Chief Financial and Operations Officer in Litchfield, Connecticut at Forman School

Reports To: Head of School

12-month Position - Annually Renewable Administrative Contract

Position Overview

Reporting to the Head of School, the Forman School Chief Financial & Operations Officer is a key member of Forman’s leadership team, responsible for the overall financial health, financial reporting, and strategic financial oversight of the school from a short and long-term perspective. Forman seeks an innovative and entrepreneurial financial and operational leader who will act as a close advisor to the Head of School and partner to the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, proactive in their guidance, and progressive in their strategic leadership of the school’s financial team. Creative oversight and an appropriate sense of urgency in building Forman’s financial strength are essential in this role as Forman develops new opportunities for growing revenue while preserving the school’s asset base.

Forman’s Mission, Promise, and Core Values

Forman School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for boarding and day students with identified learning differences. Forman develops the whole student, based on each individual’s learning profile, so that all graduates become educated, confident self-advocates throughout life.

Forman is committed to sustaining an inclusive environment that fosters a deeper understanding of differences in race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, geographical origin, physical ability, and family structure.

We believe society is bettered when we learn from and embrace those with different experiences and perspectives from our own. Our community values truth, respect, and kindness.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide leadership on issues of financial affairs, creating and leading a strong, disciplined, well-formed, and achievement-oriented financial team.
• Proactively advise, consult, and strategize with the Head of School on all financial aspects of the school.
• Partner with the Head of School and Senior Leadership Team in envisioning and developing plans to ensure that approved strategic initiatives are appropriately funded.
• Act as a liaison to the Board, co-lead the Finance & Investment, Audit & Compliance, and Buildings & Grounds Committees; provide strategic leadership, advice, and partnership to the Board and school leadership.

Financial Planning & Accounting Operations

• Supervise the work of the Controller and business office personnel; use standard accounting and bookkeeping procedures ensuring appropriate internal controls to keep an accurate continuous record of the cash and financial position of the school; and manage the financial operation of the school so that the institution remains financially stable.
• Foster a collaborative, cross-trained business office that promotes team-work and a goal-oriented culture.
• Establish a plan and schedule for the preparation of the annual budget that will not only permit the setting of the succeeding year’s tuition by the Board of Trustees, but also ensure the School’s financial stability.
• Develop projections and ensure that the budget, budget revisions, and/or budget requests, are prepared within guidelines and are submitted within the established time frames.
• Make recommendations relative to the accounting of assets, revenues, and expenditures.
• Oversee the annual audit of the school’s financial reports and financial position.
• Oversee the preparation and timely filing of the annual Form 990 Report.
• Oversee all school purchasing, financial investments, banking activities.
• Ensure all aspects of the School’s financial management and accounting functions as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization reflect sound and prudent stewardship and compliance with regulatory agencies.

Employee Benefits Administration & Risk Management

• Oversee all Human Resource responsibilities for the School including conflict resolution, performance improvement plans and adherence to school employment expectations.
• Collaborate with the Head of School on the development and implementation of strategies and best practices on the School’s hiring processes and administration of colleague benefits programs, including pension, health insurance, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and 403(b) plans.
• Ensure school compliance with personnel rules and regulations, EEO/AA, and labor laws.
• Proactively work with the School’s counsel on contract, employment, real estate, tax and related issues.
• Develop and monitor the School’s contracts and act as a liaison to outside vendors and organizations.
• Maintain understanding of employment laws applicable to workers in Connecticut.

Facilities Management & Auxiliary Operations

• Oversee and supervise facilities management for the School.
• Oversee housekeeping and maintenance, directing a strategic team culture.
• Identify and initiate enhancements to the School’s physical plant to maintain, preserve and ensure asset value. Initiate a long-term campus master planning process.
• Represent the School in sending requests for proposals and securing contractual agreements for approved renovation and construction projects.
• Represent the School to local municipal and regulatory agencies for the purposes of building positive relationships and securing land development and building approvals.
• Oversee school transportation, including vehicle maintenance, fleet replacement, and contracts and to assess the performance of the transportation companies.
• Ensure the effective management of the bookstore, student health center and the food-service operations.
• Oversee and work collaboratively with the Director of Information Technology.
• Develop and monitor the School’s contracts and act as a liaison to outside vendors and organizations.

Educational and Experiential Background and Credentials

• A minimum of 10 years total professional experience within an independent school, higher education institution, or other mission-driven non-profit organization is preferred with at least 3 years experience in a senior financial role.
• Strong experience and expertise in financial planning and analysis and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and oversight in facilities management.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field; CPA or MBA preferred.