Leadership Opening

Director of Finance and Operations

Start date: Immediate with an Opportunity to Transition with Retiring DFO

Overview & History

Visitation School, founded in 1873 by the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary, is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school rooted in the Salesian living tradition instilled by founders St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. Visitation School embraces the teachings of St. Francis and St. Jane which emphasized the Little Virtues of kindness, gentle strength, thoughtful concern for others, humility, simplicity, hospitality, gratitude, patience, generosity of spirit, honesty and joyful optimism. Their historical teachings have never been more important than they are today.

Originally located in St. Paul, MN, Visitation was founded at the request of members of the St. Paul community to provide a Catholic education to young women in the area. In the mid 1960’s, the Sisters moved the school to its present location in Mendota Heights, MN, and began enrolling boys in the Lower School at that time. The school is co-ed Montessori Pre-K through grade five, all-girls in grades six through twelve, and is currently serving approximately 550 students from the greater Twin Cities area. Visitation School also operates a year-round day care and a vibrant summer program. Our Early Learning Center serves approximately 100 infants and children, and our summer program provides enrichment opportunities for over 300 campers.

Visitation School provides a warm, welcoming environment and believes that diversity enriches all in our community, leading to a better, more creative, productive environment for both staff and students. Diversity, equity and inclusion work stems from our deep roots, is fueled by the passion of an exceptional community and is of ongoing importance. Visitation is a place where many voices, experiences, perspectives, positions and identities come together, yet we remain united through our Salesian heritage and humanity.

Visitation School is a beautiful facility nestled in a 60-acre wooded campus located in Mendota Heights, MN that includes outdoor classroom spaces and a learning lodge. Our 200,000 square foot facilities include an outstanding STEM center, athletic training room, innovative classrooms and several art studios. There are two gyms, eight tennis courts, softball and soccer fields, and a state-of-the-art theater. Seventy-eight percent of faculty hold advanced degrees. A rigorous curriculum and enlightened instruction provide versatile learning opportunities, encourage responsible independence, and ensure deep engagement with classmates and faculty. Underpinning all of this is a faith that emphasizes the Salesian virtues of gentleness, patience, humility and liberty of spirit.

The Visitation sisters are fiscally conservative, and that tradition continues today. We are a financially healthy and stable organization. The current Director of Finance and Operations is retiring, paving the way for the onboarding of a new leader of the organization’s financial and operational future.

A Visitation education is more than just academic achievement; it is about growth and wholeness in mind, body, and spirit - an education that is not for school, but for life.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance and Operations is the senior leader responsible for effectively managing all finance and operations functions of Visitation School including finance, investments, accounting and risk management, financial grants, technology, facilities and janitorial services, human resources, food services, transportation and the school store.  Reporting to the Head of School, this role provides the Board of Trustees, the Administrative Council leadership team and other core constituents visibility into the financial health and performance of the organization, as well as the critical thinking needed to support strategic and operational initiatives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and timely financial and budgetary reporting to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, Administrative Council leadership team and other constituent groups.
• Manage the overall Finance and Accounting, Human Resource, Facilities, Technology, Financial Grants and Transportation functions of the organization through the direct supervision of each respective manager.
• Oversight of endowment investments and management of investment advisor relationship.
• Oversight of food service program through the outsourced vendor relationship.

Qualifications, Education and Experience 

• 10+ years of financial leadership and operational oversight
• 5+ years of experience managing a team of direct reports
• BA in Accounting, Finance or related field, CPA or MBA preferred
• Expertise in nonprofit GAAP, general ledger accounting and financial statements
• Experience working with Boards and Committees
• Experience in a private educational environment preferred
• Experience managing Facilities, HR and IT functions preferred
• Strategic, critical thinker and planner and an effective implementer
• Demonstrated cultivation of a collaborative working environment
• Proven ability to effectively manage organization-wide budget limitations
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, energetic environment
• Outstanding verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills
• An eagerness to embrace Visitation’s mission and values

Position start date is immediate with an opportunity to transition with the current retiring Director of Finance and Operations.

Qualified candidates are asked to send a letter of interest and resume, including three references to recruitment@vischool.org.

Salary and benefits are competitive. Visitation School is an equal opportunity employer.

About Visitation School

We are an independent Catholic school founded in 1873 by the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary. We educate girls in grades six to twelve and boys and girls from Montessori preschool through grade five.

Connections working at Visitation School