Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

Job Duties

The Role

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP. OPERATIONAL IMPACT.

The Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) will directly supervise the Senior Director of IT, Director of Forecasting, Planning & Analysis, Director of Facilities, and Comptroller, with the Director of Strategy joining the team once hired — providing leadership for approximately 9–10 total staff across Finance and Administration.

Day to day, this leader will set the vision, operating rhythm, and performance expectations for the function; lead enterprise budgeting, multi-year planning, and rolling forecasts; and ensure accurate, timely accounting, close, and reporting. They will maintain strong internal controls and compliance with GAAP and FASB standards, lead the external audit and Single Audit relationship, and provide executive-level oversight of Title IV and Minnesota State Grant compliance.

Beyond finance, this person will oversee IT strategy, cybersecurity, and facilities planning, and will partner closely with the President & CEO, Board, and every cost center leader to build a culture of financial ownership and accountability across the organization.

THE TEAM

Direct reports — approximately 9–10 staff across Finance and Administration

Senior Director of IT

Director of Forecasting, Planning & Analysis

Director of Facilities

Comptroller

Director of Strategy

Key Responsibilities.

A BROAD PORTFOLIO. A CLEAR IMPACT.

The CFAO will oversee a range of critical functions, with an emphasis on financial strategy, compliance, and operational excellence.

25% — Elevate the Office of Finance & Administration

Set the vision, operating rhythm, priorities, and performance expectations for Finance and Administration

Directly supervise the Sr. Director of IT, Director of FP&A, Director of Facilities, Comptroller, and, once hired, Director of Strategy

Assess finance capabilities, close gaps, standardize procedures, and reduce key-person dependency

Remain close to day-to-day operations, providing hands-on support during close, forecasting, and audit cycles

25% — Financial Strategy, Planning & Performance

Lead enterprise financial strategy, annual budgeting, multi-year planning, rolling forecasts, cash flow projections, and scenario analysis

Build a forward-looking forecasting discipline connecting funding changes to sustainability actions

Partner with cost center leaders to establish financial goals, interpret variances, and build ownership of financial performance

Develop executive and Board reporting, dashboards, and financial narratives linking dollars to mission impact

20% — Accounting, Controls, Audit & Risk

Ensure accurate, timely accounting, month-end/year-end close, and financial reporting

Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, procurement practices, and GAAP/FASB compliance

Lead external audit relationships, the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit, and corrective-action follow-through

Oversee banking, cash, investments, insurance, risk management, and major contracts

20% — Student Financial Aid & Funding Compliance

Provide executive-level oversight of federal Title IV financial aid controls, reconciliation, and audit readiness

Provide oversight of Minnesota State Grant and other state financial aid requirements

Partner with program, enrollment, and student services leaders to balance compliance and student access

Oversee financial requirements for government grants, contracts, restricted contributions, and philanthropic funding

10% — Technology, Facilities & Strategy

Provide executive oversight of IT strategy, cybersecurity, systems reliability, and technology investments

Oversee facilities strategy, leases, maintenance priorities, and capital improvements

Integrate Strategy into the portfolio once the Director of Strategy is hired

Participate actively in enterprise strategic planning and organizational effectiveness initiatives

The Leader We're Seeking:

EXPERIENCED. PRINCIPLED. MISSION ALIGNED.

The ideal candidate brings postsecondary financial aid expertise, strong executive presence, and the patience and practicality to work alongside a lean team, someone equally comfortable setting enterprise financial strategy and getting into the details when the moment calls for it.

We recognize there is no single path to becoming an exceptional candidate. People bring different combinations of education, professional experience, community leadership, and lived experience.

If your background does not perfectly match every qualification below, but you believe your experience has prepared you to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply. We value transferable skills, curiosity, and a demonstrated commitment to strengthening communities.

