St. Anne's-Belfield School - Chief Financial and Operating Officer 

St. Anne's-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Virginia - one of Virginia's premier independent schools - seeks an accomplished and strategic Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO) to join the Senior Administrative Leadership Team (SALT) and help shape the next chapter of an institution defined by innovation, academic excellence, and a deep commitment to developing exemplary citizens and visionary leaders.

Reporting to and partnering with the Head of School, Dr. Autumn Adkins Graves, the CFOO serves as the school's chief financial strategist and operational leader, overseeing all aspects of finance, facilities, human resources, information technology, risk management, and long-range capital planning. The CFOO is a key member of the Senior Administrative Leadership Team and a trusted advisor to the Board of Trustees. 

As St. Anne's-Belfield advances ambitious strategic priorities focused on teacher excellence, civic engagement, purposeful technology, innovation, philanthropy, and student preparation for an increasingly complex future, the next CFOO will play a pivotal role in aligning financial resources, operational systems, and organizational strategy to support these aspirations. 

About St. Anne's-Belfield School 

Founded in 1910, St. Anne's-Belfield School is an independent, coeducational day and boarding school serving approximately 960 students from age two through Grade 12 on two beautiful campuses in Charlottesville, Virginia.  

The school's mission, inspired by founding Headmistress Mary Hyde DuVal, is simple yet enduring: "We wish our students to become strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul." The school is achieving its vision of inspiring and preparing the next generation of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders through a community culture of purpose, belonging, and continuous growth and innovation – all outlined in their new “Portrait of a 2036 Graduate.”  

Located adjacent to the University of Virginia and nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers an exceptional quality of life, combining natural beauty, cultural richness, higher education, and a vibrant community environment. 

The CFOO Role at St. Anne’s-Belfield 

The CFOO provides leadership across finance, operations, human resources, facilities, technology, risk management, and campus planning, helping ensure that St. Anne's-Belfield's resources, people, and infrastructure support both daily excellence and long-term institutional aspirations. Key responsibilities include: 

Strategic Leadership & Governance 

• Partner closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees on strategic planning, institutional priorities, and long-range sustainability 

• Develop data-informed analyses and recommendations that support effective decision-making 

• Align financial and operational resources with the school's mission, vision, and future goals 

• Help identify opportunities, manage risks, and navigate complex organizational challenges 

Financial Stewardship 

• Oversee all aspects of the school's financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, investments, cash management, and financial reporting 

• Ensure sound fiscal stewardship, strong internal controls, and regulatory compliance 

• Lead long-range financial modeling and scenario planning to support strategic initiatives 

• Partner with leadership on financial aid strategy, affordability, and resource allocation 

Operational & Administrative Leadership 

• Ensure the School's administrative operations effectively support teaching, learning, and community life 

• Provide enterprise leadership for the school's operational functions, systems, and administrative services 

• Strengthen organizational effectiveness through process improvement, thoughtful technology integration, and data-informed management 

• Foster a culture of service, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement 

Human Resources & Talent Management 

• Partner with school leaders to attract, develop, support, and retain exceptional faculty and staff 

• Provide oversight of compensation, benefits, policies, and workforce planning 

• Promote a healthy organizational culture and positive employee experience 

• Support leadership development and organizational capacity-building efforts 

Facilities, Capital Projects & Risk Management 

• Oversee facilities operations, campus planning, maintenance, and major capital projects 

• Develop long-term infrastructure and capital investment strategies aligned with institutional priorities 

• Lead enterprise risk management, insurance, compliance, and business continuity efforts 

• Help ensure safe, secure, and well-maintained learning environments across campus 

Leadership Across the Community 

• Build strong relationships with trustees, faculty, staff, families, and external partners 

• Lead and mentor high-performing teams across multiple operational departments 

• Communicate with transparency, integrity, and sound judgment 

• Serve as a visible, engaged, and collaborative member of the St. Anne's-Belfield community 

What Makes This Opportunity Compelling 

1. A Financially Strong and Well-Resourced Institution
   St. Anne's-Belfield School combines a rich tradition with a strong financial foundation, including an annual operating budget of approximately $30 million, endowment and reserve assets totaling nearly $80 million, annual giving of approximately $1.6 million, and total giving of approximately $25 million over the past six years. The next CFOO will join a healthy, well-supported institution positioned to invest strategically in its people, programs, and future. 
    
2. Partner with an Accomplished Head of School 
   Since 2020, Dr. Autumn Adkins Graves has led a period of enrollment growth, programmatic innovation, campus investment, and institutional momentum. The CFOO will serve as her trusted strategic partner and a key advisor to the Board of Trustees as the school continues to build on this success. 
    
3. Help Shape the Future of Independent School Education 
   St. Anne's-Belfield is pursuing ambitious strategic priorities focused on faculty excellence, innovation, civic engagement, student well-being, philanthropy, and long-term sustainability. The CFOO will play a central role in transforming these priorities into actionable plans and measurable outcomes. 
    
4. Invest in People, Access, and Mission 
   Serving approximately 960 students and employing 225 faculty and staff, St. Anne's-Belfield demonstrates a deep commitment to educational excellence and community. The school invests approximately $10 million annually in need-based financial aid and employee tuition remission, supporting approximately 30% of enrolled families, helping ensure that talented students can access an exceptional educational experience regardless of financial circumstances. 
    
5. Live and Lead in Charlottesville 
   Charlottesville offers an outstanding quality of life, combining natural beauty, cultural richness, intellectual vitality, and a vibrant community. It is an exceptional place to lead, live, and raise a family. 

Candidate Profile 

The successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and characteristics: 

• An appreciation for the relationship between mission, strategy, and financial sustainability. 

• A genuine enthusiasm for independent school education and student-centered leadership. 

• Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, integrity, and a commitment to service. 

• Significant leadership experience overseeing finance, operations, or administrative functions within an independent school, educational institution, nonprofit organization, or similarly complex enterprise. 

• Demonstrated expertise in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, investments, long-range planning, and fiscal oversight. 

• Experience serving as a strategic partner to senior leaders and governing boards. 

• Success leading diverse operational functions, such as human resources, facilities, technology, risk management, or auxiliary services. 

• A proven ability to lead organizational change, improve systems and processes, and increase operational effectiveness. 

• Experience with campus planning, capital projects, facilities stewardship, and vendor management. 

• Strong leadership, team-building, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to foster trust and collaboration across stakeholder groups. 

Education and Credentials 

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred. 

• CPA, MBA, CFA, or other relevant professional credentials are valued but not required. 

• Independent school, higher education, or other mission-driven leadership experience is preferred. 
   

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The Search Process   

St. Anne’s-Belfield School has engaged NBOA Advisory Services to lead the search for its Chief Financial and Operating Officer.     

The salary range for this position is $275,000 – $300,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Additionally, School employees enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees through all stages of life and career (see here). 

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

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and letter of interest through the application link on this page. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled. Priority will be given to those received by Sept. 25, 2026. Desired start date of January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.  

Please do not contact the school directly. Interested candidates should apply using the form on this page at their earliest convenience.   

  

^{As an inclusive community, St. Anne's-Belfield School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. Anne’s-Belfield School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, sex, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, or any status protected by applicable law in the administration of its employment policies or any other academic programs administered by the School.}