MissionThe Blake School provides students with an excellent, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to a common set of values. Students are expected to participate in an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities in preparation for college, lifelong learning, community service and lives as responsible world citizens.

Core ValuesRespect. Love of Learning. Integrity. Courage. Commitment to Pluralism.

Fast Facts• Independent day school with

campuses in Minneapolis, Hop-kins, and Wayzata, MN

• Approximately 1,375 students and350 faculty and staff

• Classroom average of 15-16students

• Average graduating class size is130 students

• 25% of students recognized annu-ally by the National Merit program

• 30% of students identify asstudents of color

• 23% of students receiveneed-based financial aid

• Accredited by the IndependentSchool Association of the CentralStates (ISACS)

• Member of the College Board, theCum Laude Society, and theNational Association of CollegeAdmissions Counselors (NACAC)

Learn more at blakeschool.org and on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

Located in the Minneapolis metropolitan area, but maintaining a national academic reputation, The Blake School is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational day school for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Founded in 1900, The Blake School has the advantage of three campuses each with its own facilities designed for specific ages, schedules and activities. Students are from almost 50 communities around the Twin Cities, defining Blake as a truly metropolitan school. Blake students aren’t just book-smart, they are also imaginative, analytical, and empathetic. They excel as artists, athletes, and performers. They think, solve problems, and create. Students graduate from Blake prepared to make our world better – and more interesting.

The Blake School believes that a diverse society enriches all individuals and communities. Diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, geography, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and marital, parental or economic status forms the fabric of our society. As a result of these beliefs, The Blake School actively seeks students, families and employees who value and contribute to the fullness of a diverse community within the context of its mission.

HistoryFor more than 110 years, The Blake School and its predecessors — Northrop Collegiate School (1900), Blake School (1907), and Highcroft Country Day School (1958) — have provided excellent education for students in the Twin Cities area. In the early 20th century, a small group of families who wanted to prepare their children for schools in the East founded Blake (for boys) and Northrop (for girls) in Minneapolis. Migration to the Minneapolis suburbs led to the 1958 incorporation of Highcroft, a co-ed elementary school in Wayzata. The three schools merged to become The Blake School(s) in 1974.

Position Profile: Blake School Director of Finance

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• Monitor income, expenses, and cash flowthroughout the year and recommend actionsto improve cash/asset utilization andoperating results

• Coordinate with Institutional Advancementto ensure that all gifts and pledges areproperly recorded and expenditures areconsistent with donor intent

• Work closely with the school’s endowmentconsultant to execute multi-million dollarendowment transactions

• Actively participate in the Finance andInvestment Committee meetings, makeperiodic presentations to the Head of School,the Finance Committee, and the Board ofTrustees

• Ensure all federal, state, and local taxrequirements are met, including thepreparation of IRS Form 990 and sales taxfiling

• Perform biannual debt compliance reviewand prepare surveys, compliance reports, andfinancial analyses

• Manage the annual audit with the school’soutside audit firm

• Maintain accounting policies, procedures,and rigorous controls by communicating andimplementing these policies throughout theschool

• Support stakeholders with timely andaccurate analysis and recommendations toimprove efficiency and to achieve control andaccountability in all departments

• Administer the financial accounting software(currently in transition from Blackbaud toVeracross)

The Role

The Director of Finance is responsible for the management and support of the School’s financial activities, systems, and processes to achieve planned financial results and to safeguard its assets. This includes the development and maintenance of effective policies and procedures that support internal controls, mitigate risk, and ensure the accuracy of Blake’s financial records. The Director of Finance owns the school’s banking relationships, provides financial oversight on multi-million dollar construction projects, executes all endowment transactions, and makes frequent presentations to the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees.

The Director of Finance leads a team consisting of a Senior Accountant, Staff Accountant, and a Billing and A/P Coordinator. This position works closely with the CFOO, school administration, and Board of Trustees to help Blake deliver on its mission.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Manage the accounting, financial planning,and analysis activities, including thepreparation of monthly and annual financialreports in accordance with GAAP

• Demonstrate effective team leadership bybeing a good listener, investing in people,setting clear expectations, providing training,conducting performance reviews, and helpingthe team grow

• Collaborate with the CFOO in the preparationof the annual budget and long-range financialplans

Position Profile: Blake School Director of Finance

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For more information or to send your credentials, please email

BlakeSchool@cohentaylor.com.

All inquiries will remain confidential.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThe contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensa-tion information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Experience and Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate brings strategic financial skills, technical accounting acumen, and strong leadership and cross-functional relationship building capacity. Qualified candidates will be able to function in a fast-paced, high energy environment of rapidly changing priorities with an ability to collaborate with many constituencies while maintaining a professional attitude and a sense of humor.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or businesswith strong working knowledge of GAAP

• 7+ years’ experience in the finance andaccounting fields and 3+ years supervisoryexperience

• Financial acumen to include overall budgetanalysis and development, expense controls,financial modeling and financial reporting

• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, andunwavering commitment to Blake’s mission; aproactive, hands-on strategic thinker who willhave, in partnership with the CFOO, theresponsibility for the school’s finances

• Advanced analytical skills and attention todetail

• Exemplary team leadership skills, includingproven leadership of a high functioning teamand evidence of strong cross-departmentalcollaboration

• Excellent written and verbal communicationskills

Position Profile: Blake School Director of Finance

• Experience in nonprofit accounting• Strong desire to continuously implement

organizational improvements and seekpersonal and professional development

• Proven ability to develop and maintaincollaborative relationships throughout theorganization as well as with key externalstakeholders

• Ability to translate complex financial conceptsto individuals at all levels, includingnon-finance managers

Preferred:• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA)• Master of Business Administration (MBA)• Knowledge of endowments, charitable trust

accounting, fund accounting, and accountingfor restricted charitable contributions

• Experience with Blackbaud or Veracrossfinancial software

• Finance and accounting experience in aneducational setting

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