The Director of Finance/Business Manager is responsible for overseeing the business office and financial operations within the general outlines established by the Head of School and the Board of Trustees. This position also works with the Senior Leadership Team to develop and implement appropriate policies for the long-term viability of the School.

The Director of Finance/Business Manager reports directly to the Head of School and is a 12-month position.

Responsibilities

• Manage Business Office resources, including staff (Business Office Associates and Auxiliary Revenue Coordinator) and third-party service providers
• Oversee all bookkeeping responsibilities in the daily operation of the School, including cash flow and cash management, parent billing, posting and collecting accounts receivable, posting and paying accounts payable, recording and depositing checks and cash as received, balancing bank accounts, maintaining necessary software enabling the preparation of monthly statements, preparing and distributing payroll
• Assist the Head of School and Finance Committee with the preparation of the annual operating and capital budgets
• Provide monthly financial statements to the Head of the School and Finance Committee and quarterly reports for distribution to the Board of Trustees
• Provide monthly accounting for each department head to help manage spending and budget
• Serve on the Finance Committee and attend all Finance Committee and Board of Trustees meetings
• Oversee/complete state and federal reports (e.g., W2, 1090, and 990) and school licensing/accreditation filings (e.g., NAIS, NYSAIS, BEDS)
• Provide periodic donor reports(restricted fund donors) regarding investment performance and use of funds
• Compile financial data to provide audit trails and supporting material in preparation for the annual audit; this information must also be made available for IRS and Worker's Compensation audits
• Process purchase requisitions as received within departmental budget limitations
• Revenue Administration, including but not limited to billing tuition, fees, and ancillary revenue; managing tuition insurance; monitoring and collecting receivables; as needed, keeping in touch with parents about individual account problems
• Ensure the accuracy of the bi-weekly payroll process; oversee and maintain the electronic payroll files
• Oversee all property, casualty, liability, D&O, and healthcare insurance
• Oversee banking and loans, including opening, maintaining, and administering all banking and borrowing facilities
• Serve as the point person for third-party contracts and working out contract details
• Stay abreast of all federal, state, and local tax laws as they affect the school to ensure compliance
• Engage and/or participate in school events, presentations, Open House programming, admission recruitment tours, or outreach as needed

• Serve on the Senior Administrative Team and participate in strategic planning and high-level decision-making, steering the direction of the School; create plans and procedures to ensure smooth and consistent operations on a day-to-day basis; participate in all Senior Team meetings; communicate effectively with other Senior Administrators
• Function as the lead administrator and liaison for any finance-related Board committees, and you will write reports and make presentations to the Board of Trustees as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, business management, or other related fields
• At least 3 years of experience in a management position
• Advanced knowledge of principles of non-profit accounting and business office practices; broad and deep knowledge of general accounting principles
• Proficiency with QuickBooks, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Outlook, Adobe, Google Workplace (Sheets, Docs), Blackbaud, ADP, Internet tools
• Outstanding leadership abilities
• Effective oral and written communication skills, with excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to clearly and concisely present complex financial data to various audiences and experience levels
• Strong database and spreadsheet experience; high level of accuracy in preparing and entering financial information
• Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning financial and employee files
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to meet deadlines and function effectively in a complex organizational environment that demands a high energy level, discretion, patience, flexibility, and enthusiasm; thrive in an environment of diverse responsibilities and finite resources
• Flexibility, maturity, enthusiasm, and a sense of humor
• A deep appreciation for the vision, mission, and values of the school
• Proficient in relevant technology and database management
• A life-long learner who engages in his/her own professional development

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential responsibilities of this position successfully.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee is required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to find, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms
• Must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 20 pounds safely and consistently; may need to lift and carry objects greater than 20 pounds
• Must be able to work in the heat and cold as well as environments with adverse conditions, including dirt, dust and pollen, odors, sun, wetness, humidity, rain, and noise

• The position requires extensive walking around campus and through buildings, climbing stairs, and driving
• Must be able to bend, reach, stoop, stand, and/or walk for extended periods of time

