Director of Finance

SUMMARY

Mayfield Junior School is a remarkably joyful community. You would notice and feel this as soon as you stepped onto the grounds of this lively and beautiful five-acre campus in Pasadena, California. You would witness students who are happy and motivated, and teachers who love teaching. Students experience a thoughtfully designed, intellectually challenging, and creative program of study that develops a love of learning and academic excellence. Mayfield expects its students to reach for their potential and encourage them to lead at a school whose motto is “Actions Not Words.” Collectively, members of the community not only embrace but live it every day at this school that was founded in 1931 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.

This summer, the school will welcome and embrace a new director of finance. The current director is retiring after a long and successful 23-year tenure. So many improvements and expansions occurred under her watch, but at the same time the next director’s plate will be full of exciting, major initiatives. The school is just beginning a ten-year capital campaign, LEARNING elevated, which will result in developing new buildings, learning spaces, and structures—along with remodeling existing ones. Silent donor solicitation is underway right now; next year a fully public fundraising phase will kick off, followed by the start of long-awaited construction. The director of finance will play an integral role in this project, but by no means have to go it alone. An outstanding team of direct reports to the director is in place across three functional units: the business office, human resources, and extended programs. Reporting to the head of school, the director serves on the leadership team and works with the board on major financial forecasting and annual budget planning. An on-site final round for this critical search will take place in late June, and Mayfield hopes that its next director of finance will be installed prior to the start of next school year.

For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.

https://www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/mayfield

IMPORTANT DATES

Applications Accepted Starting: May 11, 2022

Application Deadline: June 8, 2022

Semifinal Round: Mid-June (Remote)

Final Round: Week of June 27 (On-site)

Start Date: Mid-to-late summer

SPECIFIC DUTIES

The director of finance is responsible for the school’s financial planning and risk management. This involves general oversight of the finance and HR offices, as well as extended programs, which includes summer programs. The director safeguards the resources of the school and oversees the design and implementation of critical policies and procedures.

Strategic direction and financial oversight

• Report to the head of school, participate as a collaborative member of the leadership team, and serve as a trusted advisor to the head, leadership team, and board of trustees.
• Provide strategic direction for appropriate and maximum use of financial resources to achieve the school’s strategic priorities and maintain long-term health of the institution.
• Build multi-year models for operational and capital budgets, and in partnership with the head of school and board of trustees realign existing resources when necessary.
• Develop key performance indicators to measure achievement of established goals.
• Serve as lead liaison for the Finance and Audit Committees and provide effective communication, presentations, and updates to the full board of trustees.
• Work collaboratively with the Treasurer and other members of the Finance
• Committee on major areas of fiduciary importance, including: large-scale lending, construction financing, insurance, and endowment.
• Publicly represent the school in a positive and proactive way, collaborating with other school administrators, neighbors, and public officials.

Compliance, risk management and reporting

• Oversee internal controls, cash management, banking relationships, and asset management, and maintain accurate and timely continuous records on the financial position of the school.
• Ensure that the school is in compliance with all local and state reporting requirements.
• Oversee and ensure the successful completion of the annual independent audit.
• Monitor and mitigate risk through a comprehensive risk management program.
• Provide transparent financial reporting and planning to build trust among administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and trustees.

General leadership and administration

• Supervise the business office team, which currently comprises two staff members.
• Supervise the HR manager and the director of extended programs, the latter of whom oversees both after school and summer programs.
• Direct the financial aid process in conjunction with the financial aid committee.
• Assist with special school related projects as requested, and perform other duties as assigned.

MAYFIELD IS LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE

Professional qualifications

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related field, which is a minimum requirement; an advanced degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience as a business manager, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting
• Previous supervisory and governance experience, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting
• A comprehensive skill set for oversight of financial reporting, budgets, investments, accounting, HR, contracts, risk management, and auxiliary programs

Leadership and personal qualities

• A smart and confident decision maker who operates with integrity, collaborates with sincerity, counsels with affability, and teaches with humility
• A listener who analyzes complex situations and helps to build consensus
• A willingness to both fully understand the inner workings of a school that is constantly innovating, and lead a business office in support of that culture
• An open mind that asks questions, learns from others, and brings a, “Let’s see how we can do it” approach to problem solving
• An ability to create organizational systems and apply project management skills in support of institutional-wide change within a complex academic environment
• Authentic empathy, warmth, and collegiality, and an ability to spread these qualities across an entire staff
• An ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload effectively and delegate
• An available and responsive department head to internal and external constituents
• Savvy communication and dynamic presentation skills—both written and oral
• A collaborative, cooperative, and growth-oriented mindset
• A love of education, and a willingness to support innovative teaching and learning at a K-8, independent Catholic school

Working environment

• Occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Generally works in standard office conditions and climate.
• Works in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges and deadlines.
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.
• May work evenings and weekends.

TO APPLY

For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.

https://www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/mayfield

Mayfield Junior School is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.