Posted: 06-Nov-24
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Type: Full Time
Preferred Education:
About Trinity Valley School:
Founded in 1959 and named for the Trinity River that flows nearby, Trinity Valley School is an independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory school which seeks students of above-average to superior ability who will contribute to the diversity of the student body and enrich the school community. Enrollment includes more than 1,000 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 on a 75-acre campus in Fort Worth, Texas. Families choose TVS for its deep commitment to developing curious minds and lifelong learners, as well as for its strong sense of community.
TVS provides extraordinary opportunities for students to develop empathy and inclusivity as leaders and to stretch themselves in academics, athletics, visual and performing arts, and signature programs in outdoor experiential education and global education.
Trinity Valley School recruits and retains exemplary faculty whose skill in the classroom is complemented by their positive contributions to other programs and endeavors within the school community. These stellar faculty inspire excellence and actively promote the mission and philosophy of the school by modeling for their students the resiliency, flexibility and persistence that embodies the TVS school motto, Per Aspera ad Astra (Through Difficulty to the Stars!).
Trinity Valley School is committed to attracting and retaining exceptional faculty and staff by offering highly competitive salaries; fully paid employee health, disability, and life insurance; dental insurance; TIAA-CREF 403(b) plan with immediate vesting; vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; ample funding for professional development; tuition reimbursement for coursework toward advanced degrees; and more.
Trinity Valley School actively seeks to recruit and hire faculty and staff whose diverse experiences and backgrounds are reflective of our global community. We are deeply committed to serving our mission and advancing institutional goals for equity, inclusion, and community.
Position Description:
Trinity Valley School seeks a full-time Interim Chief Financial Officer to join TVS as soon as possible and no later than January 15, 2025.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a vital member of the TVS Leadership team, working closely with the Head of School and the Finance Committee to ensure the financial health and sustainability of the school. This role encompasses not only the development and management of the school’s operating budget and endowment but also the oversight of all business office operations, financial planning, compliance, and risk management. The CFO plays a key role in shaping and supporting the school’s strategic vision, fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability.
Knowledge, Experience, and Skill Requirements:
Key Responsibilities:
- Primary responsibility for the school’s operating budget and long-range financial plan.
Supervision of the Business Office staff to ensure the creation of appropriate financial controls and the development of clear financial reports for the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. - Oversight of all banking and debt related relationships. Management of the School’s long-term borrowing objectives, including the negotiation, structuring, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of loan agreements.
- Lead the preparation and review of financial reports, ensuring timely filings of tax returns, coordination of annual financial audits, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.
- Manage the annual review and renewal of insurance policies, including general liability, property, casualty, and workers’ compensation, ensuring comprehensive coverage and risk mitigation.
- Serve as a key member of the Finance Committee, Endowment Committee, Audit Committee, Buildings and Grounds Committee, providing insightful analysis and recommendations that support the school’s strategic goals.
- Responsible for working with the Leadership Team on the collection, completion and analyzation of varying data surveys, audits, and other sources to drive informed strategic decisions.
- Identify and implement new systems, technologies, and workflows to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and productivity within the business office.
- Represents TVS in professional organizations, conferences, and workshops, staying abreast of industry trends and innovations.
- Primary oversight of all legal issues and other counsel relationships. Keep abreast of existing and pending legislation that may affect the school.
- Collaborates with the Head of School and the Advancement Department to support fundraising initiatives, aligning financial strategies with development efforts.
- Collaborates with the Admissions Department to assist with the financial aid process, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accessibility which are defined by the organizational financial guardrails such as discount rate and enrollment goals.
- Develops, with the assistance of the Head of School and the Board of Trustees, a comprehensive financial plan, including capital needs of the school for three to five years and updates it yearly.
- Monitors and projects the cash flow.
- Performs such other tasks as may be assigned by the Head of School.
Desired Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, CPA, or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
- 5-10 years of senior-level financial management experience, with a proven record of developing and executing financial strategies in a dynamic environment. Experience in independent schools is a plus.
- Familiarity with Blackbaud NXT preferred.
- Familiarity with nonprofit accounting standards, fundraising systems, and best practices, particularly in educational institutions.
- Skilled at negotiating contracts and managing relationships with external vendors to optimize services and costs.
- Demonstrated experience in financial planning, budgeting, and analysis that supports strategic decision-making. Ability to think both creatively and analytically, considering key cost drivers and organizational strengths and weaknesses.
- Experience working with senior leadership teams and nonprofit Boards, with a commitment to fostering strong, collaborative relationships.
- Strong leadership abilities with superb written, verbal, and presentation skills. Adept at translating complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for various stakeholders.
- Ability to collaborate, adapt, and be effective under pressure, demonstrating flexibility and a solutions-oriented mindset in challenging situations.
- A proactive, innovative leader who seeks opportunities for improvement and growth.
- Fully support the four main objectives of the TVS Mission Statement.
- Recognize, embrace, and advance institutional goals for Equity, Inclusion, and Community.
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors of the Position:
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain focus and adaptability in the face of frequent interruptions, shifting priorities, and dynamic situations.
- Foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment that encourages interaction and
cooperation among year-round and seasonal staff, as well as across departments. - Availability for occasional prolonged or irregular hours, as needed to meet the demands of
the position and support the school community. - Adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines, particularly in handling sensitive financial,
personal, and organizational information. - Communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including colleagues, students,
families, and external partners, fostering positive relationships and clear understanding. - Availability for occasional prolonged or irregular hours, as needed to meet the demands of
the position and support the school community.
Application Requirements:
Qualified candidates should complete an online application for employment and attach a cover letter and résumé by visiting Trinity Valley School Career Opportunities. Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of their application. For questions or general inquiries about this opportunity, please contact:
Carrie Skains, Director of Human Resources Phone: (817) 321.0100
Email: skainsc@tvs.org
Trinity Valley School is an equal-opportunity employer. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment practices. Trinity Valley School does not discriminate against any qualified employee or applicant for employment due to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected category under federal, state, or local laws.
