Director of Finance and Operations
Search being conducted by 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting
$200,000 - $220,000
Job Description
SUMMARY
Founded in 1928, Crane Country Day School is an independent kindergarten through eighth grade (K-8) day school in Santa Barbara, California, where approximately 275 students and 60 “Staffulty” (a term many schools use for teachers and administrators working together as one team) share a 12-acre campus. Guided by a mission to thrive as a community that builds character and confidence while celebrating the joy in learning, Crane offers an innovative, rigorous, and experiential program in which students’ social and emotional growth matters as much as their academic progress.
Crane seeks a Director of Finance and Operations to provide strategic financial stewardship and lead the operational functions that support the school each day. Reporting to the Head of School and partnering closely with the Board’s Finance Committee Chair, the Director will supervise four direct reports: the Controller, Accounts Manager, Director of Facilities, and Campus Safety Officer. The Director also works in close partnership with the school’s part-time Human Resources (HR) Lead, who reports to the Head of School, on matters where finance, operations, and people intersect.
The ideal candidate is calm, responsive, organized, and ready to act; someone who knows what is urgent, what can be delegated, and what can wait; and who is energized by improving systems rather than simply maintaining them. Leaders from a broad range of educational, nonprofit, and business sectors who are drawn to Crane’s mission are encouraged to apply.
12M & Ed Tech Recruiting is running the search on behalf of Crane Country Day School. Applications received by December 2, 2026 will receive priority review. For application instructions and the full job opportunity statement, please visit:
www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/Crane/DFO
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Priority Deadline: December 2, 2026
Application Review Period: December–January
On-site Final Round: Late January 2027
Decision Announced: Early February 2027
Start Date: First or second quarter of 2027; later start dates may be considered, but no later than July 1, 2027
Reports To: Head of School
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Annual Salary Range: $200,000–$220,000
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Financial Strategy & Stewardship
- Lead the annual budget process and multi-year financial planning.
- Provide clear financial reporting, forecasting, and analysis to the Head of School, Board, and Finance Committee.
- Review tuition assistance, financial benchmarks, and other major cost drivers to support long-term sustainability.
- Help identify and evaluate additional revenue opportunities, including summer programs and use of campus facilities.
- Partner with Canterbury Investments and support the Board’s Investment Committee in monitoring endowment performance, planning for long-term growth, and aligning investment strategy with Crane’s financial goals.
- Oversee the annual audit and other core financial reporting requirements.
Operational Leadership & Campus Stewardship
- Provide strategic oversight of facilities, maintenance, campus safety, food-service vendors, Crane vehicles, and other school operations.
- Partner with the Director of Facilities and Buildings & Grounds Committee on capital planning, project sequencing, and long-term campus needs.
- Strengthen operational policies, procedures, documentation, and continuity planning.
- Oversee vendor relationships and ensure operational issues are addressed efficiently and appropriately.
- Support effective emergency preparedness, safety practices, and regulatory compliance.
Team Leadership & Systems Improvement
- Supervise the Controller, Accounts Manager, Director of Facilities, and Campus Safety Officer.
- Clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision-making across the Business Office and operational functions.
- Delegate effectively while providing experienced colleagues with clear direction and support.
- Improve systems, workflows, documentation, and use of technology, including UKG.
- Assess staffing and organizational needs and recommend changes where appropriate.
People, Governance & Community
- Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Head of School, to whom this role reports, and perform other duties as assigned.
- Work closely with the HR Lead on benefits, payroll, compensation, policy, and employment matters.
- Partner with relevant Board committees, including Finance and Buildings & Grounds.
- Collaborate closely with admissions, advancement, communications, academic leadership, and other school leaders.
QUALIFICATIONS
Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or relevant professional credential welcomed
- Significant leadership experience spanning finance, operations, business administration, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience with budgeting, financial planning, analysis, and communicating financial information to senior leaders or boards
- Experience overseeing complex operations such as facilities, safety, vendors, capital projects, or auxiliary programs
- Experience supervising and developing experienced professionals
- Demonstrated ability to improve systems, processes, documentation, and use of technology
- Familiarity with HR, benefits, payroll, compliance, and risk management
- Experience working effectively with boards or board committees
- Independent school experience welcomed but not required; candidates from nonprofit, higher education, healthcare, business, hospitality, and other relevant sectors encouraged to apply
Leadership and Personal Qualities
- Communicative
- Connective
- Steady
- Proactive
- Analytical
- Strategic
- Organized
- Empowering
- Collaborative
- Detail-Oriented
TO APPLY
For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.
Opportunity Statement
TO APPLY
For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.