Careers

Position: Director of Finance and Human Resources (Full Time)

Reports to: Head of School

Supervises: Assoc. Director of Finance and Senior Accountant and Tuition/Financial Aid Manager

WHO WE ARE:

At Forest Ridge, our intentional approach to excellence in education inspires students to explore intellectually, spiritually and personally as they embrace challenge, feed their curiosity, build their confidence and prepare for a lifelong pursuit of much more than just success, but a life of meaning.

Our dynamic and challenging academic environment is filled with immersive, experiential learning opportunities, designed to help students discover their own sense of purpose. Our students learn to regard the world both intellectually and spiritually, blending faith with logic, combining thoughtful reflection with energetic debate, and focusing on both individual wellbeing and the good of the global community.

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school for girls in grades 5-12, welcomes students, adults and families into an inclusive global learning environment which respects and strives for diversity, openness, understanding and acceptance of all human beings.

As a member of a global network of more than 150 schools, our educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in 30 countries; including 25 schools in the United States and Canada. The essence of this tradition is the total development of each child: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical.

THE ROLE:

Under minimal supervision, the high performing position of Director of Finance and Human Resources at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a key strategic partner to the Head of School, providing both financial leadership and human resources management in a mission-driven, collaborative environment. The Director will oversee all financial operations, HR practices, and systems that support the overall success and sustainability of the school. S/he will interface collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team, and leaders across the organization, to frame key strategic questions, analyze potential opportunities, build a healthy and sustainable school culture, and make critical recommendations and decisions on behalf of the school. The Director of Finance and Human Resources is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, attends all Board of Trustee meetings, and is the primary staff member responsible for the Finance, Audit, and Investment committees of the Board.

The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of independent school financial management, a strategic mindset, and the ability to help shape the school’s long-term financial health, ensuring its continued success. This role requires a dynamic leader who can combine technical expertise with a commitment to supporting the holistic formation of both students and staff. This role requires a combination of financial expertise and a deep understanding of HR practices in non-profit leadership.

As a senior leadership role in the school with supervisory duties and the head of the human resources function, this is an in-person position at our campus in Bellevue, with occasional work-from-home opportunities, not to exceed 10% of working time.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overall duties and responsibilities and those driven by the School’s mission and Strategic Direction

• Participates in strategic planning activities, providing financial and human resources insights and recommendations.
• Develops and monitors key performance indicators for financial, operational, and human resources metrics.
• Provides regular reports and presentations to stakeholders, including board members, staff, and others as needed.
• Supports routine tasks to ensure completion in a timely manner and in accordance with deadlines (tasks include, but are not limited to, payroll processing, data entry, financial record keeping, benefits enrollment, hiring/onboarding, employee performance management, and reporting).
• Makes sound and data-driven business decisions to push Forest Ridge forward; monitoring the School’s financial performance and analyzes trends to reduce financial risk.
• Leads and supervises the Associate Director of Finance and Senior Accountant and Tuition/Financial Aid Manager to support them in performing to their best abilities.
• Identifies areas of opportunity for continuous improvement and leads large scale project initiatives for efficiency improvements through the utilization of technology and streamlined processes.
• Participates in department, division and school task forces and committees as needed.

