Lycée Français de New York New York, New York Chief Finance & Operations Officer Spring 2017 www.lfny.org
The Position
Five Strategic Goals In 2015, the Lycée adopted a 5-year Strategic Plan entitled “Our Vision: Aujourd’Hui et Demain” which sets forth the following goals: 1. Advance student achievement through bilingual, pluricultural education of the highest caliber. 2. Lead every student to fulfill her or his greatest potential. 3. Empower faculty to develop a collaborative, innovative, missiondriven learning community. 4. Invest in our future by enhancing our facilities. 5. Promote school spirit and our place in the New York community. The new York Wing opened for the start of the 2016-17 school year.
For the position of Chief Finance & Operations Officer (CFOO), the Lycée Français de New York seeks an organized and goal-oriented manager who will embrace the culture and values of the institution, possess an understanding of and appreciation for both French and American cultures, and respect the operational pace of an innovative institution with high standards and expectations. Occupying a unique niche in the New York independent school scene while also serving a diverse and multinational population, the Lycée offers it next CFOO an opportunity to play a prominent senior administrative role, working closely with the Head of School and Board members, overseeing roughly 38 staff members working in three separate departments – Business Office, Facilities, and Human Resources, and working collaboratively with IT on strategic, budget, and personnel matters. The ideal candidate will assist in the implementation of the 2015 strategic plan, which articulates a bold vision for the future of the Lycée’s academic program, facilities, and reputation. Recent years have seen significant changes at the Lycée, with improvements in faculty roles, responsibilities and remuneration, the opening of the York Wing, and advances in student-centered learning. The new CFOO will work with the Head of School to continue this progress, serving as a key strategic partner and sounding board. Moreover, the new CFOO will be integral in developing the school’s full adoption of digitalization in all of its processes and will help create performance metrics across the financial and operational spectrum that will inform strategic planning and decision making in a major way. The new CFOO will understand education, be an avid learner and listener, and will be a public presence in the life of the Lycée. Finally, the CFOO will play an important role in facilitating the transition to a new Head of School beginning in the summer of 2018.
School History Founded in 1935 at the initiative of the French General Consul and subsequently chartered by the New York Board of Regents as an independent not-for-profit school, the Lycée Français de New York originally offered only high school education primarily to children of French The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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expatriates on the model of French secondary schools (ergo, the designation as a “lycée”). After WWII and through the 1960’s and 1970’s, the school expanded to include a middle school and a primary school located with the upper school in six townhouses spread across more than 20 blocks on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. During this period, the school’s enrollment increased to over 900, representing over 40 nationalities. In the late 1990’s, a dynamic and forward-thinking group of trustees led an initiative to reposition the school and reform the governance and leadership that had been in effect for over thirty years. This effort led to the hiring of a new Head of School, the design of a new school, the divestment of the six townhouses, the raising of $100 million of bank debt and a revamping of governance. In September 2003, the Lycée moved to its new purpose-built single campus, several blocks east of the original location. From 2003 through 2011, facing increased demand and in spite of having discontinued its PreNursery program in 2009, the school’s enrollment grew to reach more than 1,300 students. With its facilities at full capacity and the will to adapt teaching and learning to fulfill its mission and educational goals, the Lycée undertook a number of strategic initiatives in the service of which it opened its contiguous York Wing addition in September 2016. In the 82 years since its founding, the Lycée has enrolled more than 35,000 students. Today, it has many students whose parents and grandparents are alumni. A significant proportion of each graduating class are “lifers,” i.e. students who have been at the school since early Primary.
School Overview The Lycée Français de New York is a leading bilingual independent school with an academically The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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demanding program unique in New York City. The school now enrolls 1,372 students in grades Pre-K through 12. Students arrive at the Lycée from a wide variety of backgrounds: about one third of the students come from families with two francophone parents, another third have one francophone parent and the other third have non-francophone parents. With over 50 countries represented among the overall student population, the result is a diverse international community with a spirit of inclusiveness and enthusiasm. Parents, students and faculty alike report a sense of belonging and pride in being part of the Lycée. The Lycée Français de New York employs about 260 full-time faculty and staff, who much like its student body, hail from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds, and are largely French and/ or English speaking. Of the 158 faculty, 94 have US citizenship or permanent resident status in the US. About 20% (31) of faculty have a three-year renewable H1-B visa (renewable for a total of six years) and about 20% (33) participate in a three-year non-renewable J-1 visa exchange program, with a possibility to extend to five years. Each year, the Lycée recruits on average between 10 to 15 new faculty, largely originating from the French national education system, from which they are “détachés”. At its discretion, the Lycée may sponsor for an H1-B visa certain faculty in J-1 visa status and may sponsor for Permanent Residency a number of those at the end of their H1-B renewal. With more faculty seeking to remain at the Lycée, the number of new teachers hired each year in France is currently at an historical low. All faculty enter into a one-year contract with the school, which is subject to renewal each February. The Lycée’s revenues are based entirely on the tuition fees it collects from families and the proceeds of its fundraising within the community. Over the last several years, tuition fees have increased markedly, as the school has faced rising instructional costs as a corollary of the implementation of new methods of teaching and learning and the rising expectations of students and parents.
