Director of Finance

Chief Financial Officer / Director of Finance – Catholic Schools & Ministries

Future Opportunities A cross the Nation | Part of OnTrack: ACELA’s Leadership Readiness Network

✝️ A Calling Rooted in Stewardship

Sustaining the mission of Catholic education and ministry requires more than vision—it demands prudent stewardship, strategic planning, and deep financial insight. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or Director of Finance plays a critical role in ensuring Catholic institutions are financially viable, operationally sound, and mission-aligned.

Through OnTrack: ACELA’s Leadership Readiness Network, we are identifying and preparing finance leaders who are discerning future opportunities to serve Catholic schools, dioceses, and ministries nationwide. This is not a job posting for a current opening, but a proactive invitation to join a network of trusted leaders ready to serve when called.

🛤️ Why Join OnTrack: ACELA’s Leadership Readiness Network?

OnTrack is ACELA’s confidential and relationship-based network for discerning Catholic leaders. By joining, finance professionals gain:

• Career and discernment conversations tailored to mission-centered leadership
• Priority access to interim and permanent finance roles, including confidential and unadvertised searches
• Optional mentoring and spiritual accompaniment
• Professional development opportunities through leadership cohorts and webinars
• A national community committed to Catholic identity, operational vitality, and faithful stewardship

Joining ACELA OnTrack ensures you're included early in the leadership search process and supported in discerning your next chapter with clarity and confidence.

🧭 Finance Leadership Role Overview

The CFO or Director of Finance oversees all financial operations of the institution, ensuring long-term sustainability, fiscal accountability, and alignment with mission-driven goals. This role typically manages budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, risk management, audits, and compliance, while also advising senior leadership on strategic initiatives.

This leader is not only responsible for numbers—but for translating financial insight into decisions that uphold Catholic values and ensure institutional strength.

🌟 Leadership Focus Areas

• Develop and manage multi-year strategic budgets aligned to institutional goals
• Analyze financial performance and guide decision-making for leadership and boards
• Oversee financial operations, internal controls, compliance, and audits
• Lead forecasting, financial modeling, tuition pricing, and financial aid strategies
• Serve as a thought partner to the President, Head of School, or Executive Director
• Supervise business office personnel and financial systems
• Coordinate with advancement, facilities, HR, and enrollment teams on strategic priorities
• Ensure transparency and effective communication with stakeholders, including boards and diocesan leaders

🧠 Ideal Candidate Profile

Finance leaders in Catholic institutions may come from education, nonprofit, corporate, or public finance backgrounds. The ideal candidate is:

• A mission-driven professional committed to Catholic education and stewardship
• Experienced in strategic financial management and operational leadership
• Comfortable advising at the executive level while overseeing day-to-day business functions
• Collaborative, communicative, and solutions-oriented
• Grounded in integrity, service, and a strong understanding of fiduciary responsibility

🎓 Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field required; CPA or MBA strongly preferred
• 7–10+ years of experience in financial leadership, preferably in educational, nonprofit, or mission-based settings
• Strong understanding of accounting systems, reporting tools, and best practices
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, audits, risk, and financial policy
• Practicing Catholic with an appreciation for the Church’s mission (preferred)
• Experience working with boards, leadership teams, or diocesan financial structures



📩 Start the Conversation

If you are a finance leader who believes in the transformative power of Catholic education and ministry, consider joining OnTrack: ACELA’s Leadership Readiness Network.

Let’s explore how your gifts in stewardship and strategy might serve the Church’s mission in a new and meaningful way.

The journey begins with a conversation.