Germantown Academy

We inspire students to be: Independent in Thought • Confident in Expression •

Compassionate in Spirit • Collaborative in Action • Honorable in Deed

Position Title: Assistant Head for Finance and Operations

Germantown Academy, America’s oldest nonsectarian day school, was founded in 1759. GA is a PreK-12th Grade, coed, college preparatory school serving more than 1,200 students on 126 acres in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, a close suburb of Philadelphia. GA is committed to creating a learning environment that is as diverse as the broader, global world of which we are all are a part. GA values this diversity because it makes them a stronger community, enriches their thinking, and helps them to develop a collaborative spirit.

Rich Schellhas is beginning his ninth year as Head of School in 2024-25, and his 16th year overall at Germantown Academy. Rich is seeking an engaging and experienced leader, manager, and visible member of the GA community as the next Assistant Head for Finance and Operations, a position that will commence on or before July 1, 2025.

Salary and benefits are highly competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition, 100% tuition remission is available for a total of two children who qualify for admission and for whom space is available.

Position Purpose: Reporting to the Head of School, the Assistant Head for Finance and Operations is a strategic, collaborative leader who oversees all aspects of the School’s finances, facilities, auxiliary programs, and security management.  The role supervises the Accounting Manager, the Assistant to the Assistant Head for Finance and Operations, the Director of Facilities, Director of Human Resources, The Director of Information and Instructional Technology, and the Director of Operations. The Assistant Head for Finance and Operations also represents the Head of School in his absence.

Key Responsibilities: 

Executive Level:

• Oversee all non-academic operations of the Academy, including the close management of finance and accounting, audit, accounts payable and receivable, payroll and benefits, auxiliary programs, non-tuition sources of income, cash flow, short-term investing, bond financing, facilities, campus security, technology, human resources, and endowment.
• Partner with the Head of School and the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees to set strategic vision for maintaining the financial sustainability of the School, including staying abreast of emerging trends in non-profit financial management and new approaches to financial planning and forecasting.
• On request, report to the Board of Trustees on key topics of strategic concern, as well as the annual presentation for approval of the operating and capital budgets and setting of tuition for the upcoming fiscal year.

• Maintain a focus on the school’s Mission, Community Commitments, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan, and Strategic Vision at all times.
• Strengthen the Academy’s financial stability by developing, implementing, monitoring, and improving effective systems of financial control and decision-making through the application of sound business principles, new technology, and collaborative long-term strategic thinking.
• Represent the Head of School in his absence.

Management and Supervision:

• Provide supervision, direction, evaluation, and leadership to all direct reports.
• Actively guide and oversee the work of team members by setting clear goals, expectations, and priorities, while also offering support, coaching, and feedback to ensure they are performing effectively and contributing to the overall team objectives.
• Work with:
  • Division Heads to develop divisional budgets and to address specific financial and facility issues as they arise.

• Director of Institutional Advancement on all gift and capital campaign planning and financial oversight.
• Director of Admission, Enrollment & Financial Aid to develop both short- and long-term admission and financial aid goals.

Finance:

• Provide appropriate governance and oversight of all financial processes, including payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• Prepare and oversee the approval of the annual operating and capital budgets, including a detailed review of salaries and benefits costs and competitive positioning.
• Track and report on monthly operating and capital financials, ensuring budget managers are spending within their approved budgets. Prepare a periodic full-year financial forecast for the Head of School and Finance Committee.
• Prepare scenarios for and oversee the approval of annual tuition setting.
• Track and report on bond project financials, unrestricted operating cash flow, reserve accounts, restricted financial accounts, and liability accounts on a monthly basis.
• Track and report on annual salaries, headcount, and open roles.
• Maintain multi-year historical trending and reporting of financials, headcount, tuition, financial aid, and endowment.
• Manage coordination with and activities of the Academy’s independent auditors for the preparation of annual financial statements, Form 990, annual benefits audits, and the annual workers compensation audit.
• Ensure the Academy completes the annual NAIS, INDEX, and PAISBOA surveys. Using the data, prepare annual updates to the Head of School and Finance Committee on the Academy’s relative standing to peer groups in key financial metrics and measures.
• Ensure the Academy submits the annual EITC and OSTC renewal applications for participation in those financial aid programs.

Facilities:

• Ensure the Academy maintains and updates annually a 5-year strategic plan for expenditures in Technology, Grounds, Security, and Maintenance.
• Work closely with Architects, Owners Representative, and Township officials during all major construction projects to ensure that the financial goals are met, and that the final product meets Academy expectations.
• Engage regularly with the Director of Facilities and Director of Security to review the Academy’s safety and security protocols, procedures, training, and equipment.
• Prepare and maintain leases for tenants in campus housing.

