Sabot School seeks a dedicated, dynamic and experienced full-time Director of Finance to oversee the school’s financial operations to ensure the delivery of programs and sustainability of the school. This includes strategic financial planning, budgeting, accounting and the annual audit and 990. The Director of Finance serves as a key member of the senior leadership team and on the Board of Directors’ Finance Committee. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in independent school or non-profit finance and will be a dynamic and innovative thinker with stellar communication and organizational skills. 

The ideal candidate is a proven leader who establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with multiple constituencies, possesses strong time-management skills, takes initiative and is a collaborative problem solver. The Director of Finance will play a crucial role in shaping the school’s strategic vision for the future. Additionally, the ideal candidate must possess an enthusiastic commitment to the importance of building and sustaining a diverse, just, inclusive, and equitable environment.

Under the general direction of the Head of School, the Director of Finance oversees the school’s financial operations to ensure the delivery of programs and sustainability of the school. The Director of Finance serves as a strong partner to the Head of School on all strategic and tactical matters as they relate to financial objectives, planning, and programs aligned with the mission, strategic direction, and culture of the School.  The Director of Finance’s direct report is the Staff Accountant.

Applications will be considered for an immediate start date.

Essential Responsibilities

The Director’s essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Finance/Financial Planning

• Work with the Head of School and Board of Directors on all aspects of budget and finance, including ongoing management of expenses, monthly and quarterly closings and reporting, tuition setting, budget creation, and delivery of performance data; 
• Prepare the annual operating and capital budgets;
• Manage and track expenditures according to the budget;
• Review monthly, quarterly and annual closings and financial reports prepared by the Staff Accountant and make appropriate adjustments and changes, ensuring timely reporting;
• Manage regular and frequent communication with creditors to maintain positive working relationships;
• Lead the school’s financial planning and long-term projections in collaboration with the Board of Directors’ Finance Committee;
• Works closely with Director of Operations to identify and prioritize facilities/capital maintenance projects and how to finance them 
• Maintain ongoing awareness of the School’s financial position, opportunities, and risks.

Accounting

• Oversee the school’s accounting practices, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of recording and reporting, adherence to state and federal law, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP);
• Oversee and approve accounts payable; 
• Oversee accounts receivables and ensure timely collections;
• Oversee the monthly closing and reconciliation of accounts;
• Manage cash and investments to ensure adequate cash flow to meet the organization’s needs;
• Coordinate and oversee the annual audit and internal controls, annual tax filings, annual UBIT, and other required financial reports. 

Human Resources

• Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements with respect to labor, benefits, human resource issues, and required employee policies, as well as working with the Program Directors on required employee training;
• Manage the school’s employee benefit program and provide guidance and assistance to employees;
• Provide appropriate benchmark data and information to the Head of School and/or the Board, as appropriate, for compensation comparisons and the preparation of employment offers or arrangements;
• Review and approve the semi-monthly payroll processes ensuring timely and accurate pay, reimbursements, and deductions for all employees.

Risk Management

• Oversee risk management and the renewal of the School’s property, casualty, and liability programs;
• Maintain professional relationships with the School’s banks, attorneys, auditors, insurance carriers, contractors, and accrediting organizations.

Advancement

• Manage the Tuition Assistance Program with the support of the Director of Enrollment;
• Work with parents on financial issues relevant to their children’s enrollment at the School.
• Collaborate with the Head of School and Board of Directors to support individual giving and major gifts, manage the tracking, recording and reporting of gifts, and ensure the timely acknowledgement of gifts;
• Serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and attend monthly meetings, preparing relevant reports to inform conversations, decisions, and planning. 

Secondary Responsibilities

• Represent the school at various regional, state, and national associations relative to the role;
• Perform lunch, recess, arrival, and dismissal duties as requested;
• Other duties, as required and requested by the Head of School.

Evaluation/Professional Growth:

• Collaboration with the Head of School. At least once a month, expect a one-on-one meeting with the Head of School. These ongoing meetings will provide immediate feedback, facilitate the sharing of ideas and their co-construction, and allow the Director of Finance to provide relevant information to the Head of School.
• Ongoing Professional Development and Additional Support. Those in Senior Administration will participate in professional development as determined by the Head of School. 
• Assessment. Our primary approach to supporting employee’s professional growth is one of collaboration and support. We will also, however, plan for annual assessments of employee work. Employee evaluation will begin with annual, individual goal setting with their supervisor. Throughout the year, employees and their supervisor will assess progress on annual goals. At the end of the year, a summative evaluation of progress on the annual goals will take place prior to the distribution of employment letters for the next school year.

Qualifications

The Director of Finance will generally have at least the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, advanced degree in accounting, MBA or CPA preferred.
• Experience in education or not-for-profit finance and accounting.
• Dynamic and innovative thinking, excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Enthusiasm for the mission and vision of Sabot School and the ability to work collaboratively with other staff.
• Knowledge and experience with benefit administration, labor law, and other human resource management issues, facilities management, and risk management
• Be accessible, approachable, and welcoming. 
• Willingness to participate fully in the life of the School.
• Maintain exceptional interpersonal skills and professional presence.
• Be proficient in Google Apps, Microsoft Office Suite, Quickbooks and other relevant technology. Experience with Veracross a plus. 
• Have a high level of attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple, competing projects and meeting established goals. 
• Handle confidential and sensitive information with the highest degree of integrity.
• Demonstrate professionalism, engagement, and kindness to all children, staff, and families regardless of race, religion, nationality, abilities, familial status or make up, gender identity, or gender expression;

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to pass criminal and financial background checks.

About Sabot School

Sabot School was founded in 2007 through the merger of Sabot School and Stony Point School, bringing together both an innovative early childhood program and a Pre-K through 8th grade program. Sabot has fully embraced the Reggio Emilia Approach throughout its program from preschool through the eighth grade. At Sabot, children are seen as capable thinkers and theorists. Working together, students research and come to understand themselves and their world in a deeper way. As articulated in the mission statement of Sabot, it is a school designed to sustain children’s quest for meaning and understanding, harness the power of their theories and ideas, and guide their inquiry and research. Sabot provides the resources and support for teachers and students to research, represent, and reflect together, in relationship, on challenging problems with curiosity, creativity, imagination and innovation. Students maintain their individuality while working together in community, celebrating each student’s unique gifts and talents. The historic campus in south Richmond celebrates its natural beauty which adjoins the 106 acre Larus Park, providing a unique location for innovation, discovery and learning.

Connections working at Sabot School