The Willows Career Opportunities
Do you have a VERIFIABLE Bachelor's or higher degree in Accounting, Business or Finance?
Within the last 5 years, what role did the following play in your job:
CFO or VP Finance managing Accounting, Finance and Business Operations for an independent school or non profit.
Within the last 5 years, what role did the following play in your job:
Business partner supporting small business owner or GM with business operations.
Within the last 5 years, what role did the following play in your job:
Relying on general legal and contract knowledge to minimize risks when entering into contracts or service agreements.
Please note that this position is no longer available.
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CFO
CA - Culver City
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Own a Diverse Finance & Operations Leadership Role at a Balanced Progressive Pre-K-8 Independent, Co-educational, Non-profit School.

Partner with executive leadership, the board of trustees & the community to support an outstanding learning environment.

If you're a proven financial leader who combines a passion for education with the ability to effectively partner with executives, committees and boards, this is your opportunity to take ownership of a critical financial and operational role at The Willows Community School -- a progressive non-profit PK-8 school serving the greater Los Angeles area. Working closely with the Head of School, you will manage the Finance and Accounting team, as well as staff supporting other functions, such as HR, IT and Facilities Management, and oversee all financial and operational activities and the School’s $15 million budget. Consider the advantages of joining our team. You will: The Willows Community School is a Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade independent, coeducational school founded in 1994. Our 4.0 acre campus has 109,000 includes a  gymnasium, black box theater, library with 26,000+ resources, organic garden, electronic music studio, music room, art studio, design lab, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) studio, two MakerLabs and outdoor work space. The Willows seeks a broad-based student body with a diversity of race, ethnicity, socio-economics, and learning styles, and is strongly committed to financial assistance. Our annual operating budget is $15 million, and our financial assistance budget is $1.9 million.

The Requirements

This could be a great role for a VP of Finance who is ready to step up to a CFO position, or for a CFO looking for a home where s/he can make a wide-reaching impact and feel pride supporting an innovative educational environment for children and an inclusive, collaborative culture. Finance executives with corporate, nonprofit and/or higher education experience who are mission-driven and passionate about elementary and middle school education could meet the needs of this opportunity. 

To be a strong fit for the role of CFO, you will have:
  • A bachelor's degree, preferably in Finance or Accounting or another relevant field; a CPA, CMA or MBA is an advantage  Quick question for you - click here
  • 8-10 years of management experience in a financial/operations role at an organization of similar size. The ideal candidate will have experience in both finance and operations, including knowledge of/experience with HR, IT, and/or facilities management Quick question for you - click here  Quick question for you - click here
  • Success generating and implementing strategy
  • Strong computer skills including QuickBooks and MS Office applications; particularly Excel
  • Technical skills and solid experience with accounting processes, financial and tax reporting, cash flow, forecasting, budgeting, audits, etc.
  • Ability to pass TB test, fingerprint  and drug clearance
  • Willingness to work after hours to attend school and community events
Preferred but not required:
  • Experience with non-profit organization
  • Experience managing in an educational setting
Just as important as your experience and skills will be the following characteristics and competencies:
  • Strong leadership and relationship building skills; impeccable written and verbal communication skills
  • Hands-on, creative thinker; entrepreneurial
  • Business savvy; strong judgment; ability to earn trust, respect and credibility with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, colleagues, parents, students and external partners.  
  • Solid organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and priorities; deadline oriented
  • Self-motivated, team-oriented

The Role

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will serve as a member of the Administrative Team and oversee all financial and operational activities related to the School’s $15 million budget. You will serve as a strategic partner and advisor to the Head of School, act as the administrator of strategic projects, and provide leadership and managerial oversight. Additionally, you will attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee and provide the Head of School and Board of Trustees with financial and other pertinent information necessary for making key policy and operational decisions.

You will leverage your strong leadership and mentoring skills to supervise a staff of up to 15, including team members from Human Resources, Risk Management, Facilities, Auxiliary and Event Services, Business Operations, and Financial Aid. You will oversee daily operations and provide/coordinate staff support for the Finance Committee, Facilities Committee, Governance Committee, Real Estate Committee and other related ad-hoc committees of the Board of Trustees.

