Duke School seeks a Chief Finance Officer to begin on or before July 1, 2027, with the possibility of an earlier start as soon as July 1, 2026. We are well-positioned to support a thoughtful and intentional transition with our current CFO, who will retire after 20 years of dedicated service to the School. This role offers a compelling opportunity to partner with the Head of School, bringing sound judgment and technical acumen to lead financial strategy and evolve systems and operations for efficiency and long-term sustainability. 

Duke School is a nationally recognized progressive independent school serving approximately 500 students from Preschool through Grade 8 in Durham, North Carolina. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the CFO serves as a trusted advisor to the Head and a vital member of the Leadership Team. The CFO works closely with the Board of Trustees as liaison and member of the Finance and Investment Committees.

As a senior organizational leader, the CFO leads financial strategy, systems, and business operations to support a thriving learning environment and school community. The CFO applies data-informed analysis and financial modeling to guide institutional decision-making and long-term sustainability, leads an efficient Business Office, and ensures financial and operational systems support the School’s distinctive educational program, faculty, and long-term strategic priorities.

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Partners with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to coordinate and strategically manage the School’s financial resources.

• Leads development, communication, and measurement of multi-year financial plans aligned with Duke School’s mission and strategic priorities.

• Conceptualizes and provides robust financial modeling, forecasting, and analysis to inform tuition-setting, enrollment planning, and institutional initiatives.

• Ensures alignment between educational priorities and fiscal sustainability.

• Represents the School in a positive, beneficial relationship with external financial stakeholders, such as lenders and external auditors.

• Highly informed by independent school dynamics more broadly (NAIS, NBOA, SAIS, MISBO, INDEX, etc).

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Oversees development and management of the annual operating budget and maintains rolling multi-year financial projections.

• Provides clear and timely financial reporting and analysis to the Head of School, the Leadership Team, the Finance Committee, and the Board.

• Monitors financial performance, analyzes variances, and recommends corrective actions when necessary.

• Oversees cash flow, investments, and institutional asset management, including endowment oversight.

• Ensures strong internal controls, accurate accounting practices, and timely financial reporting.

• Leads modernization of financial systems and processes to improve efficiency, transparency, scalability, and accuracy through best-practice tools and streamlined workflows.

• Oversees annual external financial and retirement plan audits and required financial filings.

• Serves as staff liaison to Board Finance, Investment, and related committees.

 Enrollment and Financial Aid Partnership

• Partners with the Director of Enrollment Management to align financial aid strategy with enrollment goals and long-term financial sustainability.

• Oversees development and administration of the School’s financial aid budget to ensure equitable, mission-aligned allocation of tuition assistance.

• Provides financial analysis supporting enrollment forecasting and net tuition revenue planning.

• Ensures financial aid policies and processes reflect best practices in confidentiality, compliance, and stewardship.

 Human Resources and Administrative Partnership

• Works in partnership with Human Resources leadership and third-party vendors to support employee benefits administration, payroll services, and compliance reporting.

• Collaborates to ensure personnel policies, compensation practices, and employment procedures align with applicable regulations and institutional priorities.

• Supports organizational planning related to staffing models, compensation strategy, and workforce sustainability.

• Ensures financial oversight of benefits programs and related employment costs.

 Risk Management and Compliance

• Leads institutional financial risk management, insurance programs, and liability oversight.

• Works with insurance advisors, legal counsel, and external partners to maintain appropriate coverage and risk controls.

• Supports compliance with regulatory, environmental, and legal requirements affecting school operations.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Leads and develops a high-performing Business Office grounded in accuracy, professionalism, and service.

• Collaborates across departments to support effective institutional operations and strategic initiatives.

• Communicates complex financial information clearly to trustees, administrators, and faculty.

• Represents the School in professional organizations and community partnerships as appropriate.

Requirements

• Advanced degree or CPA preferred; minimum of bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field required.

• 6+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, ideally in an independent school or non-profit setting

• Proficiency with financial systems and data tools; experience with independent school platforms preferred, particularly Blackbaud.

• Senior-level experience leading finance or business operations within an independent school, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization preferred.

• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and organizational planning.

• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work effectively with trustees, administrators, faculty, and families.

• Commitment to transparency, integrity, collaboration, and mission-driven leadership.