Cushing Academy

Ashburnham, MA
Chief Financial Officer

Founded in 1865, Cushing Academy is the oldest coeducational college preparatory day and boarding school in the country. Renowned for its friendly and close-knit community, the School offers a challenging academic curriculum and outstanding programs in the arts and athletics to 445 students from over 25 states and 30 countries. Twenty-four percent of the student body receives financial aid.

Fifty-seven full-time and 4 part-time faculty members offer students small classes with a student-faculty ratio of 8:1. Cushing’s curriculum provides a broad range of college preparatory courses in all traditional disciplines, centered around four major components: Advanced Placement and Honors (in 14 subjects), general college preparatory courses, English as a Second Language (ESL), and an Academic Support program for students with learning style differences. Cushing creates individual programs tailored to provide appropriate challenge and support for each student.

Located on more than 160 acres in central Massachusetts, there are 46 buildings, including a state-of-the-art academic building and center for the visual arts.

 

Current Leadership and Vision:

Dr. James Tracy, who began his tenure in July 2006, has engaged the Cushing community in a strategic planning phase to identify major initiatives and goals for the School. His vision for Cushing is to reposition the School as a pioneer in global leadership, thus, augmenting curricular and extracurricular offerings, facilities and endowment in support of Cushing’s strategic plan.

Position Description:

The Chief Financial Officer will play an integral role in ensuring that the School achieves its annual and long-range financial goals as articulated in the School’s Strategic Plan. S/he oversees the financial and business administration of the Academy including budgeting, resources allocation, short and long-term financial planning, accounting and financial reporting, endowment and investment management.

Overseeing the Academy’s endowment of over $22M and an annual operating budget of $26M, the CFO serves the campus community by directing the budget development process and assembling the final budget for recommendation to the Board, providing on-going support to the Deans/Directors of each department in planning, operations improvement, staff, cost-reduction strategies, and daily operations; providing strategic information to the Assistant Heads of School and Headmaster concerning the operations of the business units/department, their opportunities, and their growth and development capacities; comparing performance with operating plans and standards; and, providing and interpreting reports to all levels of management.

The CFO is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong internal control policies and procedures; forecasting capital requirements; assuring protection for the assets of the Academy through internal control, internal auditing, and ensuring proper insurance coverage; and keeping the Assistant Heads, Headmaster, Finance Committee and Board informed of the Academy’s financial performance and providing advice on all financial matters.

S/he supervises a staff of four, reports to the Headmaster, and serves on the Head’s Administrative Team.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Oversee overall Business Office operations, including budgeting, investments, capital projects reports, short-term investment activity, capital borrowing arrangements and cash flow.
  • Manage all accounting including appropriate financial procedures and controls, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, gift receipts, general ledger, parent loans, purchasing, employee benefit administration, investment records, taxes, and other accounting systems.
  • Maintain responsibility for all auxiliary services including purchasing, food service and the bookstore.
  • Oversee personnel programs and policies as they relate to hiring and termination of all Academy employees.
  • Ensure that all health and safety systems are fully functional, that the Academy is in compliance with government regulations and that adequate and cost effective insurance is in force.
  • Guide and support Business Office staff, senior staff, the Board Finance Committee, and board members to work cohesively and collaboratively to achieve agreed upon financial goals.
  • Supervise a staff of 4, including, definition of job responsibilities and performance reviews for each member.
  • Serve on the Head’s Administrative Team and as liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees.
  • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Headmaster.

 

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred
  • At least seven years of progressive experience managing the financial and business operations of a small to medium-sized business with supervisory responsibilities
  • Ideally, experience working in the non-profit sector, but, at minimum, an understanding of and respect for the mission and culture on non-profit organizations such as independent boarding schools
  • A solid background in finance, budget, treasury, risk management, accounting, strategic planning, financial modeling and investment strategy

A commitment to a collaborative approach to management and the ability to build, mentor and motivate an effective team

  • Ability to work effectively as a senior member of the Head’s administrative team, fellow administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and board members
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing
  • Decisive, transparent, inclusive and accessible in her/his dealings with all constituencies
  • A high degree of professionalism, sound judgment, awareness, and discretion while maintaining complete confidentiality
  • Integrity, high energy, consistent follow through and an exemplary work ethic
  • Superior organizational skills with demonstrated ability to set and achieve ambitious goals and meet deadlines

Compensation:

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include Health, Life, AS&D, Dental, Retirement and Vacation. The position is a full-time, twelve month position beginning as soon as possible.

Summary:

This is a rare opportunity to partner with a visionary leader and play a central role in leading this distinguished Academy to even greater prominence within the independent school community.

Send Letter of application, resume, personal statement, writing samples and contact information for five references to:

Deirdre A. Ling
Educators’ Collaborative
P.O. Box 819
West Tisbury, MA 02575
or
Email: daling@comcast.net