Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Bellevue, Washington, us, 98009
WHO WE ARE
At Forest Ridge, our intentional approach to excellence in education inspires students to explore intellectually, spiritually and personally as they embrace challenge, feed their curiosity, build their confidence and prepare for a lifelong pursuit of much more than just success, but a life of meaning.
Our dynamic and challenging academic environment is filled with immersive, experiential learning opportunities, designed to help students discover their own sense of purpose. Our students learn to regard the world both intellectually and spiritually, blending faith with logic, combining thoughtful reflection with energetic debate, and focusing on both individual wellbeing and the good of the global community.
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school for girls in grades 5-12, welcomes students, adults and families into an inclusive global learning environment which respects and strives for diversity, openness, understanding and acceptance of all human beings.
As a member of a global network of more than 150 schools, our educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in 30 countries; including 25 schools in the United States and Canada. The essence of this tradition is the total development of each child: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical.
THE ROLE
Under minimal supervision, the high performing position of Director of Finance and Human Resources at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a key strategic partner to the Head of School, providing both financial leadership and human resources management in a mission-driven, collaborative environment. The Director will oversee all financial operations, HR practices, and systems that support the overall success and sustainability of the school. S/he will interface collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team, and leaders across the organization, to frame key strategic questions, analyze potential opportunities, build a healthy and sustainable school culture, and make critical recommendations and decisions on behalf of the school. The Director of Finance and Human Resources is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, attends all Board of Trustee meetings, and is the primary staff member responsible for the Finance, Audit, and Investment committees of the Board.
The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of independent school financial management, a strategic mindset, and the ability to help shape the school’s long-term financial health, ensuring its continued success. This role requires a dynamic leader who can combine technical expertise with a commitment to supporting the holistic formation of both students and staff. This role requires a combination of financial expertise and a deep understanding of HR practices in non-profit leadership.
As a senior leadership role in the school with supervisory duties and the head of the human resources function, this is an in-person position at our campus in Bellevue, with occasional work-from-home opportunities, not to exceed 10% of working time.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Overall duties and responsibilities and those driven by the School’s mission and Strategic Direction:
Participates in strategic planning activities, providing financial and human resources insights and recommendations.
Develops and monitors key performance indicators for financial, operational, and human resources metrics.
Provides regular reports and presentations to stakeholders, including board members, staff, and others as needed.
Supports routine tasks to ensure completion in a timely manner and in accordance with deadlines (tasks include, but are not limited to, payroll processing, data entry, financial record keeping, benefits enrollment, hiring/onboarding, employee performance management, and reporting).
Makes sound and data-driven business decisions to push Forest Ridge forward; monitoring the School’s financial performance and analyzes trends to reduce financial risk.
Leads and supervises the Associate Director of Finance and Senior Accountant and Tuition/Financial Aid Manager to support them in performing to their best abilities.
Identifies areas of opportunity for continuous improvement and leads large scale project initiatives for efficiency improvements through the utilization of technology and streamlined processes.
Participates in department, division and school task forces and committees as needed.
Finance
Analyzes the financial needs of the School, architects the financial forecast, and engineers the School’s financial strategy.
Owns the School’s financial model and utilizes scenario modeling to help senior leaders make key decisions about the School’s direction.
Collaborates with the Head of School in reimagining financial and compensation frameworks.
Manages the financial capital requirements and funding implications of all capital projects.
Supervises the finance and accounting team and manages the financial stability of the School, overseeing purchasing, tuition billing and receivables, banking relationships, cash flows, liquidity, development of financial models, payroll, and benefits program.
Collaborates with the Head of School and Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, preparing monthly operating statements, securing an annual audit of the School’s financial records and position, overseeing financial investments, and establishing annual budget goals.
Collaborates with the Head of School and senior administrators, oversees the annual budget setting process for the school, and establishes a clear, consistent process of budget-to-actual reporting for all school budget managers.
Collaborates with the Institutional Advancement team to ensure all gifts and pledges are recorded accurately and distributed appropriately.
Provides accurate and timely financial and facility reports to the Head of School, senior leaders, Board committees and the Board of Trustees, enabling them to make decisions for the good of the School.
Leads the efforts, and coordinates with appropriate school leaders, to implement financial and operational risk management policies and maintain appropriate levels of insurance to protect the property and cover the liability of the School.
