DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES has been retained by Riverdale Country School, located in the Bronx, New York, to conduct a national search for a Chief Financial Officer.

Riverdale Country School is a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school in New York City committed to empowering lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change our world for the good. Riverdale seeks to reflect that belonging is the foundational core of community building in how we work collaboratively and support the school’s mission and empower all community members to thrive in mind, character, and community.

Riverdale enrolls about 1,300 students who collectively reside in 117 different zip codes. The school is located on 27.5 acres and includes two campuses. The Pre-K through grade 5 campus is located on 8 acres along the Hudson River with the middle and high school campus located on a historic and spacious campus of 19.5 acres with sweeping views of Van Cortlandt Park. The total campus physical plant includes 19 buildings not counting residences. The school is entering the phase of starting several new significant building projects.

Chief Financial Officer

Riverdale Country School is seeking an experienced, energetic, collaborative professional with exceptional financial and analytical skills and deep-rooted experience in business and finance matters for the position of Chief Financial Officer.

The Chief Financial Officer reports directly to the Head of School to support the mission and values of the school by providing direction for long-range strategic planning and financial leadership within the Riverdale community. The CFO will lead the Business Office staff in day-to-day functions, which include responsibility for all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and benefits, and an annual audit, while also ensuring the implementation and maintenance of internal control systems, including fiscal policies and procedures to comply with GAAP and applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.

This senior leadership position also manages and oversees Human Resources, Auxiliary Programs and Technology. This role also works closely with and supports the Board of Trustees and senior leadership team in issues pertaining to the financial governance of the School and is responsible for preparing, reviewing, and submitting the annual budget. The Chief Financial Officer will serve as a staff liaison to board committee meetings and provide timely and accurate analysis and reporting when requested.

The position requires interaction and teamwork with the head of school, senior administrators, local community members, faculty members, staff, vendors and the Board of Trustees. The successful candidate will manage and lead a team of professionals and support staff of 8 – 10.

This opportunity is available immediately and will be filled following a comprehensive national search and the candidate of choice is identified.

Key Relationships:

CFO reports directly to: Kari Ostrem, Head of School
Direct reports to the CFO:
Business Office staff (including the Controller), Director of Human Resources (payroll and benefits), Director of Auxiliary Programs, and Chief Information and Technology Officer

Other Key Relationships.

The CFO partners closely with school leaders, including the Assistant Head of School of Strategy and Operations, Associate Head of School/Lower Division, Assistant Head of School/Middle School Division, Head of Upper School, Associate Head of School for Enrollment and External Affairs, and the Chief Development Officer
Other crucial constituencies include the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, parents, students, and alumni

Primary Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a highly collaborative working relationship with the Head of School to ensure cohesive messaging of the head’s institutional strategic goals and objectives, including alternatives and their financial implications, for consideration by board committees and other constituencies
Oversees the development, administration, and reporting on the operating budget to Riverdale’s Board of Trustees, the auditors, federal, state, and local authorities, rating agencies and bond information agencies, donors and various Riverdale administrative offices
Assumes administrative responsibility for the school’s endowment, providing appropriate information on invested funds and implementing decisions of the Board Endowment Committee; coordinates with the endowment consultants, investment managers, and custodian(s) implementing effective endowment allocations, performance, and reporting
Organizes and coordinates agendas and meeting material for the Finance/Audit Committee, Investment Committee
Collaborates with general counsel regarding all financial Risk Management matters
Collaborates with other school administrators to manage positive relations with the Bronx, one of five boroughs of New York City
The CFO will have the opportunity to hire a new Controller

Leadership

Collaborate closely with the Head of School on risk management and insurance coverage oversight
Manage, lead and delegate team responsibilities, set clear goals, model and implement professional standards and internal controls, and provide for professional growth and development
Ensure provision of timely and accurate analysis and reporting of financial data, including monthly reports for use in expense control, forecasting, reporting, and preparing quarterly projections
Collaborate with the leadership team to implement strategic automation within the business office
Work collaboratively with the Associate Head of School for External Affairs/Head of Enrollment on admission policies, procedures, tuition, contracts, and other documents, in collaboration with the Finance Office and the Admission Office, particularly on reenrollment
Manage, lead and motivate current staff, including promoting and supporting staff development and training where necessary

