Chief Financial Officer

Vail Unified School District•Vail, AZ

About The Position

The Chief Financial Officer serves on the Superintendent’s executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership for Vail Unified School District’s financial operations. The CFO works with the Superintendent, Governing Board, principals, directors, and other District leaders to manage financial resources responsibly and align them with the District’s mission and priorities. The position oversees financial planning, budget development and management, accounting and reporting, financial compliance, and other assigned business operations, and supports capital planning, facilities needs, and long-term financial sustainability. The District seeks a trusted, collaborative leader with strong financial expertise, integrity, and a genuine commitment to supporting schools, employees, students, and families. The CFO will lead long-term fiscal strategy, build effective teams, develop employees, communicate complex financial information clearly, and provide thoughtful counsel while stewarding public resources. The selected candidate may collaborate with the retiring CFO during spring 2027 for a planned knowledge transfer. The anticipated start date is spring 2027 and is flexible.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
At least 8 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 5 years in leadership roles.
Extensive experience in financial management, budgeting, financial reporting, and long-range planning.
Knowledge of public school finance, including Arizona state and federal funding, audits, procurement, and financial compliance, or demonstrated ability to quickly develop expertise in Arizona’s school funding and accountability systems.
Strong communication, organizational leadership, and analytical skills.
Ability to analyze complex financial information and communicate it clearly to educational leaders, the Governing Board, and the community.
Record of professional integrity and sound judgment.
Ability to build and lead strong teams, develop employees, encourage collaboration, and contribute to a broader leadership team.
Commitment to transparency, accountability, responsible stewardship of public resources, and maintaining the trust of colleagues, the Governing Board, and the community.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Experience in public school district financial leadership.
Knowledge of Arizona public school finance and applicable financial regulations.
Experience in a complex academic organization.
Relevant professional credentials.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for the District’s financial operations as a member of the Superintendent’s executive leadership team.
Work with the Superintendent, Governing Board, principals, directors, and other District leaders to ensure financial resources are managed responsibly and aligned with District priorities.
Oversee financial planning, budget development and management, accounting and reporting, financial compliance, and other assigned business operations.
Support District capital planning, facilities needs, and long-term financial sustainability.
Lead the District’s long-term fiscal strategy and develop financial strategies that support organizational priorities and responsible stewardship.
Analyze complex financial information and communicate it clearly to educational leaders, the Governing Board, and the community.
Build and lead effective teams grounded in trust, accountability, and mutual respect; develop employees’ professional capacity and support their continued growth.
Foster collaboration, shared problem-solving, and continuous improvement across the Finance Department and broader District leadership team.
Provide honest, thoughtful counsel and balance financial realities with organizational needs while maintaining ethical standards.
Build and maintain trusting relationships with District leaders, employees, and the community, and support schools as a responsive Finance Department partner.