Episcopal High School

Chief Financial Officer

Episcopal High School, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is pleased to announce a national search for a talented and experienced financial leader to serve as the School’s next Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer reports to the Head of School and is responsible for providing financial and operational direction and oversight for the School. As an officer of the Corporation, leader of the School’s Business Office, and member of the Senior Administrative Team, Episcopal’s CFO works collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff to develop and implement key financial initiatives in advancement of the educational mission of the School. The successful candidate will be a proven strategic thinker with strong business acumen and a deep understanding of the complex array of factors that can affect an institution’s financial strength and long-term sustainability. She/he will join the strategic and visionary leadership of a highly functioning and well-resourced institution, poised to strengthen its position among the nation’s most prestigious independent schools. The opportunity is available in July 2024 and will be filled following a comprehensive national search.

Episcopal High School, also known by its 5,000 devoted alumni as The High School and The Holy Hill, was founded in 1839 as a 100% boarding school located in Alexandria, Virginia. Episcopal’s 130-acre (53-hectare) campus includes state-of-the-art academic and athletic facilities, on-campus faculty housing, and dormitories for 440 residential students from 20 countries, 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In 2023-24, the School’s annual budget is $39.7 million which is supported by an endowment which totaled $308 million on June 30. There are 180 administrators, faculty, and staff as well as outsourced groups overseeing food service and housekeeping functions. In 2023/24 approximately $8.9 million in financial aid was awarded to 35 percent of the student body. Ninety percent of faculty live on campus and 80 percent hold advanced degrees. As one of only four fully residential boarding schools with more than 300 students in the United States, Episcopal is the only one located in a major metropolitan area. Capitalizing on the School’s proximity to Washington, D.C., Episcopal’s faculty create and lead learning experiences that are impossible to replicate elsewhere and are a point of distinction for the School’s academic program.

Guided by its founding principles of honor, academic distinction, spiritual growth, and community, Episcopal High School prepares young people with the intellectual and moral courage to pursue lives of ethical leadership and service as citizens of an increasingly connected world. Episcopal’s Portrait of a Graduate qualities define the skills and habits the School purposely seeks to cultivate in each student. As articulated among the School’s Core Beliefs, intellectual development and moral growth are best nurtured in a vibrant and diverse learning community where close relationships help us understand and bridge our differences. The School seeks a CFO who is excited to join Episcopal’s close-knit and diverse community and play an active role in the moral and intellectual development of its students.

The Opportunity

Working closely with the Head of School and the Board Chairs of the Finance, Investment, and Buildings & Grounds Committees, the CFO is responsible for managing and overseeing the School’s financial management practices and short and long-term financial planning and investment strategies with a high degree of efficiency, effectiveness, integrity, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. With a focus on the School’s financial objectives and business operations, the CFO provides direct oversight over the Controller, Director of Human Resources, Director of Campus Operations, Director of Campus Safety and Security, Director of Technology, General Counsel, and the Director of Auxiliary Programs and Services which is a new position for the 2023/24 school year.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Develops and maintains a highly collaborative working relationship with the Head of School, to ensure cohesive messaging of the Head’s institutional strategic goals and objectives, including alternatives and their financial implications, for consideration by Board committees and other constituencies.
Keeps the Head of School apprised of all business and financial matters.
Oversees the Business Office staff in executing their responsibilities for budget, personnel, payroll, and financial management in accordance with GAAP.
Assumes primary responsibility for the outcome of the annual financial statement and pension plan audits.
Oversees the development, administration, monitoring, and reporting (as applicable) on the annual operating and capital budgets to the School’s Board of Trustees, the auditors, federal, state, and local authorities, rating agencies and bond information agencies, donors and various Episcopal High School administrative offices.
Provides financial management oversight of budgeted funds including restricted endowments and gifts.
Advises departmental leaders and administrators on business, financial, personnel, and organizational matters, including specific guidance regarding effective allocation of the School’s resources.
Guides the work of the Finance, Investment, and Buildings and Grounds Committees of the Board of Trustees with the Committee Chairs, including the organization and coordination of agendas, financial forecasts and analyses, and other meeting materials with the Controller and Director of Campus Operations for committee meetings.
Assumes administrative and oversight responsibility for the School’s banking relationships and endowment, providing appropriate information on invested funds and implementing decisions of the Board’s Investment Committee; coordinates with the endowment consultants, investment managers, and custodian(s) implementing effective endowment allocations, performance, and reporting.
Provides oversight for implementation and functioning of technology and telecommunications, with the Director of Technology.
Provides oversight for benefits programs and personnel policies including raises, hires, terminations, and personnel conflicts, with the Director of Human Resources.
Develops strategies to maximize revenues and minimize administrative costs.
Advises on strategies for managing total salary budget pools in coordination with annual performance evaluation processes.
Acts as plan sponsor and fiduciary to the School’s 403b retirement plan with TIAA-CREF.
Advises the School’s Financial Aid Committee.
Collaborates with the School’s General Counsel regarding risk management matters.
Collaborates with other school administrators to manage positive relations with the City of Alexandria.
Works closely with the Director of Campus Operations to oversee the work of external vendors for food and custodial services.
Analyzes and evaluates financial implications for new programs and initiatives.

