Independent Schools of Saint Louis

Chief Financial Officer John Burroughs School

About John Burroughs School

Founded in 1923, John Burroughs School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 7-12 located on a 50-acre campus in St. Louis, Missouri. Burroughs currently has 660 students, 48 percent of whom identify as students of color. Twenty-five percent of the student body receives tuition aid.

Burroughs strives to instill the joy of living through active learning, integrity, and service to others. We seek to cultivate an inclusive community that nurtures authentic learners who lead and inspire meaningful lives. Faculty, parents/guardians, and students share a commitment to a liberal arts education that strikes a balance among academics, arts, athletics, and activities. We believe that the many dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to excellence in education, and they are woven into the fabric of the Burroughs experience.

For more information, see:

About Burroughs  /  Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Engagement  /  Working at Burroughs

Position Description

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a strategic partner to the head of school and board of trustees, a collaborative teammate who works alongside colleagues and direct reports, and a trusted leader for all Burroughs constituents. As the person chiefly responsible for the school’s business practices and operations, the CFO oversees the business office, the plant operations department, dining services, and auxiliary programs. The ideal candidate will also be excited about working and learning outside of the traditional boundaries of finance and operations to lead a school community entering its second century on strong footing.

As a school leader, our next CFO will:

  • Enthusiastically embrace the school’s mission, why/how statements, and DEIE values.
  • Be a visible, trusted colleague who plugs into the life of the school community.
  • Partner with the head of school, the board of trustees, and other senior administrators on matters of school leadership and governance.
  • Demonstrate a talent for aligning the school’s business practices with its mission and values.
  • Advocate for both the institution’s financial wellbeing and individual employee wellbeing.
  • Navigate, manage, and communicate about projects using an institutional perspective.
  • Lead and support a team of business and operations professionals, including the director of facilities, accounting manager, senior accountant, payroll and benefits administrator, and bookstore manager.

As a financial executive, our next CFO will:

  • Provide strategic leadership, analysis, and management of finances and operations.
  • Maintain strong practices for financial reporting, cash management, bank/lender relationship cultivation, investment management, accounts receivable, contract management, and fundraising accounting.
  • Safeguard the school’s financial assets and practices with best-in-class internal controls, audit management, and risk management.
  • Oversee and administer all payroll, benefits, and HR processes and programming.
  • Serve as the chief staff liaison to–and implement the policies and directives of–two Board of Trustees committees (FB&G, investment), managing communications and financial reporting.
  • Continue to modernize the business office with technology- and data-driven solutions.

As a plant operations executive, our next CFO will:

  • Work closely with the facilities director to oversee the physical campus, including buildings and grounds maintenance, capital planning and construction projects.
  • Demonstrate a talent for connecting the dots internally and externally when managing or supporting projects.

As an executive responsible for dining services and auxiliary programs, our next CFO will:

  • Oversee financial components of the food service program with an outsourced vendor.
  • Oversee financial components of auxiliary programs such as the book store, the health club, and summer camps.

Our next CFO will also have the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics necessary for leading the financial operations of a well-established independent school. Please see our opportunity profile for additional details about our community and our next CFO.

Application Process:

Please direct applications for and questions about our CFO position to Matt DiGiulio, special assistant to the head of school (mattdigiulio@jburroughs.org).

  • Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
  • Cover letter stating interest in and qualifications for the position.
  • Current resume, including phone number and email address.
  • List of three professional references with contact information.

Files will be reviewed as received with preference given to candidates whose materials are submitted by December 1, 2024. Semifinalist interviews will take place mid-December. Finalists can expect to visit campus in early January.