Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO)

Forsyth School•Saint Louis, MO

12d

About The Position

The Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) works closely with the Head of School to advance Forsyth School’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. The CFOO manages the school’s financial and physical resources and collaborates across development, communications, marketing, and admissions efforts to support long-term financial sustainability. The position reports directly to the Head of School and works extensively with the Board of Trustees and Board Finance Committee. The CFOO leads financial strategy, maintains multi-year forecasts and scenario models, and serves as a strategic thought partner to the Head of School and senior leadership. The role oversees core business office functions, financial planning and budgeting, cash flow, banking relationships, financial reporting, compliance, audits, operational policies, financial controls, and business systems. The CFOO also collaborates on financial aid decisions and benchmarking, supervises key staff, and leads oversight of campus operations, technology systems, institutional data infrastructure, and cybersecurity through the Director of Operations. Forsyth School is a coeducational independent school in St. Louis, Missouri, serving students from age 2 through Grade 6. Its campus comprises six historic homes and serves approximately 400 students.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
Significant experience in accounting or nonprofit financial leadership.
Expertise in GAAP, nonprofit and development accounting, financial modeling, outcomes measurement, and database management software.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Visionary leadership and proven ability to organize people and processes, build inclusive teams, and manage cross-departmental alignment.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills; strong listening, resilience, flexibility, diplomacy, patience, humility, and a joyful professional presence.

Nice To Haves

CPA or CMA credential.
Demonstrated success working with a Board of Trustees.
Experience with Blackbaud and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

Lead Forsyth’s financial strategy, including multi-year financial forecasts and dynamic scenario models.
Partner with the Head of School and senior leadership to align development, admissions, marketing, and communications initiatives with organizational goals.
Collaborate with school leaders, including the Directors of Admission, Advancement, and Communications and the Assistant Heads of School, to build consensus, maintain mission alignment, and optimize auxiliary program revenues.
Work with the Board of Trustees and Board Finance Committee on strategic financial plans, oversight, operating policies, capital budgets, and school governance guidelines.
Stay current on business management trends, industry practices, and economic conditions to identify opportunities for institutional improvement.
Oversee business office functions, including accounting, payroll, accounts receivable and payable, human resources, cash management, investment management, risk management, employee benefits, and contract administration.
Manage operational cash flow, banking relationships, and loan and lease agreements, and develop plans to meet current and future financial requirements.
Oversee preparation and timely filing of financial reports in accordance with GAAP and regulatory standards, and partner with external auditors on annual audits.
Design and implement operational policies, financial controls, tuition and collection procedures, and technological systems across accounting, CRM, and business management software.
Collaborate with the Head of School and Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management to analyze tuition financial aid applications and determine annual awards; conduct statistical research for benchmarking and strategic planning.
Support, assess, and supervise the Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Finance, and Payroll and Benefits Manager.
Oversee management of the physical campus, technology systems, institutional data infrastructure, and cybersecurity through leadership of the Director of Operations.