Director of Finance

Founded more than a century ago, Holton-Arms School encourages young women in grades 3-12 to approach the world with a thirst for challenge, unflinching curiosity, and a sense of responsibility to use what they learn for the greatest good. A nationally recognized school that prioritizes purposeful connections, Holton is a vibrant place where both students and faculty are deeply engaged in the process of learning and bring tremendous spirit and passion to their work. With a 125-year legacy of excellence in educating girls, Holton provides students with time-tested and future-forward programming, preparing them not only to step into the future but to shape it. 

The mission of the Holton-Arms School is to cultivate the unique potential of young women through the "education not only of the mind, but of the soul and spirit." Founded in 1901 by two visionary women, the School’s aspirations and current program are rooted in Mrs. Holton’s founding vision, which continues to serve as Holton’s North Star: “My high hope is that they who enter through the ‘Open Door’ of Holton-Arms remember they felt, in the friendliness of a home, the urge to learn and the joy of overcoming obstacles as the way to happiness and the fullest life.” In this vibrant community committed to academic excellence, discovery, creativity, and joy, students are scholars, artists, and athletes who find their voices, take risks, learn from mistakes, pursue opportunities for leadership, and build lifelong friendships. The School motto, Inveniam viam aut faciam (I will find a way or make one), exemplifies this spirit of agency and empowerment. 

Position Summary

As Director of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in advancing a strategic, modern finance function that supports the future of Holton’s education programs. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer, you will oversee a $50M operating budget and $160M in assets while leading a team of three finance professionals for core accounting operations.

A key focus of your role will be bridging financial strategy with what is happening throughout the school, partnering closely with leaders across campus to connect financial resources with school operations and programming. You will oversee the development of the annual operating budget, help budget managers assess tradeoffs between program goals and spending, develop multi-year financial models for overall operations, including enrollment, capital investments, and strategic initiatives, and prepare reports and recommendations for the CFO/COO to evaluate and share with the Board.

As a strategic, hands-on leader, you will mentor and develop your team, elevate operational practices, oversee recordkeeping, monthly closes, and audit preparation, and ensure the highest standards of financial integrity and compliance. You will also lead the strategic evolution of financial systems to support real-time decision-making, strengthen cross-platform integration, and reduce manual processes.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Success in your first 1-2 years will be demonstrated by:

• Serving as the primary finance and accounting operations leader, overseeing the work of the Controller, the Accounting Manager, and the Business Office Manager, adding financial planning and analysis capability to the team, and enabling the CFO|COO to focus on higher-level strategic decision-making.
• Building financial modeling and forecasting capabilities grounded in the school’s current budget, financial position, and strategic priorities, and partnering closely with the CFO|COO to evaluate scenarios and prepare reporting and recommendations for executive leadership.
• Leading the modernization of financial systems and reporting, including selecting and implementing a new general ledger accounting platform, redesigning the chart of accounts to provide more granular analysis, and evaluating and improving the integration of financial information across student billing, point-of-sale, accounts payable, payroll, credit-card processing, banking, and advancement platforms.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• This position is full-time, 5 days a week on our Bethesda, MD campus.
• The budgeted salary range for this position is $180K – $200K, with an outstanding benefits package including health insurance with a generous employer contribution to medical, dental, and vision; life and disability insurance; 403(b) retirement savings with an employer match and non-elective contribution; employee assistance program; tuition remission for eligible children; professional development opportunities; paid parental leave after one year of employment; paid vacation, sick, and personal days; and lunch provided on school days.

Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Team Leadership

• Oversee daily financial operations, including general accounting, student billing, accounts payable, internal controls, and financial policies.
• Provide oversight and guidance to the business office staff on financial reporting, accounting practices, reconciliations, and month-end close activities, while maintaining the hands-on accounting knowledge needed to support complex issues and operational needs when necessary.
• Oversee gift accounting, fund accounting, transfers between funds, and investment accounting.
• Lead and support the business office team, providing guidance, professional development, and coordination of day-to-day responsibilities.

Budgeting & Strategic Financial Planning

• Oversee the annual budgeting process, partnering with the Controller, CFO|COO, and budget managers to evaluate requests, establish priorities, and align resources with institutional goals.
• Partner with academic and administrative leaders to understand program objectives, operational plans, and resource needs, providing financial guidance that supports informed decision-making.
• Analyze financial performance, identify trends and risks, and develop forecasts that reflect the operational realities and seasonal rhythms of an independent school.
• Translate financial data into actionable insights, helping school leaders assess alternatives, evaluate tradeoffs, and make informed resource allocation decisions.
• Prepare financial analyses, forecasts, reports, presentations, and recommendations to support School leadership.
• Guide the development and use of multi-year financial models and scenario analyses to inform strategic initiatives, enrollment planning, facilities planning, fundraising, and financing strategies.
• Partner closely with the CFO|COO to evaluate opportunities and assess the financial implications of organizational decisions.

Financial Systems & Process Improvement

• Oversee financial systems and reporting structures, ensuring they meet the school’s operational and financial management needs and guiding enhancements as those needs evolve.
• Partner with Technology, Advancement, Auxiliary Programs, and other departments to maintain reliable integration and consistent financial data between accounting and related operational systems.
• Evaluate and improve financial workflows, including banking and payment-processing practices, to reduce manual processes and support efficient day-to-day operations.

Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

• Provide oversight and review of the annual audit and Form 990 preparation, supporting the Controller’s work and coordinating with external partners.
• Prepare required financial reporting and supporting materials for rating agencies, bondholders, lenders, and other financing-related activities.
• Manage the school’s insurance program, including renewals, coverage reviews, and broker relationships.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting leadership in a complex operating environment with multiple revenue streams and significant reporting requirements. Independent school, higher education institution, or a similar nonprofit organization preferred.
• Strong technical accounting background, including oversight of financial operations, budgeting, forecasting, audits, internal controls, and fund accounting.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial information, develop forecasts and scenario models, translate financial data into actionable insights, and communicate recommendations effectively to non-finance leaders and stakeholders.
• Experience partnering with operational leaders, budget managers, or program leaders to support decision-making, evaluate resource needs, and align financial planning with organizational priorities.
• Experience leading financial systems implementations, process improvements, or modernization initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a small finance or accounting team.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required; advanced education or relevant professional training is a plus.

Application Instructions

We have partnered with Staffing Advisors for this search. Please apply directly on the Staffing Advisors website. Please do not apply via the Holton-Arms website.