The posting
Founded in 1992, Cascade Christian Schools serves infants through grade twelve and is a thriving school district serving students and families throughout Pierce County. Focusing on Christ-centered education, Cascade Christian Schools is dedicated to developing discerning leaders who are spiritually, personally, and academically prepared to impact their world. Join our team as we make a real difference!
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Cascade Christian Schools is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide executive leadership for the financial and operational health of the organization. The COO serves as a key strategic partner to the Superintendent of Schools and Associate Superintendent of Academics and provides financial and operational leadership that advances the mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability of Cascade Christian Schools.
This is a significant executive leadership role with responsibility for financial planning and oversight, budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, business operations, risk management, capital planning, and organizational effectiveness. The COO will work closely with executive leadership and the Board of Trustees to provide financial analyses, strategic recommendations, and long-range planning that support sound organizational decision-making.
The successful candidate will bring strong financial expertise combined with broad operational leadership experience and the ability to move effectively between financial strategy and operational execution. Through the Executive Director of Business and Executive Director of District Operations and Technology, the COO provides leadership and accountability for business and operational functions across the organization, including facilities, technology, safety and security, organizational systems, and capital planning.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with a need for accommodation to perform the essential functions of this job.
- Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Superintendent of Schools, Associate Superintendent of Academics, and Board of Trustees in financial and operational matters.
- Provide executive leadership for the financial health and long-term sustainability of Cascade Christian Schools.
- Lead short- and long-range financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, financial modeling, and resource allocation.
- Lead the annual budget process in collaboration with the Superintendent of Schools, Executive Director of Business, other executive directors, and department leaders.
- Monitor financial performance and provide analyses and recommendations regarding organizational priorities, staffing, enrollment, compensation, benefits, programs, and major initiatives.
- Provide executive oversight of accounting, financial reporting, cash management, purchasing, budget administration, revenue collection, financial policies, procedures, systems, and internal controls.
- Oversee annual audits and financial reviews and ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, contractual, and organizational requirements.
- Provide financial reports, projections, analyses, and recommendations to the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Trustees.
- Provide executive oversight of significant contracts, purchasing decisions, vendor relationships, organizational risk management, and insurance.
- Provide strategic direction for organizational operations, facilities, infrastructure, technology, safety and security, and operational systems.
- Lead long-range facilities, infrastructure, and capital planning and evaluate major capital investments based on organizational needs, financial capacity, and strategic priorities.
- Promote operational effectiveness, organizational consistency, process improvement, technology adoption, and continuous improvement across the organization.
- Directly supervise and evaluate the Executive Director of Business and Executive Director of District Operations and Technology; provide leadership and accountability for business and operations functions.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with executive directors and district departments to ensure financial and operational resources effectively support student learning and organizational priorities.
- Lead with integrity, humility, wisdom, accountability, and responsible stewardship consistent with the Christian mission and values of Cascade Christian Schools.
- Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Agreement with Cascade Christian Schools’ Teaching Statement and Statement of Faith.
- Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, organizational leadership, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience with increasing responsibility in finance and business operations, including senior-level experience in both financial management and operational leadership.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex organizational functions and significant financial and operational responsibilities.
- Demonstrated experience with financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, financial modeling, and resource allocation.
- Demonstrated experience leading operational functions such as facilities, technology, safety and security, or organizational systems, preferably across multiple sites.
- Demonstrated executive or administrative leadership and supervisory experience.
- Strong financial analysis, strategic planning, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate effectively to varied audiences.
- Demonstrated integrity, discretion, sound judgment, and confidentiality.
- Ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with executive leadership and the broader school community.
- Ability to lead with humility, integrity, wisdom, and a servant-leadership mindset.
- Background check clearance.
PREFERRED:
- CPA or other relevant professional certification.
- Prior service as a Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or equivalent senior finance and operations executive.
- Experience in a school, nonprofit, or faith-based organization.
- Experience with long-range financial planning, financial modeling, and governance-level financial reporting.
For a full job description, including detailed responsibilities, qualifications, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions, please email [email protected]
ANTICIPATED START DATE:
June 1, 2027, with the possibility of an earlier start date for the selected candidate.
HOURS:
Full-time, Monday through Friday; executive schedule with occasional evening or weekend responsibilities as needed.
SALARY RANGE:
$125,000 - $150,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
BENEFITS:
Paid Sick and Personal Leave, Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Leadership Development Program, Life Insurance, and a K-12 Child Tuition Discount.
Cascade Christian is an equal opportunity employer, with the right to prefer employees and prospective employees on the basis of religion and other exemptions applicable to religious institutions. Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check, which includes criminal history. The successful candidate will be asked to sign a statement of faith.