A sampling of specific responsibilities includes:
  • Providing special project support to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees related to strategic planning and related strategic projects/initiatives.
  • Overseeing and coordinating capital projects.
  • Directly supervising the Controller and administering the Business Office.
  • Overseeing the School’s financial and tax reporting.
  • Reviewing and approving operational and project-based budgets.
  • Overseeing and demonstrating responsibility for cash management and cash flow forecasts, including investment of operating cash, reserve funds, and endowment.
  • Coordinating and managing outside banking and accounting relationships.
  • Ensuring compliance with contractual and external obligations, including with banking partners and IRS regulatory reporting.
  • Serving as the School’s Risk Management Administrator. Developing and overseeing risk management programs and supervising the Controller in the administration of the risk management functions.
  • Serving as the School’s Facilities & Operations Administrator 
  • Overseeing and negotiating all insurance contracts.
  • Coordinating with the Controller, serving as the School’s primary contact for all liability questions, including for human resources and facilities.
  • Serving as the School’s Human Resource Administrator and monitoring the status of all outstanding claims.
  • Developing, overseeing and negotiating employee benefit programs.
  • Supervising the Controller in the administration of the Human Resource functions.
  • Serving as the School's Chief Technology Administrator; overseeing programs and the development of long-range technology and administrative initiatives.
  • Supporting the academic and administrative needs of the School. 
  • Overseeing and administering the School’s employment contract process.
  • Developing and overseeing the School’s performance evaluation program.
  • Managing personnel practices to ensure compliance with labor laws and other legal affairs. Quick question for you - click here
  • Ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and municipal requirements (including compliance with the School’s Conditional Use Permit).
Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

More Good Reasons

Strategic impact
There will be hands-on work and monthly tasks, but this position also will allow you to influence the business today and help execute on the strategic vision to build success for the future. There will be many opportunities to demonstrate your talent and shine. From early wins to a long-range strategy your impact will be evident.

A focus on mission
At The Willows, we believe each child brings our community an extraordinary gift: a curious mind, ready to explore and eager to learn. Our mission is to grow that gift by challenging our students to uncover meaning and significance in the world around them and to become capable, confident individuals who demonstrate character, engagement, and a joyful passion for creative inquiry across a lifetime. Your efforts will keep things running and allow us to do what we do best: build strong minds.  

Great environment
You will join a strong leadership team that works well together and takes pride in their work. We're a committed hard-working group of professionals who also like to bring a sense of humor to the table. We think you'll enjoy working here. Our staff really does, and they tend to stay for the life of their career, as evidenced by the high number of long-tenured personnel.

Excellent benefits including work/life balance
In appreciation of our employees, The Willows provides a comprehensive benefits package including an IRA and 403(b); comprehensive insurance package with much or all of the benefit covered for the employee, depending upon your choices (HMO or PPO); extensive PTO – two weeks year one and four weeks after year seven, plus holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Rosh Hashanah (1st day only), Yom Kippur (full duration), Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Good Friday, and Christmas Day; and school paid parking. 

Keys to Success

As CFO, you will be relied upon for business acumen that is both sound and wise, an analytical mindset, great capacity for flexibility and adaptability to shifting priorities. You will approach your work like a small business owner – ready to wear multiple hats, resourceful and able to make informed decisions with lasting influence.  

Our environment is built on trust, integrity, credibility and a deep commitment to our mission. To be effective in the role of CFO, you must immediately begin building relationships and engendering trust. As a supervisor, you'll be approachable and have the emotional intelligence to read the group, develop individuals and help the team grow. We're seeking a strong leader who enjoys working with people in a collaborative way. Someone who will be visible and helpful at events and has a strong service orientation.

In addition, to be an outstanding CFO, you will:
  • Be an empathic individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics and values, treating others with respect
  • Bring expertise in Finance and Operations, but also continue to learn and evolve your skills and knowledge
  • Provide strategic, entrepreneurial, team-centric leadership -- a heavy-handed approach won't work here
  • Develop employees, helping them reach their potential
  • Promote transparency and open communication; appropriately sharing information with appropriate stakeholders
  • Synthesize divergent views and coalesce stakeholders around a shared plan

About Us

The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, California, is a Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade independent school enrolling approximately 460 students annually. Nationally recognized as a balanced, progressive educational leader, The Willows’ strong academic program incorporates experiential learning, thematic instruction, design thinking and emotional intelligence into a cutting-edge curriculum and integrates technology, maker and the arts into the classroom.

At The Willows, we believe each child brings to our community an extraordinary gift: a curious mind, ready to explore and eager to learn. Our mission is to grow that gift by challenging our students to uncover meaning and significance in the world around them and to become capable, confident individuals who demonstrate character, engagement, and a joyful passion for creative inquiry across a lifetime. The Willows is strongly committed to financial assistance and seeks a broad-based student body with a diversity of race, ethnicity, economics and learning styles. 

Snapshot of the 2015-2016 School Year:

Geographical Diversity: 
The Willows enrolls students from more than 57 different zip code areas, including families from the South Bay, San Fernando Valley and East Los Angeles.

