Vice President of Finance and Shared Services

The Carlisle Group has been retained to find a Vice President of Finance and Shared Services. Our preferred client is one of the world’s best pre-K through 12th grade private schools, where qualified students live on campus and receive a top-notch education, health care (which includes comprehensive medical, dental, and psychological care), and more—with all costs covered. Since its founding in 1909, the school has graduated 12,000+ students. They are committed to providing an exceptional education and outstanding resources for children from underprivileged backgrounds. The school enrolls approximately 2,200 students, has 1,600+ employees, and is located on a campus with over 5,000 acres and 598 buildings. They are one of the largest schools in the United States. The campus is one of the most well-resourced, technologically advanced, and well-maintained educational institutions in the nation. This is an in-office opportunity located in Hershey, PA.Position OverviewThe Vice President of Finance and Shared Services reports to the President and oversees all financial matters for the school. The position includes analyzing data and advising management on ways to use the information to make strategic decisions about the organization’s future. The position ensures the school complies with tax laws and regulations, and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP). In addition, the position has responsibility of shared services between K-12 and Pre-K organizations, ensuring both entities follow the guidelines of the shared service agreement, resolves disagreements, and is key for the establishment and performance of this function at both centers.The Vice President of Finance and Shared Services is a member of the Mission and Strategy Team, a voting member of Compensation & Benefit Committees for both organizations, ERISA Committee, Policy Committees for both organizations, ERP Steering Committee, Capital Review Committees for both organizations, and Real Estate Committee. In addition, it serves as BOM TAFIC and ARC liaison.The Vice President of Finance is responsible to execute and uphold our co-fiduciary role and sole beneficiary of the school Trust as a trustee.Key Accountabilities 1) Accounting Services: Provides leadership and guidance to ensure the operation of effective financial reporting, cash management, and budgeting programs. (20%) a. Oversees the fully integrated HRIS and Financial system to ensure efficient and effecting operations: i. Responsible for modifications, upgrades, and application of the school’s fully Integrated system. ii. Oversees and maintains control of the school’s chart of accounts. b. Oversees General Ledger and Financial Reporting activities: i. Oversees the preparation of Financial Reports and Reviews Fixed Assets compliances to ensure assets are accounted for and communicated. ii. Oversees Financial, Pension, MPP, and GSRA audits to ensure compliance with GAAP. Responsible for final preparation of financial statements and reporting of deficiencies and resolutions to the Audit Committee. iii. Responsible for all required analytical schedules for audits and reviews, preparation of PBC’s and special year end reports and schedules. iv. Oversees cash management and banking applications. c. Responsible for monthly accounting and analysis. d. Governmental Reporting and 990 preparations. e. Payroll Administration.2) Shared Services: Responsible for leading, overseeing, and acting as the overall point person for the effective execution and evaluation of Shared Services function. (20%) a. Responsible for the adequacy of the Shared Services Agreement, methodology, and individual Service Level Agreements in place, and for collaborating with each entity and service provider to ensure operational excellence, adequate and timely conflict resolution. b. Responsible for leading the recurring Shared Services Meetings and outcomes evaluation and for the recurring reporting to the BOD for material updates and ongoing operations. This role is key for the performance of the Shared Services function for the benefit of both organizations, ensuring risks are properly mitigated and matters proactively addressed. c. Intermediates shared services between both organizations. Ensures both entities follow the guidelines of the shared service agreement and resolves disagreements.3) Management of the Fully Integrated Business System. (15%) a. Ensure all applications are operating in compliance with policies, procedures, processes, regulations. Management of the system from the employee lifecycle to the reporting in the GL. b. Identify and assess the needs of the school. Recommend system and business process enhancements and maintenance of schools’ chart fields. c. Analyze system deficiencies and opportunities for improvement and compliance. Research and document configuration and behavior, test corrective actions, and validate. d. Assure all auditable records are operating effectively. e. Verify all internal controls are in place in all aspects of the system.4) Compliance. (10%) a. Responsible for ensuring the school is in compliance in all financial and payroll matters. b. Responsible for ensuring mitigation of risk in all financial and pay related matters. c. Serve as gatekeeper for all service-related purchases to ensure contracts are reviewed and signed.5) Cost Containment/Procurement. (10%) a. Responsible for the oversight of the school’s procurement department. b. Responsible for ensuring the areas of the school are utilizing the procurement department to assist negotiation of goods and services. c. Work with procurement and managers of the school to ensure proper negotiation and vetting exists for all purchases per the procurement policy. d. Work with school leaders and procurement to identify areas of savings to assist with the management of the school’s operating budget.6) Financial/Strategic Planning. (10%) a. Responsible for the long-term financial planning of the school’s operating budget. b. Responsible for producing the information utilized by the leadership of the school and the Board of Managers to make key strategic decisions regarding the long-term plans of the school. c. Responsible for executing and upholding the co-fiduciary role and sole beneficiary of the School Trust with the Corporate Company Trust as trustee. d. Serves as Board of Manager’s TAFIC and ARC liaison.7) Budgeting. (10%) a. Work with leaders of the school to develop the annual budget to ensure the school is operating within the income available. b. Work with leaders of the school to manage the annual budget to ensure the school operates within the approved parameters.8) Administrative duties/Committee membership. (5%) a. Leadership Team, Capital Review Committee, Policy Committee, Compensation & Benefit Committee, ERISA Committee, ERP Executive Steering Team, CHS Capital, and Review Committee.9) Interactions with others in the organization. a. Internal i. President – weekly. ii. Leadership Team – weekly. iii. Direct reports – weekly. iv. K-12 School Board of Managers – as needed. v. Pre-K School Board of Directors – as needed. b. External i. Trust Company Manager – monthly. ii. Vendors – as needed. iii. Colleagues - -networking and sharing information as needed.RequirementsBachelor’s degree; MBA preferred.CPA preferred.10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, ideally in complex, multi-entity organizations7+ years of supervisory and leadership experience.Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, influence, and collaborate across senior leadership and board levels.Highly driven with strong business acumen and problem-solving capabilities.Strong organizational skills, verbal and written communication, conflict resolution, and human relations skills.Critical and strategic thinking skills. Strategic financial planning experience is required.Ability to multi-task and prioritize.High integrity and commitment to serving as a role model for students.Passion for engaging with youth and supporting the school’s mission.