Chief Financial Officer

The School

Located in central Maine, Kents Hill School is an independent, coeducational boarding and day school grades 9-PG attracting 220 students from Maine, the United States, and around the world. The school emphasizes community, character, and resilience, providing a rigorous and forward-looking academy experience designed to prepare students for a future we cannot yet fully imagine. Its programs include the Akin Learning Center for academic support and diverse extracurricular activities, such as robotics, music and performing arts, and outdoor activities, set on a beautiful 400-acre campus.

As the school enters its third century under the leadership of Head of School Dr. Molly T. MacKean, it remains deeply committed to helping students discover their truest selves and unlock their fullest potential within a community that values them not just as learners, but as people. The school recognizes and activates student potential through the five recently reaffirmed community values of curiosity, care, integrity, responsibility, and courage. The school’s aim is not only individual, but to continue to shape what it means to live, learn, and lead in Maine - where curiosity meets character, and education is deeply connected to place.

To learn more about the school and the Kents Hill community, please visit: www.kentshill.org

The Opportunity

Kents Hill School is seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide financial expertise, operational excellence, and a forward-thinking approach to the overall administration of the school. The CFO will play an entrepreneurial role in shaping the future of the school by ensuring that the financial infrastructure and resources are in place to execute on the institution’s priorities, and sustain the transformative educational experience that Kents Hill is known for. This role requires a leader who can exercise judgment to align financial strategies with the school’s core values and mission.

The CFO works directly with the Head of School, the school’s strategic leadership team, the Business Office team, and the Finance, Investment, and Facilities Committee of the Board of Trustees to achieve financial and operational objectives. The CFO builds strong relationships, anticipates needs, and drives decision-making across the organization.

Engaging across all of the School's essential activities, this person directly manages a small team of individuals who execute the accounting and finance functions. The CFO retains responsibility for legal affairs, compliance, and risk management.

In support of the governance and fiduciary responsibilities of the Kents Hill School Board of Trustees, the CFO provides timely and accurate analysis and reporting as well as financial forecasts. This person serves as a staff liaison to several highly engaged Board committees. The CFO works directly with the Head of School and Controller to craft and execute the school’s operating budget and strategic financial planning. The CFO provides the Head of School with direct support in envisioning and executing on the organizational structure, administrative tools and systems, business decision-making, and other strategic priorities.

 The Candidate

The successful candidate will take a comprehensive and collaborative approach to the work, building relationships and implementing best practices in the systems that support efficient school operations. This position requires superb management and organizational skills. The successful candidate will be a team player who is happy and effective leading in a workplace infused by the school’s core beliefs and focused on delivering an exceptional education and student and family experience. The CFO will demonstrate personal accountability and operate with exceptional integrity and humility.

Essential Responsibilities Include:

Fiscal Management and Accounting

• Manage the school's financial resources in partnership with the Head of School.
• Supervise Business Office personnel and oversee the full spectrum of accounting functions, ensuring smooth, accurate, and efficient operations.
• In collaboration with the Controller, lead the development, refinement, and implementation of the annual operating budget, gathering input from all relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare long-term financial forecasts and projections, including maintaining the school’s financial model to provide actionable financial insights to the Head of School and Board of Trustees in evaluating and supporting strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate with the Chief Advancement Officer and Dean of Enrollment Management to establish and regularly assess fundraising and enrollment revenue goals.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, for internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the school’s investment fund manager and the Finance, Investment, and Facilities Board committee.
• Ensure that the school's business and financial policies position the school to mitigate and reduce enterprise risk.
• Oversee cash, investments, loans, credit facilities, and asset management, with direct treasury management responsibility.
• Maintain proper cash reserves, managing endowment funds and operational cash flow in line with established financial expectations.
• Establish a regular process for review, update, and consistent application of appropriate internal controls, policies, and financial procedures.
• In close collaboration with the Chief Operations Officer, coordinate the planning, execution, and financing of major construction projects.
• Develop and execute financial contingency plans for various crisis scenarios to ensure business continuity.
• Oversee the annual financial audit and 403(b) audit processes, ensuring full compliance with applicable regulations.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of all required financial reports and compliance filings, including the annual Form 990 and 5500.

Personnel Management

• Supervise Human Resources personnel and ensure that the school's personnel policies support its programs and that the school's actions regarding hiring, compensation, payroll processing, training, promotion, and separation conform with state and federal requirements, and are in line with the school's strategic goals.
• Ensure that the retirement plans, health and disability insurance,and other benefit programs are brokered, designed, and funded in alignment with the school’s financial priorities.
• Develop policies to ensure that Human Resources information is secure and accessible only to the appropriate stakeholders.
• Provide appropriate and timely information to the Head of School for salary comparisons, both internal and external, including the coordination of the preparation of employment contracts in partnership with the Head of School and other school leaders.

 Risk Management & Operations

• Partner with the Chief Operations Officer to skillfully manage campus and work safety issues, ensure regulatory and environmental compliance, and limit liability exposure through policies, procedures, training, audits, investigations, and engineered solutions.
• Ensure financial data security and implement robust protections and protocols for protecting sensitive information handled by the business office and vendors.
• Ensure the resources and coordinated planning are in place to undertake facilities maintenance and special projects, including major infrastructure investments, in collaboration with the Chief Operations Officer.
• Review and maintain the school's insurance coverage, liability, and risk-related policies and controls. Work with insurance advisors and brokers to ensure adequate, appropriate, and cost-effective insurance is in place.
• Serve as liaison with the school attorneys and oversee legal matters in partnership with the Head of School.
• Keep informed about emerging financial risks and regulatory changes affecting the educational sector.

 Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be an experienced executive and a team player who possesses:

• Education and experience equivalent to a master's degree in accounting, business, finance, or a related field.
• Experience in, knowledge of, and/or appreciation for independent schools is beneficial.
• At least five years of experience as a Chief Financial Officer or Business Officer, with significant managerial experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced Excel and analysis skills, prior experience working across technology platforms, and a strong working knowledge of business accounting policies, procedures, practices, and financial software programs preferred.
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with Trustees, employees, and external constituents, including the negotiation of contracts and management of vendors, suppliers, and project managers.
• Experience working with external auditors, implementing internal controls, and managing compliance-related issues.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and execute all duties through an accessible and collaborative approach that supports the comprehensive needs of the school’s leadership, governance, employees, and stakeholders.

The salary range for this role is competitive and dependent upon relevant experience. The School’s comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision services coverage, as well as a 403(b) retirement matching program, paid time off, and eligibility for generous tuition remission that applies to employee dependents enrolled at the school. On-campus housing may be available based on interest and availability.

Kents Hill School is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested candidates, please contact Narwhal Talent Partners:

 Peter G. Hamilton  |  (617) 620-9268

Christian G. Henry |  (857) 285-3364

search@narwhaltalent.com

Research shows that some professionals will explore opportunities only if they see themselves meeting all of the preferred qualifications. In our recruiting experience no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications. We look forward to your expression of interest.

All inquiries are treated as confidential.