Position Purpose

The Chief Strategic Finance and Operations Officer (CSFOO) is a creative, analytical, and strategic leader responsible for the school’s financial health and operational excellence. As a key advisor and thought partner to the Head of School, the CSFOO ensures long-term financial stability, advances organizational effectiveness, and supports the school’s educational mission through sound fiscal management and operational leadership.

The CSFOO oversees a $9M+ annual budget and provides executive oversight for finance, facilities, operations, compliance, risk management, procurement, information technology, safety, wellness, transportation, and student information systems. The role serves as a data-driven strategic resource for the Head of School and the Board of Trustees, developing metrics, dashboards, and scenario plans that inform long-term planning and sustainability.

Key Objectives

The CSFOO is responsible for establishing and maintaining financial policies and practices aligned with GAAP and industry standards, and for providing leadership across financial and operational domains, including budgeting, audit, enrollment, financial aid, facilities, IT, and risk management.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a strategic partner and sounding board to the Head of School.
• Provide financial models, dashboards, and scenario analyses to support Board-level strategic planning.
• Partner with leadership to identify critical organizational needs and develop long-range financial strategies.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee the creation, accuracy, and maintenance of all financial records.
• Prepare periodic financial statements for the Head of School and Board of Trustees.
• Manage the annual budget process and develop financial forecasts.
• Prepare materials for the annual audit and support the preparation of Form 990.
• Review and approve monthly bank reconciliations.
• Supervise all accounting functions, including accounts payable/receivable and cash management.
• Ensure sound financial stewardship in accordance with 501(c)(3) accounting and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the Finance Committee of the Board

Tuition, Enrollment & Financial Aid

• Oversee annual enrollment contracts and tuition management for 400+ students.
• Address parent billing questions using a customer-focused communication approach.
• Ensure all financial aid documentation is complete; collaborate with the Head of School to determine awards, manage the financial aid budget, and process appeals.
• Support administration of tuition remission for qualifying faculty.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Administer and maintain all forms of school insurance, including annual policy review.
• Ensure internal controls safeguard school assets and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Oversee campus safety, security, and emergency response practices.

Operations & Facilities

• Provide executive oversight for facilities, maintenance, safety, and compliance.
• Supervise the Facilities Manager and collaborate with the IT Manager.
• Develop and oversee contracts, procurement, and relationships with outside vendors.
• Oversee building usage and ensure facilities support school operations effectively.

Human Resources & Employee Support

• Oversee business office HR functions, including payroll and benefits administration (in collaboration with the HR Associate).
• Regularly analyze benefit plans for competitiveness and make recommendations to the Head of School.
• Support the full employee life cycle alongside the HR Manager.
• Create, manage, and monitor policies and procedures that ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Auxiliary & Enterprise Functions

• Oversee the Student Store, ensuring efficient operations and annual profitability.
• Support Extended Day and Camps programming with the goal of achieving minimum 40% profit margins on all programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations, accounting, or finance.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in finance, operations, or accounting.
• Demonstrated experience creating and analyzing data-driven financial reports.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office/Excel and Google Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex financial information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, families, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience working in independent schools or non-profit organizations.
• Experience with FACTS, QuickBooks, and Magnus.
• Professional certifications such as CPA or CMA.

Skills & Dispositions

• Confident, proactive decision-maker.
• Strong knowledge of management principles and organizational best practices.
• Highly analytical with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong initiative and creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage, motivate, and evaluate staff effectively.
• Commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and mission-aligned decision-making.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively while maintaining confidentiality.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commitment to fostering a collegial, respectful, and inclusive environment.

Professional Requirements

• Strong analytical and financial management abilities.
• Familiarity with relevant financial regulations and compliance standards.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with financial software systems.
• Demonstrated reliability, trustworthiness, and adherence to confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic school environment.

About Austin Waldorf School

AWS is an established school community with a projected enrollment of around 390 students in pre-kindergarten-12 (85+ students in the high school) for the 2024/2025 school year. AWS is fully accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS). Community events, such as festivals, concerts, plays, athletics, and adult education classes, create an atmosphere of cultural enrichment. Our picturesque 30-acre campus consists of four kindergartens, eight-grade school classrooms, library, handwork room, nine-classroom high school including a state-of-the-art science lab, performing arts center, gymnasium, eurythmy hall, art studio, school store, gardens, and playgrounds. Austin is a vibrant city set in the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. It’s a beautiful place to live with many offerings of a much larger city while providing quick access to lovely greenspace. The Austin Waldorf School is a non-profit organization that welcomes applicants of any religion, race, color, sexual orientation, gender, national or ethnic origin

Connections working at Austin Waldorf School