Chief Finance & Operations Officer

Position Summary

The Chief Finance & Operations Officer (CFOO) is a strategic partner to the Head of School and Board of Trustees, with responsibility for the financial stewardship and operational sustainability of the school. The CFOO has primary responsibility for Eastside Prep's overall financial and campus operations, design and management of the $30 million annual operating budget and financial reporting, human resources, benefits administration, risk management, and establishing, sustaining, and evaluating relationships with vendors and professional services consultants (bank, legal, accounting/tax, insurance, investments).

Departments with a reporting relationship include the Business Office, Campus Operations, Dining Services, and IT Operations; the CFOO directly or indirectly supervises approximately 30 staff across those four departments. The position reports to the Head of School and serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This is a full-time, year-round, on-campus, exempt position. Preferred start date is April 1, 2027. Our competitive annual salary range is $275,000 to $325,000, based on experience.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Guide the long-term financial sustainability of the school.
• Provide strategic leadership, analysis, and management of finances and operations.
• Establish financial and capital strategies consistent with the school's strategic priorities.
• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
• Serve as the head administrative officer; partner with the Administrative Staff Council (ASC) to plan continued professional growth opportunities and community-building events for all staff.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Board of Trustees' Finance Committee and contribute to other board committees as needed.

Budget and Financial Management

• Develop and lead short-term and long-term financial planning and forecasting.
• Oversee the annual operating and capital budget, ensuring transparency, collaboration, and fiscal discipline.
• Partner with the Controller to oversee all Business Office functions, including daily operations, external audit, employee benefits, retirement plan, and investments (for operations, reserves, and endowment).

Human Resources and Compensation

• Partner with the Head of School to establish and steward the school's compensation philosophy for faculty and staff, including leading the annual compensation evaluation.
• Benchmark faculty and staff compensation and benefits against independent school and regional market data.
• Model the compensation and benefits implications of staffing decisions within the annual budget and long-range financial plan.
• Own employment policy and practice, including the employee handbook and periodic review of personnel policies.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment law - including classification, wage and hour, and required reporting - in consultation with external counsel.
• Oversee employee benefits and retirement plan administration, including plan design, annual renewals, and fiduciary oversight, in partnership with the Controller and HR Specialist.

Risk Management, Compliance, and Legal

• Lead risk management evaluation and practices, including business continuity planning.
• Partner with the Controller to manage the school's property and liability insurance.
• Serve as primary liaison to external attorneys on matters related to human resources, risk/liability, real estate, immigration, and intellectual property.

Operations and Facilities Oversight

• Coordinate closely with the Director of Campus Operations on oversight of the physical plant, campus grounds, and emergency management.
• Lead major capital projects, in partnership with an owner's representative when necessary.
• Serve as primary liaison to the business park where the school is located, including a leadership role on its Board of Directors.
• Support the Director of Dining Services in maintaining a community-focused dining program with strong fiscal management.
• Support the Director of IT Operations in providing the resources needed to support the school's technology needs while balancing security.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Lead the determination of tuition and other student fees, based on analysis of local economic, demographic, and independent school market trends.
• Partner with the Director of Enrollment Management to lead the school's financial aid program, supporting equitable, mission-aligned need-based aid, including a lead role in reviewing aid applications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Collaborative mindset with a talent for building trust across multiple constituencies - trustees, senior leaders, faculty, staff, and families.
• Demonstrated effectiveness with financial systems design and implementation, and working knowledge of GAAP and tax accounting principles.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to make financial information clear and useful to non-financial audiences.
• Skilled at negotiating contracts with external vendors and managing professional services relationships.
• Ability to manage tight time constraints and solve problems professionally and effectively.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information.
• Flexibility, a capacity to deal with ambiguity.
• A commitment to creating a full sense of belonging for all community members through work in EICL (Equity, Inclusion and Compassionate Leadership). EICL is the school's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, flexibility, and a willingness to participate in the full life of the school are especially welcome.

Experience and Credentials

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, including general accounting functions related to internal controls and accounting policies and procedures.
• Experience as a manager/supervisor, ideally in a multi-functional environment.
• Experience in strategic planning and budget projections.
• Experience in human resources management, including employee benefits administration.

Preferred

• MBA or CPA.
• Experience at an independent school or other nonprofit organization.
• Experience with NetSuite, Concur, Clarity, and ADP.

Application Process

Requirements

Interested candidates should submit these materials to serve as a complete application for the position by Monday, November 2, 2026.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Leadership Philosophy
• Four references who can speak to financial and operational leadership experience, including at least one current or former direct report

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Search Timeline

Milestone

Date

Application deadline

Monday, November 2, 2026

Semi-finalist interviews (virtual)

Tuesday, December 1 - Wednesday, December 2, 2026

Finalist campus visits

Monday, December 7 - Friday, December 11, 2026

Hiring announcement

Friday, December 18, 2026

Semi-finalist and finalist candidates will be contacted directly with detailed schedules. Finalist visits include meetings with the Head of School, the Senior Leadership Team, the Board of Trustees' finance committee, and members of the departments reporting to this position.

Learn more about the position and the search process HERE.

Eastside Prep offers a comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement plan with employer contribution, and paid time off. For more information about working at Eastside Prep (including benefits), visit Careers at EPS.