Chief Finance - Seattle - Epiphany School

Description

About the role

Epiphany School seeks a strategic and collaborative Chief Finance & Operations Officer (CFOO) to join our leadership team. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced financial and operational leader to play a critical role in shaping the long-term sustainability and success of a vibrant learning community.

The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking financial strategist and operational problem solver who thrives in a values-driven environment. They will bring deep expertise in financial management, budgeting, accounting, and compliance, along with strong oversight experience in key operational areas such as facilities, human resources, and risk management. A commitment to independent school education, and a genuine enthusiasm for supporting the daily life of a joyful, student-centered school, is essential. They will also be an inspiring and empathetic leader who models integrity and professionalism, encourages excellence, and fosters a culture of collaboration and accountability. They will empower team members through clear communication, mentorship, and alignment with the school's mission and values. Skilled in managing and developing high-performing teams, the CFOO will set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and support continuous professional growth across the organization. This leader will also navigate conflict with fairness, promote open dialogue, and ensure resources and responsibilities are allocated effectively to support both staff well-being and organizational goals.

The CFOO will collaborate closely with the Head of School, Assistant Heads of School, Board of Trustees, and senior administrators to ensure fiscal responsibility and operational excellence, enabling the school to fulfill its mission and vision for the future. This work includes leading the implementation of strategic plans, maintaining financial health, managing risk, and contributing to thoughtful hiring, retention, and succession planning to meet the school's evolving operational needs.

This is a full-time, exempt, year-round, administrator position reporting to the Head of School. This role also supervises a team of four senior managers.

Location

The person in this role must work in-person on the school campus in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Epiphany School does not cover or reimburse relocation costs and/or expenses.

Standard work hours are typically Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm. Staff meetings typically run through 5:00pm on Wednesdays (dates will be communicated ahead of time).

This position may require infrequent evening and weekend work to support school community events such as the school auction.

Working from home is permitted occasionally after the 90-day probationary period.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Collaborate with the Head of School and senior leadership to shape and execute the organization's strategic and operational vision.
• Oversee all aspects of the campus master plan building project, both building and finance related, interfacing with primary consultants, managing internal work plans, and internal and external communications for the project as needed.
• Participate in Board of Trustees meetings and provide staff support to Finance, Capital Campaign, and Master Use committees.
• Oversee creation and management of long-range financial planning and provide financial insights to appropriate teams to support institutional decision-making.
• Supervise HR operations and workforce planning initiatives, including salary structure, benefits administration, and employment policies and procedures.
• Evaluate recommended competitive and cost-effective benefit plans to attract and retain staff.
• Supervise the Safety & Health team to ensure safe, efficient, and well-maintained physical infrastructure, health and safety protocols, and emergency preparedness plans.

People Management

• Serves as direct supervisor for the following team members:
• • Business Manager
  • Facilities Manager
  • HR Manager
  • School Nurse
• Set and communicate clear performance expectations, goals, and benchmarks.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, offering constructive feedback and recognition.
• Identify growth opportunities for team members, support continued learning and training, and oversee employee retention efforts, helping plan for long-term staffing needs.
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of new finance and operations staff.
• Allocate resources (time, talent, tools) effectively across departments.
• Guide teams through organizational and procedural changes with clarity and support, aligning team efforts with institutional priorities and strategic initiatives.

Financial, Contract, and Asset Management

• Lead the School's annual budgeting process and long-range financial planning, ensuring transparency, consistency, and clarity, in close collaboration with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and leadership team.
• Oversee all business office functions including accounts payable, receivable, payroll, purchasing, and financial controls.
• Develop and maintain monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the preparation of the annual operating budget and long-range financial forecasts.
• Ensure sufficient cash flow and liquidity to meet the organization's operational needs.
• Maintain the integrity of financial systems and ensure compliance with all audit and reporting requirements.
• Establish and monitor banking relationships and financial transactions.
• Review, negotiate, and manage all significant vendor and service contracts.
• Oversee prudent purchasing and maintenance of fixed assets, including property, plant, and equipment.

