The FPA Director plays a critical role in advancing Saint Mary Hall’s financial stewardship, sustainability, and operational excellence. This position is responsible for leading the School’s budget development, forecasting, and budget‑to‑actual analysis, while also managing the front‑end financial operations of the Business Office, including accounts payable, procurement workflows, vendor onboarding, and expense management platforms.
Serving as a strategic partner to academic and administrative departments, the FP&A Director will meet monthly with department leaders to review financial performance, provide guidance, and support informed decision‑making consistent with the mission of an independent, college‑preparatory school.
Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Analysis
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Lead the annual operating budget development process, including calendar creation, templates, assumptions, and consolidation.
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Partner with department heads to develop realistic and mission‑aligned budgets.
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Conduct monthly budget‑to‑actual analysis, identify variances, and present clear explanations and recommendations.
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Prepare rolling forecasts and multi‑year financial projections as requested.
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Partner with department leaders to develop missionaligned, datadriven budgets.
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Perform monthly budgettoactual analysis, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
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Develop dashboards and reports for senior leadership, Finance Committee, and Board presentations.
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Support enrollment‑driven revenue modeling and staffrelated financial analysis.
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Serve as a trusted financial advisor to non‑financial leaders.
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Provide training and guidance on budget management and purchasing practices.
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Serve as a financial advisor to nonfinancial leaders, building financial literacy across the organization.
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Contributes to a school culture where community members are seen, safe, and valued.
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Oversee and optimize frontend financial operations, including:
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Accounts payable processes.
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Procurement and purchase request workflows.
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Corporate card and expense management systems (e.g., Ramp)
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Vendor onboarding and compliance documentation.
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Ensure adherence to budget controls, approval protocols, and purchasing policies.
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Monitor institutional spending through reporting tools and dashboards to ensure alignment with approved budgets.
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Partner with accounting to ensure accurate coding, timing, and reporting of expenditures to identify cost management opportunities through analysis of spending patterns.
Systems, Controls, and Process Improvement
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Maintain and enhance financial systems supporting budgeting, forecasting, and expense management.
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Identify opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiencies.
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Ensure adherence to internal controls, audit standards, and best practices consistent with NAIS expectations.
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Support year‑end financial close and audit preparation as it relates to budget and expense data.
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Lead the design and implementation of automated reporting tools and dashboard solutions that integrate data across systems.
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Standardize reporting frameworks to ensure consistency, accuracy, and accessibility of monthly financial data.
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Maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness, aligned with best practices (e.g., NAIS standards).
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Work with other departments to help standardize reporting frameworks to ensure consistency, accuracy, and accessibility of monthly financial data.
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Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
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Advanced degree or professional certification (CPA, CFA, or equivalent preferred).
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Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in financial planning, budgeting, or financial analysis.
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Demonstrated experience with budget‑to‑actual reporting and variance analysis.
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Strong proficiency in Excel and financial modeling.
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Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights
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Prior experience in an independent school, higher education, nonprofit, or mission‑driven organization preferred.
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Experience with expense management and procurement platforms (Ramp preferred).
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Familiarity with integrated financial systems and ERP environments.
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Strong analytical and critical‑thinking skills.
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, particularly with non‑financial stakeholders.
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Discretion and integrity in handling confidential information.
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The ability to lift a maximum of 30 pounds.
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Occasionally bend, stoop, and squat.
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Work is performed primarily in a climate‑controlled office environment.
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Prolonged periods of sitting and computer use.
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Occasional evening or weekend work during budget season or audit periods.
