Interim Chief Financial Officer; CFO

Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Reports to:

Head of School

Schedule:

Full-Time. This temporary interim role offers an important opportunity in supporting the school's financial leadership while the school conducts a search for a permanent CFO.

Exempt Status:
Exempt

The Branson School is a coeducational, college-preparatory day school of 420 students, grades 9-12, located in Marin County, California. Branson prides itself on fostering nurturing relationships with students while maintaining high academic standards. The faculty values collaboration, professional development, reflection, and continual exploration of good teaching.

• Mission Statement: Branson develops students who make a positive impact in the world by leading lives of integrity, purpose, learning, and joy.
• Diversity Mission Statement: Branson believes the well-being of people and the planet are inextricably linked and are essential to creating a truly excellent learning environment and a vibrant, caring community. We aspire to have every member of the Branson community feel a deep sense of belonging and inclusion.

The Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the strategic and operational leader responsible for the financial stewardship of The Branson School. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CFO partners closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to ensure the school’s long-term financial sustainability, operational excellence, and alignment with mission and strategic priorities.

The CFO oversees finance, budgeting, investments, financial aid, risk management, technology systems, food service, and other operational functions. The CFO also serves as staff liaison to the Finance, Investment, Audit/Risk Management, and Building & Grounds Committees of the Board.

Direct reports include:
Senior leaders in finance and facilities.

• Serve as chief financial strategist and advisor to the Head of School and Board of Trustees.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year financial model aligned with the school’s strategic plan and campus master plan.
• Lead long-range financial planning, including enrollment modeling, tuition strategy, compensation forecasting, capital planning, and debt management.
• Ensure financial decision-making reflects Branson’s mission, values, and commitment to access and belonging.

• Oversee all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, and internal controls.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly and annual financial reporting to leadership and the Board.
• Lead preparation for and management of the annual audit and IRS Form 990.
• Maintain strong internal control systems and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP).
• Monitor liquidity, reserves, debt obligations, and financial covenants.
• Oversee endowment administration in partnership with the Investment Committee and external advisors, ensuring adherence to investment policies.

• Lead development of the annual operating budget in collaboration with the Head of School and senior administrators.
• Present budget assumptions and financial forecasts to the Finance Committee and Board.
• Monitor performance against budget and provide clear, actionable variance analysis.
• Oversee capital and facilities budgeting, including major maintenance and campus improvement projects.

• Oversee risk management strategy, including insurance programs (property, liability, D&O, cyber, workers’ compensation, fiduciary, travel, etc.).
• Review and negotiate major contracts in consultation with legal counsel.
• Supervise food service, technology and other key outsourced service providers.
• Ensure operational practices support a safe, efficient, and sustainable campus environment.
• Serve as main liaison in all building projects.

• Partner with Admissions and the Financial Aid Committee to steward the school’s financial aid resources responsibly and equitably.
• Serve as a member of the Financial Aid Committee.
• Support data-driven financial aid modeling…