Since 1900, the National Cathedral School (NCS) in Washington, D.C. has educated girls and young women of diverse backgrounds, holding them to the highest academic standards and preparing them for life’s challenges. The driving vision of the school is of girls who are leaders, explorers, scientists, athletes, and artists—girls who are unafraid of new experiences and excited by new ideas.

National Cathedral School consists of three divisions: Lower School (grades 4 – 6), Middle School (grades 7 – 8), and Upper School (grades 9 – 12). It shares the Cathedral Close—57 acres of woods, gardens, and buildings—with the Washington National Cathedral, Beauvoir School (nursery – grade 3), and St. Albans School for Boys (grades 4 – 12). All of these units together make up the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation (PECF), which is the overarching governing body.

NCS is seeking a qualified financial professional to be its business manager to oversee the School’s finances, facilities, and operations. As a member of the senior administrative staff, the business manager will advise Kathleen Jamieson, Head of School, now in her third year at NCS.

In addition to managing the finances and operations of the School, the business manager will assume additional responsibilities as a representative of NCS to the Finance Committee of the PECF, working closely with Joe Smolskis, Executive Director, PECF Finance. This layered structure adds to the interest and complexity of the position.

We believe some of the Attractions of this position are:  

·        Opportunity to work at a high level with NCS leadership. School staff, faculty, and trustees are accomplished professionals who are actively engaged in the School’s mission. The School has a reputation of high quality.

·        Work with PECF leadership and in a peer relationship with the other business and finance directors of the units on the Close. The Cathedral Close is an important religious and cultural entity in the nation’s capital.

·        Develop and manage a School budget of about $19 million. This position is central to all of the activities of the School. Work closely with the Chair of the Finance Committee.

·        Manage capital projects, including the Woodley North project scheduled to begin in 2008. Work with the development director on funding projections and oversee construction  contracts. Work closely with the Chair of the Facilities Committee.

Reports to: Head of School

Supervises: Manager of finance and accounting, controller, business office assistant 

Directs and manages the business, administration, and facilities management services functions for the School. Provides leadership and direction to the budgeting and financial management activities. Plans, oversees, and coordinates capital and operating expenditures and fiscal systems.  Serves as institutional liaison to Foundation Finance, Human Resources, and Facilities operations, and staff representative to financial governance groups.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.            Directs and oversees the planning, development, and administration of all business activities, human resources programs, information technology, and facilities management needs of the organization.

2.            Works with the PECF Accounting and Finance Office to:

1.      Ensure compliance with Foundation policies and procedures, state, and federal laws.

2.      Coordinate the financial/fiscal operations, to include the development and administration of capital and/or operating budgets and expenditures, and the establishment and management of financial control systems.

3.      Prepare financial statements, financial reports, special analyses, and information reports; presents financial analyses and recommendations for programmatic and fiscal changes.

3.            Monitors the use of restricted/unrestricted funds, endowment and operating funds to ensure that funds are being used for authorized purposes and within approved limits. 

4.            Participates in development, implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures, short-and long-range planning; develops and implements projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals.

5.            Supervises team, including work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.

6.            Manages and oversees the establishment and administration of contractual arrangements and leased properties with external vendors, concession operators, and/or suppliers.

7.            Represents the school at various community and/or business meetings; promotes existing and new programs and/or policies.

8.            Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

9.            Special projects as assigned.
 

Qualifications

The Ideal Candidate Should Have:

·        Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting.

·        Ten years direct not-for-profit accounting experience, preferably in a school and preferably in a complex accounting environment; CPA. 

·        Experience with endowments, gift accounting, and capital improvement projects.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (ex:  best practices, teambuilding, detail oriented, physical demands, work environment):

1.      Advanced knowledge of nonprofit budgeting and accounting best practices, methods and applications.  Ability to develop financial plans and manage resources; plan, implement, and administer financial information and control systems.

2.      Knowledge of project management principles, practices, techniques, and tools; understanding of capital improvement operating principles, practices, and procedures.

3.      Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments; organizing resources and establishing priorities. Employee development and performance management skills; foster a cooperative work environment.

4.      Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

5.      Ability to negotiate and manage contractual arrangements.

6.      Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.

7.      Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook). High level of skill in relevant software systems; ability to quantify and illustrate complex financial reports, comparisons and projections.

8.      Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and/or projections.

9.      Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.

10.  Ability to develop and implement creative revenue-generation plans, programs, and initiatives.

11.  Strong analytical skills.
 

The Ideal Candidate should be:

·        Passionate about education and value independent schools.

·        A collaborative professional who will be a productive member of the team.  

·        A competent manager.
 

Critical Issues

·        The NCS/PECF dual financial structure presents a unique challenge. The business manager must be able to master the details of the Foundation system as well as represent and advocate on behalf of NCS in PECF committees.

·        Major capital projects are in the offing. An underground garage for the Close will begin Summer, 2005, and construction on the Woodley North project will begin in 2008.

·        New policies and procedures are being established with the new NCS administration. To some extent the School is in transition and things are in flux. The business manager must be a stabilizing influence in the administration.

Candidates and sources, please communicate with:
Bob Sellery or Katie Wilson, Robert Sellery Associates, Ltd.
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036.
Email: wilson@sellery.com, sellery@sellery.com
FAX 202.333.1167
Telephone: 202.331.0090
All inquiries will be kept in strict confidence.

ROBERT SELLERY ASSOCIATES, LTD.
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W. , 10TH FLOOR     WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036     202.331.0090
sellery@sellery.com