Develops partnerships with the corporate sector, nonprofit community and civic organizations, and represents the school at various regional, state, and national associations.
Directs and advises on all accounting activities.
Maintains compliance with GAAP in the management and structure of all accounting practices.
Reviews vendor contracts with appropriate department leaders (i.e. transportation, landscaping, janitorial, HVAC, telephones, copiers, mail machine and telecommunication services).
Leads tuition assistance processing and collaborates with admission leaders for awarding assistance.
Provides oversight for annual review and revision of student enrollment contracts and coordinates with admission team to ensure timely and accurate online enrollment process.
Leads and directs annual financial and retirement plan audit processes and NWAIS accreditation process.
Manages over $30 million of endowed funds and scholarships:
Maintains compliance with WA State Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (PMIFA).
Develops strategies for endowment growth and utilization in accordance with the School’s financial needs.
Interfaces with and direct investment manager relationship in development of Investment Policy Statement (ISP) and subsequent activities.
Maintains records regarding investment activities and application of investment activities to endowed funds.
Provides regular reporting and consulting to the Head of School, Board of Trustees and various Board Committees.
Human Resources
Leads the development of policies, processes, and practices to create a thriving workplace culture that attracts the finest talent and allows them to develop professionally at the School.
Ensures that the School is in compliance with all federal, state, and local employment regulations.
Collaborates with appropriate school leaders to develop and implement human resources strategies and policies to attract, develop, and retain a competent workforce in alignment with the School's mission and values.
Collaborates with appropriate senior leaders to manage interview, hiring, and onboarding processes.
Manages employee relations, including performance management, employee engagement, and conflict resolution.
Collaborates with Head of School to develop and implement training and development programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge for staff.
Conducts annual evaluation of all employee benefits including medical, dental, vision and other insurances / communication plan with employees on any changes.
Manages employee retirement plan, including vendor relationships, while ensuring compliance and fiduciary oversight as appropriate.
Reviews and revises employee handbook annually and communicates changes to employees.
Reviews and revises employment policies and practices on a periodic basis.
Collaborates with senior leaders on all employee terminations.
Manages worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance, programs, claims, etc.
Risk Management
Leads the school’s Enterprise Risk Management initiatives.
Manages the school’s property/casualty, directors’ and officers’ liability, employment practices liability, and fiduciary liability insurance programs, and manages any associated claims and litigation.
Collaborates with educational and operational leaders to understand and mitigate risk as appropriate.
Provides leadership and guidance for all school programs, especially travel.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business administration or related field required.
MBA or related advanced degree strongly preferred.
Minimum of 5-7 years of senior-level experience in financial and human resources management, preferably in an independent school or non-profit environment.
Working knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
Experience with non-profits or independent schools is highly desirable.
Strong background in finance, budgeting, investing and cash management required.
Previous supervisory experience required.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to simultaneously manage a wide variety of issues, situations, and people.
Detail-oriented, with excellent time-management skills.
Ability to be autonomous, self-motivated, and driven, as well as having a team approach.
Outstanding communication skills--ability to communicate with all constituents including: Board of Trustees, maintenance staff, parents, students, vendors, faculty, staff, etc.
Advanced technology skills including Word, Outlook, Excel, accounting software and database management software.
General digital literacy (use of a laptop, connecting to the network, internet safety, operating a network phone system and copier system, etc.).
Advanced skills in MS Office Suite products (Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.), web applications such as Google Suite, video conferencing software, and database management software; ability to master common automated systems, and confidently learn new technology.
Open and collaborative management style.
A high degree of integrity and ethics, with an unwavering commitment to confidentiality.
Strong customer service orientation and the ability to represent Forest Ridge in a professional manner.
Flexibility, maturity, and a good sense of humor.
SALARY/BENEFITS
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a competitive compensation and benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 403(b) plan, supplemental benefits and tuition remission. The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $170,000, based on education and experience.
TO APPLY
Qualified applicants should email the following documents to
careers@forestridge.org :
Cover letter
Updated CV/Resume
List of three professional references
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart does not discriminate in its employment decisions or practices on the basis of gender, age, race, color, marital status, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any disability that can be reasonably accommodated in the administration of its educational policies and school-administered programs.
