Director of Finance, Risk Management and StrategicPartnerships/CFO

The Thacher School – Director of Finance, Risk

Management and Strategic Partnerships / CFO

Opportunity The Thacher School, one of the most selective and

highly regarded boarding schools in the nation, is beginning a

national search for its next Director of Finance, Risk Management

and Strategic Partnerships / CFO. Founded in 1889 by Sherman Day

Thacher, the School serves 258 academically talented students from

over 20 states and 11 countries in a rigorous college preparatory

experience. The faculty and students live and work closely together

on a 540-acre campus nestled in the foothills of the Los Padres

National Forest in Ojai, California (85 miles north of Los

Angeles). School life is governed by an Honor Code rooted in the

core values of Honor, Fairness, Kindness and Truth. Together, the

School community commits to the belief that demands in the academic

classroom, when combined with those of mountains and horses, of

sports and the arts, produce independent minds, strong bodies, and

powerful character.

Position Description The

Chief Financial Officer will join a school which is looking to

expand enrollment, diversify revenue and modernize and systematize

operations in thoughtful ways consistent with the culture and

history of the school. The CFO will oversee the business office and

financial operations, will develop other sources of revenue for the

school including summer programs, and will oversee risk management

broadly defined. The CFO will be creative, entrepreneurial and will

provide strategic leadership as a member of the senior leadership

team. The successful candidate will be a thoughtful steward of the

school’s resources and culture, an excellent communicator, and will

blend rigorous fiscal oversight with a collaborative spirit to

foster a resilient, sustainable future for the Thacher community.

As a key member of the senior leadership team the Chief Financial

Officer reports directly to the Head of School and collaborates

closely with the Board of Trustees.

Challenges

and Opportunities

Ensures effective

stewardship of existing resources to address rising operational

costs through disciplined financial management and operational

efficiency.

Assesses staffing needs and

implements strategies to recruit, retain, and develop talent and

foster a cohesive, high‑performing, and mission‑driven division

that values collaboration, expertise, and mutual

respect.

Reviews all processes and procedures

in the business office to ensure that they are current, effective

and efficient.

Explores and implements

opportunities to leverage emerging technologies, including

artificial intelligence, to enhance operational effectiveness and

efficiency.

Collaborates with the Director of

Enrollment to model the impact of the expansion of the student body

on the financial sustainability and health of the

School.

Collaborates with the Director of

Enrollment on the setting of tuition and on the strategic use of

financial aid.

Develops summer programs which

are revenue positive and are consistent with the School’s

mission.

Develops programs and opportunities

for more collaboration and inclusion of the Ojai community with the

School.

Collaborates with the Board, Head of

School and Advancement Office on a planned campaign to support the

strategic plan.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required,

MBA, CPA or equivalent advanced degree

preferred.

Minimum of 10 years of financial

experience with increasing breadth and leadership

responsibilities.

Experience in an independent

school, nonprofit or higher education setting is strongly

preferred.

Superior communication skills, both

written and spoken.

Superior interpersonal,

organizational, leadership and managerial

skills.

Superior analytical, modeling and

problem‑solving skills.

Compensation

Compensation is very competitive. The salary range is

275,000-$350,000. Final salary is based on experience relevant to

the role and internal equity. Thacher offers a generous fringe

benefit package, which includes a 403(b) match, healthcare

coverage, and a broad range of other benefits including full

tuition remission for eligible dependents, use of campus facilities

and generous professional development support. The new CFO will not

be expected to live on campus.

Equal

Employment Opportunities The Thacher School is dedicated to

providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of

race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age,

disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression,

veteran’s status, or any other factor that is a prohibited

consideration under applicable

law.

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