Manlius Pebble Hill School is a leading independent school inspiring students to think critically, act responsibly, and discover a passion for lifelong learning. This welcoming educational community consistently provides the 330 day students in grades pre-k through 12 with high levels of academic challenge and engaging opportunities to excel in the arts, athletics, and community service. As the Central New York area prepares for transformational investments and economic growth ahead, and under the leadership of the incoming Head of School Jim Foley, Manlius Pebble Hill School is positioned to continue as the premier educational institution for families in the region. Please learn more about the school at www.mphschool.org.
As a driver of innovation and key partner to the Head of School, the Director of Finance and Operations is responsible for all financial and administrative aspects of the school. With the mandate to engineer resilient systems and an enduring business model, this person will build relationships, prioritize and anticipate future needs, and collaborate to bring creative solutions into practice.
Engaging across all of the essential functions in the organization, this person will directly manage the accounting and finance, payroll, information technology, and human resources functions, and provide active oversight of facilities, legal affairs and risk management, auxiliary programs, dining services, as well as the campus health, safety, and security functions. The Director of Finance and Operations will support the mission and values of the school by ensuring its financial health and providing conspicuous leadership within the school and broader community.
In support of the governance and fiduciary responsibilities of the Board of Trustees, the Director of Finance and Operations will serve as a staff liaison to board committees and provide timely and accurate analysis and reporting. The Director will work directly with the Head of School to craft and execute on the school’s operational and strategic planning, organizational structure, administrative tools and systems, and business decision-making.
The Candidate
The successful candidate will take a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the work, building relationships and implementing best practices in the systems that support efficient school operations. This position requires superb relationship management and organizational skills. The successful candidate will be a team player who is happy and effective working in a culture of civility in an institution focused on delivering an exceptional education and student experience. The director will demonstrate personal accountability and operate with integrity and humility.
Responsibilities
Evaluate the financial performance of the School and provide the context to accurately assess achievements against operational goals, budgets, and forecasts.
Maintain outstanding relationships with colleagues, the Board of Trustees, families, and alumni.
Collaboratively build forward-looking models and activity-based analyses to provide insight and recommendations for growth plans of the School.
Participate in and inform key decisions as they relate to strategic initiatives and operational models.
Oversee and steward the investments in infrastructure, including budgets, planning, coordination, and fulfillment of major campus construction projects.
Lead, support, and supervise the business office (currently 3 members): delineate responsibilities, set clear goals, model and implement professional standards and internal controls, and provide for professional growth and development.
Ensure timely submission and accuracy of financial, management, and compliance-related reporting for the School’s Board of Trustees, regulatory bodies, banks, and foundations.
Collaborate with and assist departments to meet the Head of School’s goals.
Select, engage, and provide accountability for relationships with consultants, auditors, vendors, and lenders.
Partner with the Director of Admission and Enrollment Management to guide the School's financial aid process.
Oversee the administration and reporting of the school’s endowment funds.
Implement policies, procedures, and processes as deemed appropriate by the Head of School.
Maintain systems and software that support operations and data for decision making, including databases, software services, and financial software in accounting, facilities, and human resources departments.
Manage preparation and direct support of all external audits and compliance reporting.
Oversee the physical plant and other strategic assets.
Manlius Pebble Hill School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks to reflect in its faculty and staff the diversity present within its student body. The school invites candidates to join in this process who bring a substantive and varied combination of educational pursuits and lived experiences that demonstrate the capacity to make a meaningful contribution in this role.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced executive and a team player who possesses:
A creative business mind, a positive attitude, curiosity, and a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrated leadership ability, confidence, and executive presence
A genuine affinity for the life of students and ability to contribute meaningfully to an educational community
An ability to consistently engage, teach, and motivate staff and build consensus across a mission-driven organization
Outstanding communication and presentation skills
Excellent accounting, analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills
Experience working with external auditors, implementing internal controls, and managing compliance-related issues
Accounting or finance background and experience (MBA preferred), with 5 years minimum experience in management roles; in schools or higher education preferred
