Chief Financial Officer

The Opportunity
Lancaster Country Day School is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide financial expertise,
operational excellence, and a forward-thinking strategic approach as a partner to the Head of School. The CFO
will play a key role in shaping the future of the school by bringing a genuine curiosity to the work of ensuring
that the financial model matches the institution’s structures and priorities, and that the operational systems and
procedures are built to sustain the well-rounded educational experience for which LCDS is known.
The CFO reports to the Head of School, collaborates with the school’s leadership team, and directly manages
the business office team of three and two other professionals across non-academic operations. The CFO
provides the Head of School with direct support in envisioning and executing on the organizational structure,
administrative tools and systems, business decision-making, and other strategic priorities. The CFO works
directly with the Head of School to craft and execute the school’s operating budget and strategic financial
planning. The successful candidate will carry expertise as a thought partner to the Head of School, bringing
fresh ideas and acting as a reliable and trustworthy confidant across the organization.
As the staff representative to the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, the CFO retains responsibility
for producing timely consistent reporting, analysis, and financial forecasts. Legal affairs, audit, compliance, and
risk management reside with the CFO.
The Candidate
The successful candidate will take a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the work, building
relationships and modeling collaboration. This person will assess, plan, and implement best practices in the
systems, procedures, and controls that support effective school operations. The person in this role requires
superb management and organizational skills to anticipate needs and drive decision-making across the
organization. The successful candidate will be a team player who is happy and effective leading in a workplace
delivering a comprehensive education and student and family experience. The successful candidate will bring
the warmth, accessibility, and emotional intelligence required to manage community expectations and navigate
change smoothly. The CFO must demonstrate personal accountability and operate with integrity and humility.

Essential Responsibilities Include:

Fiscal Management and Accounting
● Serve as the chief financial and operational advisor to the Head of School and Board of Trustees,
providing strategic counsel on matters affecting the financial sustainability, operational effectiveness,
and long-term health of the institution.
● Lead the development and execution of the school's long-term financial strategy, including multi-year
financial modeling, enrollment-based scenario planning, capital planning, and financial forecasting to
support strategic decision-making.
● Oversee all financial functions of the institution, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting,
treasury, cash management, banking relationships, investments, debt administration, purchasing, audit,
tax compliance, risk management, insurance, internal controls, and auxiliary enterprises.
● Manage relationships with the school's banking partners, bond counsel, including the administration of
tax-exempt bond financing, debt compliance, liquidity management, and other treasury activities.
● Ensure the integrity, transparency, and timeliness of all financial reporting. Present comprehensive
financial analyses, operating results, forecasts, and key performance indicators to the Head of School,
Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees.
● Oversee the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the institution's annual operating and
capital budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and alignment with institutional
priorities.
● Articulate long-range funding strategies that advance the school's mission, academic vision, and
strategic plan while ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
● Serve as a visible and engaged leader across campus, working closely with colleagues in
Advancement, Enrollment, and Academics to ensure that financial stewardship meaningfully supports
institutional priorities. Partner with enrollment and academic leaders to provide sound financial
forecasting and sustainable practices.
● Direct the annual independent audit process and all related financial reporting, coordinating with
external auditors and administrative leadership to ensure compliance with applicable accounting
standards, legal requirements, compliance filings including the Form 990 and 5500, and fiduciary
responsibilities.
Personnel Management
● Direct and oversee the hiring, development, performance management, and evaluation of leaders
responsible for Finance and Accounting, Human Resources, Facilities & Grounds and Campus Safety,
Dining Services, and Administrative Operations, fostering a collaborative, high-performing
administrative team.
● Lead and develop a dedicated Business Office team, ensuring strong financial operations, disciplined
audit processes and effective oversight of HR functions - including compliance, insurance, benefits, and
compensation administration.
● Supervise the Human Resources staff and ensure that the school's personnel policies support its
programs and that the school's actions regarding hiring, compensation, payroll processing, training,
promotion, and separation conform with state and federal requirements, and are in line with the
school's strategic goals.
● Ensure that the retirement plans, health and disability insurance,and other benefit programs are
brokered, designed, and funded in alignment with the school’s financial priorities.