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Committed to fostering a mixed socio-economic community of families, the Lycée has rapidly grown its financial aid budget, which has risen at about three times the rate of tuition increases over the last seven years, and 50% over the last three years alone. As tuition increases level off to a more moderate pace over the next few years, the Lycée will become more reliant on extensive fundraising from its families and donors, similar to other independent New York schools.
Governance As a member of the New York Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and chartered in the State of New York, the Lycée operates as a private, not-for-profit institution. The school’s fundamental tenet is that solely the welfare of its students and their families guides the decisions of the Board of Trustees, the school’s ultimate governing body. The Board of Trustees plays a dynamic role in the affairs of the school. The Board currently consists of 22 Trustees, including the Head of School and two rotating representatives of the Parents’ Association as ex-officio non-voting members. The 19 voting Trustees include parents, former parents, alumni and non-affiliated members involved in education, all of whom are actively engaged. Trustees are recruited based upon their individual and professional qualifications and their willingness to commit significant time and effort to school affairs. Although the Board actively recruits new Trustees to ensure its renewal, a majority of the current Trustees have more than five years of service, providing stability and continuity. The Board and its Committees, chiefly among which the Executive Committee, Finance Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, exercise broad oversight and stewardship over the school’s mission, strategy and budget. The CFOO and the Trustees enjoy frequent interactions during Board and Committee meetings and have a close working relationship. Board meetings, Committee meetings, annual Board retreats and their preparation are central to the school’s governance. Over the last several years, the Board has been actively engaged in developing and supporting the Head and the executive team in setting the school’s strategic vision and deploying the needed resources.
Academics The hallmark of the Lycée’s academic program is its unique bilingual and pluricultural approach, which draws on the best of the French and American systems. The result is a challenging course of study and spirit of intellectual inquiry that foster civic and cultural growth alongside academic achievement. The school draws on a paradigm of independent thinking, applied learning, and ethical engagement, in which accomplishment is more than a means to a personal end; it becomes a stepping stone on the way to a lifetime of engagement and learning. Across grade levels, the school teaches 21st century skills and digital literacy, goals that are embodied by the connected learning environments in the recently opened York Wing. With robust offerings in STEAM subjects, project-based learning, and the arts, the Lycée helps student develop pragmatism, ingenuity, and passion that will serve them well in their post-secondary education and beyond.
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Primary Beginning in early childhood, the Lycée draws on students’ energy and enthusiasm to build academic and social skills that will prepare them to grow and learn throughout their time at the Lycée. From the moment children walk through the door, they are immersed in a truly bilingual environment: from Pre-K onward, instruction takes place half in English and half in French. (For those Pre-K students with little to no prior French, the Lycée offers a full immersion program, a one-year experience with an emphasis on language acquisition that prepares students to enter the general course of study.)
Secondary Secondary learning at the Lycée is notable for its project-based learning and emphasis on creative thinking across disciplines. Mastery of both French and English is integral to the program, with students honing writing skills and practicing literary interpretation. In addition, Secondary students acquire a third language: beginning in sixth grade, German, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin are offered, preparing students to become true linguists and world citizens. History and geography further students’ critical thinking and cultural competence, with faculty taking advantage of both the Lycée’s location in New York City and the school’s unique connection to the broader world to design meaningful learning experiences. The school believes that imparting a love of music is a priceless gift, and therefore music classes are part of the curriculum at this level. Throughout the grades, the Lycée adheres to the curriculum set by the French National Ministry of Education, preparing students for strong performances on the French Baccalauréat examination. Students earn a New York State high school diploma after eleventh grade, a testament to the rigor of the academic program. Advanced Placement classes are offered, and students may elect course concentrations that align with the standards of the new Baccalauréat Franco-Américain, a collaboration between the French Ministry and the College Board. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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Physical Campus The school facilities, which occupy a single campus on the Upper East Side of Manhattan designed by Polshek Partnership (now Ennead Architects), were newly built and completed in 2003. Across approximately 158,000 square feet, two connected five-story structures house classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums, a cafeteria and an auditorium. At the entry level, a commons opposite the central lobby area serves a variety of functions, from cafeteria to group meeting space. The 354-seat state-of-theart auditorium offers a unique and inviting venue that hosts student performing arts events, as well as outside presentations and performances by the Cultural Center. The Lycée’s emphasis on digital literacy and technology integration is evident in its physical structures. The school is fully wireless, and faculty members are trained to integrate SmartBoards in their teaching. Committed to remaining at the leading edge of technology, the Lycée is also certified for LEED-EBOM to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. The campus has been recently enhanced by the opening of the 19,000-square-foot York Wing, a beautifully designed, sustainably constructed building completed in the fall of 2016. Teaching and learning are at the center of every aspect of the design, with an eye for actively preparing students to live and work in an ever-changing world. The York Wing features large and flexible classroom spaces that support an increased emphasis on interdisciplinary, project-based learning and differentiated instruction. As a result of the new facility, the Lycée has non-classroom spaces for students to study in groups and for faculty members to collaborate; movement and performance spaces for use at both the Primary and Secondary levels; a new media lab; and a state-of-the-art makerspace in which students have already begun to experiment with new technologies, using equipment such as 3-D printers and laser cutters.
