Job Description

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

A private Jewish day school seeks an experienced and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee all financial operations of the school and to serve as a key partner to school leadership and the Board. The CFO will lead the Business Office and play a central role in guiding the school through its next phase of growth by modernizing financial operations, strengthening the team, and aligning resources with long-term strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Operations

• Oversee all accounting and bookkeeping functions, including financial statements, budgeting, payroll, payables and receivables, tuition billing, purchasing, and cash management
• Develop, manage, and monitor the annual operating budget, ensuring financial discipline, transparency, and accountability across the organization
• Monitor cash flow, financial controls, reserves, and long-term financial sustainability
• Prepare and present clear, decision-oriented financial reports and analyses to school leadership and the Board
• Coordinate audits, regulatory compliance, and all required financial reporting

Strategic Planning & Budget Integration

• Lead the school’s strategic financial planning process in close partnership with the Heads of School, Executive Director (responsible for non-academic functions), and Board and lay leadership
• Serve as the owner of the annual operating budget cycle, translating strategic priorities into executable operating and capital plans
• Facilitate cross-functional planning discussions that align enrollment growth, staffing models, academic programs, facilities needs, and financial capacity
• Provide financial frameworks, scenario analysis, and recommendations to support informed decision-making at the leadership and Board levels

Capital Planning, Facilities & Multi-Site Operations

• Lead long-range financial and operational planning for a growing, multi-location school environment
• Oversee capital planning and execution, including building projects, renovations, and major facilities initiatives
• Manage capital expenditures (CapEx) and operating expenses (OpEx) in an integrated manner, ensuring appropriate funding strategies, controls, and alignment with mission and growth objectives
• Partner with leadership to ensure facilities and infrastructure investments are financially sustainable and operationally sound

Fundraising Finance & Development Partnership

• Oversee the controls and reporting related to all fundraising activities, including capital campaigns, annual funds supporting operating expenses, and other development initiatives
• Partner with development leadership to align fundraising goals, cash flows, and timing with operating and capital needs
• Ensure proper financial tracking, reconciliation, and reporting of all fundraising revenue, pledges, and donor-restricted funds
• Provide financial modeling and strategic guidance to support fundraising strategies and long-term sustainability
• Oversee the financial management of development operations, including systems, processes, and personnel involved in fundraising administration and collections
• While not responsible for donor solicitation or frontline fundraising, the CFO serves as the senior financial steward for all fundraising-related controls and reporting and works closely with the Board on strategy and planning related to fundraising.

Organizational Modernization & Team Leadership

• Lead the modernization of the Business Office, upgrading systems, processes, and technology to support increased scale and organizational complexity
• Evaluate, restructure, and develop Business Office personnel to ensure the team has the skills, capacity, and tools required for a growing institution
• Drive operational efficiency by replacing legacy workflows and systems with scalable, data-driven solutions
• Supervise Business Office staff and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a CFO or senior financial leader
• Strong hands-on accounting and bookkeeping experience, with the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and execution levels
• Proven ability to prepare, analyze, and communicate financial statements, budgets, and long-range financial plans
• Experience in a nonprofit or private school environment strongly preferred
• Experience with strategic planning, capital projects, multi-site operations, and fundraising finance highly desirable
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA and/or MBA a plus)

Compensation

Salary range: $200,000–$225,000 annually, commensurate with experience, plus benefits.

Experience Required

5-6 years