Director of Finance and Operations

Position Overview  

Come join Marshall School, the greater Duluth region’s premier college-preparatory boarding and day independent school, overlooking Lake Superior in the heart of Minnesota. The Director of Finance and Operations plays an important role in the culture and long-term sustainability of Marshall School. Reporting to the Head of School, this role is responsible for all financial and operational aspects of the School, including accounting, budgeting, long-range financial planning, audit preparation and payroll administration. The Director of Finance and Operations also manages teams across the Business Office, Facilities, Auxiliary Services, and Food Service. This is a senior administrative role that interfaces with constituents across every area of the school including families, faculty, staff, board, and vendors.

Primary Responsibilities 

Financial Management:
Monitor, and manage, the school's annual budget and prepare financial reports and statements for school administrators and the Board of Trustees. 

Ensure that all financial operations are in conformity with Best Practices and the School’s financial policies.
Oversee financial operations of the School including: accounting activities, financial investments, payroll, benefits program and purchasing.
Develop, propose and implement Board-approved annual operations and capital budgets.
Personnel Management:
Manage personnel records, contracts, and employment agreements, including payroll and recruitment. 

Ensure human resources policies and practices are clearly articulated, consistently applied and conform to legal requirements. 
Oversee administration of all benefit programs.
Operational Management:
Oversee procurement processes, management of school facilities, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and policies. 

Oversee facilities, food service operations, school store, facility rentals, and cafe.
Reporting and Compliance:
Prepare reports for auditors, government agencies, and other stakeholders, staying current on changes in education finance laws and regulations. 

Coordinate annual independent audit process; file required tax returns; and maintain compliance with all tax laws.
Manage the employee and vendor contract process as well as legal matters impacting the school.
Collaboration and Communication:
Collaborate with school administrators, teachers, and staff to address financial and operational needs, and communicate budgetary information to stakeholders. 

Maintain professional relationships with the School’s banks, attorneys, auditors, insurance carriers, contractors and accrediting organizations.
Strategic Planning:
Support the leadership team with strategic planning and ensure the long-term financial health of the school. Develop and participate in strategic planning discussions to foster long-term sustainability. Develop recommendations for the Assets Committee related to annual tuition increases, financial aid budget, and salaries in consultation with the Head of School.

Relationships:
Cultivate strong relationships with Trustees, serving as an ex-officio member of key committees and providing financial advice. 

Actively participate in meetings of the Finance, Endowment, and Building and Grounds Committees.  Prepare and provide accurate financial statements including:  dashboards, variance reports, balance sheets, etc.  Prepare and submit minutes to the committee chair. 
Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees.
Serve on Marshall’s Administration team to strategize and position Marshall for the future.

Physical Requirements

Typical office environment physical demands

Required Skills

BA Required; MBA or MA a plus
CPA a plus
Minimum five (5) years experience in a position requiring significant financial oversight & budget responsibility
Experience managing staff
Strong writing and presentation skills
Personal integrity, demonstrated ability to build trust, and meticulous attention to detail
Strong background in modeling, forecasting and strategic planning
Ability to embrace and implement change while fostering a high level of teamwork
Strong customer service orientation

The target salary for the position is between $100,000 and $125,000. Full benefits, including tuition remission, are available. Housing may be available, based on availability.