Chief Financial & Operations Officer

Walnut Hill School for the Arts seeks an experienced leader and strategic thinker to serve as the Chief Financial & Operations Officer (CFOO). The full-time, exempt position is open July 1, 2025.

The Chief Financial & Operations Officer is a senior member of the Walnut Hill leadership team reporting directly to the Head of School and is responsible for the development, oversight, and administration of all the financial and business affairs and the operation of the School. The CFOO plays a key role in ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and strategic financial planning while also providing supervision for Human Resources, IT, Facilities, and Risk Management. The CFOO coordinates all capital projects and provides vision and leadership to help Walnut Hill deliver on its strategy and mission.

Responsibilities Include:

1. Leadership & Administration
   • Support the Head of School and the Board of Trustees in the development of School policies and procedures that support the mission of Walnut Hill and safeguard the well-being of the School and its employees;
   • Engage in cooperative decision making with the Head of School and Board of Trustees; serve as liaison to the Board Finance Committee, Investment Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, and Buildings & Grounds Committee and providing required reporting;
   • Oversee and provide leadership to the functions of the Business Office, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Facilities, Reception, and School Store; promote a Customer service-oriented environment; provide vision, training, direction, motivation, and opportunities for growth within the department and the School;
   • Actively contribute to and support the School’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) initiatives, as well as work with the Director of DEIB to craft culturally sensitive and appropriate communications.
2. Financial Management & Planning
   • Develop and implement financial strategies consistent with the School’s fiscal policy and compliant with state and federal laws;
   • Effectively manage the financial operation of Walnut Hill including endowment, investments, cash management, financial analysis, budget management, debt compliance, and all tax-exempt financing;
   • Provide support to the Head of School and the Finance Committee in setting of the succeeding year’s tuition to support the enrollment/reenrollment process;
   • Oversee the risk management program and collaborate with general counsel and insurance brokers to ensure the best pricing and insurance program as well as reduce risk exposure to the School;
   • Maintain the Endowment Fund investment and reporting;
   • Work to create new revenue opportunities consistent with the strategic plan;
   • Pursue and analyze alternate sources of financing with the state and federal agencies to provide the lowest cost of money to support programs and activities.
3. Skills & Qualifications
   • M.B.A., M.Ed., CPA or related advanced degree required;
   • Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in financial management required; experience at a non-profit organization, higher education and/or independent school preferred;
   • Significant experience working with a Board of Trustees or Directors preferred;
   • Strong strategic problem-solving skills as pertains to financial and operational resources;
   • Strong supervisory skills and ability to provide leadership, vision, mentorship, and direction to a team of direct reports;
   • In-depth understanding of key financial controls, rules and regulations; understanding of human resources and employment law;
   • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to reason, estimate, analyze and recommend;
   • Understanding of and commitment to Walnut Hill’s mission and core values;
   • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; high integrity and the ability to handle highly sensitive information with discretion;
   • Ability to build meaningful relationships with the team;
   • Strong leadership ability, presentation skills, and ability to translate financial terms into understandable terms for all constituencies;
   • Possess strong computer skills and a high level of proficiency with a variety of technology and cloud-based computing systems, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Applications, and financial and business systems software.

Compensation & Benefits
Walnut Hill offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health and wellness benefits and a robust retirement plan with matching contributions. As a boarding school, opportunities to live on campus and work as a dorm parent or provide other duties in the Residential Life program may be available.

To Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should submit in PDF format the following:

1. Formal Letter of Application
2. Current Resume
3. List of (5) Professional References, including current supervisor, with contact information (references will not be contacted until final round of interviews)