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Key Responsibilities The Chief Finance & Operations Officer reports to the Head of School and is the primary staff person to the Finance, Building, Investment, Financial Aid and Audit and Risk Assessment committees of the Board of Trustees. In addition to strategic and day-to-day management of the three departments, the new CFOO will place an emphasis on documenting and systematizing processes and procedures: migrating to a fully digitalized operation in all areas of the School; and designing and producing performance metrics related to finance and operations, working with relevant departments as needed. Further, the CFOO will: • Oversee the development, administration, and reporting of the operating and long-term budget to the Head of School, the School’s Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, and auditors as well as federal, state, and local authorities, lenders, donors, and various School administrative offices. • Oversee the administration of the School’s endowment; execute endowment and investment policy; implement investment decisions of the Investment Committee; and coordinate with the endowment consultants, investment managers, and custodians, ensuring effective endowment allocations, performance, and reporting. • Oversee all School operations including personnel, maintenance, facilities, food service, neighborhood relations, etc. • Help negotiate with local lenders when necessary to ensure that funding is secured for new construction or other extraordinary needs of the school and ensure compliance with loan terms. • Ensure that the School is in compliance with all local, state and federal reporting requirements. • Build and/or maintain the School’s short- and long-term strategic financial models. • Supervise HR activities, including compensation, benefits, employee relations, recruitment, and
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• • • • • • • • • • • •
immigration. Oversee employee compliance with school policies and practices, as well as the general legal context relevant to school operational roles and responsibilities, including risk management. Oversee the annual financial and 403b plan audits and filings of tax returns. Provide transparent financial reporting and planning that builds trust among administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and trustees. In coordination with school-wide data management: publish the Trustee Dashboard; provide ad hoc analyses as required; work on budgets and projections; complete industry surveys; and help automate processes to minimize data entry. Work with the Professional Development Coordinator and Human Resources to: ensure sound management and tracking, as well as support strategic and effective evolution of, the School’s Professional Development and Research Grant program. Collaborate with the IT department vis-à-vis budgeting, purchasing of equipment, and personnel management. Supervise security management, working with the Director of Facilities in reviewing and implementing school safety and security priorities; Establish capital project spending priorities, working with the Director of Facilities and Building Committee; assist in budgeting, tracking and managing implementation. Represent the Lycée at various regional, state, and national associations relative to the role of the CFOO; Monitor regulatory and best practice developments by belonging and contributing to listservs such as NBOA and NYSAIS; Advise the Head of School of any situations which might have adverse safety or legal consequences for the School; Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
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Skills and Knowledge The ideal candidate will bring significant experience gained through increasingly responsible roles in comparably complex, high-performance settings. This experience will ideally include budgeting and planning, financial forecasting and analysis, financial software implementations, accounting, human resources, risk management, business operations, and oversight of facilities and capital projects. Experience in education, either at the secondary school level or in higher education, would be a distinct asset. A master’s degree in finance, accounting, or business is preferred. Proven success with the implementation of new technology platforms is also preferred. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are key to the position. Proficiency in French would be an asset but is not a requirement.
Personal Attributes The Chief Finance & Operations Officer will be an accessible and approachable colleague, with the integrity, warmth, and openness to learning that are consistent with Lycée values. Candidates should be self-starting, resourceful, and organized, and possess the ability to work well under pressure, communicate effectively, and embrace a diverse and multinational community. Further, the successful candidate will be or possess: • • • • • •
High energy – brings a sense of urgency to the organization A strategic thinker who sees the larger picture The ability to understand and embrace the Lycée’s mission The ability to balance and prioritize the needs of the School The ability to motivate, manage, and mentor staff Process-oriented
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• • • • • • •
Superb people skills; compassionate A strong, team player Fair, but demanding; a willingness to say “no” Committed to diversity and inclusion practices Evident integrity Secure in the company of accomplished people High emotional intelligence
To Apply Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents (preferably PDFs) the following materials: • A cover letter expressing their interest in the Chief Finance & Operations Officer position • A current résumé • A list of five (5) professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each to: Greg Britton Managing Associate, Search & Consulting Operations gbritton@carneysandoe.com John Clark Senior Search Consultant john.clark@carneysandoe.com
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