Other Duties

Participates in special assignments and projects as needed to improve school operations (e.g., buildings and grounds, safety, accreditation, special task forces and committees, etc.).
Serves on a rotation as either a Campus Supervisor or Administrative Duty Officer (ADO), providing coverage to oversee campus activities, and manage and triage emergencies.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills, Work Experiences, and Attributes:

Successful candidates will possess a strong cultural competency and ability to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people from an array of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences, ultimately serving as a role model to promote a positive and productive work environment where all members of the School’s community feel welcome, contributions of all individuals are respected, and all voices are heard.

10+ years of work experience in a financial and business leadership position
Bachelor’s degree required, M.B.A. and/or a master’s degree in a related field strongly preferred
Demonstrated background in finance, budgeting, investing, and cash management required
Experience in an independent secondary school, college or university setting is strongly preferred though individuals with strong financial and leadership skills in a related field are encouraged to explore this high visibility opportunity
Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI)
Knowledge and experience in setting up and monitoring effective financial controls, and proven financial modeling and forecasting skills
A high level of integrity and professionalism including but not limited to the ability to manage, and sensitivity to, highly confidential information
Superior interpersonal, organizational, and diplomatic managerial skills
An extraordinary work ethic and high degree of energy and flexibility
Ability to work under pressure
Ability to serve as a critical business thinker, capable of providing proactive and effective solutions to business issues
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Effective negotiation skills in developing contracts with external vendors
Proficient use of Microsoft Office, Adobe, Google Suite, financial software, spreadsheets, and relational database management software
Ability to motivate, manage, and retain a high-quality staff, and attract and hire new talent
A positive outlook, and a sense of humor
Personal values which parallel the School’s values and ability to follow the School’s mission
Commitment to fulfilling the mission of Episcopal High School, and an appreciation of a boarding school education and community
An ethical business leader capable of earning the respect and trust of the Head of School, faculty, administration, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees

Physical Requirements

Ability to move around campus and within buildings
Ability to ascend/descend stairs to access the Business Office
Ability to occasionally stoop or kneel
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time inside and outside
Ability to hear, speak, and exchange information in person and over the telephone/video conference platforms
Ability to frequently sustain substantial movements of the wrists, hands and/or fingers
Ability to operate computer and standard office equipment
Ability to occasionally reach with hands and arms
Ability to occasionally lift/carry/push up to 10 pounds
Close visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data and figures, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities

The School’s Benefits

Episcopal High School offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries, and a generous benefits package including a retirement plan, campus housing, generous paid time off (PTO) policy, and the full complement of health and welfare plans.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Episcopal High School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, disability or any other protected category in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local laws.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Statement

The School believes that adolescents benefit most from in-person classes and activities as well as from relationships with faculty and staff who engage with them in all areas of boarding school life. The School encourages its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and reserves the right to require its employees to receive the COVID-19 primary series and booster vaccinations, subject to the limitations of federal and state law, employee eligibility, and the availability of the vaccine.

Disclaimer

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be competent to perform each essential duty. The primary duties and responsibilities listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The omission of responsibilities or functions does not exclude them from this position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Contact Information

To explore this superb career opportunity on a highly confidential basis please send a resume, a letter of interest articulating your skill sets, direct work experiences, and why you are interested in becoming Episcopal High School’s next CFO, and contact information for five (5) references (which will only be contacted if mutual interest is determined) to:

Doug Cooney, Executive Search Consultant, DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc.
572 Washington Street, Suite 15, Wellesley, MA 02482 Telephone: 781-237-2800.
Email: jobs@deerfieldassociates.com