Chief Finance & Operations Officer

Description

A nationally recognized leader in independent school education, Latin School of Chicago is seeking an experienced and collaborative finance and operations leader to become our new Chief Finance & Operations Officer to start July 1, 2025. The position reports to the Head of School and oversees many non-academic functions of the school including: finance, facilities, information technology, food services (contracted), legal matters, safety & security, and strategic initiatives. The CFOO also serves as the liaison to the Audit, Facilities, Finance, Investment, Risk Management and other committees of the Board of Trustees, as deemed necessary.

ABOUT LATIN:

Latin is a coeducational day school, serving 1,190 students in junior kindergarten through twelfth grade. Latin boasts a vibrant community that comprises 179 faculty, 114 staff and approximately 6,000 living and active alums. Founded in 1888, Latin is one of the oldest independent schools in the city of Chicago and provides its students with a rigorous and innovative liberal arts educational program. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence.

Latin's shared values of excellence, community, and integrity affirm and define our community. They serve as guideposts for all that the school does, and connect us - students, teachers, parents and alumni - to each other and to Latin.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Finance and Accounting:

• Collaborate with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and Department leaders to ensure alignment between financial planning and the school’s mission.
• Develop and implement financial and operational strategies that support the School’s mission and goals and are consistent with the organization’s fiscal policy and compliant with state and federal laws.
• Oversee the financial operations of Latin including endowment, investments, cash management, financial analysis, budget management, debt compliance, and all tax- exempt financing.
• Oversee the annual operating budget, and present it to the Head of School and Trustees for approval. Lead regular financial reports for Trustees, management, and department managers.
• Safeguard the school’s assets and maintain the integrity of accounting records, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting to school leadership and trustees.
• Provide support to the Head of School and the Finance & Budget Committee in setting annual tuition rates, using key metrics and drivers.
• Partner with the Head of School, Development, and Enrollment Management and Financial Aid offices to provide strategy and to operationalize financial aid, both annually and for the longer-term.
• Ensure that financial statements, cash flow reports, Annual Fund Reports, and any Capital Campaign Fund reports are prepared and filed.
• Responsible for the oversight of the cash and bank accounts of the School participating in all banking relationships.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to identify contributed revenue opportunities that are consistent with the strategic plan.
• Pursue and analyze additional earned revenue sources.

Facilities & Operations:

• Oversee all aspects of the physical plant (buildings and grounds) of Latin including deferred maintenance, general improvements, renovations, acquisitions, and long term facilities planning.
• Partner with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to acquire and execute new capital ventures that come out of master planning work.
• Oversee capital projects, existing and new construction, renovations, off campus sites, and develop deferred maintenance schedules.
• Overall responsibility for the leadership of the school’s technology infrastructure, ensuring that the school’s systems are responsive and effective, safe and compliant.
• Oversight of the school’s Technology and Facilities Departments.

Risk Management:

• Engage in cooperative decision making with the Head of School and Board of Trustees; serve as liaison to the Audit, Finance, Facilities, Risk Management committees, providing required reporting.
• Manage the risk management program to ensure the best pricing and insurance program, this includes oversight of insurance coverages including but not limited to property, casualty, liability, cybersecurity as well and health insurance benefits,  as well as reduce risk exposure to the School.
• Ensure regular and required schedules of independent audits as established by the School.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations affecting the school’s operations, including legal, safety, and financial reporting requirements.

Day-to-Day Management and Leadership:

• Oversee the functions of the Business Office, Facilities/Grounds Department (Operations), IT Department, Food Services, Legal Matters (related to these areas), Project Management, Safety & Security, and Strategic Initiatives.
• Oversee the hiring, employment, and evaluations for employees within the functions related to the responsibilities of this position (Finance, Facilities, etc.).
• Actively participate in professional organizations that bring additional and resources to the work of the School.
• Participate in meetings with HomeOwner Associations and community organizations, as appropriate and necessary for the functioning of the School.
• Represents the School in community activities assigned by the Head of School.
• Serve as a key member  of the administrative team, participating in the development and execution of the school’s strategic plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Duties:

• Attend all faculty meetings, department meetings, and other assigned meetings.
• Attend significant school functions, involving students, faculty/staff, the Board, alumni, donors, and community members.
• Serve in other capacities that support the student life program including but not limited to sitting on task forces or committees, serving as liaison to student organizations, assisting with evening/weekend programming, etc.

Latin School of Chicago is an independent, day school with a vibrant and diverse community. When we are at our best, we are engaging with our students both in and out of the classroom. Therefore, applicants should be deeply committed to embracing and supporting the diversity of our entire community.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• M.B.A., M.Ed., or related advanced degree required.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of senior leadership experience in financial and operations management required; experience at a not-for-profit organization, higher education and/or independent school preferred.
• Proven track record of leading strategic finance and business operations, with the ability to drive big-picture vision while overseeing day-to-day operations.
• A strong people leader and manager with experience developing teams, setting goals, and ensuring accountability.
• Experience with technology and facilities oversight is strongly preferred.

COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to work with individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• In-depth understanding of key financial controls, rules, and regulations.
• Familiarity with financial and business systems software.
• Financial acumen that includes financial planning, budgeting, risk management, and strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to develop and implement financial controls, oversee audits, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Proficient in Google products.
• Strong leadership ability, presentation skills and ability to translate technical financial and operational concepts to a variety of audiences.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills to reason, estimate, analyze, and recommend.
• A commitment to high ethical standards, integrity, and a commitment to transparency and financial stewardship.
• Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of School life.

ABOUT LATIN SCHOOL OF CHICAGO:

Mission: Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence.

Latin School achieves its mission by:

• encouraging excellence in all academic and personal pursuits;
• creating an educational environment that fosters and supports the moral, physical, psychological and aesthetic growth and development of each student;
• recruiting and retaining excellent faculty and staff;
• sustaining a diverse, inclusive and multicultural community that affirms and values each individual;
• attracting dedicated families committed to the mission of the school;
• promoting programs in all divisions that help our students make connections and become active citizens in our school and city; and
• developing the financial and physical resources to support the school's needs.

Vision: Our vision for educational excellence is to reinforce the value of an exemplary liberal arts education that makes learning inquiry-based, personal and inclusive. Our approach expands each Latin Learner’s capacity for purposeful learning—whether in our school, our city or our world.

Values: Excellence, Community and Integrity

FOR ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION:

Latin School of Chicago is committed to bringing together a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. We encourage candidates who represent the broad, diverse community to which we aspire.

Latin School of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an inclusive school experience for all.

The salary range for this position is $285,000 to $315,000, non-inclusive of a comprehensive insurance and benefits package.

Salary : $285,000 - $315,000