Audit, Risk, and Compliance

• Ensure appropriate internal controls and accounting procedures are in place to protect assets and maintain transparency.
• Oversee the organization's annual independent audit and coordinate audit preparation and follow-up.
• Monitor legal, regulatory, and compliance matters relevant to the school's operations.
• Manage institutional risk, including insurance policies, liability coverage, physical plant and cyber security, and health & safety protocols.

Typical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required; MBA or CPA preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in finance and operations, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit or school-based financial systems and controls, GAAP, budgeting, capital management, and plant management.
• Strong knowledge of fund accounting principles, cash flow management, financial reporting standards, procurement, contract negotiation, and vendor management.
• Seasoned experience in budget preparation, long-range financial planning, financial forecasting models, and financial compliance, including financial particulars of capital projects and building renovations.
• Familiarity with audit preparation, compliance procedures, and risk management strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to link financial decisions to broader organizational goals.
• Strong team leadership and supervisory skills, including performance evaluation, coaching, conflict resolution, and team development.
• Outstanding oral, written, and presentational communication skills.
• Skilled at fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture.
• Project management skills to balance multiple priorities and initiatives across departments.
• Proven ability to manage multiple departments and work collaboratively across an organization.
• Experience working with Boards and presenting complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Personal qualities including diplomacy, tact, discretion, flexibility, resourcefulness, initiative, dependability, organizational skills, friendliness, emotional maturity, punctuality, and professionalism.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this role is between $200,000 - $250,000 based on years of relevant experience, education, skill, and internal equity in line with our school's Administrator pay scale. When determining an initial offer, we carefully consider these factors.

Alongside salary, Epiphany School offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Benefits stipend to put towards employee benefits including medical, dental, vision coverage, voluntary employee, spousal, and child life and critical illness insurance, accident insurance, voluntary short-term disability, and flexible health savings accounts
• Employer-paid monthly premiums for employee assistance program and long-term disability coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• 13 paid holidays
• 6 weeks of paid vacation and 2 weeks of sick leave
• Paid supplemental parental leave after 12 months of employment
• Professional development funding

How to Apply

• Interested candidates should submit the following materials in a single merged document, in the following order, by February 13th:
• • EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact Tracy Bennett)
  • Letter of Interest addressed to the Search Committee
  • Current résumé
  • Contact information for five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate's permission)
  • EC Disclosure Form (contact Tracy Bennett) We encourage candidates to reach out for a preliminary conversation before submitting their materials.

The Search Committee expects to complete the search no later than April 2026 with a start date soon thereafter.

Please address inquiries to:

Tracy Bennett, Partner, Educators Collaborative

tbennett@educatorscollaborative.com

Phone: (425) 466-4748

About Epiphany School

Welcome to Epiphany School Nestled in Seattle's charming Madrona neighborhood on a charming historic campus, Epiphany supports students to develop their voices, practice leadership skills, and solve problems on their own and as a group. An expert faculty and staff encourages students to explore, create, embrace, and personalize their own studies. Children feel free to fail and make mistakes, make individual and collective choices, and build strong character. Adults and children travel this journey together- working side by side in a supportive community and creative environment where everyone takes responsibility to become the best "me" each of us can be.

Epiphany School's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Epiphany School promotes and cultivates a diverse community as essential to academic success, social and emotional growth, and the development of good character. Engaging diverse perspectives stretches the mind and requires critical thinking, intellectual courage, and creativity. It takes careful listening and thoughtful expression and manifests itself in cultural competency. Thinking beyond oneself and seeing the world through the eyes of others is the foundation of fairness and empathy, and thus prepares our students to live respectfully and responsibly in our pluralistic democratic society.

Epiphany School is committed to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the principle of equal access and opportunity in education and employment and full participation for persons with disabilities in all its programs and services.

Epiphany School is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee because of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, political ideology, physical, mental, or sensory disability, military status, genetic information, age, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Epiphany School complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@epiphanyschool.org.