Please apply online at chadwickschool.org.  Click on the blue menu in the upper right corner then scroll down to careers on the left side.  Scroll down to the list of open positions then search for CFO/COO.  All applications will be considered. 

The due date to apply for the position is November 14, 2025. 

The anticipated decision date is December 15, 2025.

The tentative start date is January 5, 2026.

Applicants should submit a current résumé, letter of interest, personal statement/statement of philosophy and a list of 5 references

Chadwick School seeks an Interim Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer to assume duties as soon as possible.

This is an interim position

The School

Chadwick School is a K-12 coeducational, independent day school located on a beautiful 45-acre hilltop in Palos Verdes, California. Founded in 1935 by Margaret Chadwick, the school was from the very beginning committed to serving a diverse group of students from a broad geographical reach in greater Los Angeles. Today, Chadwick enrolls 865 students from more than 50 different neighborhoods. The school allocates more than $7 million in financial aid, serving 22% of the student body.

Chadwick is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and holds institutional memberships in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Essential Responsibilities

The Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer (CFO/COO) works directly under the supervision of the Head of School and is a member of the senior Leadership Team. Specific areas of responsibility include finance, facilities and operations, risk management, IT, and human resources. The CFO/COO works closely with Board committees such as the Finance and Investment Committee. The Head of School may assign other duties.

Finance

• Oversee all aspects of financial transactions, financial reporting and external auditing
• Enhance and drive financial controls for the organization including Delegation of Authority, Contract and Vendor Management and Asset Tracking.
• Create and maintain a long-range financial plan supporting the strategic plan
• Develop a financial reporting regime which effectively informs the Leadership Team and Board of the organization’s financial health and operational performance.
• Working in conjunction with the Board’s Fulfillment Committee, establish KPI’s to drive financial and operational excellence
• Attend Board meetings and serve on the Finance, Investment, Development, Audit, and Facilities Committees of the Board, and other ad hoc committees as required by the Head of School
• Provide supervision and direction to the Controller and members of the Business Office team
• Lead the annual budget preparation and approval process
• Reconcile and track investment activity, to include contribution income, capital gains/losses, and changes in market value.
• Develop and implement a Cash Management Program given guidelines established by Head of School
• Ensure that quarterly budget vs. actual reports are accurate and available for review
• Coordinate compliance reporting relating to school operations and debt management
• Work with Head of School to determine school tuition, annual faculty and staff compensation, and financial aid.
• Coordinate with Director of Advancement on all matters related to fundraising and stewardship of donors including gift accounting, compliance, management of restricted investments and preparation of an annual report.
• Serve as directed by the Head of School on any other project related committees related to short-term and long-range financial and operational planning
• Review accounts receivable against and collect past due balances
• Update all relevant Benchmark Reports as they relate to strategic goals.
• Provide oversight and guidance for Parent organizations on financial matters.

Risk Management

• Provide supervision and guidance to the Director of Risk Management

Facilities/Operations

• Provide supervision and guidance to Director of Facilities to plan and budget facility maintenance and minor repairs and update long-term repair schedule
• Ensure code compliance, proper permitting, and neighborhood relations for all facility and property management, including compliance with the Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
• Serve as school liaison with legal counsel on facilities related matters

Human Resources

• Provide supervision and guidance to the Director of Human Resources

Information Technology

• Provide supervision and guidance for the Director of Information Technology

Desired experience and qualifications include:

• 10 years of progressive responsibilities in accounting, finance, operations and/or general business management (prior management experience with a private school or non-profit organization preferred)
• BA Degree in accounting, finance, business management, or related area of study (MBA and/or CPA, preferred)
• Ability to think and plan strategically and creatively
• Broad-based operations and project management experience
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and work well in team environment
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency with accounting and financial systems

Compensation:  $305,000 to $320,000 salary based on years of experience and other qualifications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

• Required to lift and carry up to a maximum of 10 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.
• Occasionally required to use hand to handle, or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
• May use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.
• May be required to sit while operating word processing equipment for approximately 2-4 hours daily, repetitive motion for typing and other keystroke needs.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.  This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures.  The noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Screenings – TB Assessment and Livescan Background check

Chadwick School is a 501c3 non-profit corporation which does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin or sexual orientation in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment, and athletic and other school administered programs.

How To Apply:

Additional information about Chadwick School is available on the School’s website: www.chadwickschool.org

About Chadwick School

Chadwick is a K-12 coeducational non-denominational independent day school located on a beautiful 45-acre campus on a hill overlooking mountains, canyons and the Pacific Ocean. Founded as a boarding school in the 1930's in what was then a remote area of Los Angeles County, the school has retained its rural charm and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Thirty-three faculty and staff families reside on campus, adding to a strong sense of community and shared aspirations. The school is dedicated to academic excellence and to the development of the character and individual gifts of its students. The school’s challenging academic offerings are therefore complemented by extensive programs in community service, outdoor education, athletics and the arts, in which virtually all students participate. Chadwick is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, ancestry, color, disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation and race, or any other applicable law prohibiting discrimination in employment. This commitment applies to all empl...oyees and agents of the school, including the headmaster, division and department directors, supervisors and co-workers.

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