Chief Financial and Operating Officer,

Located in Oakville, Ontario, just west of Toronto, St. Mildred’s Lightbourn School (SMLS) has a rich history rooted in the Anglican tradition since its establishment in 1891. As a leading independent (not-for-profit with charitable status) university-preparatory institution for girls from junior kindergarten through Grade 12, SMLS serves approximately 500 students, supported by a dedicated team of around 110 faculty and staff. For more than 135 years, SMLS has empowered young women to transcend academic boundaries, build confidence in their abilities, remain open to learning experiences beyond the classroom, and emerge as leaders within their communities. Students at SMLS are encouraged to embrace risks and develop the future-ready skills, resilience, and determination necessary to excel in various fields. For additional information, please visit the school’s website at: https://www.smls.on.ca/.

The Role: An exceptional opportunity has arisen within SMLS’s Senior Leadership Team. The Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO), reporting directly to the Head of School, is a vital member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for providing strategic and operational direction, fostering business excellence and revenue growth, ensuring effective financial management, enhancing operational efficiencies, and promoting the institution's sustainability. This position is designed for a visionary and collaborative leader.

Key responsibilities and focus areas include:
• Financial and risk management
• Facilities management
• Information Technology
• Business development
• Auxiliary Services (including student transportation and food services)

Key Responsibilities: The CFOO will oversee Finance, Business Development, Facilities, Auxiliary Services, and Information Technology while serving as a thought leader to provide executive vision and facilitate successful implementation. The ideal candidate will manage the school’s business operations, present innovative business strategies to the Head of School and the Board of Governors, develop and refine financial models for sustainable growth, optimize school operations, support tuition strategies and enrollment planning in conjunction with relevant Senior Leadership Team members, and execute additional strategic initiatives set forth by the Head of School. This individual will further the School’s strategic objectives while ensuring that the institution's infrastructure and financial health align with its long-term vision. This role presents a unique opportunity that combines entrepreneurial innovation with financial sustainability.

a) Strategic Leadership, Planning & Oversight
• Participate actively on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and contribute to the governance of the school, including operational decision-making, policy formulation, and strategic planning.
• Develop a compelling operational strategy that aligns with the School’s strategic vision and priorities.
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, legal, and reputational risks.
• Prepare and present financial and administrative updates and budgets to the Board of Governors.
• Advise the Head of School and Board on institutional risk management, legal matters, and compliance with non-academic regulations to ensure a safe and sustainable campus.
• Establish benchmarks and metrics for the School-wide Scorecard.

b) Finance & Financial Management
• Oversee the school's financial performance, including the creation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of operating and capital budgets.
• Manage the annual budgeting process, addressing multi-year financial requirements and identifying cost management opportunities and investment areas.
• Ensure that the school’s investment portfolio is managed according to Board policies and procedures.
• Provide financial and administrative services in a responsible and efficient manner.
• Balance financial sustainability with educational excellence and accessibility, ensuring the resources necessary to fulfill the school’s educational mission.

c) Business Development
• Develop strategies to enhance diversified revenue growth for the school beyond core tuition and advancement initiatives.
• Identify new opportunities and implement business plans to optimize the use of school assets and resources.
• Lead feasibility studies for new programs, partnerships, and revenue-generating ventures.
• Ensure that systems and infrastructure are scalable and adaptable.

d) Operations, Facilities & IT Management
• Create and implement a long-term facilities and capital planning strategy.
• Oversee the management of the school’s capital assets and infrastructure.
• Provide counsel to the Head of School and the Board on campus development, construction projects, and land acquisition issues.
• Coordinate campus space utilization and planning.
• Ensure that technology enhances teaching, learning, and operational efficiency.
• Lead digital transformation and systems integration initiatives.

e) Team Leadership & Mentorship
• Offer leadership and oversight to teams in Business Development, Financial Services, Information Technology, Physical Plant, and Facilities.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop Operations and Finance staff, fostering professional growth and team development.
• Define departmental objectives, key performance indicators, and accountability metrics.
• Provide orientation, coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Foster a culture that aligns with the School’s mission and values.

f) School Leadership
• Contribute to the overall health, success, and sustainability of the School.
• Represent the School externally and serve as an Ambassador for its mission and values.
• Exemplify the SMLS values and instill leadership behaviors and expectations throughout the community.
• Lead efforts in emergency preparedness and business continuity.
• Ensure the school can effectively navigate disruptions.

Experience and Qualifications: You are a visionary leader with a strong business acumen, capable of balancing strategic foresight with significant operational expertise and execution capabilities. You possess:
• A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in senior finance and operational leadership roles.
• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field, along with a CPA designation. An MBA or a master's degree in a related business field, or equivalent, is preferred.
• Strategic Acumen: Proven ability to design, present, and implement comprehensive strategies and business plans while supporting data-driven decision-making.
• Consultative and Creative Solution Mindset: A collaborative thinker who effectively engages stakeholders and serves as a strategic advisor, applying a creative perspective to transform conventional challenges into innovative, impactful opportunities for the School.
• People Leadership: Strong team-building capabilities and a collaborative approach across all organizational levels.
• A pragmatic, action-oriented mindset that advances initiatives while maintaining proper rigor and accountability.
• Comfort in navigating uncertainty and change, with the ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and adapt.
• A successful track record of implementing strategic plans and delivering capital projects on time and within budget.
• A genuine appreciation for the mission, culture, and values of SMLS.

Applications: If you are excited about this opportunity at our school, please send your application directly to:
Samantha Galati
Principal
Bedford Resources Inc.
E: sgalati@bedfordgroup.com

We sincerely appreciate the interest of all applicants in SMLS; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SMLS is an equal opportunity employer that accommodates needs under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment within our community. For any inquiries or requirements, please contact Samantha Galati, Principal at Bedford Resources Inc., at sgalati@bedfordgroup.com. Bedford Resources Inc. does not use AI for screening, assessing, ranking, or selecting candidates at any stage of the recruitment process. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by experienced search professionals using professional judgment and human-led assessment techniques.