For more than 160 years, ‘Iolani School has stood among the nation’s most distinguished
independent schools, a place where academic excellence, innovation, character, and purpose come
together to prepare young people for lives of leadership and service. Founded in 1863 by Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV, ‘Iolani School has consistently been ranked as the #1 Private K-12 School in Hawai‘i for the past six years and among the top 2% in the nation by Niche.com. It is also one of the country’s leading Episcopal schools, serving approximately2,300 students in grades K–12. The school is known for its exceptional faculty, rigorous academics, championship athletics, world-class arts programs, commitment to innovation, and a deeply rooted culture of humility, kindness, and service.
As the school enters an exciting new chapter under the leadership of Head of School Dr. Melinda
Bihn, ‘Iolani seeks an exceptional Chief Financial Officer to join the senior leadership team and
help guide one of the nation’s most respected educational institutions through its next era of
growth and innovation.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for a strategic financial leader who is inspired by mission,
energized by complexity, and motivated by the opportunity to leave a lasting institutional legacy.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a key member of the Senior Administrative
Team, the Chief Financial Officer is one of the institution’s most influential leaders and a
trusted advisor to the Head of School and Board of Governors.
The CFO provides strategic leadership across the school’s financial and administrative operations
while helping shape institutional priorities, evaluate major initiatives, and ensure that financial
stewardship advances, not limits, the school’s aspirations.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL OVERSEE:
• More than $100 million in annual operating resources
• A nearly $300 million endowment and long-term investment strategy in collaboration with guidance
from wealth advisors and the Board Finance Committee
• Financial planning, budgeting, treasury, accounting, and financial reporting
• Campus master planning and major capital projects
• Business operations, physical plant, and campus security
• Long-range institutional financial strategy and enterprise risk management
More importantly, the CFO will help ensure that every financial decision reflects the school’s
mission while positioning ‘Iolani for continued excellence over the next century.
THE LEADER WE SEEK
The ideal candidate is an accomplished financial executive who is energized by mission-driven work
and understands that stewardship extends beyond numbers.
THIS INDIVIDUAL IS:
• A strategic thinker who sees financial planning as a tool for advancing institutional excellence.
• An exceptional communicator who builds trust across diverse constituencies.
• A collaborative leader who values partnership, transparency, and thoughtful decision-making.
• A person of integrity who leads with humility, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Comfortable presenting to governing boards and engaging with sophisticated financial and
investment matters.
• Excited by the opportunity to join a vibrant educational community where relationships matter as
much as results.
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will bring a distinguished record of financial leadership, strategic thinking, and collaborative partnership within a complex, mission-driven organization.
QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL TYPICALLY POSSESS:
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field;
an MBA, CPA, or other relevant advanced degree is strongly preferred.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible executive financial leadership experience
within a complex organization, with demonstrated success managing significant financial
resources and leading high-performing teams.
• Experience partnering closely with governing boards, executive leadership, and
board finance and investment committees.
• Demonstrated expertise in long-range financial planning, budgeting, treasury management,
investment oversight, endowment stewardship, capital planning, and enterprise-wide
resource allocation.
• Experience overseeing major administrative functions and leading cross-functional
teams in support of institutional goals.
• Outstanding leadership, communication, analytical, and relationship-building skills, with
the ability to inspire confidence, build consensus, and communicate complex financial
concepts to diverse audiences.
• A collaborative leadership style characterized by sound judgment, humility, transparency,
and a deep commitment to service.
• While candidates may come from a variety of sectors, experience in complex mission-driven
organizations is valued.
