What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chief Finance Officer position at Duke School?
Duke School seeks a Chief Finance Officer to begin on or before July 1, 2027, with the possibility of an earlier start as soon as July 1, 2026. We are well-positioned to support a thoughtful and intentional transition with our current CFO, who will retire after 20 years of dedicated service to the School. This role offers a compelling opportunity to partner with the Head of School, bringing sound judgment and technical acumen to lead financial strategy and evolve systems and operations for efficiency and long-term sustainability. Duke School is a nationally recognized progressive independent school serving approximately 500 students from Preschool through Grade 8 in Durham, North Carolina. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the CFO serves as a trusted advisor to the Head and a vital member of the Leadership Team. The CFO works closely with the Board of Trustees as liaison and member of the Finance and Investment Committees. As a senior organizational leader, the CFO leads financial strategy, systems, and business operations to support a thriving learning environment and school community. The CFO applies data-informed analysis and financial modeling to guide institutional decision-making and long-term sustainability, leads an efficient Business Office, and ensures financial and operational systems support the School’s distinctive educational program, faculty, and long-term strategic priorities. Strategic Financial Leadership
- Partners with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to coordinate and strategically manage the School’s financial resources.
- Leads development, communication, and measurement of multi-year financial plans aligned with Duke School’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Conceptualizes and provides robust financial modeling, forecasting, and analysis to inform tuition-setting, enrollment planning, and institutional initiatives.
- Ensures alignment between educational priorities and fiscal sustainability.
- Represents the School in a positive, beneficial relationship with external financial stakeholders, such as lenders and external auditors.
- Highly informed by independent school dynamics more broadly (NAIS, NBOA, SAIS, MISBO, INDEX, etc).
- Oversees development and management of the annual operating budget and maintains rolling multi-year financial projections.
- Provides clear and timely financial reporting and analysis to the Head of School, the Leadership Team, the Finance Committee, and the Board.
- Monitors financial performance, analyzes variances, and recommends corrective actions when necessary.
- Oversees cash flow, investments, and institutional asset management, including endowment oversight.
- Ensures strong internal controls, accurate accounting practices, and timely financial reporting.
- Leads modernization of financial systems and processes to improve efficiency, transparency, scalability, and accuracy through best-practice tools and streamlined workflows.
- Oversees annual external financial and retirement plan audits and required financial filings.
- Serves as staff liaison to Board Finance, Investment, and related committees.
- Partners with the Director of Enrollment Management to align financial aid strategy with enrollment goals and long-term financial sustainability.
- Oversees development and administration of the School’s financial aid budget to ensure equitable, mission-aligned allocation of tuition assistance.
- Provides financial analysis supporting enrollment forecasting and net tuition revenue planning.
- Ensures financial aid policies and processes reflect best practices in confidentiality, compliance, and stewardship.
- Works in partnership with Human Resources leadership and third-party vendors to support employee benefits administration, payroll services, and compliance reporting.
- Collaborates to ensure personnel policies, compensation practices, and employment procedures align with applicable regulations and institutional priorities.
- Supports organizational planning related to staffing models, compensation strategy, and workforce sustainability.
- Ensures financial oversight of benefits programs and related employment costs.
- Leads institutional financial risk management, insurance programs, and liability oversight.
- Works with insurance advisors, legal counsel, and external partners to maintain appropriate coverage and risk controls.
- Supports compliance with regulatory, environmental, and legal requirements affecting school operations.
- Leads and develops a high-performing Business Office grounded in accuracy, professionalism, and service.
- Collaborates across departments to support effective institutional operations and strategic initiatives.
- Communicates complex financial information clearly to trustees, administrators, and faculty.
- Represents the School in professional organizations and community partnerships as appropriate.
- Advanced degree or CPA preferred; minimum of bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field required.
- 6 years of progressive financial leadership experience, ideally in an independent school or non-profit setting
- Proficiency with financial systems and data tools; experience with independent school platforms preferred, particularly Blackbaud.
- Senior-level experience leading finance or business operations within an independent school, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and organizational planning.
- Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work effectively with trustees, administrators, faculty, and families.
- Commitment to transparency, integrity, collaboration, and mission-driven leadership.