Moorestown Friends School in the South Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia welcomes nominations and applications for the position of Chief Financial and Operating Officer. Embracing the School’s mission rooted in Quaker education and an inclusive community, the CFOO role requires a detail oriented, analytical, and strategic administrator with strong interpersonal skills and financial acumen to oversee the School’s financial portfolio and manage its daily operations.
The CFOO will join the MFS community during a momentous time in the School’s evolution and will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on a 240 year old institution. MFS recently received the largest gift in its history, is embarking upon a compelling and unifying Strategic Plan, and has entered the quiet phase of an ambitious campaign. Against this exciting backdrop, a new CFOO will have the opportunity to partner closely with the Head of School and School Committee in shaping the path forward for this historically significant, child-centered, joyful learning community.
A coeducational Quaker day school serving students age 3 through Grade 12, Moorestown Friends School was founded in 1785. The original MFS, a one-room stone schoolhouse, has today evolved into a warm and welcoming, proudly diverse and dynamic learning community. It is a school that remains committed to celebrating its traditions and honoring its essential ingredients – a commitment to Quaker values and academic rigor – while encouraging innovation and continued growth. At MFS, 600 students receive a first-rate education from the School’s 94 faculty, who deliver a challenging, engaging, and relevant curriculum of study across the three academic divisions. Graduates leave MFS well prepared for college and beyond, ready to tackle the real world as confident citizens and thoughtful leaders.
Reporting to the Head of School, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer serves on the Administrative Council, MFS’s senior leadership team, and is responsible for the planning, accounting, and reporting of income, expenses, and contributed and invested funds of the School. The CFOO oversees and collaborates with staff members in the Business Office and Facilities departments. In addition, the CFOO works closely with colleagues on the senior team around campus planning and strategy. As a key member of the leadership team, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer attends all School Committee meetings and provides staff support, in conjunction with the Head of School, to the Assets and Property Committees.
The Chief Financial and Operating Officer will align Moorestown Friends School’s financial and institutional priorities, work strategically to support the continued growth of enrollment, and help to execute plans related to the School’s advancement and financial success. By helping establish a positive culture that promotes collaboration, flexibility, innovation, and respect for others, the CFOO will proactively drive the School to a higher level of performance and efficiency.
Functionally, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer provides primary support to the Assets and Property Committees of the School Committee. As a member of the Administrative Council, MFS’s senior leadership team, the CFOO leads, supervises, and manages a strong and seasoned Business Office that consists of a Controller, Bookkeeper, Human Resources Director, and Administrative Assistant. In addition, the CFOO oversees the Director of Physical Plant and the Director of Extended Day Programs, as well as maintenance, custodial, and security aspects of the School, and the Thrift Shop.
The CFOO will be a strategist, an excellent listener, and a transparent and inclusive communicator with a customer-oriented approach, a high-level of professional business acumen, a broad management skillset, and sophisticated financial expertise. Exhibiting the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct, the successful CFOO candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and seven to ten years of business or school finance experience. A CPA or master’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field preferred. In addition, the strongest candidates will bring the following qualifications:
- A strong background in financial systems and modeling, investment and risk management, support services administration, business services, human resource and benefit administration, and facilities management.
- A track record of effective financial and business management.
- Ability to interface effectively with all levels of the school community – administration, faculty, staff, students, trustees, parents/guardians, alumni, and friends of the School.
- A transparent, inclusive, and collaborative management style.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- A high level of integrity and an extraordinary work ethic.
- Knowledge and experience in setting up effective financial controls and navigating risk.
- Effective negotiation skills in developing contracts with external vendors.
- Ability to hire, develop, motivate, and lead new talent and manage a high-quality staff.
- A strong commitment to education and the importance of the learning process.
- Creativity, a positive outlook, a pro-active orientation, and a desire to be an engaged and visible member of a close-knit educational community.
- An appreciation of the values and spiritual foundation of a Friends school.
This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in NJ. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Moorestown Friends School offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, 403b with matching contribution, and company paid life insurance and long-term disability. In addition, Moorestown Friends School offers 50% tuition remission for up to two children attending the school.