Description
School Description:
Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, a Catholic school on Chicago’s West Side and a member of the Cristo Rey Network, challenges and inspires its young women and men through the integration of academics, work experience, and extracurricular activities to lead lives of integrity, faith, and servant leadership for the greater glory of God.
We serve 425 students in grades 9-12, through an innovative corporate internship program which allows students from families of limited financial means to earn a significant portion of their tuition costs through jobs in professional settings. Christ the King prepares each and every student for college through our rigorous college prep curriculum and Corporate Work Study Program. We are proud that each year, every Christ the King graduate is accepted to a 4-year college or university. The Class of 2026 marks our 15th consecutive class of 100% college acceptance! Not only have all of our graduates been accepted to college, but 94% have enrolled in college after graduation.
Position Overview
Christ the King Jesuit College Prep (CTK), a Catholic coeducational high school serving students on Chicago’s West Side, seeks a strategic and mission-driven Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Reporting to the President, the CFO is a key member of the Leadership Team and serves as the senior executive responsible for the financial, operational, and administrative stewardship of the school. The CFO ensures that CTK’s resources are managed with excellence, integrity, and long-term sustainability in support of its Jesuit mission.
The CFO oversees a team responsible for finance, student accounts, human resources, and business office operations, and serves as a primary liaison to the Board’s Finance, Investment, and Audit Committees.
Financial Profile
- $8.5M annual operating budget
- $30M total assets
- $10.5M endowment / investments
- $1.3M board-designated reserve funds
- 85 employees
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Strategy & Stewardship
- Partner with the President, Leadership Team, and Board to develop and execute long-term financial strategy.
- Lead multi-year financial modeling, forecasting, capital planning, and sustainability planning.
- Prepare and manage the annual operating and capital budgets.
- Provide regular financial reporting and analysis to the President, Finance Committee, Investment Committee, Audit Committee, Board, and lenders.
- Guide scenario modeling and strategic decision-making aligned with mission and sustainability.
- Oversee endowment and reserve fund investment performance, reporting, and compliance with investment policies.
- Manage debt structure, covenant compliance, banking relationships, and potential refinancing or borrowing.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, audit requirements, tax filings, and all regulatory obligations.
- Maintain strong internal controls and financial policies.
- Accounting & Financial Operations
- Oversee all accounting operations, including:
- General ledger
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Treasury and cash management
- Payroll and benefits administration
- Tuition billing and financial aid administration
- Supervise preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual consolidated financial statements across four legal entities.
- Manage the annual audit process and external auditor relationship.
- Oversee tax compliance and filings.
- Maintain and update finance manuals, accounting policies, and internal controls.
- Support Development, Academic, and Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) teams with:
- Gift accounting and restricted funds
- Grant reporting
- Sponsor billing and collections
- Financial modeling and analysis
- Vendor RFP evaluation
- Student Financial Services
- Oversee tuition billing, collections, and financial aid policies.
- Ensure financial aid strategy aligns with mission and sustainability goals.
- Oversee income verification, appeals, award revisions, and compliance processes.
- Supervise the Director of Student Accounts.
- Investments & Special Financial Initiatives
- Oversee management and reporting of:
- $10.5M Endowment / Quasi-endowment
- $1.3M Board-designated reserve funds
- Family Assistance Fund
- College Persistence Fund
- Support or lead complex financial initiatives such as:
- Debt restructuring
- New Market Tax Credits
- Capital transactions
- Real estate acquisition or renovation projects
- Government funding programs
- Risk Management & Compliance
- Oversee all insurance programs, including property, liability, D&O, workers’ compensation, professional liability, and student coverage.
- Conduct annual facilities risk assessments.
- Review and negotiate contracts to ensure appropriate liability protections and compliance.
- Prepare and oversee facilities use agreements.
- Ensure proper corporate governance across four legal entities.
- Serve as Corporate Treasurer.
- Human Resources Leadership
- Provide strategic oversight of HR policies, compensation, benefits, and compliance.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
- Oversee annual performance and compensation review processes.
- Lead annual faculty contract preparation.
- Oversee benefits planning, vendor negotiations, and long-term sustainability of benefits programs.
- Update and maintain Staff Handbook and employment policies.
- Oversee onboarding and compliance processes, including background checks and mandated reporting requirements.
- Support leadership in hiring, employee relations, and performance management matters.
- Cross-Institutional & Network Collaboration
- Coordinate shared services and benefits with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (CRJHS) business office.
- Liaise with Cristo Rey Network and Jesuit Schools Network finance leaders.
- Serve as staff liaison to Board Finance, Investment, Audit, Technology, and Policy Committees.
Leadership Expectations
The CFO Will
- Operate as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the President.
- Lead with integrity, accountability, and operational excellence.
- Advocate for data-driven and evidence-based decision-making.
- Effectively leverage external advisors (legal, insurance, accounting, banking, benefits, facilities).
- Model high performance, collaboration, and alignment with Ignatian values.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree or CPA preferred.
- Strong understanding and demonstrated leadership in accounting, financial and operations management.
- Minimum ten years of senior management experience in a corporate, mission-driven, or not-for-profit organization, preferably an educational institution.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
- Adept at leading change and driving continuous improvement.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate financial data and concepts to diverse stakeholders.
- Commitment to ethical leadership and to the mission, values, and goals of Christ the King.
- Successful candidates will be required to pass a background check.
Compensation: Full-time, year-round position with competitive salary and comprehensive benefits (medical, dental and vision plans, life and disability insurance, 401(k) plan with matching contributions, paid time off and paid holidays).
