Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Located in Oakville, Ontario, just west of Toronto, St. Mildred’s Lightbourn School (SMLS) was founded in the Anglican tradition in 1891. SMLS is a leading independent (not-for-profit with charitable status) university-preparatory school for girls, from junior kindergarten to Grade 12. SMLS has approximately 500 students with approximately 110 faculty and staff.

For 135 years, SMLS has taught young women to explore beyond the curriculum, discover confidence in their abilities, remain open to learning beyond the classroom, and become leaders in the community. SMLS students learn to dare- and develop the future-ready skills, resilience, and confidence to lead beyond our doors.

For further information, please visit the school’s website at: https://www.smls.on.ca/.

The Position:

This role represents an upcoming vacancy on SMLS’s Senior Leadership Team. Reporting to the Head of School, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) is a vital member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership, driving business excellence and revenue growth, providing sound and innovative financial stewardship, driving operational efficiencies and ensuring institutional sustainability. This is a progressive role designed for an innovative and collaborative leader. Key areas of focus and accountability include:

• Finance and risk management
• Facilities
• Information Technology
• Business development
• Auxiliary Services (student transportation, food services)

Key Responsibilities:

Overseeing Finance, Business Development, Facilities, Auxiliary Services and Information Technology, The CFOO will serve as a thought leader providing executive vision and driving effective implementation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the business operations of the School, pitching innovative business approaches to the Head of School and ultimately the Board of Governors, creating and refining financial models for sustainable revenue growth, driving efficient operations of the School, supporting tuition strategy and enrollment planning with relevant SLT partners and implementing other strategic priorities set by the Head of School. The successful candidate will advance the School’s strategic priorities and ensure that the School’s infrastructure and fiscal health support our long-term vision. This is a rare opportunity that combines an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit with financial durability.

a) Strategic Leadership, Planning & Oversight

• Serve on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and actively contribute to the leadership of the school, including operational decision-making, policy development and strategic planning
• Create a clear and inspiring operational strategy aligned with the School’s strategic direction, vision, mission and strategic priorities
• Identify and mitigate operational, financial, legal and reputational risks
• Prepare and present financial/administrative updates and budgets to the Board of Governors
• Provide guidance to the Head of School and Board of Governors on institutional risk management, legal matters, and compliance with various non-academic regulations and codes, ensuring the campus is safe, compliant and sustainable
• Identify benchmarks and metrics for the School-wide Scorecard

b) Finance & Financial Management

• Manage the school’s financial performance, including the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of operating and capital budgets
• Manage the annual budgeting process including multi-year financial requirements and budget oversight, opportunities for cost management and identifying areas for investment
• Ensure the school’s investment portfolio is managed in a manner consistent with Board policies and procedures
• Ensure that the financial and administrative services of the School are delivered in a manner that is stewardly and effective
• Balance financial sustainability with educational excellence and accessibility, ensuring the necessary resources are in place to achieve the school’s educational mission

c) Business Development

• Develop strategies to drive diversified revenue growth for the school outside of core tuition and advancement activities
• Identify new opportunities and implement business plans to maximize the use of school assets and resources
• Lead feasibility analyses for new programs, partnerships and revenue-generating initiatives
• Ensure systems and infrastructure can scale and growth

d) Operations, Facilities & IT Management

• Develop and execute a long-term facilities and capital planning strategy
• Develop and manage the school’s capital assets and infrastructure
• Advise the Head of School and the Board on campus development, building projects and land acquisition
• Lead and coordinate campus space utilization and planning
• Ensure technology supports teaching, learning and operational efficiency
• Lead digital transformation and systems integration initiatives

e) Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide leadership and oversight to the teams responsible for Business Development, Financial Services, Information Technology, Physical Plant and Facilities
• Recruit, mentor and develop Operations and Finance staff, supporting professional growth and phased team expansion
• Define departmental goals, key performance indicators, and accountability measures
• Provide orientation, coaching, performance management, and professional development for staff
• Foster a culture aligned with the School’s mission and values

f) School Leadership

• Contribute to the overall health, success, and sustainability of the School
• Represent the School externally and act as an Ambassador for its mission and values
• Role model the SMLS values and instill leadership behaviours and expectations across the community
• Lead emergency preparedness and business continuity planning
• Ensure the school is resilient in the face of disruptions

Experience and Qualifications:

You are a visionary leader with strong business acumen who balances strategic insight with deep operational expertise and effective execution skills. You bring:

• A minimum of 8-10 years of senior finance and operational leadership roles
• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field, coupled with a CPA designation. An MBA or master’s degree in a business-related field, or equivalent, is preferred
• Strategic Acumen: Proven ability to design, pitch and execute comprehensive strategies and business plans, while driving data-informed decision-making
• Consultative and Creative Solution Mindset: A collaborative thinker with a consultative spirit, this leader effectively engages stakeholders and serves as a strategic advisor, leveraging a creative lens to transform conventional obstacles into innovative, high-impact opportunities for the School
• People Leadership: Exceptional team-building skills and a collaborative approach to working across all levels of complex organization
• A pragmatic, action-oriented leader who can move initiatives forward while maintaining appropriate rigour and accountability
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and change, with the ability to prioritize, problem-solve and adapt
• Proven track record of successful execution of strategic plans and delivering capital projects on time and on budget
• Demonstrates a genuine appreciation for the mission, culture and values of SMLS

Applications:

If you are interested in an opportunity to join our school, please apply directly to:

Samantha Galati

Principal

Bedford Resources Inc.

E: sgalati@bedfordgroup.com

We appreciate and thank all applicants for your interest in SMLS, however, only those candidates invited for an interview will be contacted.

SMLS is an equal opportunity employer, and we accommodate any needs under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment within our community. Please contact Samantha Galati, Principal at Bedford Resources Inc., at sgalati@bedfordgroup.com with any requirements or questions.

Bedford Resources Inc. does not use AI to screen, assess, rank or select candidates at any stage of the recruitment process. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by experienced search professionals using professional judgment and human-led assessment methods.