Employment

Wilbraham & Monson Academy

 

Wilbraham & Monson Academy is a transformational experience where students become challenge-seeking citizens and leaders of an evolving world. The Academy prepares students for the opportunities of higher education and for engagement as global contributors and lifelong learners. The Academy is a coeducational institution home to more than 400 Middle and Upper School students who journey from more than 34 nations and 12 states. There are currently 408 students, roughly 50% of whom are boarders.

As the country’s 10th oldest boarding school, Wilbraham & Monson Academy has been educating global citizens and world leaders since 1804. WMA offers distinctive programs to its students, which pair innovative ideas and entrepreneurial thinking. There are 67 teaching faculty, a student/faculty ratio of 6:1, an average class size of 12-15, 157 course offerings, 26 AP courses and one half of the faculty live on campus.

The Academy’s current annual operating budget is approximately $20M and the endowment is $12M. The Office of Advancement raises $1M toward the Annual Fund, with an additional $3M in annual capital giving.

For more information about Wilbraham & Monson Academy, please visit www.wma.us.

 

POSITION OPENING:

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Wilbraham & Monson Academy (WMA) is searching to fill the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to be available in July 2023. This essential role works collaboratively with the Head of School to ensure cohesive messaging of the instructional strategic goals and objectives, including alternatives and their financial implications, for consideration by board committees and other constituencies.

The CFO will report directly to the Head of School and is responsible for managing and overseeing the Academy’s Business Office and finances with a degree of efficiency, effectiveness, integrity and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Direct reports to the CFO include: Controller, Accounting Associate, Accounts Payable Specialist, Business Operations Manager, Director of Human Resources, Director of Facilities and Director of Dining Services.

 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the development, administration and reporting on the operating budget to the Academy’s Board of Trustees, the auditors, federal, state and local authorities, rating agencies and bond information agencies, donors and various WMA administrative offices.
• Assume administrative responsibility for the Academy’s endowment, providing appropriate information on invested funds and implementing decisions of the Board endowment committee; coordinate with the endowment consultants, investment managers, and custodian(s) implementing effective endowment allocations, performance and reporting.
• Organize and coordinate agendas and meeting material for the Finance/Audit Committee as well as the Endowment Committee.
• Collaborate with general counsel and consultants regarding all risk management matters.
• Work closely and in concert with the external vendors (FLIK) on all matters that pertain to food services and with (ABLE) on all matters that pertain to cleaning services.

 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement and monitor operating and capital budgets.
• Prepare regular and financial investments (endowment funds, invested operating funds, etc.).
• Act as plan sponsor and fiduciary to the Academy’s 403b retirement plan with TIAA-CREF.
• Hold primary responsibility for the outcome of the annual financial statement and pension plan audits.
• Ensure effective financial policies, procedures, and operations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

 

OPERATIONS AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

• Serve as the Academy’s primary risk assessment officer.
• Keep the Head of School apprised of all business and financial matters.
• Work collaboratively with the Leadership Team to support the successful operation of the Academy.
• Collaborate with board committees: Finance, Investment and Audit.
• Serve as the primary liaison in banking relationships and with the Academy’s investment managers.

 

ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work effectively with all levels of a socially and culturally rich and diverse independent school.
• Capable of critical business thinking, skilled at providing positive and proactive solutions to business issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise with Excel and other Microsoft Office applications, Google platform, Mac and accounting database management software.
• Knowledge and experience in setting up and monitoring effective financial controls, and proven financial modeling and forecasting skills.
• Established background in finance, budgeting, investing and cash management required.
• Effective negotiation skills in developing contracts with external vendors.
• Creativity, analytical skills, project development and management skills.
• Possess the leadership skills to motivate and manage a high-quality staff, and hire new talent.
• Experience in an independent secondary school, college or university setting is preferred though individuals with strong financial and leadership skills in a related field are encouraged to explore this high visibility opportunity.
• 10+ years work experience in a financial and business leadership position.
• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA and/or a master’s degree in a related field strongly preferred.

 

ATTRIBUTES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• An effective financial and business manager, capable of earning the respect and trust of the Head of School, faculty, administration, staff, students and the Board of Trustees.
• Understanding of independent schools and nonprofit accounting management.
• Commitment to fulfilling the mission and upholding the community values of Wilbraham & Monson Academy.
• Enthusiastic with an appreciation of a coed boarding and day independent school education.
• Strong ethical professional standards that serve as a role model to promote a positive and productive work climate.
• Possess an understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and the implementation of those principles in independent schools.

 

SERVES ON THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES/TEAMS

• Administrative Team
• Advancement Team

 

ABOUT WMA

Wilbraham & Monson Academy is an independent coeducational school that offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package featuring generous paid time off, Employer Retirement (403b) Match, Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, along with Short Term and Long-Term Disability, privately insured Paid Family Medical Leave, Tuition Remission and Professional Development.

 

Video links

• https://www.wma.us/academics
• https://www.wma.us/about/why-wma/ilab
• https://www.wma.us/student-life

 

WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands include dexterity for office machines including but not limited to computers, telephones, electronic calculators, copy machines and printers. Common physical demands include stooping, bending, reaching, walking, and sitting or standing for extended periods.

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Wilbraham & Monson Academy is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard for race, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression), and pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or veteran status.

 

ACCOMMODATION

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by Administration on a case-by-case basis.

 

FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL BRIAN P. EASLER
"Your arrival is no coincidence. You are here either because you already know us well or because you are curious to know more about what sets us apart, what makes us special and why people believe themselves fortunate to be called Titans. Curiosity is a good start.

For more than 24 years, my wife and I have made WMA our home and our family, not because of what we do for our students or how we do it - as innovative, distinctive, engaging and successful as that is.

We beam with pride about those aspects of the program, but we have chosen to be at WMA all these years because of who the Academy is: the culture and personality of this remarkable school.

At WMA, we believe in hard work. Our challenging program and rigorous expectations demand concerted effort from all members of our community. We understand that hard work is the key to harnessing life’s opportunities, and that, through practice, we can learn the habit of hard work not only to achieve our goals but for its own value. Every day, students and teachers at WMA bask in the glow of hard work rewarded and time well spent. Second, only to curiosity, this habit of effort is critical to developing as a lifelong learner.

We match our challenging environment with a nurturing support system, and for us, that starts with our students. Students at Wilbraham & Monson Academy care for one another and respect one another for the flavor that their differences bring to our campus. They, in turn, are surrounded by a concerned and caring network of faculty and staff, who dedicate their lives to inspiring those around them to realize new limits and supporting them when they need it.

This is why, if you visited our beautiful campus on any given day, you would be struck by the genuine happiness of the people you meet. Our readiness for challenge and appreciation for hard work, within an environment of mutual respect and support, results in a community of learners who are engaged, happy and curious. It is, after all, very difficult to be curious and unhappy at the same time.

Whether you are an old friend or new, we look forward to seeing you on campus soon, where you will undoubtedly find us ... hard-working and happy.

 

Brian P. Easler

 

DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES has been retained by Wilbraham & Monson Academy, located in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, to conduct a national search for a Chief Financial Officer. The opportunity is available in July 2023. The search will be filled following a comprehensive national search and the candidate of choice is identified.

 

Contact Information

To explore this exciting career opportunity on a highly confidential basis. please send your resume and letter of interest, four references (which will only be contacted if mutual interest is determined) to:

Doug Cooney, Executive Search Consultant

DEERFIELD ASSOCIATES Executive Search, Inc.

572 Washington Street, Suite 15, Wellesley, MA 02482

Telephone: 781.237.2800.

Email: jobs@deerfieldassociates.com.