Job Description
Job DescriptionCompany Description
A Transformational Opportunity for a Finance Executive
Near North Montessori School (NNM), one of the nation’s most respected and enduring Montessori institutions, seeks a seasoned financial professional to serve as its next Director of Finance. This is a compelling opportunity for a strategic and operationally savvy finance executive who excels at building strong systems, leading teams, and serving as a trusted thought partner to the Head of School—helping to guide school-wide decision-making with integrity, clarity, and foresight. The successful candidate will bring the ability to provide direction to HR functions, lead with professionalism and care, and implement effective, mission-aligned compensation practices that support the school’s ability to attract and retain exceptional talent.
The ideal candidate will combine deep financial expertise with a collaborative spirit and the presence to support a passionate and emerging leadership team—while also embracing the day-to-day rhythm of school life. An ability to connect with educators, students, and families, and to lead with professionalism and integrity, is essential. With a strong foundation and exciting growth ahead, NNM offers the chance to make a lasting impact at a school with deep community roots and a forward-looking vision.
Operational and Financial Facts and Figures
In addition to the Director of Finance, NNM’s business office staff includes the Controller, Director of Human Resources, Financial Operations Coordinator, Senior Accounts Payable Specialist, and Accounts Payable Specialist.
The School’s annual budget is currently $15,000,000; about 86% of revenue is generated by net tuition receipts. NNM has Board-restricted funds of approximately $7.5 million. The School raises about $1,000,000 each year from its annual fund and fundraising events and carries approximately $7 million of debt, which will be refinanced in the coming months. Total enrollment is currently 558 students, a figure that has been steady for several years. The School also administers employee health benefits through a self-insurance model, which presents ongoing considerations for financial oversight and long-term planning.
As the above suggests, the School’s current financial drivers are robust and sustainable.
The Opportunity to Become Near North Montessori’s Next Director of Finance
Near North Montessori has launched a national search to identify its next Director of Finance, who will assume responsibilities no later than October 1, 2025. This is a newly created position, established as part of a recent reorganization that separates Finance from Operations to allow for more focused strategic leadership in both areas. It represents a compelling opportunity for a strategic, values-aligned finance executive to shape the role, build strong systems, and guide the school’s financial future in close partnership with the Head of School.
As a key member of the school’s senior leadership team, the Director of Finance will oversee budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting and compliance, investment and risk management, and the supervision of the Business Office and HR staff. In addition to driving financial strategy, the Director will serve as a key advisor and collaborator with the Head of School and be a thought partner to leaders across the school—including those in Enrollment, Advancement, and Operations.
This is a highly visible and relational role within a school community that values professionalism, transparency, collaboration, and integrity. The next Director of Finance will be expected to engage with staff, families, trustees, and faculty with both clarity and warmth—bringing sound judgment, operational savvy, and a genuine appreciation for the school environment.
Job Description
OPPORTUNITIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND CHALLENGES AHEAD
Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a trusted advisor to the Board on financial and strategic matters, the Director of Finance holds the following responsibilities and opportunities for leadership:
● Strategic Partnership with the Head of School: Serve as a trusted advisor to Angela Garcia, providing financial insight and direction to inform decision-making, guide planning conversations, and strengthen organizational alignment around priorities and trade-offs. This partnership is essential to shaping the school’s next chapter.
● Financial Strategy and Oversight: Build and manage robust financial systems, including multi-year forecasting, annual budgeting, cash flow planning, investment management, and risk mitigation.
● Finance Office and HR Leadership: Lead and develop a small but dedicated Finance Office team, improving office functions and overseeing HR functions, including compliance, benefits, and compensation administration—with a focus on professionalism, clear communication, and trust.
● Board Committee Support and Partnership: Provide Board committees (especially the Finance Committee) with timely, accurate, thoughtfully designed reports and information that support their strategic work and fiduciary role. The Director of Finance will have regular interaction with trustees on financial matters and strategy and take a leadership role in participating in Finance Committee meetings.
● Compensation Strategy and Transparency: Partner with the Head of School and Board to review, implement, and communicate a compensation strategy that is competitive, equitable, and mission-aligned. This is an endorsed area of focus for both leadership and governance.
● Evaluating Benefits Strategy and Self-Insurance Model: Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the current self-insurance structure and explore alternative models that ensure financial sustainability while maintaining competitive and mission-aligned benefits.
● Cross-Functional Collaboration: Be a visible, engaged presence across campus—working closely with the senior team, especially in Advancement, Enrollment, Operations, and Academics—to ensure that financial stewardship supports broader institutional goals.
