Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO)
Posted
Description
Forsyth School: Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Imagine your workday beginning as you enter the front door of a charming, historic home. You ascend an ornate spiral staircase to the business office suite, where a team of passionate professionals partners with you to advance the mission, vision, and strategic goals of one of the region’s premier educational institutions. The historic house containing your office is part of a neighborhood of six homes, and these homes are woven together to create a campus dedicated to growing and challenging a diverse group of elementary school students in a joyful community that is deeply committed to fostering an environment where kindness, compassion, curiosity, and questioning are valued. If you are energized by providing the financial and strategic leadership to uphold these values, and you thrive on collaborating with a leadership team that believes deeply in our mission, then Forsyth School is looking for you.
At Forsyth, our mission is to foster a spirit of curiosity and joy, empowering children to pursue challenges with confidence. Our Honor Code is embedded in the fabric of our institution, guiding our commitment to make Forsyth a special place.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) works closely with the Head of School to advance Forsyth’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. The CFOO manages the school’s financial and physical resources and collaborates closely across development, communications, marketing, and admissions efforts to ensure long-term financial sustainability. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the CFOO works extensively with the Board of Trustees and the Board Finance Committee.
OPPORTUNITIES (TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES)
At Forsyth, our mission is to foster a spirit of curiosity and joy, empowering children to pursue challenges with confidence. Our Honor Code is embedded in the fabric of our institution, guiding our commitment to make Forsyth a special place.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) works closely with the Head of School to advance Forsyth’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. The CFOO manages the school’s financial and physical resources and collaborates closely across development, communications, marketing, and admissions efforts to ensure long-term financial sustainability. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the CFOO works extensively with the Board of Trustees and the Board Finance Committee.
OPPORTUNITIES (TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES)
Strategic Leadership & Thought Partnership
- Strategic Vision & Financial Strategy: Lead Forsyth’s financial strategy, maintaining multi-year financial forecasts and dynamic scenario models to support data-driven decision-making and advance strategic priorities.
- Thought Partnership: Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Head of School and senior leadership by aligning development, admissions, marketing, and communications initiatives to drive organizational goals.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with key leaders across the school community—including the Directors of Admission, Advancement, and Communications, as well as the Assistant Heads of School—to build consensus, ensure mission alignment, and optimize auxiliary program revenues.
- Board & Policy Engagement: Work closely with the Board of Trustees and Board Finance Committee to create, monitor, and adapt strategic financial plans and oversight, operating policies, capital budgets, and school governance guidelines.
- Industry Best Practices: Stay current with business management trends, emerging industry practices, and economic conditions to anticipate opportunities and foster continuous institutional improvement.
Financial & Operations Management
- Business Office Operations: Oversee all core business office functions, including accounting, payroll, accounts receivable/payable, human resources, cash management, investment management, risk management, employee benefits, and contract administration.
- Financial Planning & Budgeting: Manage operational cash flow, banking relationships, and loan and lease agreements; develop comprehensive plans to meet current and future financial requirements.
- Compliance & Audit: Oversee the preparation and timely filing of all financial reports in accordance with GAAP and regulatory standards; partner with external auditors to ensure smooth annual audit processes.
- Policy & Systems Design: Design and implement business operational policies, financial controls, tuition/collection procedures, and technological systems across accounting, CRM, and business management software.
- Financial Aid & Benchmarking: Analyze tuition financial aid applications in collaboration with the Head of School and Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management to determine annual awards and conduct statistical research for benchmarking and strategic planning.
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Direct Supervision: Support, assess, and supervise key direct reports, including the Director of Operations, the Assistant Director of Finance, and the Payroll and Benefits Manager.
- Operations Oversight: Ensure effective management of the school’s physical campus, technology systems, institutional data infrastructure, and cybersecurity through leadership of the Director of Operations.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, AND QUALITIES
- Mission Alignment & Values: Deep passion for Forsyth’s mission to empower children; demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Experience: Significant experience in accounting or non-profit financial leadership, ideally with demonstrated success working with a Board of Trustees.
- Education & Credentials: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; CPA or CMA preferred.
- Financial & Technical Mastery: Expertise in GAAP, non-profit/development accounting, financial modeling, outcomes measurement, and database management software–experience with Blackbaud and advanced Excel is a plus.
- Leadership & Collaboration: Visionary leadership with proven skills in organizing people and processes, building inclusive teams, and managing cross-departmental alignment.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional oral and written communicator, strong listener, resilient, flexible, diplomatic, patient, and humble with a joyful professional presence.
ABOUT FORSYTH SCHOOL
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Forsyth is an age 2 to Grade 6 co-ed independent school of approximately 400 students. Neighboring Washington University and Forest Park—one of the largest urban parks in the nation—the school enjoys immediate access to world-class cultural institutions, free museums, and a thriving community. Forsyth’s unique campus consists of six historic 1920s and 30s homes transformed into intimate, nurturing classrooms and community spaces. Since its founding in 1961, high expectations, joyful challenge, and strong community have remained at the heart of the Forsyth experience.
BENEFITS & COMPENSATION
This full-time, exempt position offers Forsyth’s comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, retirement match, tuition/education benefits, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and generous paid time off. Target base compensation is $125,000–$155,000 (commensurate with experience, qualifications, and benchmarked against peer institutions).
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Forsyth is an age 2 to Grade 6 co-ed independent school of approximately 400 students. Neighboring Washington University and Forest Park—one of the largest urban parks in the nation—the school enjoys immediate access to world-class cultural institutions, free museums, and a thriving community. Forsyth’s unique campus consists of six historic 1920s and 30s homes transformed into intimate, nurturing classrooms and community spaces. Since its founding in 1961, high expectations, joyful challenge, and strong community have remained at the heart of the Forsyth experience.
BENEFITS & COMPENSATION
This full-time, exempt position offers Forsyth’s comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, retirement match, tuition/education benefits, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and generous paid time off. Target base compensation is $125,000–$155,000 (commensurate with experience, qualifications, and benchmarked against peer institutions).
HOW TO APPLY
With your application, please submit a cover letter, resume, and three to five professional references. Note: References will only be contacted if a candidate advances to final-round campus interviews.
Forsyth School is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent schools are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Please submit your materials as soon as possible, and don’t hesitate to reach out to humanresources@forsythschool.org with any questions about the position or application process.
Forsyth’s background screening process requires employees to undergo a social media check, satisfactory reference checks, and a successful criminal background screening.