Job Description

Director of Finance

Start Date: Spring 2025

The School

Vistamar School, founded in 2005, is an independent college preparatory day school serving grades 9-12 in El Segundo, CA. The Vistamar experience is guided by its core values and its mission which rests on three pillars: challenging academics that engage and inspire students; an intimate atmosphere that supports students with caring relationships; and a diverse community that encourages the authentic exchange of perspectives and leads students to be comfortable crossing cultural boundaries.

Vistamar is governed by a 16-person Board of Trustees comprised of current and alumni parents, alumni, educators, and members of the community at large. The institution draws from a variety of public, charter, independent, and parochial schools from the South Bay of Los Angeles and has a diverse population in which approximately 49 percent of students identify as people of color. Vistamar has an annual budget of $11 million and provides $2.7 million in the Moderated Tuition Program supporting 36 percent of the student body.Vistamar is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

The Opportunity

Vistamar School announces a search for a Director of Finance (DoF) to begin in the spring of 2025 (not later than July 1, 2025). We are bringing the position back in-house after two years of outsourcing financial oversight to an outside accounting firm. This move recognizes the need for the DoF to serve as part of the Leadership Team, aligning financial planning and oversight with the strategic priorities of the school. Furthermore, the role at this time requires hands-on management of the school’s day-to-day finance operations, as well as a strategic approach to long-term financial planning.

As Vistamar approaches its 20th Anniversary, we are seeking a financial leader who will help to navigate the need to build reserves while also increasing faculty and staff compensation and funding for the Moderated Tuition Program. The DoF will be on point to design a multi-year Financial Plan that aligns with the evolving Strategic Plan, Master Plan, and Development Plan. The DoF will be critical in solidifying Vistamar's financial and operational foundation upon which it can usher in the next score of years with optimism and strategic growth.

The Position

Reporting directly to the Head of School and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the DoF oversees all aspects of the school’s short term and long term financial planning and forecasting, accounting, banking, cash flow management, auditing and tax reporting, financial aid, legal, risk management and insurance, and relationships with local public and private entities. The DoF is a key liaison to the Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, Investment Committee and Audit Committee, and regularly reports to these groups on key operational issues by generating financial reports, presentations and analyses, and communicating the story of our budget and financial picture. The DoF collaborates with the Director of Facilities/Operations on oversight of campus maintenance and improvements, campus security, emergency preparedness, and information technology. The DoF collaborates with the Director of Human Resources and supervises the Senior Accountant. The DoF also guides the Moderated Tuition Program with the Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be committed to the school’s core values and educational mission, and will have demonstrated expertise in the essential duties and responsibilities of the position. The ideal candidate will be an effective manager, knowledgeable and experienced in accounting and financial leadership, a pragmatic visionary, collaborative, self-motivated, and decisive. They will garner trust through open and direct communications and a strong work ethic, and they will have a high energy level that matches the dynamism of the Vistamar environment. They will utilize data, research, a network of experts, input from diverse perspectives and multiple stakeholders, and creativity to solve problems. The candidate of choice will act with humility and good humor. They will be organized, an excellent strategic and thoughtful communicator, and have strong relational skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Accounting

• Ensure adherence to all appropriate FASB and GAAP accounting standards, and all relevant state and federal tax reporting requirements.
• Communicate the true financial picture of Vistamar School with appropriate projections to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, and the Leadership Team.
• Supervise and support the Senior Accountant in all operational accounting issues, financial reporting, cash management and internal controls.
• Supervise compilation of financial data to provide audit trails and supporting material in preparation for the annual audit, tax returns, and required reporting.
• Establish a regular process for review, update, and consistent application of appropriate internal controls, policies, and financial procedures.
• Oversee the annual financial and 403(b) audits and guide the Audit Committee.
• Review and ensure all disbursements made to vendors, contractors, employees, parents, community partners, and others by the school are supported with appropriate documentation and that approvals are made in accordance with school procedures and Board of Trustees directives.
• Co-manage the Moderated Tuition Program.
• Work closely with the Development Department in proper recording and reporting of donations, management of restricted investments and preparation of an annual report.
• Maintain direct communication with parents regarding past-due accounts.