Total Enrollment: 463 students

Students of Color: 29%

Financial Assistance: 18% of our students

Faculty and Staff: 88 full-time, 7 part-time

Student/Teacher Ratio, not including specialists:
Developmental Kindergarten 7.5:1
Kindergarten 10:1
Lower School: 12:1 
Middle School: 15:1

Accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
 



 

Own a Diverse Finance & Operations Leadership Role at a Balanced Progressive Pre-K-8 Independent, Co-educational, Non-profit School.

Partner with executive leadership, the board of trustees & the community to support an outstanding learning environment.

If you're a proven financial leader who combines a passion for education with the ability to effectively partner with executives, committees and boards, this is your opportunity to take ownership of a critical financial and operational role at The Willows Community School -- a progressive non-profit PK-8 school serving the greater Los Angeles area. Working closely with the Head of School, you will manage the Finance and Accounting team, as well as staff supporting other functions, such as HR, IT and Facilities Management, and oversee all financial and operational activities and the School’s $15 million budget. Consider the advantages of joining our team. You will: The Willows Community School is a Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade independent, coeducational school founded in 1994. Our 4.0 acre campus has 109,000 includes a  gymnasium, black box theater, library with 26,000+ resources, organic garden, electronic music studio, music room, art studio, design lab, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) studio, two MakerLabs and outdoor work space. The Willows seeks a broad-based student body with a diversity of race, ethnicity, socio-economics, and learning styles, and is strongly committed to financial assistance. Our annual operating budget is $15 million, and our financial assistance budget is $1.9 million.

The Requirements

This could be a great role for a VP of Finance who is ready to step up to a CFO position, or for a CFO looking for a home where s/he can make a wide-reaching impact and feel pride supporting an innovative educational environment for children and an inclusive, collaborative culture. Finance executives with corporate, nonprofit and/or higher education experience who are mission-driven and passionate about elementary and middle school education could meet the needs of this opportunity. 

To be a strong fit for the role of CFO, you will have:
  • A bachelor's degree, preferably in Finance or Accounting or another relevant field; a CPA, CMA or MBA is an advantage  Quick question for you - click here
  • 8-10 years of management experience in a financial/operations role at an organization of similar size. The ideal candidate will have experience in both finance and operations, including knowledge of/experience with HR, IT, and/or facilities management Quick question for you - click here  Quick question for you - click here
  • Success generating and implementing strategy
  • Strong computer skills including QuickBooks and MS Office applications; particularly Excel
  • Technical skills and solid experience with accounting processes, financial and tax reporting, cash flow, forecasting, budgeting, audits, etc.
  • Ability to pass TB test, fingerprint  and drug clearance
  • Willingness to work after hours to attend school and community events
Preferred but not required:
  • Experience with non-profit organization
  • Experience managing in an educational setting
Just as important as your experience and skills will be the following characteristics and competencies:
  • Strong leadership and relationship building skills; impeccable written and verbal communication skills
  • Hands-on, creative thinker; entrepreneurial
  • Business savvy; strong judgment; ability to earn trust, respect and credibility with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, colleagues, parents, students and external partners.  
  • Solid organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and priorities; deadline oriented
  • Self-motivated, team-oriented

The Role

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will serve as a member of the Administrative Team and oversee all financial and operational activities related to the School’s $15 million budget. You will serve as a strategic partner and advisor to the Head of School, act as the administrator of strategic projects, and provide leadership and managerial oversight. Additionally, you will attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee and provide the Head of School and Board of Trustees with financial and other pertinent information necessary for making key policy and operational decisions.

You will leverage your strong leadership and mentoring skills to supervise a staff of up to 15, including team members from Human Resources, Risk Management, Facilities, Auxiliary and Event Services, Business Operations, and Financial Aid. You will oversee daily operations and provide/coordinate staff support for the Finance Committee, Facilities Committee, Governance Committee, Real Estate Committee and other related ad-hoc committees of the Board of Trustees.