Auxiliary Operations:

• Ensure each of the Academy’s auxiliary programs remains well-run, financially viable, and compliant with relevant regulations and standards in collaboration with the Director of Operations.
• Identify and evaluate new auxiliary revenue opportunities. Prepare and present business cases for the Academy to consider.

Human Resources:

• Prepare a detailed review of salaries, headcount, and benefit costs and partner with the Director of Human Resources to review and audit the information.
• Oversee the financials of benefit administration, including but not limited to: medical, dental, group life, short term and long term disability insurance policies, and flexible spending plans. 
• Oversee engagement with third party benefit consultants for the administration and review of the Academy’s retirement investment options and plans and our healthcare plans (PAISBOA, TIAA, OneDigital etc.).

Information and Instructional Technology:

• Collaborate with the Director of Information and Instructional Technology to plan, finance, and implement technology replacements and improvements.
• Oversee and maximize the effectiveness of technology investments.

Committees:

• Serve on the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member, the One School Management Team Committee, the Finance Committee, the Audit Committee, the Campus Planning Committee, the Investment Committee, and the Safety Committee.
• Meet regularly with the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees to set agendas and prepare materials for the monthly meetings of the Finance Committee to develop and monitor annual operating and capital budgets, as well as to develop and implement long-term strategic planning.
• Meet with the Chair of the Investment Committee to set agendas and prepare metrics and materials for the quarterly Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure each of the Finance, Audit, Campus Planning, Investment, and Safety committees has formally published agendas, materials, minutes, and documented actions.

3^rd Party Engagement and Oversight:

• Manage relationships with external parties including bank representatives, investment advisors, consultants, benefits administrators, lawyers, auditors, and other advisors, to assist in the organization’s financial and legal affairs.
• Partner with the Director of Human Resources and participate actively in the PAISBOA Health Benefit Trust self-insured consortium with the goal of controlling current and future medical costs for the Academy and its employees.
• Partner with insurance brokers to annually review the Academy’s insurance contracts, control costs, and stay abreast of changing insurance needs, as well as to ensure that adequate and comprehensive coverage is in place for all forms of required insurance, including workers compensation, property, liability, etc.
• Use the Academy’s membership in INDEX (Independent School Data Exchange), a nationwide consortium of 50 similarly sized independent schools, to work collaboratively on the potential for improvement and cost savings in all non-academic areas of Academy management.

Risk:

• Maintain the Academy’s Overdue Account Policy, the Billing Policy, the Refund Policy, the Reserve Policy, and new policies as introduced.
• Maintain and refresh all legal forms for trips and travel and overseas visitors in conjunction with external legal.
• Manage the post-issuance compliance of any debt issuance or lending arrangements.
• Work to ensure that Germantown Academy meets all relevant NAIS Principles of Good Practice and PAIS accreditation standards related to financial and operational matters.
• Ensure all technology applications used by the CFOO teams are upgraded as appropriate to maintain a high level of security.

Skill Qualifications:

• MBA preferred along with a minimum of 10 years management experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of administrative oversight in an accounting, audit, or finance role.
• C-suite experience or exposure, including engagement with Boards of Directors / Trustees.
• Exceptional quantitative skills and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel are required.
• Excellent presentation skills including demonstrated competency in Word and PowerPoint.
• A practical understanding of accounting software is desirable. 
• Experience using 3rd party technology platforms including Blackbaud NXT, Veracross, Paymerang, and/or iSolved is beneficial.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.

This is a full-time, 12-month position that will be performed on-site in Fort Washington, PA. Salary is commensurate with experience and offers an excellent array of benefits.

Interested candidates can apply using the following Talent Profile link: https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/21701

Inquiries and nominations may be sent in confidence to:

Ruth Shoemaker Wood, Ph.D., Managing Director

Storbeck Search

GermantownAHFO@storbecksearch.com

About Germantown Academy

Germantown Academy is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school located on a beautiful 126-acre campus in the Fort Washington suburbs near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school serves more than 1,200 students in grades Pre-K-12. Founded in 1759, GA is America’s oldest non-sectarian day school with rich traditions and a strong commitment to ongoing innovation of curricular and pedagogical practices. Germantown Academy is committed to the work of equity and inclusion and believes that equal opportunity in all aspects of employment supports the mission of the school and the successful attainment of our strategic objectives. Candidates must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and a respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying socioeconomic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds.

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