Executive Finance Director

About Oakwood School

Oakwood School is a K-12 coeducational day school in North Hollywood, California that opened its doors in 1951. The school has remained faithful to its original mission ever since: to create a diverse educational environment where young people are partners with the adults who teach them and learn from them; where the best means of preparing students for the future is to immerse them in the present; where a healthy learning environment requires joy and humor as well as rigorous intensity; and where students' intellectual and aesthetic depth – along with their capacity for empathy and moral courage – emerge out of authentic engagement with their teachers, one another, and the world around them.

Job Overview

Oakwood School seeks an experienced Executive Finance Director to oversee the finance department, including management of day-to-day finance operations, strategic long-term financial planning, cash management, debt financing, and banking partnerships. This role reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer and interfaces with department heads across both campuses.

Responsibilities

• Finance and Investment Management
  • Manage all accounting operations of the organization in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and internal policies and procedures.
  • Lead the annual budgeting process, collaborating with departmental leadership and preparing monthly financial reports and forecasts to guide informed decision-making.
  • Oversee the investments of the school's funds in compliance with the Investment Committee's policies and guidelines.
  • Provide financial analysis and financial modeling to assist the head of school and COO with strategic financial planning for the school's existing priorities and new initiatives.
• Compliance, Analysis, & Reporting
  • Implement policies and procedures to ensure all accounting transactions and record-keeping functions comply with applicable state and federal regulations and accounting principles.
  • Lead the annual financial audit and oversee the preparation of the school's tax returns.
  • Maintain the general ledger, and complete all monthly and quarterly reconciliations.
  • Prepare regular financial reports in support of the board Finance Committee and Investment Committee.
  • Maintain schedule of fixed assets including capital improvements and annual depreciation.
• Departmental Administration & Leadership
  • Work closely with the COO to establish the business office goals and to develop, implement, monitor and assess strategies to meet or exceed the strategic objectives.
  • Improve processes and implement strategies to make financial operations more efficient, including evaluating and recommending systematic improvements for the school.
  • Supervise a team of three financial professionals including an accounting and financial aid manager, assistant controller, and accounts payable specialist.
  • Work onsite daily from Oakwood's campus, report directly to the COO, and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Qualities

• Bachelor's degree required; CPA preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in a related position, preferably working in nonprofits or independent schools, or experience auditing these industries preferred.
• Expertise in using technology and software relevant to the role, including Microsoft Windows (Word, Excel, PowerPoint; experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge and NXT preferred).
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and using financial models for forecasting, budgeting, strategic planning and analysis.

About the Position

This role offers a competitive salary range of $210,000–$230,000 per year, commensurate with experience. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional growth and development.