Director of Finance & Operations in Willoughby, Ohio at Andrews Osborne Academy

Position Overview

Andrews Osborne Academy seeks a Director of Finance and Operations to provide strategic financial leadership and operational oversight for the Academy. This position is responsible for the financial health, operational sustainability, and business discipline of the school.

The Director of Finance and Operations leads budgeting, financial reporting, cash flow management, audit preparation, business office operations, facilities oversight, human resources coordination, vendor relationships, and risk management. This role serves as the financial conscience of the institution, providing the analysis, discipline, and operational foundation that allow every other area of the Academy to function well. A key thought partner to the Head of School and works closely with the Board Finance Committee, administrative leadership, Advancement, Enrollment Management, Operations, Technology, and Facilities.

This position is year-round, exempt, and is eligible for benefits.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management and Institutional Planning

• Budgeting: Assists the Head of School in building and managing the operating and capital budgets

• Financial Reporting: Prepares, analyzes, and interprets financial results for the Head of School's decision-making and financial tracking. Provides guidance and assistance to other members of the administration in the management of their areas of operation; provides monthly budget status reports

• Collections: Monitors and actively pursues the collection of tuition and fees. Manages delinquent accounts with discretion and care, following school policy and guidance from the Head of School

• Manage cash flow, forecasting, short- and long-term financial planning, and sustainability analysis.

• Maintain the Academy’s financial accounting systems and ensure the accurate recording of all financial transactions in accordance with sound accounting principles.

• Oversee monthly closings, general ledger reconciliations, and internal financial controls.

• Manage the annual audit process and coordinate preparation of required tax filings with outside audit and tax advisors.

• Support the Head of School and Finance Committee in developing multi-year financial plans aligned with the Academy’s strategic priorities.

• Work with Admissions and Enrollment Management on enrollment contracts, billing, collections, financial aid allocation, and enrollment-related financial planning.

• Collaborate with Advancement to ensure proper recording, tracking, and reporting of gifts, pledges, and restricted funds.

• Provide a financial and operational lens to major institutional decisions.

Business Office

• Lead and supervise Business Office staff.

• Oversee accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, tuition billing, and related financial services.

• Ensure timely, accurate, and professional service to parents, students, faculty, staff, vendors, and other stakeholders.

• Maintain strong internal processes for financial accountability, documentation, and compliance.

• Support the positive financial reputation of the Academy with vendors, suppliers, families, and institutional partners.

Operations

• Oversee campus operations, facilities planning, and vendor relationships.

• Supervise the Facilities and Campus Services.

• Supervise the Director of Summer Programs.

• Supervise the Director of Technology.

• Ensure that operational systems are efficient, cost-effective, reliable, and aligned with the needs of a PK–12/Post-Graduate day and boarding school.

• Provide financial oversight for major contracts, service agreements, and external vendor relationships, including food service, insurance, legal counsel, audit services, banking, technology, and campus operations.

• Support facilities planning, capital projects, and campus improvement priorities in coordination with the Head of School and operational leaders.

• Assist with the financial management of summer programs, auxiliary programs, facility rentals, and other special program offerings.

Human Resources and Risk Management

• Oversee HR-related functions including benefits administration, compensation processes, payroll coordination, personnel records, and employment compliance.

• Support the Head of School in personnel matters, appointment letters, job descriptions, compensation planning, and contract management.

• Ensure employee records and HR practices align with school policy and applicable regulations.

• Coordinate with ADP TotalSource or other HR/payroll partners as applicable.

• Assist the Head of School in risk management responsibilities.

• Oversee the Academy’s insurance relationships and support risk-related reporting, renewals, and documentation.

• Ensure the Academy maintains sound compliance practices.

Board and Leadership Support

• Serve as a primary financial resource to the Head of School.

• Prepare materials for Board Finance Committee and Board review.

• Attend Finance Committee meetings and selected Board meetings as requested.

• Provide clear, direct, and accurate financial analysis to non-financial audiences.

• Perform other strategic and operational projects as assigned by the Head of School.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

• 5–10 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience.

• Experience in preparing and managing annual operating budgets exceeding $5 million.

• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, and internal controls.

• Experience supervising accounting, payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable functions.

• Proficiency with accounting and financial systems (e.g., QuickBooks Online, Blackbaud, ADP, Excel).

• Proficiency with Google Suite

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present financial information to non-financial audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree, CPA, or comparable financial credential.

• Independent school, higher education, nonprofit, or boarding school experience.

• Experience working with Boards of Trustees, Finance Committees, and auditors.

• Familiarity with tuition management systems, financial aid, enrollment forecasting, and educational funding programs such as EdChoice.

• Experience with facilities planning, capital projects, and vendor contract management.

• Knowledge of HR, employee benefits administration, and payroll systems.

• Experience implementing financial systems and process improvements.

Key Characteristics for Success

The successful candidate will be:

• Financially rigorous: the numbers are accurate, the analysis is clear, and the process is disciplined.

• Resourceful: effective at finding quick and clever ways to solve problems, especially when resources are limited.

• Candid and direct: able to tell the Head of School and Board what they need to hear.

• Operationally competent: understands how buildings, systems, vendors, and people work together.

• Trustworthy: handles sensitive financial and personnel information with discretion.

• Strategic: serves as a thought partner, not simply a functional manager.

• Practical and solutions-oriented: able to move between financial detail and institutional strategy.