Chief Financial Officer - The Webb Schools

The Webb Schools is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.

Read the full Opportunity Statement here: https://drgtalent.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Webb-Schools-Chief-Financial-Officer.pdf

BackgroundA 150-acre campus in the foothills of Claremont, California—on the front porch of Los Angeles and part of the Pacific Rim. A boarding and day high school (9-12) with a 100-year legacy of putting honor and moral courage above all else. A fully accredited museum of paleontology. A college placement record that includes 90% of each graduating class attending colleges and universities in the top 10% nationwide. Students on campus hailing from 10 states and 15 countries. A commitment to team sports, outdoor adventure, and participation in the arts. These attributes only begin to describe what makes Webb, Webb. While the school was founded in 1922 in the great tradition of the best boarding schools of the eastern United States, Webb embraces the adventurous spirit of California where it thrives. Webb is a vibrant community of unbounded thinkers pushing to solve problems and growing as leaders.

The Position: Chief Financial OfficerThe Chief Financial Officer serves as a member of the senior leadership team and reports to the Head of School. The CFO provides leadership for the business office, including direct oversight of the Director of Human Resources, the Controller, the Senior Staff Accountant, and the Accounts Payable Analyst. This position interacts with board members, administrators, faculty, staff, parents, vendors, outside agencies, and auditors. The CFO is an integral member of the team, working on important strategic initiatives that include financial forecasting and modeling, debt and investment policy formulation, capital campaigns, gift acceptance protocols, and capital projects. The CFO serves as staff liaison on numerous committees to the Board of Trustees, including the Finance, Investment, and Audit Committees. One of the complexities of Webb’s business office is managing both the larger corporate entity that is Webb as well as its subsidiary, the Alf Museum.

The CFO will work closely with the Head of School to oversee the financial systems of the school and ensure Webb’s mission and excellent student programs remain at the center. Part of a collaborative leadership team, the CFO will work closely with admissions, advancement, communications and marketing, educational programs, and the Alf Museum as well as the Board of Trustees. The CFO manages relationships with outside financial institutions, agencies, and auditors and is involved in the financial planning of capital projects and strategic initiatives.

Key ResponsibilitiesFinance, Strategy, PlanningServe as a thought partner for the Head of School, providing data and models to support institutional analysis and planningDirect and coordinate budget programsAnalyze studies of general economic, business, and financial conditions and their impact on the Schools' policies and operations and conduct subsequent research and forecasts as neededAppraise the Schools' financial position and issue periodic financial and operating reportsOversee accounting systems and protocols, ensuring best-practice proceduresEnsure that all activities and operations comply with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing business operations. Oversee all audit and internal control operationsAs a member of the Capital Project Team, perform all compliance, budget management, and accounting functions for capital projectsDevelop and install systems and controls for management information systems

Investment and Board SupportOversee and direct treasury, investment, budgeting, audit, tax, accounting, purchasing, real estate, and insurance activities, as well as contract administration, for the SchoolsDirect activities as custodian of funds, securities, and assets of the Schools Perform bond accounting, ensuring that all covenants are fulfilled in a timely manner, including annual debt management reports to the Finance CommitteePrepare detailed reports on financial performance on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis; create systems so that snapshots of performance are available in real-timePerform cash management, endowment, and investment accounting, including planned gifts and split-interest agreementsServe as the staff liaison for relevant Board Committees and prepare and present materials for Board work

Human Resources Maintain appropriate professional memberships and associated survey expectationsHelp implement and administer all employee benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement, worker’s compensation, life insurance, and other related plansCollaborate with the Head of School and other senior administrators on providing leadership for employee hiring, termination, compensation, and managementManage decisions regarding the school’s insurance programs: property, casualty, medical, workers’ compensation, and D&OProvide appropriate and consistent employment policies, staffing levels, compensation, and benefits programs for all facets of school operations

Community ParticipationServe as a member of the senior leadership team, working collaboratively to ensure the success of the Schools’ annual operating plans and progress in achieving its strategic visionAttend and support major school events and activitiesEngage in ongoing education and professional development; participate in industry association events (e.g., Cal-ISBOA, NBOA, NAIS, TABS)Provide collaborative support for advancement, admissions, and other departmentsPublicly represent the school in a positive and proactive way, collaborating with other local institutions, neighbors, and public officialsCommunicate effectively with diverse populations; demonstrate an interest in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work and participate in professional development as related to DEI work

Desired Qualifications and QualitiesEducation, Experience, and skillsBachelor’s degree plus at least ten years of progressive financial leadership experience, with significant experience in nonprofits and/or independent schools preferredMBA, CPA, or other advanced degree or certification preferredExpertise in financial accounting, cash management, budgeting, and financial projections and modelingExperience in human resources, including payroll, benefits, and labor lawsExperience managing complex banking relationshipsStrong strategic thinking skills: able to design effective plans and approaches and to serve as a thought partner to the Head of SchoolKnowledgeable of accounting standards and audit and internal control protocols, as well as applicable federal and state statutesDemonstrated success in creating efficiencies and improving processesStrong technology skills; demonstrated excellence in Microsoft Suite (especially Excel) and experience with Blackbaud products (BBTM, BBEM, Financial Edge NXT, Raiser’s Edge NXT), ADP, and Shopify products a plusExcellent verbal and written communication, as well as strong mathematical and analytical skillsExperience with capital projects accounting, planned giving, and endowment management highly preferredProven success at working collaboratively and efficiently on a creative, diverse, and goal-oriented team

Personal CharacteristicsSelf-motivated multitasker with excellent work habits, including a willingness to work all necessary hours —especially when important deadlines cause greater-than-normal departmental pressuresDemonstrate integrity and competence in thought, words, and actionEffective leadership and interpersonal skills to manage personnel and constituents, solve problems, and represent The Webb Schools in the communityDemonstrate principled leadership, business, and management ethicsDevelop strong working relationships with employees at all levels of the institutionFoster teamwork, delegates, coaches, gives feedback, and involves and inspires othersServe as an advocate for the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by modeling cultural competence and supporting new and existing education programsProject a winning attitude, a can-do approach to problems, and persistence in the face of adversity.Have a customer-service mindset, providing excellent service to internal and external stakeholders Strive for continuous improvement and solicit feedback to improve serviceHave a keen sense of humor

Benefits and CompensationThe salary range for this position is $225,000–$275,000.

Webb offers:low-cost medical for employees and eligible family members 90% covered by Webbspending accounts for health and dependent careremission for children enrolled at Webband long-term disabilityschool contribution to TIAA 403(b) based on tenureprofessional development support

Application Requirements and Search ProcessDRG is conducting this search on behalf of Webb. Interested candidates should submit, as soon as possible, materials including the following:A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position.A current resume.The names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of five references, to include the relationship with the references. (We will obtain permission from candidates, at the finalist stage, before contacting references.) Application Status: Accepting Applications Start Date: Summer/Fall 2024

This position description is based upon material provided by The Webb Schools, an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities and who does not discriminate based on perceived or actual race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, pregnancy (or any related conditions), age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, gender/identity/expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.