Oakwood School is a two-campus, K-12 coeducational day school in North Hollywood, California that opened its doors in 1951. Now with over 830 students in grades K-12, the school has remained faithful to its original mission ever since: to create a diverse educational environment where young people are partners with the adults; where preparing students for the future occurs by immersing them in the present; where joy and humor prevail alongside academic rigor; and where authentic relationships engage students with their teachers, one another, and the world around them.

With an operating budget of approximately $50M, Oakwood seeks a director of finance to oversee the finance department that includes three other dedicated professionals. The role requires hands-on management of the school’s day-to-day finance operations, as well as a strategic approach to long-term financial planning. As Oakwood enters a multiyear chapter of three separate capital campaigns that will trigger significant construction and development, the director of finance will also play a role in cash management, debt financing, and banking partnerships. The director of finance reports to the chief operations officer and interfaces with department heads across both campuses. Oakwood looks forward to welcoming the director of finance in spring 2025, to allow for a graceful hand-off with the outgoing director of finance, who will be retiring at the end of the ’24-’25 school year.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Finance and Investment Management

Manage all accounting operations of the organization in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and internal policies and procedures.

Lead the annual budgeting process, collaborating with departmental leadership and preparing monthly financial reports and forecasts to guide informed decision-making.

Oversee the investments of the school’s funds in compliance with the Investment Committee’s policies and guidelines.

Provide financial analysis and financial modeling to assist the head of school and COO with strategic financial planning for the school’s existing priorities and new initiatives.

Compliance, Analysis, & Reporting

Implement policies and procedures to ensure all accounting transactions and record-keeping functions comply with applicable state and federal regulations and accounting principles.

Lead the annual financial audit and oversee the preparation of the school’s tax returns.

Maintain the general ledger, and complete all monthly and quarterly reconciliations.

Prepare regular financial reports in support of the board Finance Committee and Investment Committee.

Maintain schedule of fixed assets including capital improvements and annual depreciation.

Departmental Administration & Leadership

Work closely with the COO to establish the business office goals and to develop, implement, monitor and assess strategies to meet or exceed the strategic objectives.

Improve processes and implement strategies to make financial operations more efficient, including evaluating and recommending systematic improvements for the school.

Supervise a team of three financial professionals including an accounting and financial aid manager, assistant controller, and accounts payable specialist.

Work onsite daily from Oakwood’s campus, report directly to the COO, and perform other duties as assigned.

12M & Ed Tech Recruiting is running the search on behalf of Oakwood School. Applications received by December 15 will receive priority review.  For application instructions and the full job opportunity statement, please visit:

                www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/Oakwood/finance  

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; CPA preferred

8+ years of experience in a related position, preferably working in nonprofits or independent schools, or experience auditing these industries preferred

Expertise in using technology and software relevant to the role, including Microsoft Windows (Word, Excel, PowerPoint; experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge and NXT preferred)

Demonstrated expertise in developing and using financial models for forecasting, budgeting, strategic planning and analysis

Leadership Qualities

Excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills

A customer-service mindset and eagerness to build partnerships with members of Oakwood School’s community

The ability to manage multiple tasks and projects under pressure of deadlines while adhering to internal control procedures and guidelines

An organized, accurate, and timely approach to prioritizing and completing projects

The ability to maintain strict confidentiality with highly sensitive information

A genuine belief in the mission and values Oakwood School, including a personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

Exemplary ethical standards

About Oakwood School

Oakwood School is a K-12 coeducational day school in North Hollywood, California that opened its doors in 1951. The school has remained faithful to its original mission ever since: to create a diverse educational environment where young people are partners with the adults who teach them and learn from them; where the best means of preparing students for the future is to immerse them in the present; where a healthy learning environment requires joy and humor as well as rigorous intensity; and where students’ intellectual and aesthetic depth – along with their capacity for empathy and moral courage – emerge out of authentic engagement with their teachers, one another, and the world around them.

Connections working at Oakwood School