Director of Finance and Operations

Westchester Day School (www.westchesterday.org), is a thriving Modern Orthodox Jewish Day School  located in Mamaroneck, New York, on a 26 acre campus on the Long Island Sound.  Founded in 1948, coinciding with the founding of the State of Israel, WDS is a premier Jewish educational institution in Westchester County.  Westchester Day School provides its students with a first rate general and Judaic studies education and emphasizes character development and a love of learning.   Westchester Day School serves approximately 325 students in preschool through 8th grade.  Westchester Day School also has a summer program that serves approximately 500 children over the course of an eight week program.

The Position:

In partnership with the Head of School and other members of the school’s Educational Leadership Team, the Director of Finance and Operations plays a key institutional role in developing and executing strategy and developing policy to ensure that the overall finance and operations of the school maximally supports the school’s mission and vision. The Director of Finance and Operations oversees all finance and administrative matters including: budgeting, financial aid, expense control, financial reporting, accounting controls, cash management and banking relations, capital budgets, grants, operational procedures, security, facilities management, risk management, food services, health services, and transportation. 

Essential responsibilities include:

• Expertise in accounting systems, financial software, and effective data management and analysis to support innovation and efficiency across the organization.

• Leading change management initiatives that drive operational excellence by influencing and engaging others to implement or improve systems that enhance the parent, student, and employee experience

• Interaction and collaboration with the Head of School, faculty, the school’s leadership team, the Board of Trustees, students, staff, parents, and government officials, including the Village of Mamaroneck and Westchester County.

• Collaborating with school leaders in Development and Admissions, attending Board meetings and serving on Board committees and participating in governance related matters

• Collaborating with the Head of School on performance management initiatives and leadership development

• Management and development of the office staff, as well as technology, food services, human resources and facilities

• Overseeing Tuition and Financial Aid, and participating in financial conversations with prospective and current families

• Development and Management, in collaboration with the board committee, of short and long-term facility projects, and short and long term financial planning, including preparation of government reports and securing government grants

• Overseeing the school’s benefits program and administering all relevant regulations to ensure that the school is in compliance

Westchester Day School seeks a dynamic finance professional to serve as Director of Finance and Operations. He or she will serve as a key member of the school’s leadership team. This is a great opportunity for a school leader who has strong relational skills and is highly capable as a financial strategist. The successful candidate will be technologically and operationally savvy and share the school’s culture of innovation. In addition, he or she will:

• Be a proven relationship builder with excellent communications and interpersonal skills

• Support the school’s mission and culture

• Possess enthusiasm, passion, a sense of humor and a strong work ethic

• Demonstrate strong executive functioning skills: be highly organized, a self-starter and a keen problem-solver

• Possess the ability to effectively lead others in managing relationships and interpersonal dynamics, navigate conflict well, and foster a positive work environment

• A CPA and/or MBA and non-profit experience (ideally independent school) is preferred.

Westchester Day School offers a competitive salary ($105-175K) and benefits. Inquiries will be treated confidentially, and review of candidate files will begin immediately. Resumes and cover letters may be sent to [email protected].