Sidwell Friends School - Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations

This search has proceeded to the semifinalist round interviews. Any interested parties should email James Palmieri directly jpalmieri@nboaadvisoryservices.com

Washington, DC

Sidwell Friends School, a nationally recognized PK–12 Quaker day school in Washington, DC, invites nominations and applications for the position of Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations (AHOSF&O).

This is a rare opportunity for a strategic and mission-driven executive to join a school of national distinction at a moment of bold transformation — one defined by campus unification, visionary capital planning, and a deepened commitment to equity, sustainability, and joyful learning.

Rooted in Quaker values and guided by its strategic plan, Lead in the Light, Sidwell Friends is undertaking a generational investment in its future. With major construction projects underway and the integration of two campuses on the horizon, the AHOSF&O will play a central role in stewarding the school’s resources, shaping its operational strategy, and ensuring long-term financial strength.

Reporting directly to the Head of School, the AHOSF&O oversees a broad portfolio of strategic functions, including finance, human resources, facilities, security, information technology, legal affairs, and auxiliary programs. The role provides direct supervision and leadership to six departmental administrators — the Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Business Operations, Director of Facilities, Director of Security, and Executive Director of Auxiliary Programs — each of whom manages their own teams and operational domains. Together, this group forms a high-performing leadership cohort responsible for the systems, services, and infrastructure that support the daily life and long-term vision of the school.

The AHOSF&O also works in close partnership with the School’s Board of Trustees, serving as the primary administrative liaison to the Finance, Audit, Investment, Real Estate, and Facilities, Infrastructure & Security (FISC) committees. In this capacity, the AHOSF&O provides strategic guidance, prepares and presents financial reports, and contributes to key governance conversations that shape the school’s future.

This role requires a leader who is both technically adept and mission-aligned — someone who can translate financial complexity into strategic clarity, foster a culture of transparency and excellence, and lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose. 

The successful Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations at Sidwell Friends will be: 

• A Systems Thinker who understands how financial and operational decisions ripple across a complex institution and who designs integrated solutions that support both day-to-day excellence and long-term vision.
   
• A Relationship Builder, who leads with humility and empathy, fostering trust and mutual respect across departments, divisions, and stakeholder groups — from trustees and senior leaders to faculty, staff, and families.
   
• A Service-Oriented Executive who champions a responsive and transparent business office culture, ensuring that operational teams are empowered to support the school’s mission with professionalism, care, and accountability.
   
• An Institutional Partner, who collaborates closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees, and contributes strategic insight and financial expertise to guide decision-making and advance the School's strategic priorities.
   
• A Mission-Infused Leader, whose work is grounded in the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship — and who embraces the opportunity to lead with purpose in service to a transformative educational vision.
   

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Search Process

Sidwell Friends has engaged NBOA Advisory Services to lead the search for its next Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations. This search is being conducted in close partnership with Head of School, Bryan Garman, and his AHOSF&O Search Committee, and reflects the school’s commitment to identifying a strategic, mission-aligned financial leader who will help shape the future of Sidwell Friends.

Download The Search Position Profile

All inquiries, nominations, and questions should be directed in confidence to:
James Palmieri, CEO and Search Lead
jpalmieri@nboaadvisoryservices.com

You will be asked to upload a cover letter expressing interest in the position and alignment with Sidwell Friends’ mission and Quaker values, and a current résumé. As the process proceeds, selected candidates may be asked to submit additional information, including responses to leadership and job-specific assessments, and a list of five professional references.

Please do not contact the school directly. Interested candidates should express interest by applying via the form on this page.