Chief Financial Officer

The Mead School is an independent, progressive day school in Stamford, CT, serving children from infancy through Grade 8. Located on a 13-acre campus in North Stamford, the school is known for its philosophy, which emphasizes social-emotional development alongside Academic Challenges.

Position Overview

Mead is looking for a Part-Time CFO to serve as the school’s senior financial strategist and advisor to the Head of School

This role is ideal for a person who understands finances tailored towards the nonprofit sector and or the small school environment, understands tuition-driven nonprofit models, and enjoys partnering with a small, purpose-driven School.

The CFO will provide high-level financial leadership while ensuring sound fiscal operations, strong internal controls, and long-term planning aligned with the Mead School Mission.

The Mead School nurtures in each child the power to create a personally meaningful life by fostering deep learning and the social awareness necessary to thrive in an interconnected world.

-Mead School Mission Statement

Estimated Commitment: 20 - 25 hours per week (flexible; may vary seasonally during budget and audit cycles), 3 days a week in the school

Reports To: Head of School

Works Closely With: Board Treasurer, Finance Committee, Operations Team

Ideal Candidate:

You are:

● Mission-aligned with progressive education principles

● Strategic yet detail-oriented

● Comfortable working both at the 30,000-foot strategy level and in day-to-day financial operations

● Collaborative, transparent, and solutions-oriented

● Skilled at building clarity and confidence around financial health

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership

● Partner with the Head of School and Board on long-term financial sustainability

● Develop multi-year financial forecasts and scenario planning models

● Align financial strategy with enrollment goals and strategic priorities

● Advise on tuition modeling, financial aid strategy, and affordability

Budgeting & Financial Planning

● Lead the annual budgeting process

● Monitor financial performance against the budget

● Provide monthly and quarterly financial reporting

● Oversee cash flow management and projections

Accounting & Compliance

● Bookkeeping and accounting functions (with internal support)

● Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting

● Oversee the annual audit or financial review process

● Ensure compliance with nonprofit, state, and federal regulations

● Manage Form 990 preparation (if applicable)

Governance & Board Engagement

● Prepare clear, accessible financial reports for Board meetings

● Support the Finance Committee

● Translate financial data into strategic insights for non-financial stakeholders

Operational Oversight

● Monitor tuition revenue tracking and receivables

● Support financial aid budgeting and modeling

● Review major contracts and vendor agreements

● Collaborate with development staff on grant budgets and reporting

Qualifications:

Required

● Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field

● 10+ years of financial leadership experience and 5+ years of experience in financial management within a school, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization strongly preferred

● Experience with Private School/nonprofit financial management

● Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling skills

● Experience presenting to boards or governing bodies

● Knowledge of GAAP, budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls

● Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and G Suite

● Experience with accounting and payroll systems (QuickBooks, ADP, Bills.com, or similar platforms)

● Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills

● A collaborative mindset, sound judgment, and a sense of humor

Preferred

● CPA, MBA, or equivalent advanced credential

● Experience in independent schools or Montessori settings

● Familiarity with tuition-driven revenue models

● Experience supporting small or growing organizations

Compensation

● Competitive Salary

● Flexible scheduling (on-site presence 3 days a week)

To Apply: Please submit a résumé and brief statement to:

Peter Herzberg, Peter_Herzberg@meadschool.org

Job Type: Part-time

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Stamford, CT 06903