Quickbooks proficiency 

3-5 years management experience

Master's degree or equivalent experience required

About The Darrow School

About Darrow School Darrow School, an independent, co-ed, boarding and day school for grades 9-12, offers a comprehensive and individually focused college-preparatory curriculum that features a unique combination of classroom instruction, experiential learning, and environmental consciousness. The School is located on 365 acres in the Town of New Lebanon, located on the New York State side of the Berkshires, and comprises 26 buildings, 16 of which are Shaker-built and designated as Registered National Historic Landmark buildings. Why Work at Darrow? There is something indefinable and remarkable about Darrow School. Perhaps it’s our historic Shaker Heritage, or our location nestled between the Berkshire Mountains and the Hudson Valley. Or maybe it's our community of individuals where everyone feels welcome and celebrated. Darrow is a place that draws people together, connects them, and stays with them forever. Darrow offers a generous benefits package that includes retirement; health, life, and disability insurance plans; and generous paid time off. Some positions are year-round; others offer an academic-year schedule. Given the residential responsibilities of a boarding sch...ool, housing is provided for numerous positions either in a dormitory or residences on campus. There's so much to enjoy about living and working at Darrow, and the community offers something for everyone. Our faculty and staff have said that some of the reasons they love working at Darrow include meaningful work, feeling of inclusion and acceptance, and friendly and familiar faces on campus. Darrow is a small community with a big heart. Living, Breathing History With just over 100 students from around the world, Darrow offers faculty, staff, and students a dynamic boarding school experience. Founded in 1932 on a beautiful 365-acre Mountainside campus, we are the only boarding school community on a National Historic Landmark. Our campus was once home to the Mount Lebanon Shaker Society, renowned for its commitment to social and racial justice, community planning, architecture, and entrepreneurship. Mission and Values Darrow serves diverse backgrounds and abilities, building on individuals' talents and interests to deepen thinking with specialized programs, providing opportunities to explore the creative spaces where ideas intersect and solutions emerge. Our Active Curriculum, rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, is individually focused and combines innovative classroom instruction with project-based learning to educate future generations of global citizens who understand the wider world and their place in it. Our Guiding Values Growth We prioritize growth over perfection, recognizing that each individual has their own gifts, challenges, and goals to build from. Our students are safe to fail creatively, which is essential for true learning. They routinely revise and reflect on their work on their way toward mastery. Diversity We believe that the opportunity to learn and grow in a small, diverse community during your formative years is irreplaceable. We actively cultivate and celebrate a student body that is diverse along many dimensions, including racial and ethnic diversity, diversity of gender identity, and neurodiversity. Community Like the Mohicans and Shakers who inhabited this place before us, we believe in the power of an intentional community built around shared work and shared values. Darrow is deliberately small, which means that each community member is valued and influential. Compassion We seek to treat each other with compassion, recognizing that we may only know a small part of someone else’s story. Authenticity We aspire to be a place where young people become comfortable in their own skins and empowered to understand and share their authentic selves. Campus Life There's always something exciting and thought-provoking happening at Darrow. Enjoying a lively campus culture, faculty and staff have opportunities to regularly attend and participate in a diverse array of year-round events, including Hands-to-Work, Winterm, Tuesday Night Community Programming, fitness classes, concerts, performances, talks, lectures, live theater, and art exhibitions. Additionally, there are countless opportunities for collaboration on several campus-wide projects and initiatives for those seeking to serve their community. World-renowned Arts and Culture Darrow is at the center of world-renowned arts and culture. Our location at the edge of the Berkshires is home to music and performing arts venues in the summer, dozens of museums, and various historic sites. Cultural festivals and concerts speak to the region's diversity, while art colonies and craft villages offer inside views of skilled artisans at work. One of America's first art movements started in Hudson Valley. Today, Modern art is well represented with venues such as MassMoCa, Storm King Arts Center, and Dia: Beacon, all international destinations. Darrow School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and shall also follow the requirements of the Human Rights Law with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest. Darrow School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, educational, athletic, recreational, and other school-administered programs.

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Connections working at The Darrow School