Chief Financial Officer

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School•Newark, NJ

About The Position

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School (GOLCS) is seeking a seasoned Chief Financial Officer to strengthen the financial foundation of its established, high-performing PK–12 charter network serving approximately 2,200 students across six Newark campuses. The CFO owns financial strategy, systems, and controls and reports directly to the CEO as a core member of the senior leadership team. The organization’s direction emphasizes operational discipline, financial rigor, and durable institutional strength rather than rapid expansion. The CFO will make steady improvements to the existing finance function, strengthen systems and controls, and build trust with the Board and school leaders. The CFO serves as chief financial strategist and thought partner to the CEO, senior leadership team, Board, and school leaders. The role oversees budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial planning, risk management, capital planning, financial reporting and analysis, accounting, cash flow planning, and grants management. In partnership with organizational leaders, the CFO translates the strategic plan into a multi-year financial model and sets targets for sustained financial health. The CFO is the primary interface to the Board of Directors and leads the Board Finance Committee. The position leads the annual budgeting process, provides decision-useful reporting, oversees accounting operations and audits, and maintains financial policies, procedures, and internal controls. It also oversees debt compliance and strategy, procurement and other systems improvements, real estate and facility financing, and major construction and renovation projects. The CFO directly manages and develops the finance team and oversees key external relationships, including the School Business Administrator function, auditors, banking and lending partners, insurance broker, and real estate and legal counsel. This is a hands-on leadership role in a lean finance function, requiring attention to operational details while building team capacity over time.

Requirements

Genuine commitment to GOLCS’s mission of preparing Newark’s students for success in college and beyond.
Demonstrated track record of financial leadership; nonprofit or educational organization experience is strongly preferred, while exceptional leaders from other sectors may be considered if they show credible mission alignment.
Proven record of steady, methodical improvement in a finance function, including strengthening controls, closing gaps, and building trust over time.
Track record of leading and developing finance teams, with strong people-management and coaching skills.
Demonstrated success as a strategic partner to a CEO or executive director and Board, translating complex financial data into clear, actionable insight.
Comfort with hands-on financial detail in a lean team, including reviewing reconciliations, vendor contracts, and reporting directly.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
New Jersey School Business Administrator (SBA) licensure is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as chief financial strategist and thought partner to the CEO, senior leadership team, Board, and school leaders on financial matters.
Own budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial planning, risk management, capital planning, financial reporting and analysis, accounting, cash flow planning, and grants management.
Translate the strategic plan into a multi-year financial model and set targets that support sustained financial health.
Serve as the primary interface to the Board of Directors, lead the Board Finance Committee, and deliver timely, accurate financial reporting for monthly Board meetings.
Lead and continuously improve the annual budgeting process across schools and the network office; build budget owners’ financial acumen and hold them accountable.
Produce clear, decision-useful financial reporting for the Board and senior leadership team.
Oversee accounting operations, GAAP/GASB compliance, and clean, on-time annual audits.
Establish and maintain sound financial policies, procedures, and internal controls across the network.
Oversee risk management and proactively identify and address risks that may affect the network.
Manage compliance with lenders for debt obligations, including obligations with related entities, and develop a long-term debt and cost-of-capital strategy.
Identify and implement systems, policy, and technology improvements that increase efficiency and control in procurement, campus-level financial planning, and cost management.
Build a network-wide culture of financial rigor, transparency, and accountability.
Oversee real estate strategy, facility financing, and major construction and renovation projects; manage consultants, attorneys, lenders, and other partners to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
Support enrollment compliance and reporting, with a focus on accurate revenue projections.
Directly manage and develop the finance team, currently comprising the Managing Director of Finance, Controller, and Accounts Payable.
Oversee relationships with the School Business Administrator function, auditors, banking and lending partners, insurance broker, and real estate and legal counsel.
Work hands-on with financial details, including reviewing reconciliations, vetting vendor contracts, and personally owning execution as systems and capacity are strengthened.
Build a finance function known internally for rigor and service to schools and staff.
Ensure the team’s work reflects GOLCS’s mission, vision, and values, including The Griffin Way.