● Develop policies to ensure that Human Resources information is secure and accessible only to the
appropriate stakeholders.
● Provide appropriate and timely information to the Head of School for salary comparisons, both internal
and external, including the coordination of the preparation of employment offers in partnership with the
Head of School and other school leaders.
Risk Management & Operations
● Provide timely relevant data for various stakeholders across the school and ensure administrative
conversations apply multi-angled, objective analysis as part of an effective decisionmaking framework.
● Manage relationships with the school's legal counsel, insurance providers, government agencies,
investment managers, and other external partners as appropriate.
● Increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of financial and administrative operations through
process improvement, technology initiatives, workflow redesign, and continuous assessment of internal
controls and business practices.
● Provide strategic oversight of the school's information technology function, ensuring technology
infrastructure, cybersecurity, business continuity, and administrative systems support the educational
mission and operational excellence of the institution.
● Lead the ongoing implementation, optimization, and continuous improvement of enterprise
administrative systems including Veracross, by introducing new modules and workflows that improve
operational efficiency, reporting capabilities, data integrity, and user experience.
● Partner with the director of facilities on the management and maintenance of the school's physical
campus and infrastructure including several school owned off-campus rental properties to provide a
safe, secure, well-maintained, and sustainable environment that supports teaching, learning, and
community life.
● Oversee facilities operations and ensure comprehensive programs for preventive maintenance,
deferred maintenance, capital renewal, environmental health and safety, emergency preparedness,
regulatory compliance, and campus security.
● Partner with architects, engineers, consultants, and contractors to plan and execute capital
improvement projects, ensuring projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and consistent with
the school's quality and sustainability objectives.
● Oversee enterprise risk management, including insurance programs, regulatory compliance, business
continuity planning, cybersecurity governance, and institutional risk mitigation strategies.
● Direct the operation of key administrative services, outsourced dining services program, contracted
transportation services, and supporting the planning and logistical coordination of internal institutional
events.
● Serve as the primary administrative liaison to the Board's Finance and other assigned committees,
preparing agendas, presenting recommendations, and implementing Board-approved initiatives.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be an experienced executive and a team player who possesses:
● Education and experience equivalent to a master's degree in accounting, business, finance, or a
related field.

● Experience in, knowledge of, and/or appreciation for independent schools or not-for-profit organizations
is beneficial.
● Eight or more years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer or Business Officer strongly preferred.
Significant managerial experience required. Experience in public accounting would be beneficial.
● Advanced Excel and analysis skills, prior experience working across technology platforms, and a strong
working knowledge of business accounting policies, procedures, practices, and financial software
programs preferred.
● Demonstrated effectiveness working with Trustees, employees, and external constituents, including the
negotiation of contracts and management of vendors, suppliers, and project managers.
● Experience working with external auditors, implementing internal controls, and managing compliance-
related issues.
● Demonstrated ability to manage and execute all duties through an accessible and collaborative
approach that supports the comprehensive needs of the school’s leadership, governance, employees,
and stakeholders.
Compensation for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. A comprehensive suite of
full time employment benefits includes such elements as: Health, Vision, Dental, Life, Disability, 403(b)
Retirement Plan, Relocation, Educational Assistance, Professional Development, Tuition Remission, Fitness
Center Use, Lunch Account, Paid Time Off, Employee Assistance Program, and Travel Assistance.
Lancaster Country Day School is an equal opportunity employer.
Interested candidates, please contact Narwhal Talent Partners:
Peter G. Hamilton | (617) 620-9268
Christian G. Henry | (857) 285-3364
search@narwhaltalent.com
Research shows that some professionals will explore opportunities only if they see themselves meeting all of
the preferred qualifications. In our recruiting experience no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications. We
look forward to your expression of interest.
All inquiries are treated as confidential.