Job Description

The New Canaan Country School, an independent, co-educational day school for students in Beginners (age 3) through Grade 9 from Fairfield and Westchester counties, is seeking an experienced, energetic, collaborative professional for the position of Chief Financial & Operations Officer starting July 1, 2025.

The Chief Financial & Operations Officer (CFOO) is responsible for the management of the financial and business operations of the school, including the Horizons Student Enrichment Program (“Horizons”), working in partnership with the Head of School. In this strategic leadership role, the CFOO will be responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies, managing budgets, and ensuring operational efficiency while driving business growth and achieving organizational goals. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance and operations with a proven track record of successful strategic leadership. The Chief Financial and Operations Officer plays a crucial role in shaping the future direction and success of the organization.

ABOUT NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL:

Founded in 1916, New Canaan Country School is an independent, co-educational day school for students in Beginners (age 3) through Grade 9. With approximately 550 students and 100 faculty, the student to faculty ratio is 5.5:1. The school draws from 18 towns and provides dedicated bus service to Fairfield and Westchester counties. 

The mission of New Canaan Country School is to create an active, joyful learning environment where children are challenged to think deeply, question confidently, and act generously so that they may lead lives of impact and purpose. The school values community, courage, curiosity and kindness, and respects childhood as an integral part of life.

A unique aspect of NCCS is the existence of the flagship Horizons Student Enrichment Program, founded in 1964 and now offered at more than 70 sites nationwide. The mission of Horizons is to transform the lives of underserved children and youth through year-round academic and enrichment programs to inspire learning, encourage success, and close the opportunity gap. Horizons At NCCS serves 400 kindergarten through twelfth grade students from the local towns of Norwalk and Stamford annually.

The school is situated on a scenic 85-acre campus which includes 4 dedicated academic divisional buildings, a main building, 2 gymnasia, 3 libraries, a woodshop, a maple sugaring shack, a performing arts auditorium and a dining hall. It features 35 acres of woodlands and trails, a low ropes course, outdoor classrooms, athletic fields, and several playgrounds. There are spaces dedicated to student woodworking, science, robotics, engineering, maker, music, performing and visual arts, maple sugaring, innovations and community gathering. Students are distributed in the four academic buildings as follows: Early Childhood (age 3-K), Lower School (Grades 1-4), Middle School (Grades 5-6), and Upper School (Grades 7-9).

The school’s current endowment is $71M, inclusive of $8.5M dedicated to Horizons, and the operating budget is $35.5M, inclusive of $2.1M for Horizons.  The school offers $5.2M in discounted tuition (financial aid and tuition remission) and receives $2.5M in Annual Giving, inclusive of $1M dedicated to Horizons.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

The CFOO reports directly to the Head of School and is a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team. This position requires partnership with the Head of School, Senior Leadership Team, faculty, staff, vendors and the Board of Trustees, as the CFOO is the Senior Leadership Team member assigned to the Finance, Investment and Audit & Risk Board Committees. The CFOO is responsible for the oversight, management and strategic planning of several functional areas: Finance, Campus Facilities, Safety & Security, Transportation, Food Services, Auxiliary Programs and the Health Office. The following positions report directly to the CFOO:

• Controller overseeing all business office functions
• Director of Operations overseeing facilities, transportation, housing, and safety & security
• Director of Community Engagement overseeing auxiliary programming, health office, and food service
• Associate Director of Administrative Services providing support to finance and operations
• Prospective Human Resources Director

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working in partnership with the Head of School, the CFOO provides strategic leadership for the school (and Horizons) and ensures all non-academic related activities support the school’s mission and strategic vision. The CFOO provides leadership for the business office and develops and implements policies and strategic initiatives that support the school’s strategic plan and ensures the financial sustainability and operational efficacy of the school. The CFOO keeps school leadership apprised of the financial condition of the school, preparing and presenting budgets, financial statements, investment and capital project reports for the HHead of SSchool and BBoard of Trustees, and is responsible for establishing, maintaining and renegotiating key vendor partnerships that support finance, accounting, human resources, facilities, security, technology, risk management, food service, auxiliary programs and other school operations. This position participates actively as a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team and ensures coordination between other leaders and the school’s business operations departments.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ten-plus years of progressive financial and accounting experience with increasing scope and responsibility, preferably in an educational or non-profit environment, and proven effective leadership and team development skills
• Bachelor ’ s degree required; CPA preferred; MBA a plus
• Ability to develop and maintain a highly collaborative and supportive working relationship with the Head of School, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with multiple constituencies, such as faculty, administrators, parents, and volunteers
• Strong record of cultural competence in leading, motivating, developing and evaluating a large and diverse staff
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously and provide perspective on complex organizational issues
• Ability to strategize and plan over a one-to ten-year time horizon

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES:

• A track record of demonstrated leadership qualities and ability to build strong teams
• A high level of integrity and ethical standards, and a strong work ethic
• Excellent communication, organizational and independent problem-solving skills
• An ability to devise, prioritize, execute and achieve results in a complex institutional environment with multiple demands on time and attention
• An awareness of trends and issues challenging independent school education and the capacity to relate them to the school ’ s situation
• An understanding of technology and the willingness to embrace technological change to achieve more efficient and cost-effective results
• A commitment to treating all members of the community with respect and consideration, and an interest in working in a mission-driven educational environment 
• High energy and action-oriented
• Collaborative, optimistic, patient, mature and team-oriented

FOR CONSIDERATION:

The Chief Financial & Operations Officer position offers an exciting and supportive work environment and a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical plans, a retirement plan, tuition remission, and paid vacation. The potential for housing also exists. New Canaan Country School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a formal letter of application, a 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.

About New Canaan Country School

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Located in New Canaan, CT, and serving 570 students, our mission is to guide students to reach their intellectual, creative, moral, and physical potential. A talented and devoted faculty engages our students in developmentally appropriate ways, delivering a challenging curriculum that builds intellectual skills and fosters creative and critical thinking. We lead by example and challenge students to fulfill their potential, find their path, and follow their passions whether in the classroom, on the playing fields, on the stage, or serving the community.

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