Finance

• Analyzes the financial needs of the School, architects the financial forecast, and engineers the School’s financial strategy.
• Owns the School’s financial model and utilizes scenario modeling to help senior leaders make key decisions about the School’s direction.
• Collaborates with the Head of School in reimagining financial and compensation frameworks.
• Manages the financial capital requirements and funding implications of all capital projects.
• Supervises the finance and accounting team and manages the financial stability of the School, overseeing purchasing, tuition billing and receivables, banking relationships, cash flows, liquidity, development of financial models, payroll, and benefits program.
• Collaborates with the Head of School and Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, preparing monthly operating statements, securing an annual audit of the School’s financial records and position, overseeing financial investments, and establishing annual budget goals.
• Collaborates with the Head of School and senior administrators, oversees the annual budget setting process for the school, and establishes a clear, consistent process of budget-to-actual reporting for all school budget managers.
• Collaborates with the Institutional Advancement team to ensure all gifts and pledges are recorded accurately and distributed appropriately.
• Provides accurate and timely financial and facility reports to the Head of School, senior leaders, Board committees and the Board of Trustees, enabling them to make decisions for the good of the School.
• Leads the efforts, and coordinates with appropriate school leaders, to implement financial and operational risk management policies and maintain appropriate levels of insurance to protect the property and cover the liability of the School.
• Develops partnerships with the corporate sector, nonprofit community and civic organizations, and represents the school at various regional, state, and national associations.
• Directs and advises on all accounting activities.
• Maintains compliance with GAAP in the management and structure of all accounting practices.
• Reviews vendor contracts with appropriate department leaders (i.e. transportation, landscaping, janitorial, HVAC, telephones, copiers, mail machine and telecommunication services).
• Leads tuition assistance processing and collaborates with admission leaders for awarding assistance.
• Provides oversight for annual review and revision of student enrollment contracts and coordinates with admission team to ensure timely and accurate online enrollment process.
• Leads and directs annual financial and retirement plan audit processes and NWAIS accreditation process.
• Manages over $30 million of endowed funds and scholarships:
  • Maintains compliance with WA State Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (PMIFA).
  • Develops strategies for endowment growth and utilization in accordance with the School’s financial needs.
  • Interfaces with and direct investment manager relationship in development of Investment Policy Statement (ISP) and subsequent activities.
  • Maintains records regarding investment activities and application of investment activities to endowed funds.
  • Provides regular reporting and consulting to the Head of School, Board of Trustees and various Board Committees.

Human Resources

• Leads the development of policies, processes, and practices to create a thriving workplace culture that attracts the finest talent and allows them to develop professionally at the School.
• Ensures that the School is in compliance with all federal, state, and local employment regulations.
• Collaborates with appropriate school leaders to develop and implement human resources strategies and policies to attract, develop, and retain a competent workforce in alignment with the School's mission and values.
• Collaborates with appropriate senior leaders to manage interview, hiring, and onboarding processes.
• Manages employee relations, including performance management, employee engagement, and conflict resolution.
• Collaborates with Head of School to develop and implement training and development programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge for staff.
• Conducts annual evaluation of all employee benefits including medical, dental, vision and other insurances / communication plan with employees on any changes.
• Manages employee retirement plan, including vendor relationships, while ensuring compliance and fiduciary oversight as appropriate.
• Reviews and revises employee handbook annually and communicates changes to employees.
• Reviews and revises employment policies and practices on a periodic basis.
• Collaborates with senior leaders on all employee terminations.
• Manages worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance, programs, claims, etc,

Risk Management

• Leads the school’s Enterprise Risk Management initiatives.
• Manages the school’s property/casualty, directors’ and officers’ liability, employment practices liability, and fiduciary liability insurance programs, and manages any associated claims and litigation.
• Collaborates with educational and operational leaders to understand and mitigate risk as appropriate.
• Provides leadership and guidance for all school programs, especially travel.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business administration or related field required.
• MBA or related advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of senior-level experience in financial and human resources management, preferably in an independent school or non-profit environment.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
• Experience with non-profits or independent schools is highly desirable.
• Strong background in finance, budgeting, investing and cash management required.
• Previous supervisory experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to simultaneously manage a wide variety of issues, situations, and people.
• Detail-oriented, with excellent time-management skills.
• Ability to be autonomous, self-motivated, and driven, as well as having a team approach.
• Outstanding communication skills--ability to communicate with all constituents including: Board of Trustees, maintenance staff, parents, students, vendors, faculty, staff, etc.
• Advanced technology skills including Word, Outlook, Excel, accounting software and database management software.
• General digital literacy (use of a laptop, connecting to the network, internet safety, operating a network phone system and copier system, etc.).
• Advanced skills in MS Office Suite products (Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.), web applications such as Google Suite, video conferencing software, and database management software; ability to master common automated systems, and confidently learn new technology.
• Open and collaborative management style.
• A high degree of integrity and ethics, with an unwavering commitment to confidentiality.
• Strong customer service orientation and the ability to represent Forest Ridge in a professional manner.
• Flexibility, maturity, and a good sense of humor.

