Director of Finance and Operations Job Description

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OVERVIEW

Based in San Francisco’s Lower Paci?c Heights neighborhood, The Little School is a nationally recognized, inclusive preschool founded in 1984 and serving approximately 110 children ages two to six. Rooted in a relationship-based philosophy, the school provides individualized, high-quality early education through a range of programs from part-time classes for two-year-olds to a highly regarded transitional kindergarten. Supported by a dedicated sta? of about 40 long-tenured educators, administrators, and an engaged parent community, The Little School continues to thrive as a vibrant, collaborative learning environment. 

Their amazing facility, which they are honored to call home, was intentionally designed to welcome all children. In addition to their modern and mindfully constructed classrooms, with their lofts, sensory tables, cozy nooks, peekaboo windows, and expansive indoor Sky Room provides a space for physical exploration and gross motor development with an emphasis on proprioceptive and vestibular awareness and input. Their yard is home to two sand areas, a stream, greenery, and plant life. The outdoor area also houses their special Yellow Building, created specifically for intentional pullout sessions and small group work with children, including a padded sensory area and art space.

The School enjoys consistently strong enrollment, $10M in investable assets, no debt, and clean audits. The Director of Finance and Operations role offers a rare opportunity to shape systems, build capacity, and have a lasting impact in a close-knit community that values collaboration, thoughtful decision-making, and continuous improvement. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of Finance and Operations is a key member of the senior leadership team and a strategic partner to the Executive Director, providing vision and direction for the ?nancial health, operational e?ciency, and organizational sustainability of The Little School. This role is responsible for overseeing all ?nancial, administrative, and operational functions, including budgeting, accounting, human resources, IT, and facilities. The Director of Finance and Operations will champion innovation, equity, and transparency, ensuring that systems and processes support the school’s mission and values.

This is a full-time, in-person position. The role requires occasional evening or weekend attendance at school events and board meetings. The Director of Finance and Operations will supervise a part-time Accountant, outsourced HR Associate, and the Administrative Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all ?nancial planning, budgeting, accounting, and reporting, ensuring compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements. Includes month-end and year-end close processes, resulting in timely reporting.
• Oversee development, fundraising, and grant management, collaborating with the Executive Director to maximize revenue streams. This includes but is not limited to collaborating with the development Chairs, donation reconciliation, and supporting the Executive Director and Administrative Coordinator with Annual Fund appeals, donation letters, and general campaign oversight.
• Serve as the primary liaison for annual audits and external ?nancial reporting.
• Develop and implement robust internal controls and policies to safeguard assets and ensure compliance.
• Supervise payroll, personnel records, and HR functions, including but not limited to onboarding/o?boarding, 403b plan, employment agreements, and fostering a positive and equitable workplace culture.
• Collaborate with sta?, board, and parent volunteers to support school-wide initiatives and strategic planning.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and technology integration, promoting innovation and sustainability.
• Present clear, actionable ?nancial and operational data to diverse audiences, including sta?, board, and families.
• Ensure contracts and vendor relationships align with school policies and values.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Nonpro?t / Business Administration, or a related ?eld. CPA, MBA, or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in ?nance, operations, or nonpro?t management, with at least ?ve years in a leadership role.
• Experience with nonpro?t accounting, budgeting, and ?nancial reporting.
• Familiarity with QuickBooks Online, ADP payroll, and Google Workspace/Microsoft O?ce preferred. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including board, sta?, and families.
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered leadership.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional ?nancial and operational acumen.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and e?ectively.
• Strategic thinking and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
• Leadership through collaboration, transparency, and respect.
• Pro?ciency in technology and data management.
• High integrity, reliability, and a service-oriented mindset.

EXCELLENT WORK/LIFE BALANCE, SALARY, AND BENEFITS

• 8 weeks paid time o?/school closures.
• Compensation range of $150K to $185K. 
• 100% employer paid medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, and acupuncture coverage.  
• Free parking. 
• 403(b) program with generous contribution. 
• Healthcare, commuter, and dependent care FSA programs.
• Professional development opportunities.

CONTACT

This retained search is managed by Mary Law Executive Search, the Bay Area leader in placing nonprofit and private school Finance and HR professionals. 

Mary Law

mary@marylawexecutivesearch.com

925-785-6991

About The Little School

MORE ABOUT THE LITTLE SCHOOL Philosophy At The Little School, we focus on the development of the whole child. We celebrate an individual’s strengths, encourage interests and support challenges. We believe that strong positive relationships and a robust, supportive community, where everyone feels respected and included, are the keys to a successful learning environment. The pillars responsible for bringing our philosophy to life include: ? Quality Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education principles and best practices are the foundation of The Little School. Upon this foundation, the school has created its own inclusive, relationship-based approach. This approach has received local and national attention; has been taught in local and national conferences, workshops and consulting engagements; and has been documented in a training film: “Relationships: The Key to Teaching and Learning in the Early Years” and a book “Including One, Including All: A Relationship-Based Guide to Inclusion”. ? Inclusion. The Little School is committed to serving children with diverse developmental profiles including children with identified special needs. A range of children with unique... strengths, challenges and interests both strengthens the social competence and empathy of every child in the school and encourages teachers to develop teaching strategies and learning tools that benefit every child. ? Diversity. The Little School strives to create a community with racial, ethnic, socio-economic and family-structure diversity as well as a range of life experiences and abilities. This rich assortment of families creates the potential for each individual member to stretch their cultural competence and communicate in new ways. ? Excellent Teachers. The school is fortunate to have an outstanding and tenured team of teachers. The success and long tenure of our teachers (approximately one-third have tenure of greater than 15 years and one-third 6-15 years) is due to the individuals themselves, to the school’s commitment to professional development and guidance, to teacher involvement in the program’s development, and to the structure of the teacher work week (e.g. 5-7 hours per week off the floor to support the program, children and families). ? Parent – Teacher – School Partnership. Parents at The Little School are actively engaged in the school community. Parents, teachers and administrators collaborate to support each child and the community as a whole. It is a culture of caring and contribution. Each member of the community assists where possible, whether chaperoning a field trip, attending a family share day, participating on a volunteer committee or serving as a Trustee. Parents also come together for Parent Education events focused on topics central to early childhood and The Little School’s core tenets.

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Connections working at The Little School