A sampling of specific responsibilities includes:
  • Providing special project support to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees related to strategic planning and related strategic projects/initiatives.
  • Overseeing and coordinating capital projects.
  • Directly supervising the Controller and administering the Business Office.
  • Overseeing the School’s financial and tax reporting.
  • Reviewing and approving operational and project-based budgets.
  • Overseeing and demonstrating responsibility for cash management and cash flow forecasts, including investment of operating cash, reserve funds, and endowment.
  • Coordinating and managing outside banking and accounting relationships.
  • Ensuring compliance with contractual and external obligations, including with banking partners and IRS regulatory reporting.
  • Serving as the School’s Risk Management Administrator. Developing and overseeing risk management programs and supervising the Controller in the administration of the risk management functions.
  • Serving as the School’s Facilities & Operations Administrator 
  • Overseeing and negotiating all insurance contracts.
  • Coordinating with the Controller, serving as the School’s primary contact for all liability questions, including for human resources and facilities.
  • Serving as the School’s Human Resource Administrator and monitoring the status of all outstanding claims.
  • Developing, overseeing and negotiating employee benefit programs.
  • Supervising the Controller in the administration of the Human Resource functions.
  • Serving as the School's Chief Technology Administrator; overseeing programs and the development of long-range technology and administrative initiatives.
  • Supporting the academic and administrative needs of the School. 
  • Overseeing and administering the School’s employment contract process.
  • Developing and overseeing the School’s performance evaluation program.
  • Managing personnel practices to ensure compliance with labor laws and other legal affairs. Quick question for you - click here
  • Ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and municipal requirements (including compliance with the School’s Conditional Use Permit).
Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

More Good Reasons

Strategic impact
There will be hands-on work and monthly tasks, but this position also will allow you to influence the business today and help execute on the strategic vision to build success for the future. There will be many opportunities to demonstrate your talent and shine. From early wins to a long-range strategy your impact will be evident.

A focus on mission
At The Willows, we believe each child brings our community an extraordinary gift: a curious mind, ready to explore and eager to learn. Our mission is to grow that gift by challenging our students to uncover meaning and significance in the world around them and to become capable, confident individuals who demonstrate character, engagement, and a joyful passion for creative inquiry across a lifetime. Your efforts will keep things running and allow us to do what we do best: build strong minds.  

Great environment
You will join a strong leadership team that works well together and takes pride in their work. We're a committed hard-working group of professionals who also like to bring a sense of humor to the table. We think you'll enjoy working here. Our staff really does, and they tend to stay for the life of their career, as evidenced by the high number of long-tenured personnel.

Excellent benefits including work/life balance
In appreciation of our employees, The Willows provides a comprehensive benefits package including an IRA and 403(b); comprehensive insurance package with much or all of the benefit covered for the employee, depending upon your choices (HMO or PPO); extensive PTO – two weeks year one and four weeks after year seven, plus holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Rosh Hashanah (1st day only), Yom Kippur (full duration), Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Good Friday, and Christmas Day; and school paid parking. 

Keys to Success

As CFO, you will be relied upon for business acumen that is both sound and wise, an analytical mindset, great capacity for flexibility and adaptability to shifting priorities. You will approach your work like a small business owner – ready to wear multiple hats, resourceful and able to make informed decisions with lasting influence.  

Our environment is built on trust, integrity, credibility and a deep commitment to our mission. To be effective in the role of CFO, you must immediately begin building relationships and engendering trust. As a supervisor, you'll be approachable and have the emotional intelligence to read the group, develop individuals and help the team grow. We're seeking a strong leader who enjoys working with people in a collaborative way. Someone who will be visible and helpful at events and has a strong service orientation.

In addition, to be an outstanding CFO, you will:
  • Be an empathic individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics and values, treating others with respect
  • Bring expertise in Finance and Operations, but also continue to learn and evolve your skills and knowledge
  • Provide strategic, entrepreneurial, team-centric leadership -- a heavy-handed approach won't work here
  • Develop employees, helping them reach their potential
  • Promote transparency and open communication; appropriately sharing information with appropriate stakeholders
  • Synthesize divergent views and coalesce stakeholders around a shared plan

About Us

The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, California, is a Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade independent school enrolling approximately 460 students annually. Nationally recognized as a balanced, progressive educational leader, The Willows’ strong academic program incorporates experiential learning, thematic instruction, design thinking and emotional intelligence into a cutting-edge curriculum and integrates technology, maker and the arts into the classroom.

At The Willows, we believe each child brings to our community an extraordinary gift: a curious mind, ready to explore and eager to learn. Our mission is to grow that gift by challenging our students to uncover meaning and significance in the world around them and to become capable, confident individuals who demonstrate character, engagement, and a joyful passion for creative inquiry across a lifetime. The Willows is strongly committed to financial assistance and seeks a broad-based student body with a diversity of race, ethnicity, economics and learning styles. 

Snapshot of the 2015-2016 School Year:

Geographical Diversity: 
The Willows enrolls students from more than 57 different zip code areas, including families from the South Bay, San Fernando Valley and East Los Angeles.

Total Enrollment: 463 students

Students of Color: 29%

Financial Assistance: 18% of our students

Faculty and Staff: 88 full-time, 7 part-time

Student/Teacher Ratio, not including specialists:
Developmental Kindergarten 7.5:1
Kindergarten 10:1
Lower School: 12:1 
Middle School: 15:1

Accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
 



 
The Willows is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
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