Be the one who makes a difference.
At Vertex Education we are a team of high achievers, courageous leaders, and passionate believers in changing lives through education. As a purpose-led education services provider, our mission is destined to benefit many and yet it starts with just one person inspired to work together with us to make a memorable and meaningful difference for our clients, schools, students, and communities. Be the one who makes a difference-with us.
The Independent School Director of Finance plays a critical role in ensuring the financial health of independent school clients by providing strategic financial leadership, oversight, and guidance. As the primary financial advisor to Heads of School and Boards of Trustees, this role manages budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and compliance while also optimizing financial operations. The Director of Finance leads a team supporting client schools, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with institutional goals. Additionally, this role strengthens Vertex-PA's presence in the independent school sector by engaging with industry associations and expanding professional networks. Through expert financial stewardship, the Director of Finance empowers schools to focus on their mission of providing exceptional education.
Essential Functions:
1. Financial Strategy & Oversight
- Partner with Heads of School and Boards of Trustees to align financial planning with institutional goals.
- Manage clients' annual budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring financial sustainability.
- Oversee cash flow management, investments, and risk assessment for client schools.
- Conduct financial analysis to support data-driven decision-making.
2. Client Financial Reporting & Compliance
- Oversee the production of monthly financial reports and present findings to Finance Committees and Boards.
- Ensure timely completion of client schools' annual audits and compliance with financial regulations.
- Implement and refine internal financial controls to enhance reporting accuracy.
- Maintain GAAP compliance and ensure best practices in financial management.
3. Leadership & Client Engagement
- Serve as the primary financial advisor to client school leadership teams, providing strategic counsel.
- Meet weekly with client Heads of School to review financial priorities and institutional needs.
- Build strong relationships with school stakeholders to foster trust and long-term partnerships.
- Manage and support the finance team assigned to client schools.
4. Industry Engagement & Business Development
- Represent the organization in regional and national independent school associations (PAISBOA, PAIS, NAIS, etc.).
- Expand professional networks within the independent school sector to enhance firm visibility.
- Identify new business opportunities and support firm growth through strategic outreach.
- Contribute to the executive leadership team's strategic direction and initiatives.
5. Operational & Systems Management
- Optimize internal processes to improve financial service delivery to schools.
- Provide financial data and support for tuition management, financial aid, and development functions.
- Ensure efficient use of accounting and school management systems (Blackbaud, Veracross, FACTS, etc.).
- Adapt financial operations to meet the evolving needs of client schools.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of seven (7) years of senior financial leadership experience.
- At least three (3) years of financial leadership experience in independent schools.
- Proven track record of managing financial planning, budgeting, and reporting.
- Experience working with Boards of Trustees and school leadership teams.
Certifications & Technical Knowledge:
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
- Proficiency in financial reporting and accounting systems.
- Strong spreadsheet and financial analysis skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA, CPA, or other advanced professional certification.
- Experience with independent school financial operations, including tuition management and financial aid.
- Familiarity with school financial software such as Blackbaud, Veracross, and FACTS.
- Established network of professional relationships in the independent school sector.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with stakeholders.
Be excited to be a part of our team and grow your career with us.
Be the one who enables us to positively impact over 258,000 students across multiple states while driving our growth forward so we can enrich even more lives. Be the one who helps us achieve excellence for over 226 schools that we support with academics, finance, technology, human resources, communications, marketing, facilities, construction, and food services. Be the one who is a diverse thinker, a team player, a smart risk taker, an innovator, and a difference maker by encouraging others to climb higher and reach farther to further education.
- Be yourself surrounded by wonderful people who care about you, value your unique skills, and lift you up.
- Be supported in your work by caring leaders and team members who want you to succeed.
- Be empowered to make a difference and climb higher and reach farther to change lives through education.
- Be well in all aspects of your life from your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to your finances.
- Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses, with unlimited flexible paid time-off for performance.
- Be able to care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits and invest in your future with 401(k) plans with a 6% employer match on your contributions.
- Enhance your growth and development with mentoring and money to take training classes.
- Thrive in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where we treat others with fairness and respect, celebrate diversity, and elevate equality and inclusion as an equal opportunity employer.
Be the one who makes a difference.
With an innovative mind, a hungry heart, and engaging spirit you can change lives through education. Be a part of Vertex Education and let's make a difference together. Apply Today.