About The Hudson School

The Hudson School has been in the heart of Hoboken, NJ since its founding in 1978.  We are a 5-12 college preparatory independent school with roughly 190 students evenly divided between the middle school and the upper school. Staffed by 35 full-time teachers and 15 part-time teachers, ten Hudson School Board of Trustees work closely with the Head of School and the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) to ensure financial sustainability and long-term growth. 

Our Mission: The Hudson School provides intellectually inquisitive students in grades 5-12 with a rigorous and relevant college-preparatory education that inspires independent thinking and intellectual risk-taking. Our goal is to develop compassionate, responsible, principled citizens who are socially conscious and committed to lifelong learning and service. The school fosters an eclectic and supportive environment that challenges students and faculty to develop their passions and talents through a stimulating, balanced, and creative interdisciplinary curriculum. 

The Hudson School promotes equal opportunities for employees and students and prohibits discriminatory practices on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, and socioeconomic status or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Position Summary

The Director of Finance and Operations reports to the Head of School and oversees all aspects of the school’s finances with the primary responsibilities of accounting, strategic financial planning, budgeting, and financial aid. The DFO also is responsible for all human resources oversight. The DFO serves as a key member of the leadership team. The ideal candidate is a mission-driven strategic thinker who has superb people skills, uncompromising judgment and integrity, and a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion. The candidate will have the ability to balance and prioritize the competing needs of the school and be fair but firm when necessary.

Challenges and Opportunities

The Director of Finance and Operations will oversee an operating budget of approximately $4.5 million supported by a reserve of approximately $5 million. The Hudson School faces a number of budget pressures including operating our need-blind admissions process, managing a purchased property contiguous with the school, and balancing competitive salaries while keeping tuition low to continue to attract middle-class families. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work with conflicting demands in a busy and unpredictable school environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct the day-to-day operation of a one-person business office including payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, treasury and cash management, financial accounting, contract management, and most purchasing functions.  
• Coordinate with the local Board of Education to manage and administer the Federal and State grant funds that are channeled through the Board of Education.
• Direct financial aid process and oversee financial aid decisions.
• Collaborate with the Head of the School on financial aspects of strategic planning initiatives.
• Manage, develop, and direct the annual operating budget. Plan and prepare forecasts of the financial condition of the school.
• Report to the Head of School and the Board of Trustees on the results of the present operations of the school, pro forma projections for future operations, and annual audits of the financial statements of the school.
• Provide independent auditors with accounting schedules and other documentation to support the annual audit and preparation of the 990.
• Liaise with the investment committee, providing information on invested funds and implementing decisions of the Board Finance & Investment Committee.
• Maintain compliance with governmental regulations and changing regulatory environment by staying current on law and regulations that may affect compliance.  File all required regulatory reports, including State charity registrations and annual reporting.
• Establish policies, procedures, standards, and strategies for areas of responsibility and provide appropriate internal controls and strengths to safeguard the school’s assets.

• Oversee the risk management function and purchases of property, casualty, liability, and workers’ compensation insurance.
• Oversee and direct implementation and administration of employee benefit programs such as health insurance, dental insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, workers’ compensation, employee assistance, retirement, and other related plans.
• Select or approve and directly oversee relationships with business service providers (e.g., banks, auditors, attorneys, insurers, investment managers, contractors, consultants). Secure the highest quality products and services for the school’s business functions, including measurements of cost-effectiveness.
• In partnership with the Head of the School and other staff and trustees, evaluate, pursue, and manage additional (non-tuition) revenue-generating opportunities using the school’s resources.
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned by the Head of School.