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At Forest Ridge, our intentional approach to excellence in education inspires students to explore intellectually, spiritually and personally as they embrace challenge, feed their curiosity, build their confidence and prepare for a lifelong pursuit of much more than just success, but a life of meaning.
Our dynamic and challenging academic environment is filled with immersive, experiential learning opportunities, designed to help students discover their own sense of purpose. Our students learn to regard the world both intellectually and spiritually, blending faith with logic, combining thoughtful reflection with energetic debate, and focusing on both individual wellbeing and the good of the global community.
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school for girls in grades 5-12, welcomes students, adults and families into an inclusive global learning environment which respects and strives for diversity, openness, understanding and acceptance of all human beings.
As a member of a global network of more than 150 schools, our educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in 30 countries; including 25 schools in the United States and Canada. The essence of this tradition is the total development of each child: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical.
THE ROLE
Under minimal supervision, the high performing position of Director of Finance and Human Resources at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a key strategic partner to the Head of School, providing both financial leadership and human resources management in a mission-driven, collaborative environment. The Director will oversee all financial operations, HR practices, and systems that support the overall success and sustainability of the school. S/he will interface collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team, and leaders across the organization, to frame key strategic questions, analyze potential opportunities, build a healthy and sustainable school culture, and make critical recommendations and decisions on behalf of the school. The Director of Finance and Human Resources is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, attends all Board of Trustee meetings, and is the primary staff member responsible for the Finance, Audit, and Investment committees of the Board.
The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of independent school financial management, a strategic mindset, and the ability to help shape the school’s long-term financial health, ensuring its continued success. This role requires a dynamic leader who can combine technical expertise with a commitment to supporting the holistic formation of both students and staff. This role requires a combination of financial expertise and a deep understanding of HR practices in non-profit leadership.
As a senior leadership role in the school with supervisory duties and the head of the human resources function, this is an in-person position at our campus in Bellevue, with occasional work-from-home opportunities, not to exceed 10% of working time.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Overall duties and responsibilities and those driven by the School’s mission and Strategic Direction:
Participates in strategic planning activities, providing financial and human resources insights and recommendations.
Develops and monitors key performance indicators for financial, operational, and human resources metrics.
Provides regular reports and presentations to stakeholders, including board members, staff, and others as needed.
Supports routine tasks to ensure completion in a timely manner and in accordance with deadlines (tasks include, but are not limited to, payroll processing, data entry, financial record keeping, benefits enrollment, hiring/onboarding, employee performance management, and reporting).
Makes sound and data-driven business decisions to push Forest Ridge forward; monitoring the School’s financial performance and analyzes trends to reduce financial risk.
Leads and supervises the Associate Director of Finance and Senior Accountant and Tuition/Financial Aid Manager to support them in performing to their best abilities.
Identifies areas of opportunity for continuous improvement and leads large scale project initiatives for efficiency improvements through the utilization of technology and streamlined processes.
Participates in department, division and school task forces and committees as needed.
Finance
Analyzes the financial needs of the School, architects the financial forecast, and engineers the School’s financial strategy.
Owns the School’s financial model and utilizes scenario modeling to help senior leaders make key decisions about the School’s direction.
Collaborates with the Head of School in reimagining financial and compensation frameworks.
Manages the financial capital requirements and funding implications of all capital projects.
Supervises the finance and accounting team and manages the financial stability of the School, overseeing purchasing, tuition billing and receivables, banking relationships, cash flows, liquidity, development of financial models, payroll, and benefits program.
Collaborates with the Head of School and Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, preparing monthly operating statements, securing an annual audit of the School’s financial records and position, overseeing financial investments, and establishing annual budget goals.
Collaborates with the Head of School and senior administrators, oversees the annual budget setting process for the school, and establishes a clear, consistent process of budget-to-actual reporting for all school budget managers.
Collaborates with the Institutional Advancement team to ensure all gifts and pledges are recorded accurately and distributed appropriately.
Provides accurate and timely financial and facility reports to the Head of School, senior leaders, Board committees and the Board of Trustees, enabling them to make decisions for the good of the School.
Leads the efforts, and coordinates with appropriate school leaders, to implement financial and operational risk management policies and maintain appropriate levels of insurance to protect the property and cover the liability of the School.