● Budgeting and Community Education: Lead the development of annual and long-term budgets and help bring more clarity around the school finance model and its key drivers. issues to non-finance professionals. Educate staff, trustees, and the broader community on how financial decisions are made and what underpins them.
● Customer Service and Internal Culture: Enhance the Finance Office’s responsiveness and accessibility to families, faculty, and staff—delivering timely, clear, and respectful service that reinforces a culture of professionalism and belonging.
● Compensation and Benefits Infrastructure: Partner with HR to evaluate and improve processes and systems related to payroll, compliance, performance management, and benefits.
● Enrollment and Retention Support: With full enrollment and healthy interest in the school, collaborate with Enrollment and Academic leaders to ensure sound financial modeling and sustainable practices that support retention and long-term programmatic strength.
● Fundraising Finance Partnership: Support the Advancement Office with improved accounting, reconciliation, and collection procedures. Provide guidance as the school continues to celebrate and build on two consecutive record-breaking years of fundraising.
● Facilities and Capital Planning Insight: Partner with the Director of Operations and the Board’s Buildings & Grounds Committee to review deferred maintenance planning and help evaluate future capital priorities from a financial perspective.
This is a multifaceted leadership opportunity for a strategic, collaborative finance executive who enjoys building systems, educating partners, and serving a mission they believe in. The successful candidate will bring not only technical skill but also clarity, warmth, and a genuine commitment to community
Qualifications
Skills and Attributes of the Next Director of Finance
Near North Montessori seeks a strategic, relational, and operationally savvy finance executive to serve as its next Director of Finance. The school values integrity, professionalism, community, and mission alignment—and seeks a leader who shares these commitments and brings strong financial acumen to a dynamic educational environment. The successful candidate will be energized by the opportunity to shape systems, educate colleagues, and help drive the school’s long-term sustainability in close partnership with the Head of School and other members of the senior leadership team. The ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following qualifications, skills, and attributes:
● Bachelor’s Degree required; an advanced degree in a related field is preferred; MBA or CPA preferred
● At least 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial leadership roles; prior experience in an independent school or mission-driven nonprofit is strongly preferred
● Ability to integrate effectively into the culture of not-for-profit independent schools while implementing strategies and tactics necessary for successful operations of the business
● Operational orientation with an ability to assess and improve processes for efficiency, clarity, and service
● Significant experience with increasing responsibility supervising other personnel and managing multiple projects and programs
● Ability to lead and manage multiple priorities while maintaining precision and attention to detail
● Strong management, negotiation, and project management skills
● Experience managing a budget
● Strategic thinker with demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, investment oversight, audit compliance, and risk management
● Strong working knowledge of accounting principles (GAAP) and nonprofit/fund accounting
● Comfort with leading compensation strategy and analysis; ability to support the Board and Head of School in aligning compensation practices with school values and resources
● Experience educating non-finance professionals about budgeting principles and financial decision-making
● Outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to convey complex financial information clearly and transparently
● High emotional intelligence and ability to engage respectfully and productively with staff, trustees, families, and external vendors
● An open and collaborative work style; Collaborative mindset and leadership style; ability to partner across departments, including Enrollment, Advancement, Operations, and Academics
● A positive outlook and a sense of humor
● A high level of integrity and a strong work ethic; Integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to confidentiality and fiduciary responsibility
● Discretion and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters appropriately
● State of the art computer skills; Proficiency in Google Suite: familiarity with Google applications including Google Docs, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Presentation, Google Spreadsheet; facility working with databases such as Blackbaud and FACTS
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, as well as Canva and Constant Contact, or willingness to quickly learn and become intimately familiar with these platforms
● Ability to travel if needed, as well as attend events on evenings and weekends
● Flexibility with working evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned A complete, detailed job description is available to candidates upon their application for this position
Additional Information
How to Apply
Applications will be reviewed when they are received. Candidates interested in this position are asked to submit the following materials in a single merged PDF document, in the order listed:
● EC Candidate Summary
● Letter of interest, addressed to the Head of School
● Current résumé
● A list of five or more references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses)
● Disclosure (you’ll be asked to make a copy upon opening)
Please send applications and address inquiries to:
George Sanderson, Partner, Educators Collaborative
gsanderson@educatorscollaborative.com
Carol Santos, Partner, Educators Collaborative
csantos@educatorscollaborative.com
Near North Montessori believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, conditions, and privileges of employment.