Interim CFO/COO

Position Type:
Administration/Chief Financial Officer

Date Posted:
2/28/2025

Location:
Golda Och Academy - Both CampusesGolda Och Academy Interim Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFO/COO)

Golda Och Academy (GOA), recognized as one of the top Jewish day schools in the country, is a vibrant learning community that focuses on the individual intellectual, social, and spiritual needs of each child. We cultivate in students a lifelong love of learning within the context of Jewish knowledge and heritage. Our school is located on two campuses - one for the Lower School and one for the Upper School - located about two miles apart in West Orange, serving over 425 students from more than 60 communities across New Jersey.

GOA is accepting applications for an individual to join our school as CFO/COO. The CFO/COO is a member of the school's leadership team, working closely with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees on matters of policy and supervising the school's finance and business operations.

Major Responsibilities:

Finance:

• Oversees all accounting and financial reporting functions for the School and the Foundation, including the design and implementation of policies and internal control procedures.? Coordinates the annual financial statement audit and preparation of IRS Forms 990 in collaboration with external auditors and the Audit Committee.
• Responsible for the creation and monitoring of the school's budget and long-term financial plan, including regular reporting to the Board of Trustees.
• Collaborates with and supports the Director of Institutional Advancement on major gifts and grant requests.
• Supervises the Director of Business Operations (Controller).

Human Resources:

• Oversees Human Resources functions for the school, including recruitment, onboarding, benefit design, benefit administration, and HR policy compliance.
• Ensures compliance with federal and state employment laws, including wage and hour laws, equal employment opportunity, workplace safety regulations, and anti-discrimination laws.
• Oversees/supervises employee contracting, payroll, and contract administration.
• Supervises the Director of HR and Talent Management.

Risk Management:

• Ensures that the school is adequately protected against damage and liability and has effective risk management systems in place.
• Responsible for coordinating with insurance companies and legal advisors in the event of liability or damage claims.
• Works collaboratively with the Board and School Leadership to develop programs that minimize risk.
• Consults with legal counsel regarding liability concerns.
• Interfaces with Risk Management Partner/Insurance Broker to identify and mitigate risks.

Enrollment Management:

• Works closely with the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management regarding the financial aspects of enrollment.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of affordability programs, including supervision of the allocation of financial aid and grant programs.
• Oversees the enrollment and tuition billing/collection functions for the school, including the creation of enrollment contracts.

Contracting/Vendor Relations:

• Oversees the selection of vendors and vendor contracting, including the review of all contracts with legal counsel.
• Creates and manages the RFP process for school partnerships (e.g., transportation, facilities).

Facilities and Operations:

• Oversees facilities, security, and building use.
• Works collaboratively with the Head of School and security consultants to develop safety and security policies and procedures.
• Supervises the Director of Facilities and Operations (who manages a team of maintenance and security staff).

Information Technology:

• Oversees information technology management and educational technology, including liaising with outsourced IT.
• Supervises the Director of Educational Technology.

Job Requirements/Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be collaborative, adaptive, innovative, highly organized, empathetic, and possess strong financial and leadership skills.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college (MBA and/or CPA preferred).
• Independent School experience (experience within Jewish Day Schools preferred).
• Minimum of 10+ years of applicable leadership experience.

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range is between $180,000 and $300,000, depending on experience.

Eligible employees receive a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Health insurance coverage (including medical, dental, and vision plans).
• Paid leave, including sick leave, vacation, and personal days (in compliance with NJ Earned Sick Leave Law).
• Participation in a retirement plan (401(k) or 403(b) options available).
• Discounted tuition for children of employees.
• 24 Paid Days Off, over 25 days of paid school holidays, summer Fridays.
• Hybrid work arrangement available after six months (one day a week).
• Additional benefits in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:
Golda Och Academy is an inclusive community. It makes all employment decisions without regard for an individual's race, creed, color, religion, national origin, nationality, sex, pregnancy, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability (including AIDS and HIV-related illness), genetic information, refusal to provide genetic information, refusal to submit to genetic testing, ancestry, familial status, marital status, domestic partnership status, civil union status, atypical cellular or blood trait, military service, application for military service, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Compliance:
The School conducts pre-employment screening for all positions, which includes:

• A criminal background check, in compliance with NJ and federal laws, conducted only after a conditional offer of employment has been made in accordance with NJ "ban-the-box" laws.
• Verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of the background check.

Reasonable Accommodations:
Golda Och Academy provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.

Interested candidates should send their resumes and cover letters to:
agutierrez@goldaochacademy.org