Thacher - Dir. of Finance, Risk Man., and Strategic Partnerships/CFO

The Opportunity

The Thacher School, one of the most selective and highly regarded boarding schools in the nation, is beginning a national search for its next Director of Finance, Risk Management and Strategic Partnerships/CFO. Founded in 1889 by Sherman Day Thacher, the School serves 258 academically talented students from over 20 states and 11 countries in a rigorous college preparatory experience. The faculty and students live and work closely together on a 540-acre campus nestled in the foothills of the Los Padres National Forest in Ojai, California (85 miles north of Los Angeles). School life is governed by an Honor Code rooted in the core values of Honor, Fairness, Kindness and Truth. Together, the School community commits to the belief that demands in the academic classroom, when combined with those of mountains and horses, of sports and the arts, produce independent minds, strong bodies, and powerful character.

Finances

Thacher has a FY 2026 operating budget of $30M which is supported by $15M in net tuition revenues, $5.5M from the annual fund, an endowment draw of $8.5M and various other revenue sources. The School has $19M in fixed rate debt at an interest rate of 3.03% and an endowment of $196M. Standard and Poor’s has given the School a AAA rating on its debt. Thacher spends about 27% of its gross tuition on financial aid.

Position Description

The Chief Financial Officer will join a school which is looking to expand enrollment, diversify revenue and modernize and systematize operations in thoughtful ways consistent with the culture and history of the school. The CFO will oversee the business office and financial operations, will develop other sources of revenue for the school including summer programs, and will oversee risk management broadly defined. The CFO will be creative, entrepreneurial and will provide strategic leadership as a member of the senior leadership team. The successful candidate will be a thoughtful steward of the school’s resources and culture, an excellent communicator, and will blend rigorous fiscal oversight with a collaborative spirit to foster a resilient, sustainable future for the Thacher community. As a key member of the senior leadership team the Chief Financial Officer reports directly to the Head of School and collaborates closely with the Board of Trustees. For more information on the position, please review the position profile.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Ensures effective stewardship of existing resources to address rising operational costs through disciplined financial management and operational efficiency.
• Assesses staffing needs and implement strategies to recruit, retain, and develop talent and foster a cohesive, high-performing, and mission-driven division that values collaboration, expertise, and mutual respect.
• Reviews all processes and procedures in the business office to ensure that they are current, effective and efficient.
• Explores and implements opportunities to leverage emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Collaborates with the Director of Enrollment to model the impact of the expansion of the student body on the financial sustainability and health of the School.
• Collaborates with the Director of Enrollment on the setting of tuition and on the strategic use of financial aid.
• Develops summer programs which are revenue positive and are consistent with the School’s mission.

• Develops programs and opportunities for more collaboration and inclusion of the Ojai community with the School.
• Collaborate with the Board, Head of School and Advancement Office on a planned campaign to support the strategic plan.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, MBA, CPA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of financial experience with increasing breadth and leadership responsibilities.
• Experience in an independent school, nonprofit or higher education setting is strongly preferred.
• Superior communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Superior interpersonal, organizational, leadership and managerial skills.
• Superior analytical, modeling and problem-solving skills.

Compensation

Compensation is very competitive. The salary range is $275,000-$350,000. Final salary is based on experience relevant to the role and internal equity. Thacher offers a generous fringe benefit package, which includes a 403(b) match, healthcare coverage, and a broad range of other benefits including full tuition remission for eligible dependents, use of campus facilities and generous professional development support. The new CFO will not be expected to live on campus.

Applications and Nominations

Nominations and applications are invited for this position. Review of applications will begin immediately, and candidate material received by May 18, 2026 will be assured full consideration although recruitment will continue until an appointment is announced. Applications (including a cover letter and resume) must be uploaded to: Lapovsky Consulting is assisting The Thacher School in this search. For nominations, questions, or additional information, please contact:

Lucie Lapovsky

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Equal Employment Opportunities:  The Thacher School is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran’s status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable law.