Chadwick School seeks a Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer to assume duties as soon as possible.

This is an interim position.

The due date to apply for the position is November 14, 2025.

The anticipated decision date is December 15, 2025.

The tentative start date is January 5, 2026.

Applicants should submit a current résumé, letter of interest, personal statement/statement of philosophy and a list of 5 references

The School

Chadwick School is a K-12 coeducational, independent day school located on a beautiful 45-acre hilltop in Palos Verdes, California. Founded in 1935 by Margaret Chadwick, the school was from the very beginning committed to serving a diverse group of students from a broad geographical reach in greater Los Angeles. Today, Chadwick enrolls 865 students from more than 50 different neighborhoods. The school allocates more than $7 million in financial aid, serving 22% of the student body.

Chadwick is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and holds institutional memberships in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Essential Responsibilities

The Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer (CFO/COO) works directly under the supervision of the Head of School and is a member of the senior Leadership Team. Specific areas of responsibility include finance, facilities and operations, risk management, IT, and human resources. The CFO/COO works closely with Board committees such as the Finance and Investment Committee. The Head of School may assign other duties.

Finance

Oversee all aspects of financial transactions, financial reporting and external auditing
Enhance and drive financial controls for the organization including Delegation of Authority, Contract and Vendor Management and Asset Tracking.
Create and maintain a long-range financial plan supporting the strategic plan
Develop a financial reporting regime which effectively informs the Leadership Team and Board of the organization's financial health and operational performance.
Working in conjunction with the Board's Fulfillment Committee, establish KPI's to drive financial and operational excellence
Attend Board meetings and serve on the Finance, Investment, Development, Audit, and Facilities Committees of the Board, and other ad hoc committees as required by the Head of School
Provide supervision and direction to the Controller and members of the Business Office team
Lead the annual budget preparation and approval process
Reconcile and track investment activity, to include contribution income, capital gains/losses, and changes in market value.
Develop and implement a Cash Management Program given guidelines established by Head of School
Ensure that quarterly budget vs. actual reports are accurate and available for review
Coordinate compliance reporting relating to school operations and debt management
Work with Head of School to determine school tuition, annual faculty and staff compensation, and financial aid.
Coordinate with Director of Advancement on all matters related to fundraising and stewardship of donors including gift accounting, compliance, management of restricted investments and preparation of an annual report.
Serve as directed by the Head of School on any other project related committees related to short-term and long-range financial and operational planning
Review accounts receivable against and collect past due balances
Update all relevant Benchmark Reports as they relate to strategic goals.
Provide oversight and guidance for Parent organizations on financial matters.

Risk Management

Provide supervision and guidance to the Director of Risk Management

Facilities/Operations

Provide supervision and guidance to Director of Facilities to plan and budget facility maintenance and minor repairs and update long-term repair schedule
Ensure code compliance, proper permitting, and neighborhood relations for all facility and property management, including compliance with the Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
Serve as school liaison with legal counsel on facilities related matters

Human Resources

Provide supervision and guidance to the Director of Human Resources

Information Technology

Provide supervision and guidance for the Director of Information Technology

Desired Experience And Qualifications Include

10 years of progressive responsibilities in accounting, finance, operations and/or general business management (prior management experience with a private school or non-profit organization preferred)
BA Degree in accounting, finance, business management, or related area of study (MBA and/or CPA, preferred)
Ability to think and plan strategically and creatively
Broad-based operations and project management experience
Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task
Excellent communication and presentation skills and work well in team environment
Strong Excel skills and proficiency with accounting and financial systems

Compensation: $305,000 to $320,000 salary based on years of experience and other qualifications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

Required to lift and carry up to a maximum of 10 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.
Occasionally required to use hand to handle, or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
May use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.
May be required to sit while operating word processing equipment for approximately 2-4 hours daily, repetitive motion for typing and other keystroke needs.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Screenings – TB Assessment and Livescan Background check

This position will require a full background check

Chadwick School is a 501c3 non-profit corporation which does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin or sexual orientation in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment, and athletic and other school administered programs.

How To Apply

Additional information about Chadwick School is available on the School's website: www.chadwickschool.org

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Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer