About this opportunity
Brooklyn Waldorf School lists this Head of Finance & Operations opportunity in new york, New York. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Head of Finance & Operations
Compensation : The Head of Finance & Operations is an in-person, year-round, full-time position with a salary range of $175,000 to $225,000, commensurate with experience.
Mission: The Brooklyn Waldorf School provides an education that meets the needs of each student in a developmentally appropriate manner, integrating critical thinking, emotional intelligence and the arts through the curriculum founded by Rudolf Steiner.
Position Overview
The Head of Finance & Operations is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for stewarding the School’s core business and operations functions, including Finance, Facilities, Auxiliary Programs, Human Resources, and Technology. Reporting to the Head of School, this role serves as a key member of the leadership team, ensuring the School’s financial health, operational integrity, and long-term sustainability in support of its educational mission.
This role is ideal for a leader who thrives at the intersection of vision and implementation—someone who can thoughtfully build and refine systems across teams while remaining closely connected to the day-to-day life of the School. The Head of Finance & Operations brings clarity and cohesion to complex needs, aligning people, processes, and resources to support students, faculty, and families.
With accountability for financial strategy and operational outcomes, the Head of Finance & Operations ensures careful stewardship of resources and thoughtful alignment between financial planning and the School’s evolving needs. This role serves as the single point of accountability for the performance, coordination, and outcomes of all finance and operations functions, including work delivered through internal teams and external partners. The role is designed to consolidate ownership of these functions, ensuring clarity in decision-making, eliminating overlapping responsibilities, and maintaining clear accountability for results across the School.
Position Responsibilities
Financial Leadership
The Head of Finance & Operations is accountable for the integrity, accuracy, and effectiveness of all financial operations, including:
Tuition billing and timely collection
General Ledger reconciliation with tuition management systems
Accounts payable and vendor management
Payroll administration and related tax reporting
Employee benefits administration
Tuition assistance assessment and management
Accounting and financial reporting in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit requirements
The Head of Finance & Operations is responsible for:
Developing and managing the annual operating budget and long-term financial projections
Partnering with the Head of School and Board Finance Committee on operating and capital budgets
Delivering timely and accurate financial reporting to leadership and the Board
Analyzing and communicating budget variances and financial trends
Monitoring and managing cash flow, including short- and long-term forecasting
Leading the annual audit and ensuring strong internal controls, compliance, and risk management
Managing banking, investment, and insurance relationships in coordination with the Finance Committee
Ensuring high-quality financial operations, accurate reporting, and strategic financial guidance aligned with the School’s goals
Advising on key financial decisions, including tuition setting, financial aid strategy, and compensation planning
Operations, Facilities and Auxiliary Programs
Hold full accountability for the performance, effectiveness, and outcomes of all operational functions, ensuring clarity of ownership and execution across the School
Provide strategic oversight of campus operations, including maintenance, custodial services, vendor management, and capital improvements
Ensure a safe, compliant, and well-maintained environment that reflects the values and aesthetics of Waldorf education
Lead long-term facilities planning, including preventative maintenance and capital projects in an urban setting
Oversee auxiliary and extended-day programs to ensure operational effectiveness, financial sustainability, and alignment with the School’s mission
Ensure high-quality programming and reliable staffing that meet the needs of students and working families
Monitor performance, including enrollment, financial contribution, and family experience
Lead a coordinated approach to risk management, safety, and regulatory compliance across the School
Ensure strong internal controls and safeguards for financial, physical, and data assets
Oversee emergency preparedness and campus security
Technology
Ensure technology infrastructure, systems, and support are reliable, secure, and operationally effective
Ensure technology use is intentional and aligned with Waldorf pedagogical principles
Lead planning for system improvements, vendor management, and long-term technology strategy
Human Resources & Business Operations
Maintain clear accountability for outcomes across all HR and business operations functions, ensuring alignment, consistency, and effective execution regardless of how work is distributed or supported
Ensure effective employee lifecycle processes and compliance through coordinated HR operations
Ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of core business office functions, including accounts payable, payroll, and related processes
Support organizational planning, employee relations, and a strong, mission-aligned culture
Personal & Professional Skills and Qualifications
The Head of Finance & Operations must establish and maintain a strong practical connection to the needs of all community members including students, faculty, staff, and parents. Candidates with an independent school background will be given priority and experience in a Waldorf School or understanding of Waldorf education is preferred.
Additional essential skills and capacities include:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required; advanced degree and/or CPA preferred.
5+ years minimum of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit environment; independent school experience strongly preferred.
Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
Strong organizational, strategic, and operational capabilities, with the ability to balance long-term priorities and day-to-day execution while exercising sound judgment and integrity.
Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to build alignment, influence outcomes, and foster a collaborative, accountable culture.
Deep commitment to mission-driven work, with the ability to build trust across a diverse community, and a demonstrated interest in, or alignment with, Waldorf education and its values.
Strong technology proficiency, including experience with financial systems (e.g., QuickBooks), tuition management platforms, and Google Workspace.
Compensation :
The Head of Finance & Operations is an in-person, year-round, full-time position with a salary range of $175,000 – $225,000, commensurate with experience.
Benefits
Full-Time Faculty, yearly employment agreement
Benefits include medical and dental health insurance coverage, retirement, flexiblespendingandMetrocards(where applicable)
Opportunities for professional development
Reduced tuition for dependents
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Worksite address
new york, NY, 10261, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.