South End Village Academy (SEVA) seeks a mission-driven Head of Finance & Operations to lead the organization as a growing nonprofit school rooted in community action. SEVA was formed by parents who came together to save their children's school and continues to be powered by a deeply engaged community. The Head of Finance & Operations serves as a strategic leader, responsible for financial sustainability, organizational growth, and external relationships, ensuring the school can continue to provide a life-changing, nurturing environment where children thrive. The Head of Finance & Operations reports to the Head of School.
Key Responsibilities Organizational & Strategic Leadership- Lead SEVA's transition and growth as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Translate the founding community vision into a sustainable long-term strategy
- Partner with the Board to set and execute organizational priorities
- Build systems, infrastructure, and policies appropriate for a growing school
- Develop and manage the annual budget and long-term financial plan
- Ensure strong financial controls, reporting, and compliance in alignment with 501(c)(3) best practices
- Maintain visibility into key drivers: enrollment, tuition, philanthropy
- Run a lean organization that drives outsized impact
- Oversee business operations: finance, HR, legal, facilities
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations and school requirements
- Manage risk, insurance, and vendor relationships
- Build scalable operational systems
- Clearly delineate responsibilities between program (Head of School) and operations (Head of Finance & Operations)
- Support the Head of School with resources and infrastructure
- Align on school priorities, enrollment, and staffing
- Provide regular reporting on finances, fundraising, and operations
- Support board development and governance practices
- Implement board-approved strategy
- 10+ years of leadership experience (nonprofit, startup, or education)
- Strong financial and operational management skills
- Fundraising or revenue development experience
- Ability to build systems in a growing organization
- Experience leading or scaling a nonprofit organization
- Familiarity with independent schools or education sector
- Experience working with engaged parent communities
- Mission-first builder: energized by preserving and growing a school families fought to save
- Entrepreneurial: comfortable building while operating
- Community-centered: values deep relationships with families and stakeholders
- Strategic + operational: can zoom out and execute
Head of Finance & Operations owns: Money, operations
Head of School owns: Students, teachers, curriculum, daily school experience, external relations
Shared responsibilities: enrollment, culture, strategy
CompensationBase salary range for this role is $130,000-$150,000 annually, depending on experience, skills, and qualifications. This position is also eligible for benefits.