Job Description

OVERVIEW:

Thayer Academy is an independent, co-educational day school serving students in grades 5-12 in Braintree, Massachusetts. The School seeks an experienced leader and strategic thinker to serve as the Chief Financial & Operations Officer (CFOO). The full-time, exempt position is open July 1, 2026.

The Chief Financial & Operations Officer is a senior member of the Thayer Academy leadership team reporting directly to the Head of School. The CFOO provides leadership and management of the school’s finances and is responsible for supervising, coordinating, and administering the Business Office, Human Resources, Facilities, Information Technology, and Dining Services. The CFOO provides vision and leadership for all capital projects, partnering with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees to deliver on the school’s strategy and mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement financial and operational strategies that support the School’s mission and goals, and are consistent with the organization’s fiscal policy and compliant with state and federal laws. This includes long-range financial and campus master planning
• Effectively manage the financial operation of the school, including endowment, investments, cash management, financial analysis, budget management, debt compliance, and all tax-exempt financing.
• Engage in cooperative decision-making with the Head of School and Board of Trustees; serve as liaison to the Finance/Audit Committee, the Investment Committee, and the Buildings & Grounds Committee, providing required information and reporting
• In partnership with the Head of School, the CFOO maintains all accounts and relationships with banks, professional accountants, legal counsel, and insurance companies.
• Supervise the preparation of the annual operating budget and present to the Trustees for approval. Prepare periodic financial reports for Trustees, Head of School, and members of the senior leadership team, and others as needed.
• Provide support to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees in setting the succeeding year’s tuition and financial aid budget to support the enrollment/reenrollment process.
• Administer the accounting system (Blackbaud) to prepare financial statements, cash flow reports, operating expense budgets, and any Capital Campaign Fund reports as needed.
• Control and manage the cash and all bank accounts of the school
• Manage the enterprise risk management program to ensure the best pricing and policy terms of the insurance program, as well as reduce risk exposure to the School.
• Working with the Investment Committee and outside advisors, effectively maintain the Endowment portfolio investment and reporting.
• Support establishing new auxiliary revenue opportunities consistent with the strategic plan.
• Pursue and analyze alternate sources of financing to provide the lowest cost of money to support programs and activities when needed.
• At the direction of the School’s Finance/Audit Committee of the Board, schedule the annual independent audit.
• Develop and oversee capital projects, existing and new construction, renovations, off-campus sites, and develop deferred maintenance schedules.
• Partner with the Head of School, Chief Advancement and Engagement Officer, Trustees, and the senior team in planning and executing a comprehensive fundraising campaign in furtherance of the school’s strategic plan.
• Actively oversee day-to-day and strategic school operations, directly supervising the business office, IT, and human resources, as well as closely supporting and managing external vendor partnerships, including in IT, Dining Services, and Facilities.
• Actively participate in professional organizations such as NAIS, AISNE, and NBOA
• Partners with the Director of Enrollment Management in the development and implementation of the school’s financial aid program.
• Ensures the timely review, updating, and legal compliance of the employee handbook, other human resources policies and practices, and key institutional policies
• Represent Thayer Academy in community activities assigned by the Head of School

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A., M.Ed., CPA, or related advanced degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years of senior financial and operations management and leadership experience required; experience at a not-for-profit organization, higher education, and/or independent school preferred.
• Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting
• Deep knowledge of accounting principles
• Advanced financial modeling and analysis
• Strong understanding of key operational areas, including IT, HR, and campus/facilities.
• In-depth understanding of key financial controls, rules, and regulations
• Knowledge of financial and business systems software
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong leadership ability, presentation skills, and ability to translate financial terms into understandable terms for managers.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills to reason, estimate, analyze, and recommend
• Must be able to supervise both exempt and non-exempt staff.

Compensation:

• $270,000 - $310,000

ABOUT HEAD OF SCHOOL, CHRIS FORTUNATO

Chris M. Fortunato, JD, MSW, became the ninth head of school at Thayer Academy in July 2021. A New Jersey native, Mr. Fortunato earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard College, a law degree from Harvard Law School, and a master’s degree in social work from Boston University. His varied career includes time as a practicing attorney, a decade of work at a Newton nonprofit dedicated to assisting underserved youth, and experience at Providence College, where he served as both dean of students and acting vice president for student affairs. As dean of students at Harvard Kennedy School from 2010 until 2013, Mr. Fortunato oversaw the academic administration of the school’s masters/PhD programs, student life, enrollment, career advancement and created the school’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. From 2013 until 2021, he served as head of school at Blair Academy, a boarding school in New Jersey. There, he helped to develop innovative curricula, programs, and services that advance students’ personal and academic growth while fostering a culture of achievement and social responsibility in a diverse, supportive learning environment. Mr. Fortunato emphasizes addressing real-world problems and opportunities through collaboration across academic disciplines and teamwork among various constituencies. He and his wife, Erin, have two children, Matt '26 and Katie '28, who both attend Thayer Academy.

FOR CONSIDERATION:

Thayer Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Thayer complies with and adheres to all applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws regarding its employment practices. Thayer does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin or ancestry, age, or disability, or any other category protected under state or federal law. This policy extends to recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, assignment, working conditions, promotions, transfers, termination, re-employment, education, tuition assistance, employee treatment, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. All employment-related decisions are made on a nondiscriminatory basis so as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit in PDF format a formal letter of application, current resume, and a list of three references with contact information to:

Carolyn Stiles, Creative Independents - carolyn@creativeindependents.org

Please do not contact the school directly. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

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