Phoenix Country Day School (www.pcds.org), founded in 1961, sits on 40 acres in beautiful Paradise Valley, Arizona, nestled between Scottsdale and Phoenix, two cities with boundless opportunities and spectacular climate. The school serves 750 students, grades PK-12, organized into three divisions. PCDS prepares promising students to become responsible leaders and lifelong learners through an education that emphasizes intellectual engagement, independence, collaboration, creativity, and integrity…a mission that is very evident in the daily life of the school.
Recognized as one of the top independent schools in the Southwest, PCDS is a community that engenders strong loyalty and is appreciated as a happy place to learn and to work. Characterized by a community of parents who genuinely care and are involved, a faculty and staff who are positive and supportive, and students who enjoy each other’s company, the school is a rewarding place to work both personally and professionally. The school culture is one of continually striving towards improvement. As such, a highly successful capital campaign that raised approximately $25M for new buildings and endowment was recently completed. Another significant campaign, primarily for the Arts, is on the horizon.
PCDS seeks a Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) to start in July 2020 or sooner. This is a tremendous opportunity to be an integral part of a strong and positive leadership team in a thriving, vibrant independent school. Reporting to the Head of School and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the DFO is responsible for oversight of the school’s finances and campus operations. The successful candidate will have a very strong financial analysis background, highly attuned management skills and the personal skills to work positively with a wide range of individuals. With a yearly operating budget of approximately $20M, the school awards $3M in financial assistance each year, and its endowment fund totals $26M.
The Position
In partnership with the Head of School and other members of the school’s leadership team, the DFO plays a key role in the development and execution of strategy to ensure the finance and operations of the school supports its mission and vision. Essential responsibilities include:
Long range financial planning
Preparing monthly financial statements and the annual operating budget
Management and support of the business office staff and the Directors of Employee Resources, Facilities, Food Services and Security
Ensuring that the school’s leadership is kept updated regarding the school’s financial position, including identification of emerging issues
Working, as needed, with the school’s legal counsel to ensure that the school is in compliance in all of its actions and decision
Developing and managing efficient financial systems, reporting, and procedures, in cooperation with others, throughout the school
Proactively exploring efficiencies to improve the school’s financial position
Communicating effectively and positively with all school constituents
Skills, Qualifications & Attributes
The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented, strategic financial professional with strong interpersonal skills, enthusiastically embracing the school’s mission and culture and building a climate of trust and responsiveness. The DFO will successfully partner with the school’s leadership in providing day-to-day and long-term financial management, offering strategic financial visioning to continue to move the school forward. The successful candidate will have:
Demonstrated successful experience in strategic financial management and a strong working understanding of accounting principles
The abilities to think analytically and creatively and to serve as a strategic and thought-partner to the Head of School and other school leaders
Integrity, credibility, enthusiasm, passion, a sense of humor and a strong work ethic
Excellent communications and interpersonal skills and the interest and ability to work with others in a team setting
The ability to effectively lead and inspire others, positively managing relationships and interpersonal dynamics, and fostering a positive work environment
An aptitude for and comfort with technology
A MBA and non-profit, ideally independent school, experience are pluses
About Phoenix Country Day School
PCDS is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, religion, age, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, creed, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
