Business Manager/CFO at Santa Barbara Middle School Share on X      Print Application Deadline

8/27/2024 11:55 PM Pacific

Date Posted 6/27/2025 Contact Maida Smith
8056822989 Number of Openings 1 Salary Pay Range
$100k - $140k Annually Length of Work Year 12 months Employment Type Full Time About the Employer

Founded in 1976, Santa Barbara Middle School is a co-educational school that offers students in grades 6-9 a profound educational experience combining Academics, Creative Arts & Sports, Outdoor Education, and Community Involvement. Serving approximately 182 students, our educational environment facilitates academic achievement, while also bolstering all aspects of a child’s well being. We challenge students to develop life skills in all areas, with the stability of a safe and nurturing community. Leadership, self-advocacy, creative problem solving, compassion for others, and global awareness are just a few of the traits that distinguish our graduates. Working at Santa Barbara Middle School is a challenging yet rewarding career. After-hours and weekend events and participation in the school’s Outdoor Education program are integral and required aspects of this job

Job Summary Job Summary

Santa Barbara Middle School (SBMS) is currently seeking candidates for the position of Business Manager/CFO S/he will work in close partnership with the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, Facilities Manager and the Business Office Associate.   Founded in 1976, SBMS (sbms.org) is a co-educational day school that offers students in grades 6-9 a profound educational experience combining Academics, Creative Arts & Sports, Outdoor Education, and Community Involvement. Serving approximately 180 students, our educational environment facilitates academic achievement, while also bolstering all aspects of a child’s well-being. We challenge students to develop life skills in all areas, with the stability of a safe and nurturing community. Our Outdoor Trip Program takes us out of the classroom for 26 days/year.  Leadership, self-advocacy, creative problem solving, compassion for others, and global awareness are just a few of the traits that distinguish our graduates.       Working at SBMS is fun, challenging and rewarding. Our amazing mission and community of faculty, staff, students and families serve to create a strong retention rate amongst our employees.    This position is year-round, with greater flexibility and a somewhat lighter schedule in the summer.  There are occasionally required after-hours and weekend events throughout the school year. The expectation is to be on campus during school hours and participate in the school’s Elective and Outdoor Education Program to the greatest extent possible. 

Job Description / Essential Elements:    Print   

Job Responsibilities  

Finance & Accounting: 

Work with the Business Office associate on monthly, quarterly and annual financial close Review and Approve:  Accounts Payable and Employee Reimbursements  Department Budget Spending  Monitor Accounts Receivable and follow up on delinquent accounts  Participate and complete industry surveys – DASL, NAIS, NBOA, & CAIS  Develop monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, Budget to Actual analysis, pertinent Dashboards, monthly Cash Flow projection , Department Budget updates Report to the Finance Committee and the Board monthly    Working with Head of School, create annual budget and budget summary  Annual Audit oversight, including negotiating contract for auditor services, preparing materials for auditors, reviewing audit results with BOD Audit Committee for their approval  Review Annual Tax Return with Finance Committee and file    Oversee financial aid process, coordinating with internal team to determine awards that align with annual school budget, then working with families as needed  Work with the Board Investment Committee, create cash flow projections to invest school funds Create RFPs for services such as auditors, investment advisors, other services of the school Create Board Committee agendas and materials for Finance, Audit, Risk and Site Committees

Legal / Risk: 

Attend Risk Committee meetings, reporting on current issues, including legal, safety, insurance, etc. as well as presenting insurance policies for renewal and approval  Coordination with attorneys (LCW) when necessary, reviewing legal issues, investigations and documentation Monitor for school’s compliance with legal guidelines and policies Administer contracts & legal documents  Document retention/organization - paper and electronic in compliance with the document retention policy Risk analysis, insurance procurement, processing insurance claims, work with insurance brokers to assess ongoing risk issues that occur 

Human Resources:

Working with the school leadership team, participate in the annual performance review process, including staff outreach survey of intent to return, self-assessment form and performance reviews for select staff that report to this position Oversee process of recruitment, hiring of new positions    Oversee annual staff training  Participate with leadership team and oversee process for terminations and disciplinary actions · Update Employee Handbook, as needed  Provide space for employees/staff to check in, air grievances, as needed, working to develop good relationships with all staff  Oversee school retirement plan, work with 3rd party administrator to file 5500 return annually · Monitor staffing for electives, diamond time and lunch periods to ensure adequate staffing and compliance with employee contracts  With Head of School, create and distribute annual employment letters to staff, stating compensation and any other details of employment that may be changing in the new academic year.    Oversee workers’ compensation claims, as needed 

Facilities: 

Working with Facilities and Fleet Manager, oversee all site, facilities and fleet work.  Review and track contracts and budgets for large improvement projects and ongoing department budget spending  Work with the Health and Safety Director to develop current and updated policies and procedures to ensure staff and student safety   

General:

Office Administration Team Leader, analyzing functionality and implementing improvements in policy and procedure, as needed  N.I.C.E. (Not In Classroom Educators, i.e. non faculty staff), team leader, organizing regular meetings for team and morale building, as well as to improve efficiency through better connectivity.      Systems analysis: Analyze cost and efficiency and implement new systems/software Electives and Trip Program participation/Student Connection: Sharing your passion, teach or assist in an elective and whenever possible, in the SBMS expeditions, find ways to connect with the student and staff population

Skills and Requirements 
Education/Experience: 

B.S. or Master’s Degree in one or more of the following:  Business, Accounting, Human Resources, Nonprofit or School Management  5-10 years’ experience in Independent School or other Nonprofit management 

Workplace Skills: 

Excellent written and oral communication skills  Excel, Google Suite, Blackbaud, QuickBooks, Expensify, Bill.com  Understanding of independent school industry  Excellent knowledge of all areas: California Labor Laws, policies, benefits, compensation, onboarding, offboarding, retention, wellness, reviews  Ability to communicate and present complicated financial information to ‘non-finance’ audience 

Personality: 

Positive attitude  Overcomes obstacles, problem solver  Accepts correction, learns from mistakes  Gets along with a wide variety of personalities  Trusts, assumes the best in others  Tactful, service oriented and compassionate with all constituencies   

Leadership & Management Style: 

Can align with and accept both old guard and newer staff thinking  Ability to unify constituents, build teams, create efficiencies, etc.  Ability to plan, lead productive meetings  Mentors, coaches others to be their best  Delegates when appropriate  Leads by example  Strategizes for future: structures process, stays on schedule 

   
Workstyle: 

Can triage, pivot, adapt, as needed, in busy work environment  Aligns with strategic goals/planning  Self-starter/independent/works with very little oversight  Can meet deadline driven, complex and sometimes conflicting priorities  Analytical - always looking for ways to improve things  Inclusive/good communicator/efficient with others’ time and their own 

Other Requirements:

Everyone at SBMS is expected to participate, at some level, in the Outdoor Program of SBMS, which may include riding a bike, hiking, and swimming.  Must be able to sit at a desk and work at a computer for hours at a time  Must be able to pass background check with no criminal record

 

Requirements / Qualifications

Cover Letter, Resume, References upon request

Requirements / Qualifications

Cover Letter, Resume, References upon request

Comments and Other Information Apply at: Attn: Maida Smith at jobs@sbms.org Comments and Other Information
Apply at: Attn: Maida Smith at jobs@sbms.org CalSTRS Links Not all postings qualify for CalSTRS. Informational Only. CalSTRS Info for New Educators

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