Chief Finance and Operations Officer

CHIEF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS OFFICER SEARCH BROOKS SCHOOL North Andover, Massachusetts brooksschool.org Start Date: July 2026 Mission Statement At Brooks School, we seek to provide the most meaningful educational experience our students will have in their lives. Established: 1926 Enrollment: 365 Total faculty: 84 Students of color: 30% Annual operating budget: $29 million Financial aid awarded: $6.4 million Faculty with advanced degrees: 78% Campus size: 270 acres States represented in the student body: 16 Countries represented in the student body: 15 Heads of School since 1926: 4 Students living on campus: 70% Faculty of color: 18% Student/teacher ratio: 5:1 Students receiving aid: 35% Endowment: $128 million Interscholastic sports: 15 Advanced Placement courses: 19 Overview Founded in 1926 on the shores of Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, Massachusetts, Brooks School is a coeducational boarding and day school for over 300 students in grades nine through twelve (forms 3-6). A century later, Brooks remains true to the spirit of its founding; a small, close-knit community grounded in academic rigor, curiosity, and joy. The schools motto continues to guide a program defined by intellectual depth, enduring relationships, and a shared sense of purpose. As Brooks approaches its Centennial in 2026, the school stands on a foundation of remarkable strength, supported by an operating budget of nearly $30 million, a healthy culture of philanthropy, and an endowment exceeding $125 million. The schools balance sheet is sound, its enrollment strong, and its philanthropic momentum growing through an ambitious campaign designed to invest in both people and place. Brooks was founded in 1926 by the Reverend Endicott Peabody, Headmaster at Groton, with a vision to create a small boarding school in the Groton tradition; it was named in honor of Phillips Brooks, a prominent Episcopal preacher and former Bishop of Massachusetts who had ties to North Andover. The original land, Lakeview Farm, was donated by Richard Russell, whose family estate included acreage overlooking what is now Lake Cochichewick; the school opened on September 29, 1927, with 14 boys in two forms, two faculty, and one dormitory. Over time, it added one form each year until its first graduating class in 1932. Later milestones included admitting girls in 1979, becoming fully coeducational, and steadily expanding the campus and facilities. Tenures are long at Brooks and the Head of School John Packard, having spent his entire career at Brooks, has led the school capably for the past 18 years. Now, Brooks seeks an experienced and missionaligned financial leader to serve as the schools next Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO). The appointee will succeed a long serving and respected leader. Reporting to the Head of School, the CFOO will serve as a strategic partner and steward, ensuring that Brooks financial and operational systems continue to support its mission and position the school for its next century. The Chief Finance and Operations Officer serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, partnering with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to advance Brooks mission through thoughtful planning and resource management. The CFOO oversees all financial and operational functions, including finance, facilities, campus safety, information technology, and auxiliary services. Compelling candidates will show the critical skills needed for financial leadership at an independent school. While this position does not require candidates to live on campus or execute any duties related to the daytoday supervision of the boarding students, successful applicants will appreciate the boarding school environment and serve as active participants in the life of the school. Opportunities and Challenges This is an exciting and pivotal moment to join Brooks. The Centennial offers both reflection and renewala chance to honor a rich history while setting the stage for the schools second century. The next CFOO will help shape that vision, ensuring that Brooks remains financially sound, operationally strong, and true to its values of balance, joy, and integrity (school values - empathy, engagement, integrity, creativity, passion, and confidence). The priorities, challenges, and opportunities ahead include: Strategic Financial Leadership Brooks has been guided by a long tradition of prudent financial stewardship and disciplined investment. The CFOO will build upon this legacy, strengthening longterm financial modeling, exploring new revenue opportunities, and ensuring transparency in decisionmaking. With a healthy endowment and an ambitious ongoing campaign, the school is well positioned to think boldly about its futureworking with the traditional levers of independent school revenue while thinking creatively about how to maximize impact and sustainability. Student enrollment at Brooks is intentionally sized to ensure that the experience remains intimate and positive, which means revenue growth should not rely on expanding the student body. Creative energy and partnership will therefore be critical to identifying sustainable revenue growth opportunities. Operational Integration and Excellence The CFOO will oversee a broad and capable operations team supporting the functions that sustain daily life at Brooks. With recent capital projects completed and new facilities on the horizon, there is an opportunity to align systems, strengthen communication, and enhance efficiency across departments. A clear, collaborative, and serviceoriented approach will be essential to continued success. Campus Stewardship and Sustainability Brooks has thoughtfully transformed its campus through sustainable and strategic growth, investing in beautiful spaces that advance its program. Looking ahead, the CFOO will play a key role in continuing this progress, with a focus on longterm maintenance, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility. A top priority will be the development of a comprehensive deferred maintenance plan to preserve the beauty and integrity of the historic campus. In addition, the CFOO will be instrumental in all new construction projects, partnering closely with colleagues and trustees. Partnership and Communication At its heart, Brooks is a relational community where faculty and staff take genuine interest in one another and in the students they serve. The next CFOO will bring an open, accessible leadership style and a talent for making financial information clear and meaningful. The ability to listen well, explain decisions thoughtfully, and build trust across constituencies will be central to success in this role. Centennial Vision and Institutional Durability As Brooks celebrates 100 years of educating students, the school is entering a period of both continuity and possibility. The CFOO will join a deeply experienced senior team that values collaboration and balance. This role will be instrumental in aligning financial strategy with the schools mission, ensuring that the values that have sustained Brooks for a century continue to define its future. Responsibilities In addition to embracing Brooks Schools mission, supporting its Head and leadership, and representing the school at professional and public forums, the new CFOO has a number of primary responsibilities: Provide strategic leadership, analysis, and management of finances and operations. Establish financial and capital strategies that are consistent with strategic priorities. Serve on the Head of Schools Senior Leadership Team and lead, colead, or participate in several other teams and committees. Oversee all business office functions including all financial reporting to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and various committees. Serve as chief staff liaison to the Audit & Risk Committee, Budget & Finance Committee, Operations/Buildings & Grounds Committee, and Investment Committee. Build and/or maintain the schools short and longterm strategic financial models. The CFOO works with the Investment Committee to oversee the administration of the schools endowment. Oversee school operations including personnel, maintenance, and vendors. Maintain strong relationships with banks and lenders to ensure that funding is secured for the needs of the school and compliance with loan terms. Administer and manage all employee benefit programs including health insurance, retirement, workers compensation, life insurance, and other related plans. Manage insurance programs including property, casualty, medical, and workers compensation. Ensure compliance with all local and state reporting requirements. Collaborate effectively with Advancement, Enrollment Management, and other departments. Participate in professional development. Coordinate closely with the Director of Facilities and Planning on oversight of the physical plant, grounds, and construction functions. To Apply Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents: A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position; A current rsum; A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidates permission) to: Greg Britton Chief Operating Officer, Search & Consulting Group g]]>