CFOO

The Agnes Irwin School, an all-girls' Pre-K through 12th-grade independent school in the Philadelphia suburbs, is committed to fostering the intellectual and personal growth of girls and young women. Providing its students with a rigorous academic education, AIS is dedicated to developing each student's highest potential in intellect, character, and physical well-being. 

The Agnes Irwin School has partnered with The Source Advisory – www.thesourceadvisory.org to hire a Full-Time CFOO.  

To Apply: Please send your resume (PDF) with cover letter to:

Chris Massaro, Managing Partner cmassaro@thesourcecareers.com

THE ROLE OF THE CFOO 

Our client is seeking an energetic, innovative and entrepreneurial financial and operational leader for the position of Chief Financial & Operations Officer. This position reports to the Head of School, manages all aspects of the daily operations for the school and is a true strategic thought partner.

• The CFOO partners with the Head of School and the senior leadership team in envisioning and developing plans to ensure that approved strategic initiatives are appropriately funded.
• The CFOO joins a dynamic leadership group as a member of the Leadership Team and will oversee a team of seven direct reports. 
• The CFOO establishes and maintains the financial infrastructure and policies for the fiscal integrity of the institution and ensures the School’s daily operations effectively meet the mission, while partnering with internal and external stakeholders. 
• The CFOO oversees the business office, facilities, security, transportation, and auxiliary programming, as well as relationships with outside vendors including dining services (Culinart).
• The CFOOacts as a liaison to the Board, co-leads the Finance, Audit, and Investments Committees, as well as the Committee for Buildings, Facilities, and Grounds; provides strategic leadership and advice to the Board and School leadership; and is responsible for strategic financial decisions as well as the School’s daily operations. 
• The CFOOis a true hands-on leader and implementer who understands the need for customer service and relationship building. 

The Chief Financial & Operations Officer’s Direct Reports Include: 

Controller - who oversees Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, School Store

Director of Safety & Security

Director of Auxiliary Programming

Supervisor of Facilities

Role Definition

Strategic Leadership:

• Partners with the Head of School and Leadership team to implement the strategic plan and to be a true strategic visionary leader who works with appropriate Board committees in developing strategic financial plans.
• Serves as a member of the Leadership Team advising the Head of School on all institutional and administrative matters.
• Attend and co-lead Board of Trustees committee meetings including the Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Investment Committee and Building, Facilities & Grounds to focus on Institutional Strategy (includes Long Term Financial Sustainability, Enrollment Management, Risk Management.)
• Presents annually at the Board of Trustees Orientation and at all-employee meetings as requested by the Head of School.  
• Collaborates closely with the leadership team on financial, operational and administrative issues, enrollment strategy, market expansion in a competitive environment, net tuition revenue and tuition assistance tactics.
• Works with the Director of Academic and Information Technology on technology operations, budget and capital expense schedule and supports the Athletics Dept on operational needs

Accounting Operations:

• Leads Business Office staff  in all functions of personnel and daily accounting operations including student billing and collections, accounts payable, payroll and general ledger.
• Develops an efficient and cross-trained Business Office operation to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and a high level of customer service.
• Review annual financial statements to include end of year general ledger account balances and activity detail, student accounts receivables, bookstore and prepaid inventory/assets, and accounts payables.
• Ensures that appropriate internal controls have been established including policies and procedures, documentation, etc. and monitors compliance.
• Evaluates and manages independent financial auditor’s engagement for School, Alumnae Association, and Parents Association, including scheduling review of audited financial statements and auditor’s opinion with the School’s Audit Committee.
• Ensures all aspects of the School’s financial management and accounting functions as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution reflect sound and prudent stewardship and compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Maintains Tuition Terms and Policy and follows up on delinquent accounts.
• Reviews and approves monthly general ledger transactions and bank reconciliation reports.

Financial Planning:

• Leads the budgeting process and collaborates with all stakeholders in the creation of their departmental budgets and produces the final budget in a timely manner.
• With the Head of School and Board of Trustees, plans the operating and capital budgets and develops a long-term sustainable economic model to maintain and advance the financial stability of the School.
• Assembles details of projected revenues and expenditures and prepares annual operating and capital expenditure budgets in coordination with the Head of School and the Finance Committee.
• Establishes and maintains a plan and calendar to prepare annual budgets, providing monthly reports, such as operating statements and reports of expenditures, for each budget center.
• Works with the Director of Enrollment Management in projecting enrollment and tuition assistance information that will inform annual and long-range operating budget models.
• Establishes a tangible connection between mission and expenditures.
• Monitors compliance with budget and prepares updates projections with input from divisions on a periodic basis during the year.
• Helps administration, faculty, and staff understand the budget process and its implication on the School’s financial well-being.

Investment and Cash Management:

• Works with the Investment Committee on investment/endowment issues, completes all paperwork for trades and transfers, and serves as primary contact for Investment Consultant.
• Supports the Director of Development in the advancement of capital and annual fund planning and parent association, alumnae inquiries and events on fundraising strategies and execution.
• Reviews monthly financial statements to include general ledger account balances and activity detail, endowment, and cash summaries, and prepares and presents the same to the Head of School, Treasurer, and Board of Trustees.
• Proposes and maintains investment vehicles for liquid, secure, and optimum short-term management of the School’s cash balances; proposes and maintains qualified, competitive banking relationships for purposes of corporate check writing, payroll deposit and transfer management, and line of credit features.

Data Strategy & Benchmarking:

• Participates in National Business Officer Association (NBOA) surveys to gather peer school data and benchmarking and prepares local and national historic comparative revenue and expense data and trends as reported to NAIS, NBOA and PAISBOA for Finance Committee review and consideration. 
• Monitors industry best practices, risks, opportunities; evaluates them for impact and makes recommendations.
• Works closely with the leadership team to develop and maintain a dashboard that is reliable and integrates data points representing all facets of school operations and academics. 
• Models financial and other scenarios for use in strategic decisions and generates presentations for various audiences.

Facilities Management:

• Identifies and initiates enhancements to the School’s physical plant that will preserve, replace, or increase asset value and institutional flexibility and functionality; maintain annual levels of PPRSM (Provision for Plant Replacement and Special Maintenance) funding to accomplish this objective; secure proposals, review and approve renovation/construction plans and products to facilitate enhancements. 
• Represents the School in its request for proposals and contractual arrangements for all aspects of its outsourced professional services to include: financial, governmental, health and human resources, legal, architectural, engineering, construction, furnishings, insurance, cafeteria, and custodial services; and reviews and approves or secures institutional/corporate approvals of contract documents and purchases as required by the School’s financial management authority.  
• Serves in the capacity of owners’ representative to local municipal and regulatory agencies for purposes of securing land development and building approvals and to township departments, neighborhood associations, and local businesses and educational institutions for purposes of establishing productive and mutually attractive facilities leasing or sharing relationships.

Employee Benefits Administration & Risk Management:

• Collaborates with the Director of Human Resources on development and implementation of strategies to improve the School’s hiring processes and financial and operational performance and administer employee benefit programs including pension, health care insurance, group life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts, 403B planning and maintain Human Resources compliance.
• Leads and oversees all Risk Management for AIS, minimizes the School’s exposure to liability, ensuring that the School’s real and personal property, commercial general liability, automobile, workers compensation, umbrella, educators’ legal liability, student accident and builders risk insurances provide adequate and appropriate coverage.
• Assists in research and negotiating alternative employee benefit plans as appropriate.
• Oversees Risk and Compliance for the School and maintains a risk management spreadsheet.

Safety and Security:

• Oversees the Director of Security and staff to ensure a safe campus environment and incorporate best practices in safety and security policies and protocol.
• Ensures crisis planning documents are current and communication methods are in working order.
• Evaluates capital needs associated with access controls and security camera equipment and software systems.

Auxiliary Operations:

• Works with the Director of Auxiliary Programming to manage revenue/expense associated summer programs, camps and the use of school facilities by outside organizations.
• Responsible for managing janitorial and landscaping vendors including selection and performance review.
• Responsible for managing the Student Life Center Dining facility including vendor selection and performance review, and implementation of nutrition and environmentally sustainable waste management programs.
• Provides guidance to the School Store Manager on store operations, including book vendor and sales.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years total professional experience within an independent school, higher education, or other values-driven environment is preferred.
• Strong experience and expertise of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP & A)
• Extensive experience with budgeting and monthly closings.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, or related field; CPA or MBA preferred.

To Apply: Please send your resume (PDF) with cover letter to:

Chris Massaro, Managing Partner cmassaro@thesourcecareers.com

The Source Advisory – www.thesourceadvisory.org

The above referenced position summary is a guideline designed to present an overview of the job duties and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of responsibilities and requirements.

The Agnes Irwin School does not discriminate in any term or condition of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic or status protected by federal, state, or local law