Financial Planning, Analysis, and Budgeting

• Responsible for planning and maintaining the financial well-being of Vistamar School including maintenance of cash reserves, maintaining necessary cash/debt ratios, and ensuring financial compliance with lending institutions.
• Develop, discuss, and implement the annual operating budget by obtaining input from all relevant stakeholders.
• Develop monthly year-to-date actual-to-budget financial reports, including cash flow, bank balances and covenanted cash-to-debt ratios to all departments, the Head of School, and the Finance Committee.
• Develop regularly updated 5-year fiscal forecasts to provide insights to the Head of School in evaluating strategic initiatives.
• Ensure the school's business and fiscal goals align with its educational objectives.
• Provide oversight in consultation with the Head of School and Finance Committee of all Vistamar School’s endowment and cash reserves in compliance with the school’s investment policies.
• Implement leading edge financial tools allowing all management team members to manage their departmental budgets.
• Develop and monitor the capital improvements budget, ensuring appropriate level of funding is maintained in light of facilities improvement needs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with banks and other financial institutions.
• Present and explain the school’s budget and financial process in an understandable format to the Board and to different audiences with varying levels of financial expertise.
• Report appropriate financial data to DASL and utilize benchmarking for financial planning.

Legal/Contracts/Insurance

• Engage and work with legal counsel, financial advisors, auditors, brokers, and other professional service firms as needed.
• Review contract terms with key contractors, vendors, service providers, consulting with legal counsel as necessary, and secure changes and approvals as needed.
• Support Admissions in the issuance of enrollment agreements.
• Support the Director of Human Resources and the Head of School in the issuance of employment agreements.
• Work with the school's insurance broker with input from the Finance Committee to arrange a suite of appropriate levels for property, liability, umbrella, workers compensation, directors and officers, cyber, fiduciary liability, international travel, and other coverages.

Desired Candidate Qualities

Leadership

• An individual who is adept at forging relationships throughout the school and building upon them to exercise leadership among the board, administration, faculty, staff, parent, student, and alumni communities.
• A confident and experienced manager who directs the efforts of others through open communication, collaboration, and skillful delegation.
• A financial executive whose experience, force of intellect and character, technical knowledge, and expertise engender support and trust among others.
• An accessible, visible, and engaged person who is an active and positive presence in the daily life of the school.
• A leader whose dedication, work ethic, and high standards inspire colleagues and who holds themself accountable for the efficient day-to-day operations of the Business Office and the overall financial health of the school.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in senior finance and administrative positions, ideally with an independent school, small college, “educational campus” such as a performing arts organization or museum, or other complex nonprofit organization.
• Undergraduate degree with a preferred emphasis in finance and/or accounting. Experience equivalent to a master's degree in accounting, business, finance, or a related field.
• A history of establishing and maintaining financial and operational policies, procedures, controls, and standards.
• Expertise in the use of sophisticated financial models for budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning and analysis.
• Experience working effectively with multiple constituencies such as faculty, staff, trustees, and volunteers, who may have competing interests.
• Experience working with external auditors, implementing internal controls, and managing compliance-related issues.
• Experience in building relationships with bankers to facilitate debt instruments, investment vehicles, and capital raising.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong financial management skills and a complete and thorough knowledge of US GAAP and operational accounting, budgeting, forecasting and other administrative procedures critical to the operation of a successful business office.
• Strong oral and written communication skills that enable one to present and explain complicated fiscal matters in a manner that is easily understood.
• A propensity for strategic thinking, with the capacity to look to the future, anticipate needs, develop new initiatives, and implement short- and long-term plans and objectives.
• Well-honed interpersonal skills that allow one to relate genuinely and directly to a variety of constituents.
• Adept at serving as a “public face” of the school and maintaining positive relationships with Vistamar’s neighbors.
• Sound supervisory skills and the ability to manage both direct and indirect reporting relationships effectively.
• Advanced Excel and analysis skills, prior experience working in a Google platform environment, and a solid working knowledge of non-profit financial software programs (preferred).

Personal Attributes

• An individual of unquestioned honesty and integrity.
• A results-oriented person with a strong work ethic who is able to multitask effectively and to prioritize competing demands.
• A team player with a positive outlook and a collaborative spirit.
• A confident individual with courage of conviction who tackles difficult issues head-on, encourages robust discussion, and respects differences of opinion.
• An innovative thinker who is willing to explore new ideas and to embrace change.
• An accessible and approachable person who demonstrates sincerity, caring, and sensitivity in his or her interactions with others.
• A culturally competent practitioner who executes all duties with an equitable and inclusive approach that supports the diverse identities of employees.
• One who is self-directed and well organized, with the flexibility and practicality to respond to unexpected situations.

Compensation

Anticipated compensation is $150,000–$175,000 depending on experience. The school offers a highly competitive benefits package for employees and dependents. This position is classified as full-time, exempt.

The Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact Erik Carlson, Interim Head of School. Candidates will need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents by January 22, 2025 :

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current résumé;
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:

Erik Carlson, Interim Head of School

erikcarlson@vistamarschool.org

Remote interviews and then on-site finalist interviews will be conducted in late January and February. References will be requested and contacted after the first round of remote interviews.

Vistamar School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. We administer all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law.

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