We're Looking for Someone Who Has:

Ten or more years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including at least five years leading teams or functions at a senior level

Substantive experience with federal Title IV financial aid in higher education, postsecondary career training, or another eligible institution

Proven success strengthening or rebuilding finance operations, controls, procedures, reporting, and team capability

Advanced experience in budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, and advising cost center or business leaders

Experience presenting financial information and recommendations to executive leadership and/or Boards

Deep knowledge of GAAP, FASB standards, nonprofit financial management, internal controls, and cash management

Demonstrated ability to move fluidly between executive strategy and hands-on execution

Additional Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field

Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV student financial aid regulations and compliance

Ability to interpret and operationalize evolving regulatory requirements

Exceptional judgment, integrity, communication, and collaboration skills

Helpful, But Not Required

CPA and/or MBA or other relevant advanced degree

Leadership experience in higher education, career and technical education, workforce development, or a mission-driven education organization

Knowledge of Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Office of Higher Education requirements

Three or more years of nonprofit financial leadership experience

Experience with government grants, restricted funding, philanthropy, foundations, donations, and development partnerships

Experience overseeing multiple administrative functions such as IT, facilities, strategy, risk, or business operations

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO

It is the policy of Summit Academy OIC to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Summit Academy OIC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Education Required

We're Looking for Someone Who Has:

Ten or more years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including at least five years leading teams or functions at a senior level

Substantive experience with federal Title IV financial aid in higher education, postsecondary career training, or another eligible institution

Proven success strengthening or rebuilding finance operations, controls, procedures, reporting, and team capability

Advanced experience in budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, and advising cost center or business leaders

Experience presenting financial information and recommendations to executive leadership and/or Boards

Deep knowledge of GAAP, FASB standards, nonprofit financial management, internal controls, and cash management

Demonstrated ability to move fluidly between executive strategy and hands-on execution

Additional Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field

Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV student financial aid regulations and compliance

Ability to interpret and operationalize evolving regulatory requirements

Exceptional judgment, integrity, communication, and collaboration skills

Helpful, But Not Required

CPA and/or MBA or other relevant advanced degree

Leadership experience in higher education, career and technical education, workforce development, or a mission-driven education organization

Knowledge of Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Office of Higher Education requirements

Three or more years of nonprofit financial leadership experience

Experience with government grants, restricted funding, philanthropy, foundations, donations, and development partnerships

Experience overseeing multiple administrative functions such as IT, facilities, strategy, risk, or business operations

Minimum Experience Required

We're Looking for Someone Who Has:

Ten or more years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including at least five years leading teams or functions at a senior level

Substantive experience with federal Title IV financial aid in higher education, postsecondary career training, or another eligible institution

Proven success strengthening or rebuilding finance operations, controls, procedures, reporting, and team capability

Advanced experience in budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, and advising cost center or business leaders

Experience presenting financial information and recommendations to executive leadership and/or Boards

Deep knowledge of GAAP, FASB standards, nonprofit financial management, internal controls, and cash management

Demonstrated ability to move fluidly between executive strategy and hands-on execution

Additional Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field

Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV student financial aid regulations and compliance

Ability to interpret and operationalize evolving regulatory requirements

Exceptional judgment, integrity, communication, and collaboration skills

Helpful, But Not Required

CPA and/or MBA or other relevant advanced degree

Leadership experience in higher education, career and technical education, workforce development, or a mission-driven education organization

Knowledge of Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Office of Higher Education requirements

Three or more years of nonprofit financial leadership experience

Experience with government grants, restricted funding, philanthropy, foundations, donations, and development partnerships

Experience overseeing multiple administrative functions such as IT, facilities, strategy, risk, or business operations

Shift

First (Day)

Number of Openings

1

Public Transportation Accessible

Yes

Veterans Encouraged to Apply

Yes

Physical Required

No

Drug Test Required

No

Compensation

$180,000.00 - $205,000.00 / Annually

Additional Compensation

Eligibility for an annual bonus based on organizational and employee performance

Postal Code

55405

Job Type

Full Time

Place of Work

On-site

Requisition ID

112341

Job Benefits

Paid time off (PTO) policy, which begins accruing at 120 hours (3 weeks) per year;

11 annual paid holidays in addition to 2 annual scheduled, paid mental health days;

Eligibility to elect comprehensive health, vision, dental, and voluntary life insurance;

Employer-sponsored life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance;

Eligibility to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match, effective day one;

Eligibility for an annual bonus based on organizational and employee performance