Chief of Finance and Operations

Chief of Finance and Operations

ABOUT ST. MARGARET’S SCHOOL

Located in Victoria, BC, St. Margaret’s School is an all-girls independent day and boarding

school committed to empowering girls to lead with purpose and confidence. Founded in 1908,

the School is recognized as Vancouver Island’s only all-girls independent school and Canada’s

only all-girls boarding school on the West Coast.

With the launch of A Blueprint for Humanity (2025–2030), St. Margaret’s is entering a pivotal

period of growth and renewal. Guided by the vision of Leading from the Global Stage, the

School develops future-ready leaders through purpose-driven education grounded in the values

of Courage, Care, Connection, Curiosity, and Challenge.

Serving students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, St. Margaret’s delivers an exceptional

learning experience anchored in Academic Excellence, Leadership Development, and Global

Citizenship. A diverse student body representing more than 26 countries contributes to a vibrant,

inclusive community with a strong international outlook. Learning extends beyond the classroom

through experiential, outdoor, wellness, and leadership opportunities that build confidence,

integrity, and agency. The School’s founding motto, Service with Love, continues to be reflected

in the character and leadership of its students and staff.

Supported by a strong and engaged Board of Governors, St. Margaret’s is advancing an

ambitious agenda to strengthen its position as a competitive, widely respected institution. This is

a defining moment for an executive leader to join the School - shaping strategy, driving growth,

and contributing to the development of academically strong, socially conscious, and

purpose-driven young women.

For more information, please visit: https://www.stmarg.ca/.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and Head of School, the Chief of Finance and

Operations (CFO) is responsible for the strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and

operational excellence of the School. This highly influential role provides executive oversight

across the School’s full operational ecosystem, including

• Finance and Accounting
• Facilities and Campus Operations
• Information Technology
• Risk Management and Compliance
• Food Services
• Transportation
• Ancillary Income Programs (rentals, after-school care, camps)
• Board Governance Support

Leading a team of senior administrators, the CFO ensures that operational systems, financial

resources, and institutional infrastructure effectively support the School’s mission, strategic

priorities, and long-term sustainability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, partnering with the CEO and

Head of School to advance long-term vision, priorities, and organizational strategy.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive operational strategy that ensures financial

sustainability, operational effectiveness, and alignment with academic and institutional

goals.

• Identify opportunities for innovation, growth, and operational enhancement that

strengthen the School’s competitive positioning.

Operational Oversight

• Provide executive leadership across all core operational and administrative functions,

including finance, facilities, IT, risk, food services, transportation, and ancillary

programs.

• Champion organizational effectiveness through modernization of systems, technology

platforms, operational processes, and service delivery models.

• Ensure operations and resources support current needs while positioning the School for

future growth and evolving educational priorities.

Financial Stewardship

• Lead long-term financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, treasury

oversight, and stewardship of financial resources.

• Oversee financial reporting, audit processes, internal controls, and risk mitigation

strategies.

• Ensure financial decisions support academic excellence and enhance the student

experience.

Campus & Infrastructure Leadership

• Lead multi-year campus planning and infrastructure initiatives, including facilities

maintenance, capital projects, and expansion strategies.

• Ensure safe, sustainable, and well-maintained campus environments that support learning

and community life.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Oversee enterprise-wide risk management, ensuring robust policies, internal controls, and

business continuity plans.

• Provide strategic reporting, analysis, and recommendations to the Board of Governors

and relevant committees.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory, legal, and accreditation requirements.

People & Culture Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of senior leaders, fostering a culture of accountability,

collaboration, innovation, and high performance.

• Drive a culture of service excellence across all operational functions, ensuring

exceptional support for students, families, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders.

• Lead and support organizational change initiatives with strong communication and

stakeholder engagement.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics, or related field; CPA designation

required.

• Significant senior leadership experience overseeing complex financial and operational

functions in multifaceted organizations; experience in independent schools or

mission-driven environments is an asset.

• Demonstrated success leading large, diverse teams and developing high-performing

leaders across multiple operational domains.

• Strong financial leadership capabilities, including strategic planning, budgeting,

forecasting, capital planning, and risk management.

• Experience leading large-scale organizational initiatives, growth strategies,

transformation projects, or campus development.

• Ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to assess opportunities, identify risks, and make

data-informed decisions.

• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence

and collaborate across diverse groups.

• Proven change leadership experience in dynamic, evolving environments.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Passion for education and commitment to supporting exceptional learning environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing future female leaders and supporting the

mission of girls’ education.

• Alignment with the School’s values and enthusiasm for contributing to a collaborative,

forward-thinking community.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for your interest in St. Margaret’s School, however, only

those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted.

St. Margaret's School emphasizes a dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion across living, learning, and work environments. The school aims to have its workforce mirror the diversity of students and the community. Actively encouraging applications from groups facing historical or current equity barriers, the institution is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community.