Since 1855, Greene Street Friends School (GSFS) has educated children according to the Quaker principles of honesty, respect for the individual, peace, and simplicity. GSFS inspires students to be world changers and seekers of knowledge, equity, and social justice. Strong academic fundamentals and ethical strength prepare GSFS students for a rapidly changing world and enable them to succeed with enthusiasm for learning and for life. Located in the heart of historic Germantown, GSFS represents the racial, economic, and religious diversity of Philadelphia at large. GSFS values the richness of its diversity, encourages empathy and responsibility, and expands how students perceive the complexities of their experiences. GSFS has 73 faculty and staff and serves 322 students in grades Pre-K through 8, fifty percent of whom identify as BIPOC.
Reporting to the newly appointed Head of School, Michelle Y. Holland, the new Director of Finance and Operations will be a community leader who embodies the mission of GSFS. Guided by Quaker values, the DFO will be thoughtful, inspirational, and innovative, and will provide spirit-led leadership in the operations and management of the School.
With a current endowment of $3M and an operating budget of $6.4M, the School has experienced tremendous growth over the last decade, and is healthy in terms of enrollment, academic program, facilities, and finances. The expansion has dictated that a new strategy and build-out of financial reporting be implemented for the School’s increasingly complex financial picture, and that additional attention be focused on facilities. The Director of Finance and Operations will own these challenges.
The Director of Finance and Operations will set the financial strategy, lead a high performing operations team, and engage with all constituencies of the School. This critical role is uniquely positioned to advance the School’s work during a time of growth and innovation.
The DFO will oversee the business and operations staff of six and will manage tuition receivables, payables, vendor relations, investments, cash flow, and forecasting. The DFO will direct financial, project-based, and departmental accounting and oversee and manage the annual audit. In addition, the DFO will manage related aspects of business operations, including facilities, contracts, insurance, security, food service, transportation, and safety.
An ideal candidate for the Director of Finance and Operations role will demonstrate the following:
Alignment with Greene Street Friends School’s mission and vision;
The ability to develop, refine, and implement a strategic vision for the business office to guide GSFS into its next phase of development;
A strong capacity to build relationships with the various constituencies that make up our school community, ensuring that all voices feel heard;
Strong financial and operational skills to ensure excellence and long-term sustainability;
A commitment to and demonstrated experience with diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and belonging;
Proven ability to identify, recruit, inspire, retain, develop, and support a strong and diverse staff;
Dedication to collaboration, transparency, and accountability with the GSFS community including the Board of Trustees;
A legacy of good judgment, sound decision making and maturity in handling delicate situations with parents, employees, and other constituencies.
5+ years of business experience in the education, nonprofit, or management consulting sectors;
Strong accounting and technology skills (experience with Blackbaud’s Financial Edge desirable);
Experience identifying, negotiating with, hiring, and managing service providers;
Team player willing to jump in and work with others in a flat organization;
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary estimate for this position is $115,000 to $130,000. GSFS offers a generous benefits package.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The search committee for the Greene Street Friends School Director of Finance and Operations will begin accepting nominations and reviewing applications immediately. Candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and resume to the following address: GreeneStreetFriendsDFO@storbecksearch.com.
Greene Street Friends is being assisted in this search by Storbeck Search. For additional information, please contact:
