The VP, Finance & Business Operations provides strategic, operational, and financial support to the President and works closely with the Board of Trustees, especially the Audit and Finance committees and their chairpersons. The VP, Finance & Business Operations serves as a member of the senior leadership team and reports directly to the President. This position may work hybrid or on-location. Full Time remote work is not available.
The VP, Finance & Business Operations bears primary responsibility for the management and integrity of the School’s fiscal policies, systems, and practices including oversight of the annual budget, general ledger accounting, financial reporting, audit and the development of a sustainable, multi-year financial model capable of ensuring the fiscal stability of the institution. The School maintains an annual operating budget in excess of $25M and an endowment of $7M.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide strategic leadership, analysis, and management of finances, human resources, technology and operations.
Supervise and/or oversee a Finance Office that staffs five (5), a Human Resource Department that staffs two (2), a Technology Department that staffs two (2), a Transportation Department that staffs twelve (12), , and Culinary Services that are outsourced. The Finance Office oversees a Campus Store that staffs three (3) and a Summer Program and Campus Rental Office that staffs three (3 year round, more seasonally).
Oversee the annual financial and retirement plan audits and filings of related informational returns.
Provide transparent, accurate and timely financial reporting and planning that builds trust among administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and trustees.
Ensure that internal controls safeguard financial assets, including cyber.
Oversee all of the business office functions including the development, administration, and reporting of the operating and long-term budgets to the Head of School/President, the School’s Board of Trustees; the Finance Committee; auditors; federal, state, and local authorities; lenders; donors; and various School administrative offices.
Responsible for the administration of human resource programs including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training.
Oversee the administration of the School’s endowment; execute endowment and investment policy; implement investment decisions of the Finance Committee; and coordinate with the endowment consultants, investment managers, and custodians, ensuring effective endowment allocations, performance, and reporting.
Build and/or maintain the School’s short- and long-term strategic financial models.
Serve as chief staff liaison to the Finance and Audit Committees of the Board of Trustees, working closely with committee chairs and organizing agendas and meeting materials.
Responsible for risk management, legal requirements, and insurance administration.
Participates in various task forces and committees including Housing Committee, Employee Engagement Committee, Budget Task Force, and others as requested.
Have a professional, understandable presentation style suitable for board meetings as well as co-workers.
Required Education, Skills and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree required; M.B.A. and CPA preferred
10-plus years of financial and business leadership
Experience on senior administrative teams and working with independent schools is a plus.
Facility with the office suite of business software: Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Familiarity with Blackbaud Accounting Software, or equivalent.
Must be comfortable with technology and technology-based tools for managing work.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and comfort with public speaking.
Commitment to excellent customer service.
Superior organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to multi-task and proven independent judgment.
To apply
Please use the following link to submit your application, resume, and cover letter.
Idyllwild Arts is a co-ed boarding and day school for 275 students in grades 9-12. The Summer Program, founded in 1950, is an eight-week program that brings more than nearly 2,000 children, teens, and adults to Idyllwild each summer. The Academy was established in1986 to extend the Summer Program's commitment to the arts through the only boarding high school for the arts on the west coast. The school has developed into an exceptional high school for pre-professional training in the arts combined with high academic standards and a residential life curriculum.Idyllwild graduates attend the top colleges and universities in the United States and abroad, and the very best conservatories and art schools, such as Julliard, Curtis, New England Conservatory of Music, and the Rhode Island School of Design. Many have established celebrated careers as artists. The arts disciplines include dance, music, visual arts, theatre, moving pictures and creative writing. Students may major in any one discipline or combine their interests in an interdisciplinary arts major.