enrollment.

Business Management

• Direct and manage all Business Office support staff operations functions with the Assistant Business Manager

• Serve as primary staff liaison with Board of Trustees’ Finance and Audit Committee, Buildings & Grounds Committee. 

• Serve as school liaison with all litigation proceedings.

Fiscal Management

• Develop, present and manage all operating and capital budgets in conformance with all FASB guidelines.

• Develop and present to Board of Trustees interactive financial planning models for strategic planning and fiscal oversight.

• Negotiate all school-issued debt instruments for capital financing.

• Serve as co-school liaison with all endowment fund managers.

Construction Management

• Serve as a school liaison for all major capital projects.

• Represent the school in all negotiations with architects, project managers, and general contractors.

 Financial Aid and Endowment

• Member of Financial Aid Committee awarding annual aid to families.

• Participate in Financial Aid Appeal meetings with families.

• Oversee the investment professionals who manage the school’s endowment assets and serve as liaison to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees for the Investment Committee.

Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable

• Manages and perform all aspects of the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.

• Annual Preparation of 1099 forms.

• Billing of Tuition and fees with Blackbaud Tuition Management System.

• Monitor AR aging and communicate with delinquent account holders.

Accounting and Budgeting:

• Manages and directs an operating budget of approximately $6 million

• Establishes policies, procedures, standards and strategies for areas of responsibility and provides adequate internal control capabilities and strengths to safeguard the school’s assets.

• Coordinates with the Head of School financial planning for the School, including preparation of the annual budget. Work with department heads to establish annual department needs. 

• Prepares monthly and annual financial statements.

• Acts as a liaison between School and CPA firm; along with coordinating and preparing work papers for the annual audit.

• Gathers and prepares information required for the preparation of Form 990 and Form 5500 tax returns.

• Attends Finance Committee meetings, keeping minutes at meetings. Prepares relevant reports for board review.

• Reviews and authorizes all check requests submitted and invoice payments.

• Preparation of annual surveys, compliance reports, and information requests of financial data.

• Maintains fixed assets to submit to auditors at year end.

• Administers and maintains all property, casualty, liability, cyber and all other forms of insurance for the school.

• Cash Management-monitoring bank accounts.

• Maintains and performs the monthly review and reconciliation of the general ledger.

• Prepares all monthly bank reconciliation

• Prepares and post monthly and annual journal entries.

• Reconciles gift income with the Director of Advancement

The ideal candidate for CFO should possess:

• A strong background in financial systems, modeling and forecasting; investment and risk management; support services administration; business services; human resources and benefit administration, and facilities management.

• Effective financial and business management skills, and the ability to earn the respect and attention of faculty, administration, staff, students and the Board of Trustees.

• A high level of integrity and an extraordinary work ethic.

• Ability to effectively interface with all levels of the school community – the administration, staff and faculty; the Board of Trustees; alumni and friends of the school; current parents; students, and the local government 

• An open and collaborative management style characteristic of a team player who can provide superior customer service. 

• Ability to embrace and implement change while fostering a high level of teamwork, a customer service orientation, and technological advancement. 

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. 

• Knowledge of and experience in setting up effective financial controls. 

• Effective negotiation skills in developing contracts with external vendors. 

• A strong commitment to education and an interest in being a positive role-model. 

• Interest in industry associations (AIMS, NAIS, NBOA, etc.) and “best practices” and the ability to keep current, and bring about appropriate change in the spirit of total quality improvement. 

• Creativity, a positive outlook, proactive orientation and a sense of humor are helpful. 

• Experience in an independent secondary school, college or university setting strongly preferred. Individuals with strong financial and leadership skills in a related field are encouraged to explore this opportunity.

• Ten to 15 years of work experience in a financial and business leadership position.

• Bachelor’s degree is required, M.B.A. and/or a master’s degree in a related field, or a CPA license strongly preferred.

Software Knowledge

• Blackbaud Tuition Management, Blackbaud Student Information System, Quickbooks Online, Google Suite, Excel.