Develops partnerships with the corporate sector, nonprofit community and civic organizations, and represents the school at various regional, state, and national associations.
Directs and advises on all accounting activities.
Maintains compliance with GAAP in the management and structure of all accounting practices.
Reviews vendor contracts with appropriate department leaders (i.e. transportation, landscaping, janitorial, HVAC, telephones, copiers, mail machine and telecommunication services).
Leads tuition assistance processing and collaborates with admission leaders for awarding assistance.
Provides oversight for annual review and revision of student enrollment contracts and coordinates with admission team to ensure timely and accurate online enrollment process.
Leads and directs annual financial and retirement plan audit processes and NWAIS accreditation process.
Manages over $30 million of endowed funds and scholarships:
Maintains compliance with WA State Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (PMIFA).
Develops strategies for endowment growth and utilization in accordance with the School’s financial needs.
Interfaces with and direct investment manager relationship in development of Investment Policy Statement (ISP) and subsequent activities.
Maintains records regarding investment activities and application of investment activities to endowed funds.
Provides regular reporting and consulting to the Head of School, Board of Trustees and various Board Committees.
Human Resources
Leads the development of policies, processes, and practices to create a thriving workplace culture that attracts the finest talent and allows them to develop professionally at the School.
Ensures that the School is in compliance with all federal, state, and local employment regulations.
Collaborates with appropriate school leaders to develop and implement human resources strategies and policies to attract, develop, and retain a competent workforce in alignment with the School's mission and values.
Collaborates with appropriate senior leaders to manage interview, hiring, and onboarding processes.
Manages employee relations, including performance management, employee engagement, and conflict resolution.
Collaborates with Head of School to develop and implement training and development programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge for staff.
Conducts annual evaluation of all employee benefits including medical, dental, vision and other insurances / communication plan with employees on any changes.
Manages employee retirement plan, including vendor relationships, while ensuring compliance and fiduciary oversight as appropriate.
Reviews and revises employee handbook annually and communicates changes to employees.
Reviews and revises employment policies and practices on a periodic basis.
Collaborates with senior leaders on all employee terminations.
Manages worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance, programs, claims, etc.
Risk Management
Leads the school’s Enterprise Risk Management initiatives.
Manages the school’s property/casualty, directors’ and officers’ liability, employment practices liability, and fiduciary liability insurance programs, and manages any associated claims and litigation.
Collaborates with educational and operational leaders to understand and mitigate risk as appropriate.
Provides leadership and guidance for all school programs, especially travel.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business administration or related field required.
MBA or related advanced degree strongly preferred.
Minimum of 5-7 years of senior-level experience in financial and human resources management, preferably in an independent school or non-profit environment.
Working knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
Experience with non-profits or independent schools is highly desirable.
Strong background in finance, budgeting, investing and cash management required.
Previous supervisory experience required.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to simultaneously manage a wide variety of issues, situations, and people.
Detail-oriented, with excellent time-management skills.
Ability to be autonomous, self-motivated, and driven, as well as having a team approach.
Outstanding communication skills--ability to communicate with all constituents including: Board of Trustees, maintenance staff, parents, students, vendors, faculty, staff, etc.
Advanced technology skills including Word, Outlook, Excel, accounting software and database management software.
General digital literacy (use of a laptop, connecting to the network, internet safety, operating a network phone system and copier system, etc.).
Advanced skills in MS Office Suite products (Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.), web applications such as Google Suite, video conferencing software, and database management software; ability to master common automated systems, and confidently learn new technology.
Open and collaborative management style.
A high degree of integrity and ethics, with an unwavering commitment to confidentiality.
Strong customer service orientation and the ability to represent Forest Ridge in a professional manner.
Flexibility, maturity, and a good sense of humor.
SALARY/BENEFITS
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a competitive compensation and benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 403(b) plan, supplemental benefits and tuition remission. The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $170,000, based on education and experience.
TO APPLY
Qualified applicants should email the following documents to
careers@forestridge.org :
Cover letter
Updated CV/Resume
List of three professional references
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart does not discriminate in its employment decisions or practices on the basis of gender, age, race, color, marital status, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any disability that can be reasonably accommodated in the administration of its educational policies and school-administered programs.
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