Director of Finance & Operations

Sr. Director of Operations and Finance

Purpose: Sacred Heart Academy seeks an experienced, mission-driven operational

team leader to assume the newly created role of Sr. Director of Operations and Finance.

Reporting to the President, this leader serves as the Academy’s senior operational

leader and is responsible for annual financial health, business operations, human

resources and major campus facilities projects. The Sr. Director will oversee the

business office, lead budgeting and long-range financial planning and reporting, and

serve as the principal staff liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board. This role will

join a high performing and results-oriented leadership team, foster cross-departmental

collaboration, and use data-driven insights to inform strategic and operational decisions.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a seasoned operations professional with strong

financial acumen to help shape the next chapter of SHA. The ideal candidate pairs

technical depth in nonprofit finance with the judgment and presence to be a trusted

business partner to the President and the Board.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy, Management and Reporting

• Lead the annual budgeting process with department heads and monitor performance

against budget throughout the year.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including the

Academy’s Annual Report.

• Develop multi-year financial forecasts to inform enrollment, tuition, compensation,

capital, and strategic planning decisions.

• Oversee the annual audit and maintain internal controls and audit-ready records.

• Manage cash flow, reserves, investments, and debt obligations in line with policy.

• Support the President and Advancement team in scholarship distribution and

tracking, along with grant procurement.

• Oversee cash flow forecasting, operating reserves, and the Academy’s investment

and endowment accounts in accordance policy.

Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

• Supervise the Director of Finance and the school’s business office.

• Oversee accounts payable including vendor management, purchasing controls,

approval workflows, and timely, accurate disbursements.

• Oversee accounts receivable, including tuition billing, payment plans, tuition

management and financial aid systems, collections, and delinquency policies applied

with consistency and care.

• Ensure accurate revenue recognition and cash management, reconciliations, and

month-end and year-end close processes.

Human Resources

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for HR, including recruitment,

onboarding, and workforce planning for faculty and staff.

• Design, lead, and assess a culture-building program that reinforces the school's

mission and values, strengthens community, and fosters trust, collaboration, and a

sense of belonging among faculty and staff.

• Develop and implement a talent retention program, including competitive

compensation benchmarking, professional development and growth pathways,

recognition initiatives, succession planning, and regular use of engagement surveys,

stay interviews, and exit interviews to identify and address retention risks.

• Administer compensation and benefits programs, including payroll oversight,

benchmarking, and open enrollment.

• Ensure compliance with federal and state employment law, and maintain the

employee handbook, job descriptions, and personnel policies.

• Lead performance management and evaluation processes, and advise leadership

on employee relations, investigations, and separations.

• Oversee HR recordkeeping, background checks, certifications, and required safe

environment or compliance training.

Operations and Compliance

• Oversee business operations such as facilities, risk management, insurance,

technology, vendor contracts, and auxiliary programs.

• Ensure compliance with financial, tax, and regulatory requirements.

• Support enterprise risk management, business continuity, and emergency

preparedness planning.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President on institutional planning, campus

capital projects, and long-term financial sustainability.

• Build and develop a high-performing finance and HR team.

• Collaborate with Admissions, Advancement, and Academic leadership on tuition

strategy, financial aid, fundraising campaigns, and ensure collaboration across the

SHA community.

• Maintain strong working relationships with the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Diocese,

and other sponsoring and partner entities on financial and property matters.

Required Qualifications

• Commitment to Sacred Heart Academy’s mission and Catholic education.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field

• CPA and/or master’s degree preferred

• 8 years of progressively responsible operations and business management

leadership, preferably in independent or Catholic secondary education, higher

education, or another nonprofit setting.

• Demonstrated experience preparing and presenting financial statements, budgets

and long-range forecasts to a Board of Trustees and Finance Committee.

• Working knowledge of nonprofit GAAP, audit preparation and Form 990

• Experience with tax-exempt debt, capital projects and/or capital campaign finance.

• Experience overseeing human resources, including benefits administration, payroll

and employment compliance.

• Experience overseeing facilities, vendor contracts, risk management and insurance

• Proficiency with accounting and tuition management systems and advanced

spreadsheet modeling

• Ability to organize and complete multiple initiatives simultaneously with close

attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines

• Excellent leadership, communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent writing, planning, and organizational skills. Strong presentation skills.

Competencies

Strategic thinking, integrity and discretion, sound judgment, collaborative leadership,

change management, attention to detail, and a service-oriented approach to serving

students and families, faculty, and staff in line with our mission.

Interested applicants send cover letter and resume to:

careers@sacredheartacademyli.org