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 empowers all community members to thrive in mind, character, and community. Riverdale enrolls about 1,300 students who collectively reside in 117 different zip codes. 

We seek to employ people who engage in all aspects of work with a student-centered approach, an open mind, passion, and a willingness to support the greater community. 

Job Summary:

The Director of Finance reports directly to the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations and works closely with 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 Director 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, annual audit, etc, 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 role also 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 with the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations. The Director will serve as a staff liaison to board committee meetings and provide timely and accurate analysis and reporting when requested.

Leadership

• Collaborate closely with the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations on risk management and insurance coverage oversight.
• 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.

• Collaboratively build forward-looking financial models and activity-based analyses to provide insight and recommendations for the school’s short, mid, 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.

• 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.

• Have a strong accounting / financial analysis background.
• Be ready to consistently engage, teach, and motivate staff and build consensus across a mission-driven organization 
• Have experience working with external auditors, implementing internal controls, and managing compliance-related issues 
• Have a strong understanding of compliance with statutory and regulatory standards, including filings such as 5500, 990, 401A, and 403B.

• Have an accounting or finance background with 5 years minimum experience in a supervisory role.
• Previous experience overseeing financial planning and analysis and experience managing finance operations.
• Exceptional financial modeling, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experienced in creating documents to accompany board and committee meetings.
• Detail-oriented and 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) Strong working knowledge of Veracross Accounting software is preferred. 

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting or Finance (MBA preferred)

To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter. If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us. For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.

Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School

Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including:

Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.

Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).

Sabbatical: Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment.

Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance. In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses.

Retirement: Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA. The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account.

Vacation:  Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.