Director of Finance

Holton-Arms School • Bethesda, MD

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Holton-Arms School seeks a Director of Finance to advance a strategic, modern finance function supporting the school’s education programs. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer, the Director oversees a $50 million operating budget and $160 million in assets and leads a three-person finance team responsible for core accounting operations. The role connects financial strategy with school operations and programming, partnering with campus leaders to align resources with institutional priorities.

The Director oversees annual budgeting, multi-year financial modeling and forecasting, financial reporting, accounting operations, and audit preparation. The role advises budget managers on tradeoffs between program goals and spending, prepares analyses and recommendations for school leadership and the Board, and mentors and develops the finance team. The Director also leads the evolution of financial systems to support timely decision-making, improve integration across platforms, and reduce manual processes.

During the first one to two years, the Director will lead finance and accounting operations, build financial planning and analysis capability, strengthen modeling and forecasting in partnership with the CFO/COO, and modernize financial systems and reporting. This includes selecting and implementing a new general ledger platform, redesigning the chart of accounts for more granular analysis, and improving integration among student billing, point-of-sale, accounts payable, payroll, credit-card processing, banking, and advancement systems.

This is a full-time position, five days a week on the school’s Bethesda, Maryland campus. The budgeted salary range is $180,000–$200,000. The school offers health insurance with an employer contribution to medical, dental, and vision coverage; life and disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match and non-elective contribution; an employee assistance program; tuition remission for eligible children; professional development; paid parental leave after one year; paid vacation, sick, and personal days; and lunch on school days.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of progressive finance and accounting leadership experience in a complex operating environment with multiple revenue streams and significant reporting requirements.
• Strong technical accounting background, including oversight of financial operations, budgeting, forecasting, audits, internal controls, and fund accounting.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information, develop forecasts and scenario models, translate data into actionable insights, and communicate recommendations to non-finance leaders and stakeholders.
• Experience partnering with operational, budget, or program leaders to support decisions, evaluate resource needs, and align financial planning with organizational priorities.
• Experience leading financial systems implementations, process improvements, or modernization initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a small finance or accounting team.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an independent school, higher education institution, or similar nonprofit organization.
• Advanced education or relevant professional training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily financial operations, including general accounting, student billing, accounts payable, internal controls, and financial policies.
• Guide business office staff on financial reporting, accounting practices, reconciliations, and month-end close activities, and provide hands-on support for complex accounting and operational issues when needed.
• Oversee gift accounting, fund accounting, transfers between funds, and investment accounting.
• Lead, develop, and coordinate the business office team, including the Controller, Accounting Manager, and Business Office Manager.
• Oversee the annual budget process with the Controller, CFO/COO, and budget managers, evaluating requests, setting priorities, and aligning resources with institutional goals.
• Partner with academic and administrative leaders to understand objectives, plans, and resource needs, and provide financial guidance for decision-making.
• Analyze financial performance, identify trends and risks, and develop forecasts reflecting school operations and seasonal rhythms.
• Translate financial data into actionable insights to support assessment of alternatives, tradeoffs, and resource allocation.
• Prepare financial analyses, forecasts, reports, presentations, and recommendations for school leadership.
• Guide multi-year financial models and scenario analyses for strategic initiatives, enrollment planning, facilities planning, fundraising, and financing strategies.
• Partner with the CFO/COO to evaluate opportunities and assess the financial implications of organizational decisions.
• Oversee financial systems and reporting structures and guide enhancements to meet the school’s operational and financial management needs.
• Partner with Technology, Advancement, Auxiliary Programs, and other departments to maintain reliable system integrations and consistent financial data.
• Evaluate and improve financial workflows, including banking and payment-processing practices, to reduce manual work and improve operational efficiency.
• Oversee and review the annual audit and Form 990 preparation, supporting the Controller and coordinating with external partners.
• Prepare financial reporting and supporting materials for rating agencies, bondholders, lenders, and other financing-related activities.
• Manage the school’s insurance program, including renewals, coverage reviews, and broker relationships.
• Lead financial systems modernization, including selection and implementation of a new general ledger platform, redesign of the chart of accounts, and improvement of integrations across financial and operational platforms.

Benefits

• Health insurance with a generous employer contribution to medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life and disability insurance.
• 403(b) retirement savings with an employer match and non-elective contribution.
• Employee assistance program.
• Tuition remission for eligible children.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Paid parental leave after one year of employment.
• Paid vacation, sick, and personal days.
• Lunch provided on school days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director