Planning & Analysis

Collaboratively build forward-looking financial models and activity-based analyses to provide insight and recommendations for the school’s short-term, mid-term, and long-term plans
Develop the yearly operating budget and lead quarterly forecasting
Supply regular financial data and key performance indicators to guide the leadership team toward strategic alignment with school priorities
Conduct thorough analysis to inform the budget process and decision-making for school leaders
In collaboration with the school’s investment advisors, monitor and track investment and retirement portfolios
Provide oversight of all finances relative to major capital projects; communicate with all constituencies regarding construction planning and progress
Work with auditors to ensure compliance with applicable accounting procedures and standards; oversee and actively participate in the annual audit process
Manage accurate and timely filing of all required financial reports in accordance with GAAP and in compliance with the IRS and other regulatory standards and requirements
Collaborate effectively with and provide support services to other offices on campus, including Advancement, Auxiliary Programs, and Admissions
Manage the planning, analysis and building out of auxiliary programs including overseeing the plan and budget on a regular basis
In collaboration with the Head of School, maintain positive relationships with the School’s neighbors and local town officials
Prepare appropriate periodic reports for the Board of Trustees

Accounting and Finance Operations

Oversee all compliance matters, including state and local tax audits
Implement policies, procedures, and processes that support the development of more efficient business office operations
Manage cash position, ensuring appropriate management of funds, preparing cash flow projections, and monitoring cash flow needs
Examine and provide guidance on the school’s extended funding and monitor adherence to all certificates and debt agreements
Review and authorize bank reconciliation reports and compile monthly cash reports
Work closely with the Advancement Office to ensure consistency between financial and fundraising systems and promptly reconcile any differences
Manage the school’s finances, including installing controls, setting budgets, processing payroll, and coordinating debt, endowment draws and cash flows

The successful candidate should possess the following work experiences and skill sets:

Possess an excellent accounting and financial analysis skill set and background
Have a demonstrated track record of managing and implementing sophisticated and complicated budget and tracking processes
Be ready to consistently engage, teach, and motivate staff and build consensus across a mission-driven organization
Demonstrated experience working with external auditors, implementing internal controls, and managing compliance-related issues
Possess a thorough understanding of compliance with statutory and regulatory standards, including filings such as 5500, 990, and retirement plans including 401A, and 403B
Be a consummate team player
Have the ability to work effectively with all levels of a socially and culturally rich and diverse independent day school, ultimately serving as a role model to promote a positive and productive work climate
Demonstrated expertise in leading the financial planning, modeling, and oversight of major capital and construction projects
Knowledge and experience in setting up and monitoring effective financial controls, and proven financial modeling and forecasting skills
Effective negotiation skills in developing contracts with external vendors
The ability to serve as a critical business thinker, capable of providing positive and proactive solutions to business issues
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Creativity, analytical skills, project development and management skills
Ability to manage, lead, motivate, and train staff and hire new talent when necessary

Required Skills/Abilities

10 – 15 years of direct experience in accounting and finance, including experience and skill sets to serve in a senior leadership position
Previous experience overseeing financial planning and analysis, as well as experience managing finance operations
Exceptional financial modeling, presentation, and communication skills
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Experienced in creating documents to accompany board and committee meetings
Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment
Excellent Google Suite skills and Microsoft Office (especially Excel)
Working knowledge of Veracross Accounting software is preferred
An effective financial and business manager, capable of earning the respect and trust of the Head of School, faculty, administration, staff, students and the Board of Trustees
Experience in an independent secondary school preferred though individuals with college, university or a sophisticated not-for-profit organization and superior financial and exceptional leadership skills in a related field are encouraged to explore this high visibility opportunity

Education

Bachelor’s degree required with an M.B.A. or a master’s degree in Finance or Accounting strongly preferred
A CPA is a plus but not required

Contact Information

Riverdale Country School has retained the executive search firm of Deerfield Associates to conduct this search
To explore this career opportunity on a confidential basis, please send your resume, a letter of interest articulating your interest, skill sets and work experiences for this opportunity, and a list of five (5) references (which will only be contacted if mutual interest is determined) to:
Doug Cooney
Executive Search Consultant
DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc
572 Washington Street, Suite 15
Wellesley, MA 02482
Telephone: 781-237-2800
Email: jobs@deerfieldassociates.com

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Riverdale Country School

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