Business Manager/CFO

Santa Barbara Middle School Job Opening 

Business Manager/CFO

Desired Start Date: August 1, 2025 

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 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.    The Business Manager/CFO position is year‐round, with greater flexibility and a somewhat lighter schedule in the summer.  There are occasional mandatory 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 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, perƟnent Dashboards, monthly Cash Flow projection 
• Report to the Finance CommiƩee 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 CommiƩee 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 CommiƩee 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 broker 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 trainings 
• ∙ 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. 
• ∙ Work with the Health and Safety Director to develop current and updated policies and procedures to ensure staff and student safety   
• ∙ Oversee department budget, approve equipment purchases and other necessary expenditures 

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: 

o B.S. or Masters Degree in one or more of the following:  Business, Accounting, Human Resources, Nonprofit or School Management 

                  o 5‐10 years’ experience in Independent School or other Nonprofit management 

∙ Workplace Skills: 

o Excellent written and oral communication skills 

o Excel, Google Suite, Blackbaud, QuickBooks, Expensify, Bill.com 

o Understanding of independent school industry 

o Excellent knowledge of all areas: California Labor Laws, policies, benefits, compensation, onboarding, offboarding, retention, wellness, reviews 

o Ability to communicate and present complicated financial information to ‘non‐finance’ audience 

∙ Personality traits: 

o Positive attitude 

o Overcomes obstacles, problem solver 

o Humble, accepts correction, learns from mistakes 

o Gets along with a wide variety of personalities 

o Trusts, assumes the best in others 

                  o Tactful, service oriented and compassionate with all constituencies   

∙ Leadership & Management Style: 

                   o Can align with and accept both old guard and newer staff thinking 

                  o Ability to unify different departments, create teamwork, efficiencies, etc. 

o Ability to plan, lead productive meetings 

o Mentors, coaches others in department to be their best 

o Delegates when appropriate 

o Leads by example 

o Strategizes for future: structures process, stays on schedule 

∙ Workstyle 

                  o Can triage, pivot, adapt, as needed, in busy work environment 

                  o Aligns with strategic goals/planning 

                  o Self‐starter/independent/works with very little oversight 

          o Can meet deadline driven, complex and sometimes conflicting priorities 

o Analytical ‐ always looking for ways to improve things 

o Inclusive/good communicator/efficient with others’ time and their own 

 Other Requirements 

o Able to participate physically in the Outdoor Program of SBMS, including riding a bike, hiking, and swimming. 

o Able to sit at a desk and work at a computer for hours at a time 

o Able to lift 50 pounds 

o Must be able to pass background check with no criminal record

                               Key Information 

  o Status:  Full Time/Exempt

o Compensation/Benefits: SBMS is committed to attracting and retaining the highest 

quality faculty and staff through our compensation plan, including competitive salary, 

retirement benefits, and medical/dental/vision coverage. Compensation for this 

position ranges from $100k ‐ $140k 

o EOE: SBMS values diversity and seeks talented faculty and staff from different 

backgrounds.  All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful 

considerations of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and 

related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 

marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, creed, age, mental or 

physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or 

any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

o Start date: Flexible, but as early as August 1, 2025 

o To apply: Please email to jobs@sbms.org :  cover letter and resume.  References will be requested 

o Application deadline: July 31, 2025