SALARY/BENEFITS:

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a competitive compensation and benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 403(b) plan, supplemental benefits and tuition remission. The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $170,000, based on education and experience.

TO APPLY:

Qualified applicants should email the following documents to careers@forestridge.org:

• Cover letter
• Updated CV/Resume
• List of three professional references

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart does not discriminate in its employment decisions or practices on the basis of gender, age, race, color, marital status, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any disability that can be reasonably accommodated in the administration of its educational policies and school-administered programs.

THE ROLE:

Forest Ridge seeks a talented, passionate and engaging part-time Upper School Math Teacher to teach one section of Geometry in our new mod schedule.

The aim of the mathematics department is to support each student in developing conceptual understanding and procedural fluency with mathematics. Our curriculum allows students to work collaboratively and develop independent learning skills as they grow in their math knowledge and confidence. Our math courses are thoughtfully designed to provide all students with a comprehensive foundation, equipping them with the tools and skills necessary for success in advanced math courses. Each course is offered at one challenge level and students work in mixed ability groups. We take great pride in cultivating the mathematical talents of students and fostering a deep, thorough, and multidimensional understanding of concepts that enable them to reach their full potential and succeed in whatever path they choose.

We are looking for an educator who is passionate about teaching adolescent girls, who works well both independently and with a team, and who employs a variety of teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of our students. Furthermore, Forest Ridge seeks faculty and staff whose philosophies align with our Sacred Heart mission and who enthusiastically believe in educating the mind, body and spirit of each student.

TEACHING AT FOREST RIDGE:

• Forest Ridge offers an intellectually invigorating, interconnected and experiential curriculum.
• The entire Forest Ridge experience is designed to support the growth of girls, particularly in the academic and leadership spaces more traditionally held by boys.
• The curriculum at Forest Ridge has been developed and updated by the faculty who teach it.
• Forest Ridge teachers work collaboratively across disciplines and grade levels to integrate learning experiences for students.
• The Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria guide faculty and staff in their interactions with families and colleagues.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Upper School Math Teacher, reporting to the Director of Upper School, will join a collaborative department of colleagues to build a creative, engaging and student-centered learning environment, employing best practices for educating students in an inclusive setting. Specific responsibilities for this position include:

• Teach 1 section of Upper School Geometry; With our new mod schedule, it would be 90 minutes a day from 10/7 – 11/15, 1/21 – 3/5, and 5/6 – 6/12
• Provide support for students outside of class time (answering homework questions, providing extra writing help, etc.) as needed;
• Actively collaborate with colleagues to design curriculum, assessment and instructional practices in alignment with best practices to create innovative and equitable learning experiences for all students;
• Attend department, team, and faculty meetings as scheduled;
• Participate in the life of the school community by attending school assemblies, divisional gatherings, school events, etc.;
• Attend and respectfully participate in communal prayer and other faith services.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

A successful candidate for this position will meet the following requirements and qualifications:

• Experience teaching upper school math courses;
• A bachelor’s degree in math or a related field; master’s degree is preferred.
• A personal understanding of and commitment to the Goals and Criteria of a Sacred Heart education;
• A commitment to working in a girl-centric environment, designed to support the development of competent, confident and courageous women ready to lead in a multi-cultural world;
• Prior experience working with a diverse population of students and colleagues;
• A demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy, including an understanding of themselves and the lenses they bring to interactions, as well as the differing perspectives of others;
• A commitment to teaching the whole child;
• An ability to work and communicate well with faculty, staff, students and parents;

SALARY/BENEFITS:

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through competitive compensation. Salary range(s) based on education and experience. Part-time: $11,142 - $20,823

TO APPLY:

Qualified applicants should email the following documents to careers@forestridge.org:

• Cover letter
• Statement of Educational Philosophy
• Updated CV/Resume
• List of three professional references

THE ROLE:  

Forest Ridge seeks a talented, passionate and engaging long-term Middle School Science Teacher to teach two sections of the 8th grade physical science course from Monday, October 28, 2024 through Friday, May 2, 2025.  

