Laguna Blanca School is a college preparatory, coeducational day school located on two campuses in Santa Barbara, California. Grades EK-4 are located on a quaint campus in Montecito, while Grades 5-12 are located on Laguna’s historic campus in idyllic Hope Ranch. Laguna Blanca emphasizes its core values of scholarship, character, balance, and community in its programs.

Laguna Blanca School seeks an experienced business management professional to assume the role of Director of Finance & Operations (DFO).  The DFO oversees and provides strategic guidance on the school's $10 million annual budget, and ensures that accounting and finance systems accurately reflect the budgeted results and financial position of the school in accordance with GAAP.  The position reports directly to the head of school, is an integral member of senior administration, and works closely with The Board of Trustees.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to secure and deploy financial resources to fulfill the school’s strategic priorities
•  Participate in the development of school strategy, providing recommendations, financial analysis, projections, and other data to inform the process
• Communicate regularly with the Board Treasurer in preparation for periodic meetings of the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees to develop and monitor annual operating and capital budgets.  Play a key role in the development and implementation of all long-term strategic planning by providing multi-year forecasts and other ad hoc reports.
• Lead the planning, organization and management of the Business Office including accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable (tuition and fees),  cash management, purchasing, budgeting, financial reporting, human resources, payroll, employee benefits, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance, and facilities.
• Maintains fixed asset ledgers, capital acquisitions, depreciation, and disposals.
• Oversees the school’s endowment and investment portfolio to ensure accurate reporting to ensure that donors’ wishes are being met.
• Supervise the Director of Human Resources and help coordinate employee relations, benefits, compensation, payroll, and 403(b) plan administration. 
• Supervise the Director of Facilities and oversee facilities management, which includes building repairs, construction, security and janitorial.
•  Take a leadership role on the Financial Aid Committee to analyze applicant need and assist in the management of financial aid administration.
• Work closely with the Director of Development to maintain adequate records for donations and pledges.
• Coordinates the activities of the school’s independent auditors, and prepares the necessary working papers.
• Responsible for the timely and accurate filing of tax returns (990, 5500) and other regulatory filings.
• Oversees the completion of annual surveys, including Cal-ISBOA, CAIS and DASL.
•  Understand the culture and climate of the school and the wider educational environment.
• Manage, mentor, and develop direct reports, providing constructive and timely feedback.
• Model and foster high ethical standards, integrity, and respect for colleagues, alumni/ae, parents, and students in the conduct of the school’s business.
• Communicate clearly and enthusiastically to all staff and stakeholders.
• Remain current with business management trends and cultivate professional standards and development by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in local, regional, and national professional organizations.