Position Summary
Kent School seeks an experienced financial leader to serve as the Director of Finance and Operations beginning on July 1, 2021. The position is a twelve-month, full-time role. The Director of Finance and Operations is a member of the Administrative Council and reports directly to the Head of School. He/she supports the Board of Trustees, the Finance and Building and Grounds Committees. The Director of Finance and Operations is responsible for all aspects of financial oversight, including the organization, management, and implementation of comprehensive business, financial, and investment initiatives for the School.
The ideal candidate will be both an effective administrative leader who can manage information, people, and processes, and a strategic thinker who has exceptional critical thinking skills. The candidate will be proficient with accounting systems, cash management, human resources, accounts payable and receivable, and tuition assistance. Demonstrated leadership in fostering a high level of teamwork and customer service while embracing technological advances is required.
Responsibilities include management and strategic leadership of the business office to ensure that appropriate financial controls are utilized effectively. The Director of Finance and Operations oversees finance, facilities and security, budgeting and planning, purchasing, technology, endowment, risk management, legal, human resources, and related interactions with parents, faculty, and employees.
Human Resources
Provide leadership to employees regarding hiring, terminations and oversight issues.
Develop employee policies and procedures.
Oversee and direct implementation and administration of employee benefits programs such as health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, workers’ compensation.
Prepares and processes all aspects of payroll.
Prepares employee employment letters and individual benefit analysis.
Contribute as needed to the personnel manual and parent handbook.
Interpret and apply federal and state labor law
Accounting and Budgeting
Manages and directs the operating budget.
Establishes policies, procedures, standards and strategies for areas of responsibility and provides adequate internal controls to safeguard the school’s assets.
Coordinates with the Head of School on financial planning for the School, including preparation of the annual budget.
Prepares monthly and annual financial statements.
Acts as a liaison between School and CPA firm; along with coordinating and preparing work papers for the annual audit.
Gathers and prepares information required for the preparation of Form 990 and Form 5500 tax returns.
Attends Finance Committee meetings, keeping minutes at meetings. Prepares relevant reports for board review.
Reviews and authorizes all check requests submitted and invoice payments.
Administers and maintains all property, casualty, liability, cyber and all other forms of insurance for the school.
Maintains and performs the monthly review and reconciliation of the general ledger.
Prepares all monthly bank reconciliation.
Prepares and posts monthly and annual journal entries.
Reconciles gift income with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations.
Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable
Manages and performs all aspects of the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.
Annual Preparation of 1099 forms.
Billing of tuition and fees with SmartTuition.
Communicate with delinquent account holders.
Tuition Assistance
Member of Tuition Assistance Committee awarding annual assistance to families.
Facilities and Operations
Oversee the physical plant and grounds. Serve as liaison to the Board of Trustees for the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and keeps the meeting minutes.
Oversee the Technology Coordinator in efforts to provide optimal technological solutions and support throughout the school.
The ideal candidate for Director of Finance and Operations should possess:
5-7 years of work experience in a financial leadership position preferably at an independent school.
A strong background in financial systems, modeling and forecasting; investment and risk management; support services administration; business services; human resources and benefit administration, and facilities management.
Effective financial and business management skills, and the ability to earn the respect of employees and the Board of Trustees.
A high level of integrity and an extraordinary work ethic.
Ability to effectively interface with all levels of the school community – the employees; the Board of Trustees; alumni and friends of the school; current parents; students, and the local government.
A collaborative management style characteristic of a team player who can provide superior customer service.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Knowledge of and experience in setting up effective financial controls.
Effective negotiation skills in developing contracts with external vendors.
A strong commitment to education, a passion for the School’s mission, and an interest in being a positive role model.
Interest in industry associations (AIMS, NAIS, NBOA, etc.) and “best practices” and the ability to keep current, and bring about appropriate change in the spirit of total quality improvement.
Bachelor’s degree is required, M.B.A. and/or a master’s degree in a related field, or a CPA license strongly preferred.
Software Knowledge
SmartTuition, Blackbaud Financial Edge, Tuition Management, Blackbaud Student Information System, Google Suite, Excel.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and five references to Nancy Mugele, Head of School, nmugele@kentschool.org by March 19, 2021.
As a benefit to our members, the Kent County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer special job postings for businesses that are seeking employees. Rather than post standard job descriptions, we have partnered with a local photographer to capture photos of the place of employment so job seekers have an opportunity to not just learn about available positions, but see what their potential place of employment looks like and who they may be working with.
If you are a member of the Kent County Chamber and would like to take advantage of this opportunity, contact executive director Sam Shoge at sshoge@kentchamber.org.