The middle school science courses are skills-driven, inquiry-based, and hands-on. Class time centers around authentic experiential learning opportunities, where students are encouraged and expected to actively engage in scientific inquiry skills and practice good scientific habits of mind.  

We are looking for an educator who is passionate about teaching adolescent girls, who works well both independently and with a team, and who employs a variety of teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of our students. Furthermore, Forest Ridge seeks faculty and staff whose philosophies align with our Sacred Heart mission and who enthusiastically believe in educating the mind, body and spirit of each student. 

TEACHING AT FOREST RIDGE:

Forest Ridge offers an intellectually invigorating, interconnected and experiential curriculum. 

• The entire Forest Ridge experience is designed to support the growth of girls, particularly in the academic and leadership spaces more traditionally held by boys.  
• The curriculum at Forest Ridge has been developed and updated by the faculty who teach it. 
• Forest Ridge teachers work collaboratively across disciplines and grade levels to integrate learning experiences for students.  
• The Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria guide faculty and staff in their interactions with families and colleagues. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Middle School Science Teacher, reporting to the Director of Middle School, will join a collaborative department of colleagues to build a creative, engaging and student-centered learning environment, employing best practices for educating students in an inclusive setting. Specific responsibilities for this position include: 

• Teach 2 sections of 8th grade physical science during the following days/time: Mondays 12:15-1:10, Tuesday 8:30–9:25 and 1:15-2:10, Wednesday 12:15-1:10 and 1:50-2:45, Thursday 10:40-11:35, and Friday 12:15 – 2:10; 
• Teach in an Immersive Week course offering;  
• Provide support for students outside of class time (answering homework questions, providing extra writing help, etc.) as needed; 
• Actively collaborate with colleagues to implement curriculum, assessment and instructional practices in alignment with best practices to create innovative and equitable learning experiences for all students;  
• Attend department, team, and faculty meetings as scheduled; 
• Participate in the life of the school community by attending school assemblies, divisional gatherings, school events, etc.; 
• Attend and respectfully participate in communal prayer and other faith services.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

A successful candidate for this position will meet the following requirements and qualifications:  

• Experience teaching middle school science courses; 
• Experience safely managing students using laboratory equipment; 
• A bachelor’s degree in math or a related field; master’s degree is preferred.  
• A personal understanding of and commitment to the Goals and Criteria of a Sacred Heart education; 
• A commitment to working in a girl-centric environment, designed to support the development of competent, confident and courageous women ready to lead in a multi-cultural world;  
• Prior experience working with a diverse population of students and colleagues;  
• A demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy, including an understanding of themselves and the lenses they bring to interactions, as well as the differing perspectives of others; 
• A commitment to teaching the whole child;  
• An ability to work and communicate well with faculty, staff, students and parents

SALARY/BENEFITS: Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through competitive compensation. Salary range(s) based on education and experience. Salary Range: $11,142 - $20,823 

Forest Ridge offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees Benefits include: medical/dental/vision insurance (based on FTE); flexible spending account (FSA); employee assistance program (EAP); retirement savings plan with employer match after 1 year of employment; paid time off for sick, personal, bereavement, jury/witness duty; vacation time off for staff; family leave; life and disability insurance; professional development opportunities; 50% tuition remission.  

TO APPLY:

Qualified applicants should email the following documents to careers@forestridge.org:  

• Cover letter  
• Statement of Educational Philosophy  
• Updated CV/Resume